Chapter Text
“Umalis ka, Jho. Sinasabi ko sa’yo.” Aiah mutters sternly at the looming figure of the girl behind her. Wala pang ginagawa ang babae pero alam na niyang manggugulo lang ito. She continues writing on her notes but she is now cautious at her surroundings, especially at Jhoanna.
The girl sits beside her and Aiah can immediately smell her sweat at noong tinignan niya nga ito, truly, sobrang pawis ni Jhoanna. The latter even held a ball in her hand, a sign that she just finished playing. Automatically, her eyes roll at the sight of the latter. She hears Jhoanna chuckle heartily before replying, “Wala pa nga akong ginagawa eh”. The girl’s tone is full of playfulness.
That irks something inside Aiah.
Hindi niya alam kung anong nakita nito sa kaniya that she had became Jhoanna’s source of amusement. For the first time, Aiah doesn’t like the idea of making someone happy - of making Jhoanna happy specifically.
Never.
“Mang-iinis ka lang kaya shoo away.”
“Shoo away shoo away, pwede namang alis nalang ang sabihin.” Jhoanna repeated her last two words with obvious mockery.
Lord, give me patience please.
Aiah is known to be patient but she isn’t seem like it when Jhoanna is clearly bothering her.
Nakakainis.
“Edi umalis ka.” pasinghal na sabi niya.
“Mag-aaway na naman ‘yan sila.” sambit ni Maloi upon arriving at their usual tambayan spot. It is a wonder to everyone why they are within the same group of friends when in fact palagi silang magkaaway.
It is actually through Colet. Girlfriend ni Colet na best friend ni Jhoanna si Maloi na best friend ni Aiah.
They were introduced to each other during their freshman years since Colet and Maloi have been together since high school. Si Maloi ang unang naging kaibigan ni Aiah upon entering college. Due to her bright personality, Aiah easily became comfortable with Maloi and soon became good friends. Meanwhile, Colet and Jhoanna are both varsity players of their University’s basketball team. Hence, it is also not a wonder why they have a bond.
Isa-isa namang dumating ang iba pa nilang kaibigan. Aiah beams them a smile and soon proceeds to talk to Mikha who settles on her right.
“Ayan, kapag si Mikha panay ngiti ka.” Jhoanna blurts out while pouting. Aiah inhales a sharp breath and throws a glare at the immature girl.
“It’s none of your business.” she mutters and sticks out her tongue at Jhoanna. The girl reciprocates it with mocking faces.
“Aray!” daing nito matapos siyang kurutin ni Aiah sa tagiliran.
In Aiah’s defense, hindi niya nilakasan ang pagkurot dito.
“Ang OA mo, Jho. Hindi naman ‘yun masakit.”
“Ouch!” this time, si Aiah naman ang sumigaw.
“Ang OA mo, Aiah. Hindi naman ‘yun masakit.” Ulit nito sa sinabi niya.
Hahampasin na sana siya ni Aiah when Sheena commented playfully, “Konti nalang talaga iisipin ko na mag-asawa kayo na may tampuhan.”
Aiah’s expression morphs into disgust. She looks at Sheena clearly offended at her choice of words. Imbes na hampasin niya si Jhoanna ay kaagad na tinulak niya ito palayo, causing the girl to fall off on the bench. Her butt flat out on the ground.
Jhoanna glares at her which causes Aiah to immediately backs away. This glare screams trouble.
Their gazes locked at each other. Imbes na mag-sorry, Aiah prays for her life. Alam niyang any minute now, Jhoanna will strive to get even. And tama nga siya dahil habang tumatayo ito, her eyes are challenging her.
Aiah too slowly prepares herself… to run.
“Jhooo! Sorry na nga eh! Hindi ko naman sinasadiya!” she cries out while running although it seems futile because she is apparently running away from a varsity player.
“Anong sorry, ang sakit ng puwet ko.” She hears Jhoanna reply as her footsteps become near and when she turns around, Aiah panics as Jhoanna’s hands reach unto her.
Aiah almost stumbles when Jhoanna’s hands loop around her. Them running around in the university’s field in a time where most students were already out of their classes was thrown out of their minds. Hindi nga nila napansin na nasa kanilang dalawa na ang mga mata nang halos lahat ng estudyante na nasa field.
