Aiah's Pov

"Wait, wait, wait, girls," I said.

"Walang wait wait ngayon captain Aiah," Reign said.

Reign is the next team captain after I graduate. Our teammates are holding me, Stacey, and Sheena to the pond near the practice area. They already took our phones.

"Ma'am Ica already gave us permission to do this," Reign said.

I forgot that every year we have a tradition to toss the graduating players at the pond. I was so busy studying that I didn't notice that our teammates were already planning for this moment.

"Our graduating players are ready for the tradition," Reign said.

"You girls are enjoying this, aren't you?" I asked.

"Yes, captain Arceta," Reign said while smiling.

The first to be tossed into the water is me, then Stacey and Sheena. I looked at the two and nodded. They know already what's on my mind. We dragged our other teammates to the pond too.

"Unfair captain Aiah," Reign said.

"All for one," I said.

"One for all!" My teammates said.

We played around the pond for a bit before changing our clothes. The volleyball team was surprised to see us going to our locker room in the gym while our clothes were wet.

After changing clothes, the girls and I watched the practice of Mikha's team. They didn't take too long to practice since they also needed to study for the final exams.

"Nautakan kayong tatlo ng teammates niyo," Mikha said.

"Marunong din sila mag-plano ng sikreto," I said.

"Humingi ng tulong teammates niyo sa mga girlfriends niyo para i-distract kayo," Colet said.

Napatingin ako, Stacey at Sheena sa mga girlfriend namin na pasimple hindi tumitingin samin.

"G-Guys, I'll just get something in the locker room," Mikha said.

"Sama ako Mikhs," Gwen said.

"A-Ako din sama," Jho said.

"Walang aalis lalo na ikaw Mikhaela Janna Jimenea Lim," I said.

"Lagot full name na," Mikha said.

Pina-luhod ko si Mikha, Gwen, and Jho sa harap namin. Sakto na kakalabas ng ibang teammates nila sa locker room. Suddenly an idea came into my mind.

I whispered something to Maloi; she nodded, then went to the teammates of Mikha. They nodded at me. Hinawakan nila ang mga papi line.

"What are you guys doing?" Mikha asked.

"Wait bakit damay ako?" Colet asked.

"All for one, one for all, right? Since may tradition din ang team niyo for every graduating player, let's do the tradition in my team's way," I said.

"Aiah is right," Stacey said.

"Bawal na hindi ka damay uyab," Maloi said.

"Volleyball team, bring them to the pond," Sheena said.

All of us went to the pond. We already took their phones and removed their shoes.

"Love, sorry na," Mikha said.

"Tradition is tradition, love," I said while smiling.

The papi line had no choice. One by one, they are tossed to the water by their teammates. The last one is Mikha; she's smiling with the other three.

"Ate Aiah, here are the towels," Sophia said.

I told Sophia earlier to get the towels for the papi line. She gave it to them. I thank their teammates for the help.

"Mautak ka din love," Mikha said.

"Of course, ako lang naman ang nag iisang Maraiah Queen Arceta," I said.

They changed their clothes before we went home. Mikha came home with me because my parents invited her for dinner.

"Himala kumain ka ng tinola ang isang Mikha Lim," I said.

"Tinola pa din ba niluto ni Tita?" Mikha asked.

"Similar sa tinola," I said.

"I think I like tinola now," Mikha said.

"Just tell me pag bibisita ka para malutuan kita," Mom said.

"Opo Tita," Mikha said while smiling.

"Ehem ako po ang anak dito," I said.

"Siya naman ang girlfriend mo Ate Aiah," Sophia said.

"May sinasabi ka Sophia Elizabeth?" I asked.

"Hehe wala po Ate Aiah," Sophia said.

"Nasaan pala si Iris? Bigla umalis after natin kumain," I said.

"Pumunta sila ni Bryan sa 7/11," Dad said.

"Gabi na," I said.

"Relax, love," Mikha said.

"Tara love puntahan natin sila," I said.

"Babalik din sila agad love, mag-shower ka muna," Mikha said.

Mikha's also going to sleep here tonight. My parents insisted, hindi rin makapag-no si Mikha lalo na nagpa-cute din si Iris. Okay na adoption papers for Iris, pwede na siya umuwi sa Lim mansion after ng final exams namin nila Mikha.

"I know sinusulit mo na nandito pa si Iris and mamimiss mo siya, but don't worry, hahayaan ko siya bumisita dito minsan," Mikha said.

"Okay, manuod ka lang kasama sila Dad," I said.

"Yes love," Mikha said.

