15

597 29 1
By violetspov

—🦊—

MIKHA

As I step through the castle gates, the familiar walls and ornate fixtures welcome me back, but my mind is still lost in the memory of Aiah. I'm smiling to myself, my cheeks feeling warm, and I can't shake the feeling of her lips on mine. The soft press, the way her hands found their way to my shoulders—it's playing on repeat in my head, making it impossible to keep a straight face.


I'm pulled out of my reverie by the sound of laughter. My three cousins, Colet, Gwen, and Jhoanna, are lounging near the entrance, their casual clothes a stark contrast to the royal surroundings. Gwen's the first to notice me, her eyes widening as she elbows Jhoanna.



"Aba, mukhang masaya nanaman siya." Gwen says, barely containing her amusement. "Namumula nanaman mukha niya oh, parang nung nakaraan lang na nakausap mo siya sa BGC."



I immediately feel the heat rush up to my cheeks again, and I try to play it off, waving my hand dismissively. "Wala, ano ka ba," I mumble, but my voice lacks conviction. The memory of Aiah keeps creeping back, and it's hard to keep the goofy grin off my face.



"Wala daw, oh," Jhoanna snickers, nudging Colet. "Ang saya mo naman para sa 'wala.'"



"Kulang na lang, kulayan mo buhok mo na pula eh."



Colet gives me a knowing look, her eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Sige na nga, hindi na kami magtatanong kung ayaw mong magkwento." But there's a mischievous glint in her eyes that tells me they're not buying my nonchalant act for a second.



I roll my eyes, trying to keep my composure. "Promise, it's nothing," I lie, but the truth is, the kiss has been the only thing on my mind since it happened. The way Aiah's laughter melted into that kiss, her fingers threading through my hair, and the soft gasp she made when I pulled her closer—it's all too vivid.



We decide to take a stroll around the castle grounds, slipping into our casual clothes to blend in. The garden paths are serene, lined with blooming flowers and the gentle hum of nature. As we walk, the conversation flows easily, a mix of light teasing and shared stories. The warmth of the sun feels good on my skin, and for a moment, I feel like any other young person, not bound by the weight of royal expectations.



We eventually make our way to the castle's terrace, a favorite spot of ours for its sweeping view of the city below. We settle onto the stone benches, the breeze ruffling our hair as we relax under the shade of the large oak trees.



"So," I say, breaking the comfortable silence as I turn to Colet. "Kamusta na kaya ang number one fan ni Maloi?"



Colet blushes, her usual confidence momentarily slipping. "Sino bang hindi magiging fan? She's... something else," she admits, her voice softening. "It's just hard sometimes, alam mo yun? Parang gusto ko na pero minsan hindi ako sure kung okay lang."



I nod, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "Just take it slow. Mukhang interested naman siya sayo."



Turning to Gwen, I ask, "What about you and Sheena? Mukhang madalas kita nakikitang nakangiti sa phone mo."



Gwen smiles, leaning back with a casual shrug. "She's fun, makes me laugh. Pero we're just getting to know each other for now. Wala naman akong minamadali."



I chuckle, shifting my gaze to Jhoanna. "And Stacey? Parang sobra kayong comfortable sa isa't isa."



Jhoanna grins, a hint of shyness in her expression that I rarely see. "She's... different. Makes me want to do better, tapos apaka daldal niya." She shrugs, but there's a softness in her eyes that says more than her words. "Kahit yung love language niya ay mang-asar."



Before I can tease them further about making a move, Juno appears at the terrace entrance, his usual composed demeanor masking whatever urgency he brings. "Your Highness," he says, bowing slightly. "I apologize for interrupting, but your parents have requested your presence. The charity gala is approaching, and you and your cousins need to select your attire soon."



I sigh, the brief moment of freedom dissipating. I nod, getting to my feet. "Alright, thanks, Juno. Let's go."



As we head inside to prepare for yet another public appearance, I can't help but feel the weight of the roles we play pressing down on me again. But my thoughts keep drifting back to Aiah, to her smile and the softness of her touch, and it's enough to keep me grounded.



—🐶—

AIAH


The apartment feels unusually quiet, but it's a comfortable quiet. I sit by the window, watching the city move outside, but my thoughts are somewhere else entirely. I can't stop replaying what happened—Mikha's lips on mine, the way she held me like I was something precious. I've been smiling non-stop, and it's starting to feel like my face might just get stuck this way, but I don't mind.



I curl up on the couch, hugging a pillow tightly. It feels like I've won the lottery or something, except this isn't about money—it's about something far rarer and more valuable. The Prince—Mikha—kissed me. And not just any kiss, but one that felt so genuine, so full of promise. It's surreal, almost too good to be true, and yet here I am, smiling like a fool.



Marc's shadow still lingers in the back of my mind, but it's not as dark as before. Mikha's presence, her warmth, makes it easier to push those fears aside, at least for now. I know it won't last forever, that I can't hide from my problems, but for the first time in a long time, I feel safe. I feel seen.



My phone buzzes, and for a moment, my heart races with a familiar anxiety. I take a breath, half-expecting to see another unwanted message from Marc, but it's Mikha. A relieved smile tugs at my lips as I open her message.


—📱—

heather.
hey, how are you feeling?

—📱—


I type back quickly, not wanting to keep her waiting.



—📱—

heather.
hey, how are you feeling?

you
ito, nakangiti pa rin
ikaw?

heather.
i can't stop thinking about you.


—📱—


I feel my cheeks heat up, my smile widening until it's almost ridiculous. How does she do this? How does she make everything feel lighter, more manageable? I've never felt this way before, and the thrill of it makes my heart race. But as much as I want to get lost in this feeling, a part of me wonders—how long can this last? Mikha is the Prince, after all, with responsibilities that go far beyond anything I can comprehend. And I'm just... me. Aiah. A girl with a complicated past and a tendency to overthink everything.



But for now, I push those thoughts away. I want to hold onto this, to savor every moment we have. I want to keep feeling this way—like I'm on the edge of something beautiful and new, like the world is suddenly full of possibilities I never dared to imagine.



I stretch out on the couch, closing my eyes as I let the warmth of Mikha's words wash over me. Whatever storm lies ahead, I want to believe we can weather it together. And for now, that's enough.

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