Basta Aiah is busy trying to get off Jhoanna as the latter is tickling her. “Ano ha.” Jhoanna repeatedly challenges all while tickling Aiah.
“S-sorry na, Jho please HAHAHAHA Jhoannaaaaa HAHAHAHA.” They are lost in their own world - with Aiah shoving Jhoanna’s face away and the latter trying her best to elicit any reaction from the older girl.
Their friends wouldn’t want to interrupt except that the two are causing a scene in front of everyone’s prying eyes. Kaya kaagad na tumikhim si Mikha which immediately pulled the two out of their reverie. And as if on cue, sabay nilang tinulak ang isa’t isa.
Jhoanna and Aiah mirror each other’s expressions. A person who seems to get caught in the act as they awkwardly stare at their friends. Kung kanina ay halos dikit na dikit sila, ngayon naman ay parang isang meter stick ang pagitan ng dalawa.
Their friends are looking at them amusedly, it is obvious in their faces how they want to let out a bunch of teasing remarks.
And sino pa nga ba ang mauuna kung hindi si Sheena, “Mag-asawa nga.” she mutters playfully while nodding her head, acting like she strongly affirms with what she commented a while ago.
“Goodluck sa chismis about the two of you.” Stacey too joins in on the fun.
Colet then rambles, “Magkaaway pa kayo sa lagay na ‘yan ah.”
“Ang sweet naman ng mortal enemies.” This time ay si Maloi naman ang nagsalita.
While si Mikha at Gwen na madalas tahimik ay nag-thumbs up lang kay Jhoanna but their teasing expression cannot also be hidden.
It is evident in their side comments that they found the two amusing. At mahahalata din sa mukha nila na hanggang mamaya ang asar na gagawin nila.
The two in the spotlight cannot help but to reconsider their life choices. One question circles on their mind, ‘Bakit ko ba ginawa ‘yun?’
“Tara na, nakatunganga na kayo diyan.” Colet calls out to the two. Nalagpasan na nila ang dalawa pero hindi pa rin sila gumagalaw.
Jhoanna and Aiah immediately turn around. Bago sundan ni Aiah ang mga kaibigan ay tinapakan niya muna ang paa ni Jhoanna.
Deliberately.
“Aray!” This time, Jhoanna can only utter in a low voice. Baka mamaya ay asarin na naman sila. At imbes na asarin pabalik si Aiah ay hinayaan na lang niya at tahimik na sumunod sa mga kaibigan while pouting.
She cannot wait to wipe off the smirk on Aiah’s face.
It is their usual Saturday movie night. Chips and drinks were atop the table while bean bags sprawled on Jhoanna’s living room for those who don’t have space in her sofa. The lights are dim already as the movie plays and they are almost complete.
Almost.
Since Aiah hadn’t arrived yet, reasoning that she still has some org works to finish before coming over.
Pa-importante talaga. Jhoanna cannot help but to think.
For some unknown reason, hindi mapakali si Jhoanna. Her attention was long over away from the movie. She is just absentmindedly eating chips, her mind was elsewhere.
And it heightens when she notices that the rain is pouring.
After a few minutes of contemplation, she gets her car keys to buy liquor. Parang gusto niya bigla uminom, pampainit lang since malamig ang panahon.
“Sakay.” She utters while sticking her head to let her presence be known after rolling her windows down. Jhoanna sighs impatiently when Aiah looks hesitant. The latter even blinks, clearly confused on why Jhoanna is in front of her right now.
“Sasakay ka or iiwan na kita dito?” That very question boils Aiah’s stubbornness.
Aiah challenges her, as if hindi niya kaya. “Edi iwan mo, naka-book na ako ng Grab.”
“Edi i-cancel mo. Problema ba ‘yun.” Jhoanna fires back.
“Exactly.” Aiah affirms almost immediately.
“I don’t have a problem with anything. But with you…” she even pauses to make her next words be emphasized.
“Meron.”
“Bahala ka nga.” And with that, Jhoanna steps on her accelerator, leaving the girl behind.