I kissed Mikha's cheeks, then went upstairs to my room. After taking a bath, I went back downstairs to the living room. Iris and Kuya Bryan are back and are bonding with my parents. Mikha is not with them.

"Where's Mikha?" I asked.

"I'm here," Mikha said.

Mikha appeared from the kitchen. She's holding a puppy, a golden retriever.

"Love, that's a dog," I said.

"Surprised love," Mikha said.

"She's yours?" I asked.

"Ours but yours," Mikha said.

I'm holding the puppy. My family, Iris, and especially Mikha are smiling at me.

"I haven't given her a name yet," Mikha said.

"Sis, how about Ai-Ai? Short for your name Aiah," Kuya Bryan said.

"Mom, oh si Kuya Bryan nang-aasar," I said.

"Bryan wag mo na asarin kapatid mo," Mom said.

I heard Mikha laugh a bit; I glared at her.

"Mikha Lim," I said.

"I'm thinking of a name for our puppy," Mikha said.

"I have a name suggestion po," Iris said.

"What's your suggestion, Iris?" I asked.

"How about Mik-Mik po? Since it's from Ate Mikha," Iris said.

"Iris, that's the name of a snack," Mikha said.

"I think that's a great idea," I said.

"Aiahkins," Mikha said while pouting.

"Everyone, meet Mik-Mik," I said while smiling.

The puppy happily barked upon hearing her name.

"Mik-Mik, welcome to the Arceta family," Kuya Bryan said.

"Not only to the Arceta family but also to the Lim's Pack," I said.

Mikha pats the puppy.

"A new member of the pack, hi Mik-Mik," Mikha said.

"Thank you love," I said.

"Your welcome, love; I know having a dog is one of the things you want," Mikha said.

She's right. A dog, especially a golden retriever, is what I want, but I didn't have the time to buy one.

After a few minutes of playing with our puppy, Mikha and I went upstairs to my room with Mik-Mik. She said that the puppy is her advance graduation gift for me.

"You really prepared this surprise. She even has her things, love," I said.

"As much as I want us together to buy her things, I don't want to disturb your time, especially since our final exams are coming," Mikha said.

"Mikha Lim pina-paiyak mo ata ako," I said.

"Why?" Mikha asked.

"Sobra mo ako pinapasaya," I said.

"You deserved to be happy, love," Mikha said.

She hugged me, then kissed my forehead. I should also prepare a graduation gift for Mikha.

"Love, there's something I want to talk about," Mikha said.

"Ehem kaya ka siguro nagbigay agad ng graduation gift kasi may sasabihin ka," I said.

"Of course not; I was already planning to give Mik-Mik during your final game, but the timing was short since I also have my final game," Mikha said.

"Okay, explanation accepted. What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"About the practice game, we know the captain of the opponent team," Mikha said.

"That's great; then the four of you will have fun for your last practice match with the team," I said.

"But she's kinda something," Mikha said.

"What something?" I asked.

"She's kinda obsessed with me," Mikha said.

"And she's a werewolf," I said.

"How did you know?" Mikha asked.

"Hunter's instinct," I said.

She snuggled closer to me.

"Ehem nag-lalambing ang isang Mikha Lim," I said.

"Only for you," Mikha said.

"You don't have to worry about me during your practice match. I know what you are thinking," I said.

"The others are worried too; Maloi knows the attitude of Jaz. Muntik pa niya naka-away," Mikha said.

"Well, if she ever dares to make a move on you, she will see me as a hunter. What's mine is mine, and that's you, Mikha Lim," I said.

"Yes, only yours, my hunter," Mikha said.

I hold her cheeks.

"I'll always be here to support you," I said.

"I always do the same to support you too, love," Mikha said.

She holds my hands, which are still on her cheeks; she closed her eyes.

"Whatever happens, my heart will find it's way to you. My home," Mikha said.

Both of us may be different, but our love for each other is much stronger. I kissed her forehead. The momentum was nice when our Mik-Mik suddenly farted and poops.

"Oh, come on now, Mik-Mik; I already trained you," Mikha said.

Our puppy barked happily at us.

"Love mauna na ako matulog, ikaw na mag-hakot sa poop niya," I said.

"Pero love," Mikha said.

"Kaya mo yan, my alpha," I said while smiling.







Days passed by so fast; it's the weekend and the practice match of the volleyball team. I arrived at the gym with Stacey and Sheena.

We saw Maloi setting up the equipment with the volleyball team. Everyone is here except Mikha, Gwen, and Coach Mickey.

