"Ryan..."
She barely whispered the name, but even that felt too loud in the cold silence between them. He didn't even flinch.
Hindi na siya tiningnan. Hindi na siya kinausap. Hindi na siya pinansin.
And that hurt more than any of the words he might've said.
Parang wala siyang ginawa kundi maglakad-lakad sa opisina na parang multo — umiikot sa parehong espasyo pero hindi na kilala ang mundo na dati niyang minahal. Wala na ang kilig. Wala na ang sigla. Wala na ang purpose.
Because Ian wasn't just her bet anymore. He had become her heart's quiet obsession.
But now he wouldn't even look her in the eye.
"Aila, I'm really sorry..." Raymond handed her a hot drink in a paper cup one afternoon habang nakaupo sila sa pantry. "I didn't know Angela was going to pull that stunt."
She took the drink without looking at him. "It's not your fault," she muttered.
Raymond studied her, frowning. "You're not even listening to me lately. Wala ka sa sarili mo."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
Tahimik.
Aila stared at her coffee. It had already gone lukewarm — much like everything else in her life right now. Her job didn't excite her. Her teammates' jokes didn't make her laugh. And for the first time, Raymond's attention didn't make her feel anything.
Lunes.
Ian stood in front of the whiteboard, explaining the next quarter's client proposals. He was calm. Composed. Crisp in his gray suit. And completely, devastatingly indifferent.
"Ms. Briones, kindly submit the draft by 3 p.m."28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9KHYuDj0b
Formal. Walang emosyon. Parang hindi siya kilala.
Ang sakit.
"Kailangan ka naming kausapin."
Aila blinked. Kimberly, Maila, and Audrey were all seated in front of her at a nearby café after work. May dala pa silang printed sign: "Team Intervention: Code Red—Walang Kilig si Aila."
"Wala ka nang gana," Maila said, crossing her arms. "Ni hindi ka na sumasali sa group chat natin."
"Ni hindi ka na rin nagku-kwento," dagdag ni Audrey. "That's your thing!"
"And you're ignoring Raymond?" Kimberly leaned forward. "Girl, hindi ka na nga nagre-reply sa good morning texts niya. That's your emergency red flag."
Aila chuckled softly, but it was hollow. "Okay lang ako."
"Hindi nga," John Tantiado said, appearing beside Kimberly with their usual milk tea orders. "You didn't just lose the bet. You lost yourself trying to win it."
Aila's smile faltered.
"Aila, don't let this define you," Audrey said gently. "Alam naming may feelings ka na talaga kay Ian. And we're not judging you for that."
"Pero kailangan mong bumangon, girl," Maila insisted. "Kahit hindi para sa kanya — para sa 'yo. You've always been this fierce, bold, and witty woman. Gusto naming ibalik 'yon."
"Paano?" Aila's voice broke. "He won't even look at me."
Kimberly sighed. "Maybe you need to stop chasing his forgiveness and start finding your own."
The next day, Aila called in sick. Not because she was physically ill — but because she needed a day to think.
She pulled out her old vision board from under her bed. Dito niya nilagay lahat ng gusto niyang marating sa buhay: career goals, dream vacations, inspirational quotes.
In a corner, she saw a Polaroid of her, Kimberly, Audrey, and Maila laughing on the beach. That version of her — full of life and laughter — felt like a stranger now.
"You didn't fall because of a bet," she whispered to herself. "You fell because you saw something in him that no one else did."
But maybe it was time to see herself again too.
When she returned to the office two days later, Aila wore a simple black dress, tied her hair in a clean ponytail, and walked with her head high.
Everyone noticed.
Angela scoffed loudly in the hallway. "Oh look, the heartbreak makeover."
Aila ignored her.
Instead, she focused on her work, turned in the draft early, and even led the client call with charm and professionalism.
Ian was in the room the whole time — silent, unreadable. But this time, she didn't look at him for validation.
This time, she looked at herself.
Later that day, as she was gathering her things to leave, Ian passed by her desk.
He paused.
She didn't expect it.
But he spoke.
"Good work today."
That was all.
And yet, her heart raced.
She managed a quiet, "Thanks," without looking up.
Because maybe... just maybe... this wasn't the end.
Not yet.
End of Chapter 11
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLbD8IFHSD