“Ang arte arte talaga. Nakakainis.” She mumbles through gritted teeth as she maneuvers her car away from the standing figure of the girl.
“Manigas ka diyan.” She continues as she glances at Aiah through her side mirror. Jhoanna’s eyes even roll in annoyance.
Aiah on the other hand bite backs her worries and annoyance, kahit nakapayong siya ay nababasa pa rin siya ng ulan sa sobrang lakas nito. Also, truth be told, wala pa siyang na-book na Grab. She was so close to hopping on Jhoanna’s car a while ago but since it is Jhoanna’s car - her pride won over.
Kahit mabasa pa ako dito. Never—
“Halika na. Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo, Aiah.” with that, Aiah was pulled gently to Jhoanna’s car. Before she could even react, the girl was already closing her car door after successfully making her to sit inside.
“You know that I can file a case against you. This is clearly kidnapping, Jho.” Aiah rambles as soon as Jhoanna settles on the driver seat.
The younger girl can only calm herself by heaving a deep sigh. She looks at Aiah incredulously before driving away… again.
“Hindi ka na kid though.” Jhoanna mutters back to get even.
“It is against my will so clear—” Mag-eexplain pa sana si Aiah when Jhoanna suddenly stops on the road side and leans closer towards her.
Her succeeding words were never let out when Jhoanna’s intoxicating perfume envelopes her nostrils due to their close proximity. Aiah can even clearly see the mole at the bridge of her nose.
Kaagad siya na napaatras sa kinauupuan. Actually pwede niya namang itulak si Jhoanna pero hindi niya magawa. Her hands had a mind of their own that it can only clutch on her seat.
“Oh baka kasuhan mo din ako ng sexual harassment niyan.” Jhoanna challenges as she settles back on her previous position.
Huh?
Talaga!
“Mag-seatbelt ka kasi. Naputulan ka na ba ng kamay?”
For the second time, Jhoanna successfully made her bite back her words.
Padabog na tumagilid nalang si Aiah to look outside. Pagod na nga siya sa org works, dadagdagan pa nitong katabi niya.
Although she is thankful for the younger girl. Aiah bet that Jhoanna fetch her para asarin siya. Hence, she will never say thank you. She actually did Jhoanna a favor too. A little amusement for her.
It seems like a miracle that throughout their car ride they are not bantering. It was a quiet ride back to Jhoanna’s condo.
Upon arriving, Aiah went out almost immediately.
But before she can get away, Jhoanna calls for her. At the same time, she pauses her steps. She too has something to say to the latter.
“Huwag mo sabihing sinundo kita.”
“You stay here muna. I don’t want them to know na magkasama tayo.”
They both said unison.
If may bagay man na nagkakasundo sila Aiah at Jhoanna, ‘yun ay wala dapat makaalam that they have interacted.
As if on cue, alam na nila ang gagawin nila. They nodded at each other and soon Aiah proceeded to head inside, leaving Jhoanna leaning on her car.
“Ang tagal mong bumalik, Jho.” Mikha commented the second she enters her unit with a plastic bag full of liquor bottles.
Jhoanna’s eyes subtly darted at Aiah first before replying, “Ang daming bumibili eh since maulan.”
“Huh? Baliktad ata.” Sheena asks confusedly. Her eyes are now on Jhoanna. Kasi tama nga naman, mas wala dapat bumili since umuulan.
“Not the case in the store na binilhan ko.” Jhoanna tries to act coolly as she shrugs her shoulders.
“Ilagay ko lang ‘to sa ref.” she mutters to get away from their prying eyes.
Her phone dings signalling that a message was received. Parang alam na niya kung kanino galing.
Stupid.
She bit back her tongue in amusement. Jhoanna should have been insulted by that word but she actually finds it challenging and a little… attractive.
Just a reminder, it was clearly your fault.
She types back then soon went out of the kitchen to join the others.
“Ang tigas ng ulo mo kanina.” Jhoanna mutters sleepily. Despite her groggy state, she knows what she wants. As if it was an instinct, her hands softly wrap around the girl in front of her. Jhoanna even pouts while resting her chin on the older girl’s shoulder.