"They are in front of the main building to greet the opponent team. I know your expression, Aiah," Colet said.

"I'm not even asking," I said.

"Pwede naman si coach lang ang mag-greet, nag-request pa talaga na isama si Mikha," Jho said.

"Halaka Ate Jho," Sophia said.

"Ano sabi mo Jho?" I asked.

"Lagot ako nito. Ah eh Aiah nag last minute request yung kalaban namin, kakatawag kanina lang," Jho said.

"Nandito lang sana si captain Mikha, kaso hindi naman na makapag-no si Coach Mickey," Sophia said.

"Sumama nalang din si Gwen," Colet said.

"Sheena samahan mo ako," I said.

"Huh? Saan Aiah?" Sheena asked.

"May nakalimutan ako sa car ko," I said.

"Sa car or sa harap ng main building, Aiah?" Stacey asked.

I glared at Stacey. Lumapit siya bigla kay Jho.

"Tangi ikaw kasi," Stacey said.

"Sheena samahan mo na si Aiah, pasabi kay Coach Mickey naka-set up na kami. Baka may magka-crush kay Gwen dun," Colet said.

"Ay tara na Aiah," Sheena said.

Hinawakan ni Sheena kamay ko, napatawa ako onti. Alam namin loyal ang papi line, pero madami talaga nagkaka-gusto sa kanila kahit nung high school pa kami. Medyo totoo na may nakalimutan ako sa car, nag-dala ako ng sandwiches na gawa ni Mom. She made lots of it to also share it with the opponent team.

Kinuha muna namin ni Sheena ang three tupperwares sa car bago pumunta sa harap ng main building. Pagkadating namin, sakto na dumating na din makakalaban nila Mikha. Napansin ko agad si Jaz na lalapit sa girlfriend ko, pinakita na sakin ni Maloi picture niya.

"Coach Mickey, naka-set up na daw po sila Colet," I said.

Lumingon agad si Mikha at Gwen samin ni Sheena. We went beside our girlfriends while greeting the visitors. Coach Mickey introduces us to them. The name of the opponent team's coach is Mr. Reden.

"I know you both, Ms. Arceta and Ms. Catacutan; my daughter is a big fan of your team. She's not into volleyball, and she excels in archery. She's enrolling next year in this university," Mr. Reden said.

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. We may still be around here sometimes, and I might see her," I said.

"Coach Reden, we have a practice match," Jaz said.

"Oh yes, let's get to the gym," Mr. Reden said.

We let the visitors walk ahead of us. Mikha, Gwen, Sheena, and I are walking just behind them.

"Love, let me carry the tupperwares," Mikha said.

"Magaan lang ito Mikha," I said.

"Mikha lang?" Mikha asked.

"Mikhs nadulas si Jho kanina. Narinig ng girlfriend mo," Sheena said.

"Sheena Catacutan," I said.

"Ipabuhat mo na kasi kay Mikha, si Gwen na may hawak ng dala ko," Sheena said.

I took a deep breath, then let Mikha carry the tupperwares. She smiled at me, ayan tayo sa smile mo.

Nakarating na kami sa gym. Pumunta kami sa bleachers kung nasaan ang si Stacey. Binaba na din ni Mikha at Gwen tupperwares sa bleachers. Akala ko pupunta na siya sa teammates niya, pero niyakap niya ako.

"Mikha Lim hinihintay kana ng teammates mo," I said.

"I want to hug my girlfriend first," Mikha said.

I hugged her back.

"Sorry nag-sungit ako," I said.

"It's okay, love. Don't worry, I won't let her get to me," Mikha said.

"I'm really sorry," I said.

"After this practice match, let's have a sleepover at the Papi House with everyone," Mikha said.

"But the final exams are next week," I said.

"One night of not studying won't hurt; I'll cook one of your favorites," Mikha said.

"No, I'll be the one cooking. I want you to relax with the others tonight," I said.

I pinched her cheeks while smiling.

"I love you, Mikha Lim," I said.

"I love you too, Aiahkins," Mikha said.

"Ehem paging captain Mikha," Jho said.

The papi line is waiting for Mikha. She kissed my cheeks first before going to her teammates. Maloi sat with us.

"Lakas magbigay assurance ng nag-iisang Mikha Lim," Stacey said.

"Girls, yung tingin ni Jaz satin," Sheena said.

"Parang may balak," Stacey said.

"Hayaan niyo na siya. Let's support our volleyball team," I said.

"Aiah sabihan mo lang kami if need ng backup," Maloi said.

"Relax girls," I said.