“Hinintay mo pa kasing umulan, before ako sunduin.” Aiah fires back but this time, her voice was devoid of irritation. Just purely letting out what she feels.
Well, this… Both Aiah and Jhoanna don't know what the hell is this. They don’t exactly know when and where the shift specifically happens but it just happens.
Eventually, they find themselves drawn to each other - at least not in a romantic way as they always say.
It might have started when Aiah’s hands accidentally touched Jhoanna’s while they were both holding a piece of cardboard while working on their project. They both felt it but they stayed mum about it until Maloi finished cutting the said cardboard in half.
Words weren’t needed anymore as their gazes starting that moment seemed to lock more frequently - even if there are other people in the room or space the both of them are in.
The banters were still there, it even became a routine of continuously annoying each other.
Slowly, it builds.
Knowingly but for an unknown reason. Both Aiah and Jhoanna know that there is something going on. They cannot act on it though.
Not yet.
Slowly, it explodes.
It was Jhoanna.
As she was the one who inches her hand towards Aiah’s.
No, it was Aiah.
As she lowers her hand under the table for Jhoanna to finally take.
They don’t know.
Or maybe it wasn’t just Jhoanna.
It wasn’t just Aiah.
Maybe it is the both of them to begin with.
Despite the questions and hesitations. It has started something that was yet to be unraveled. Something they cannot quite figure out exactly. But something they both want for the reason they don’t know or they just deny to know.
Still, it blooms…
The stolen glances.
The hidden holding hands.
The subtle sneak outs.
The secret dates.
They were too into this and it seems like the way out is locked away in a place they still don’t want to explore.
Settling for something like this was dangerous but they both reason out that there is nothing special to break since they weren’t even good friends to begin with.
So, it continues… and here they are currently. After ensuring that everyone is sleeping, they enter their own world.
Jhoanna inhales Aiah’s scent as she tightens her hold on her. The older girl leans back as a response, leaving no space between their bodies. Content smiles are plastered on both their faces as they gaze on the city lights in front of them.
“Muntik na talaga kitang iwan kanina.” Jhoanna confesses truthfully.
“I know you wouldn’t.” Aiah confidently states.
Surrendering, Jhoanna agrees while nuzzling on Aiah’s neck. “Yeah, yeah. I wouldn’t.”
“Sleepy ka na, Jho. Tara na.” Aiah tries to break free from Jhoanna’s hold when the younger girl wouldn’t let her.
Jhoanna’s breath fans Aiah’s neck. With the way she didn’t flinch is maybe a telltale sign on how frequent they have done this already.
The younger girl softly mutters, “Five minutes.” walang nagawa si Aiah kung hindi ang pagbigyan ito kasi hindi naman din sa ayaw niya ang nangyayari.
“Mikhs, dito ka na.” Aiah patted the seat beside her excitedly.
“Mikhs, here.” The oldest among them smiles softly as she hands Mikha a pair of utensils
“Mikhs, pair tayo.” Aiah suggested in one of their badminton games.
Jhoanna notices. And even if they still have the same arrangement, she cannot help but to shake away a looming thought.
“Crush mo ba si Mikha, ate Aiah?” Natigilan ang lahat sa tinanong ni Sheena. As Mikha excused herself to go to the rest room, hindi na napigilan ni Sheena ang magtanong.
Everyone at their table looks at Aiah expectantly. Kahit sila ay curious din with how the older girl is treating Mikha slightly differently from the rest of them lately.
Especially Jhoanna. She too is on the brink of asking Aiah that very question.
Aiah seems too calm for someone who got cornered suddenly. She sips on her matcha before answering, “Halata ba?” and that confirms everything. Squeals can be heard on their table following the revelation. Jhoanna too joins in on the teasing albeit feeling something she cannot comprehend for the first time.
It wasn’t a plain yes, but it is enough to be understood by everyone.
Jhoanna’s thoughts after that zeroed in on the fact that Aiah likes Mikha.
She quietly sips on her latte but her mind is loud with thoughts.
Now what? Her expression reads while looking straightly at Aiah. She never diverted her gaze until the older girl knew what she was hinting at.
Now what? Now that I know you like her? It wasn’t just even a ‘her’. It was Mikha.
Jhoanna wants to let out that very instant. But she just couldn’t.
Maybe it was Aiah’s way to put out the fire.
Jhoanna understood it that way.
It has been cold since then. But it is safe.
It is the right thing to do. Jhoanna guesses they both don’t want something temporary anymore.
Something fleeting.
Something unsteady.
Maybe Aiah did the both of them a favor by answering Sheena’s question truthfully.
And so they’ve moved on. Jhoanna tries. She is trying.
It was hard at first. Jhoanna doesn’t want to admit but that’s something she cannot deny. The sudden absence of Aiah’s presence hit her in the gut frustratingly more than painfully. It was like she was getting deprived of something that makes her feel alive.
The thrill was gone.
The excitement died out.
There was nothing to look forward to in her day.
She was back to her old routine.
Classes.
Practice.
Game.
Heading home.
Going out with her circle of friends.
Back to normal.
Back to how it used to be.
Back to how it should be.
“Yieee, andito na pala ang mag-jowa.” Sheena immediately teases as soon as Mikha and Aiah enter the cafe they have agreed to meet.
“Mag-jowa ka diyan.” Mikha dismisses and soon settles beside Stacey.
“Wow Mikhs, parang lugi ka naman masyado.” Aiah fakes an offended expression na ikinatawa naman ng lahat.
“Malas mo nga Mikhs if ever.” Jhoanna commented trying to mask her annoyance.
Aiah rolls her eyes at her automatically.
“Magbabangayan na naman ‘yan.” Colet predicted.
And they surely did.
They surely did in order to pretend that nothing has changed.
“May problema ka ba, Jho?” Colet cautiously asks her during one of their practice shoot outs. After knowing na pareho silang hindi makatulog, nag-decide sila na magpapawis muna. They lived in the same subdivision, hence, it was easy for them to have a spontaneous meet up - whether to play or to just chill around.
“Si Aiah ba?” Colet seconded.
Napatigil si Jhoanna sa pag-dribble ng bola. She was dumbfounded at the thought that Colet knew exactly why – or exactly who.
“Paano ko alam?” Colet was the one to voice out her only question.
“Nakita ko kayo one time on a date.” Natawa pa slight si Colet after blurting it out.
“Going to Tagaytay ain’t that subtle, Jho.”
Natawa na din si Jhoanna sa nadiskubre. Actually, tandang-tanda pa ni Jhoanna ang Tagaytay date na 'yun. Pinagtalunan pa nila ni Aiah kung saan sila pupunta that time. Aiah insisted na sa La Union kasi mas malayo and mas malayo means lesser chance of them being discovered. But since Jhoanna wants to eat Bulalo that time kaya nag Tagaytay nalang sila.
“Inisip ko pa nga na baka guni-guni ko lang ‘yun since ang sweet niyo sa isa’t isa ni Aiah pero kahit anong pikit ko sa mata ko that time, kayo talaga eh.” at natawa na nga sila parehas after hearing Colet’s rant about it.
Jhoanna passes the ball to Colet a little hard this time, “Baliw ka talaga.”
“So ano nga? Tapos na tagu-taguan niyo?” Colet prys.
“Or bahay-bahayan?”
Jhoanna guesses there is nothing to deny anymore to her friend.
“Malamang, si Mikha ang gusto eh.”
“Eh ikaw ba, sinong gusto mo?”
That very question shut her up.
Sino nga ba ang gusto ko?
“Aiah, nuod tayo ng practice game mamaya.” aya ni Gwen sa kaniya. Knowing na wala naman siyang gagawin, she agrees to her. Gwen then beams her a bright smile.
“Himala at pupunta ka.” Maloi commented since always niyang nireareason out na busy siya kapag inaaya nila na manuod.
“All out na ‘yan kay ate Mikhs eh, syempre manunuod na yan.” Sheena teasingly utters habang sinusundot ang tagiliran niya. Aiah cannot help but to just go with the flow.
Watching her play wouldn’t hurt naman siguro.
Her last class finish a little late than usual kaya nung pagdating niya sa gymnasium nila ay nagsisimula na ang laro.
Even if it’s just a practice game, a bunch of students are anticipating it. Most of them have a crush on the players. Tamang papansin at cheer lang.
Amongst all the players, two names stood out na mandalas isigaw ng crowd.
Jhoanna.
Mikha.
Expected naman though since sila ang captain ball and assistant captain ball ng team. Both are star players. Aiah directed her gaze towards the ongoing match before looking for her friends. When she spotted them, kaagad siyang pumunta sa pwesto nila.
“I-cheer mo ang bebe mo, ate Aiah. Para mas ganahan maglaro.” Sheena urges her immediately upon noticing her presence. Mali ata ang desisyon niya na tumabi dito.
She was supposed to be looking at Mikha but unconsciously her eyes always shift towards Jhoanna.
A sudden longing flashes through her eyes upon seeing Jhoanna in her element. A certain moment plays at the back of her mind.
It was one Sunday afternoon when Jhoanna suddenly thought that teaching Aiah how to play her favorite sport was the right choice to spend the rest of their day.
“Okay, spread your legs a little and then hold the ball like this.” Jhoanna patiently instructs her from behind. She even positions Aiah’s hands properly by holding it. Aiah knew that her attention should be on the ball she’s holding but how can she exactly focus when Jhoanna’s in close proximity. Not to mention that she is muttering her instructions directly in Aiah’s ear.
“And then jump a little tapos i-shoot mo.” Jhoanna softly mutters. And for the nth time since the girl went behind her, Aiah curses mentally.
Aiah seems to be in a spell na kahit ginagawa niya kung ano ang sinasabi ni Jhoanna, she is losing her wits. Hindi siya mapakali.
And because of her distracted self, hindi nga umabot sa ring ang tira niya.
Jhoanna chuckles while she pouts.
“That’s okay.” the younger girl coos while patting her head softly before grabbing the ball.
They practice a little more before playing against each other. Or maybe before fooling around inside the court. Because in a real game, no opponent would carry Aiah on her back while she shoots the ball. Much more cheer with her upon successfully getting the ball in.
Aiah never had a good laugh in a while before that moment.
“That’s travelling.” she mutters under her breath and truly the referee calls it.
“One more free throw, Jho.” Aiah mumbles getting on the edge of her seat as the time rolls out.
“Yes! Foul.” she celebrates subtly.
Or so she thought.
“Teka nga. Kailan mo pa nalaman ang mga ka-ekekan sa basketball, ate Aiah?” mali nga ata na tumabi siya kay Sheena. She should have just watched quietly.
Their youngest looks at her suspiciously. Clearly getting caught offguard, Aiah diverts her eyes away from Sheena’s curious ones.
“Huh?” she tries to play dumb. Truth be told, after siyang turuan ni Jhoanna ng basketball, she tries to learn the game. Aiah might not be able to play it well but at least she can understand why Jhoanna loves to play this specific sport.
“Ano nga—” Sheena was supposed to ask her more when a loud clank echoed through the court. Their eyes immediately search for the source of the noise, a little worried since the sound feels like a body hitting the floor.
“Jho!”
“Mikhs!”
Aiah simultaneously heard. Her gaze focuses on her two friends that are mirroring a hurt expression while clutching on the parts of their bodies that have been affected by the impact. Sensing that it’s a little serious, some students gather around the two.
It happens in just a few seconds after everything registers on Aiah’s mind. Without a second thought, she too rushes forward.
“Jhoanna!” she called out loudly, her voice was laced with undeniable worry.
Yes.
You heard her right.
Aiah didn’t scream the name of the person she was supposed to like.
It wasn’t Mikha’s.
It was indeed Jhoanna’s.
It was a little too late when she realized the slip of her tongue.
Or maybe it wasn’t a slip of the tongue.
Maybe it was the truth that she tries her hardest to not get uncovered.
Aiah could care less about all that as she rushes to Jhoanna’s side.
Aiah and Jhoanna were left alone in their school’s infirmary when Colet suggested that they too should check on Mikha. Stacey has been in the other room since then to assist on Mikha, while Aiah was left behind to attend to Jhoanna.
The tension was palpable as this was the first time that they were alone together after that night when Aiah confessed that she has a crush on Mikha.
“Parang mali ka yata ng room na pinuntahan? Nasa kabila si Mikha. Kaya ko na ‘to.” Jhoanna’s voice was full of sarcasm and Aiah knew it.
As her previous actions dawn on her. Aiah tries her hardest to make sense of everything.
Actually everything made sense already. Matagal na. She was just the one that’s distorting the truth.
She likes Jhoanna. She is starting to like her kaya tinigil niya.
Aiah tries to divert her attention.
She then lied.
She never likes Mikha.
Mikha knows it and plays along.
Buti nalang at hindi siya ang gusto nito because it will surely lead to another problem.
Aiah silently gets the bandage on the bedside table then positions herself beside Jhoanna. She gently raises Jhoanna’s right leg and skillfully wraps it around her swollen ankle.
“If you like Mikha, stop this Aiah.” Jhoanna utters sternly. A warning.
But her eyes speak otherwise. Her raw emotions are showing in it. Her eyes are pleading at Aiah.
The sight broke her. Aiah had clearly hurt the person that should have mattered.
Decoding Jhoanna’s words, Aiah continues with wrapping up.
Because she doesn’t like Mikha.
Jhoanna who’s clearly confused, mistook such action as an act of stubbornness. She tries to get her feet away from Aiah's grasp, “Ano ba, Aiah!” she bursted.
“Ganito ka ngayon tapos mamaya, sasabihin mong si Mikha ang gusto mo. Ayaw ko nang umasa Aiah.” Jhoanna continues to ramble.
Actually, ang dami niyang gustong sabihin.
“Kaya please lang. Wala kang narining mula sa akin after you confessed that you like Mikha. The least you could do is to not get my hopes up—”
“Do you like me, Jhoanna?” Aiah intercepts.
“Oo.”
Huh?
Aiah smirks at the instant answer. She then looks at Jhoanna with a soft smile.
Jhoanna immediately blushes after realizing what she just uttered, “I m-mean…”
Shit.
The younger girl curses mentally after noticing that Aiah wouldn’t buy any excuses that she will blurt out.
“Eh ano naman kung gusto kita?!” she started - albeit too defensively.
“Doon ka na sa Mikha mo. Mas malala tama nun, tsaka icomfort mo na din. Natambakan namin eh.” Aiah knew that Jhoanna’s just blurting these words out of embarrassment.
“Halata ba?” Jhoanna then mimics her answer and her tone to Sheena’s question which causes Aiah to let out a few chuckles in amusement.
“Huwag kang tumawa diyan.” saway ni Jhoanna and even tries to kick her with her uninjured foot.
“May pahawi pa ‘yan siya ng buhok—”
“I like you too.” Aiah decides to finally cut off her rambling.
“Edi goods.”
Huh?
Jhoanna immediately looks at Aiah, gauging if she’s dead serious with what she utters. She blushes for the second time but this one seems a little bit more overwhelming.
“Totoo ba?” she tries to confirm again.
“Oo nga.”
“Talaga?”
Aiah rolls her eyes at her before nodding.
“Weh? Parang napipilitan ka lang eh.”
This time, Aiah’s frustration is clearly showing.
“Isa, Jhoanna.” Aiah warns taking a few steps forward towards the girl.
“Dalawa, Aiah.” Jhoanna playfully banters back. With that, hahampasin na sana niya si Jhoanna as she was finally within her reach when Aiah was suddenly pulled by the waist.
Before she could recover, a warm pair of lips met hers. At first, Aiah was too shocked to move. Hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin. They might have sneaked out, went on dates, got too close but they never kissed.
It was overwhelming.
Her heart constricts in all the right places. If a while ago, it was Jhoanna who was the only one blushing.
Now, it is the two of them
Jhoanna’s lips ghosted over hers after a while. They stare at each other, letting out any words seems impossible as they were both too caught up in the moment.
They just let their actions speak as they both lean towards each other again - trying to let each other know what they truly feel in a searing kiss.
It was long overdue. But both Aiah and Jhoanna are still glad to have it ended this way.
Them being together.
They still might argue. Not might. Surely.
But behind these arguments is the known fact that they like each other.
The end.