Stuck

Patrick's POV

"Why not play Truth or Dare?" Jajas suggested.

"Yeah! That's a nice idea!" Miyah agreed while sitting next to me.

"It should be great since we don't really share our secrets, right?" Dian excitedly said.

"Call!" Mitch agreed.

This isn't a good game. What is Alex thinking? Is she okay?

"Can I just be the spinner?" she tried to dodge. I know she doesn't want to bring up the past.

"Hey! You're such a killjoy, Sissy! It's just us, and it's just for fun!" Miyah interrupted her. I guess our story remains hidden until now.

"You can choose between Truth or Dare, but if you can't fulfill the dare... one shot of tequila!" Jajas stood up, excitedly explaining the mechanics.

"Call!" they all said, except for me and Alex, who couldn't meet my gaze. I know, like me, she doesn't want this game.

"Okay! Okay! Let's spin," Mitch cheerfully responded. "Miyah!" she pointed to Miyah.

Miyah? Why Miyah so soon?

"Oh! Me already?" Miyah blushed.

"Truth or Dare?" Mitch asked with excitement.

"Dare?" Miyah hesitated.

"Oh! I thought truth, I was ready with my question! Tss!" Dian regretfully said.

"Make a torrid kiss with Patrick!" Jajas quickly suggested. "It's okay, right, Patrick? You two are a couple anyway," I was surprised by Jajas' daring question.

A torrid kiss?

Is it necessary?

Is it okay to do this in front of Alex?

But I also don't want to embarrass Miyah in front of her friends.

"Oh, how about that? Aren't you going to do your friends' request?" I chuckled.

She's not okay! I know. She can't look at us.

"Miyah! Miyah! Miyah!" everyone chanted, teasing us.

"Real quick, okay?" Miyah shyly said and closed her eyes. I kissed her passionately, but I was thinking of Alex.

This couldn't be!

I love Miyah, so I shouldn't be thinking about Alex. Five years to move on is enough to prove that I'm finally okay. But I don't want her to see us like this.

"Wooh! Get a room!" Dian, Mitch, and Jajas shouted.

"I'll be back, okay? Ken's calling," She left, and I knew she was lying.

Is she hurting?

We spun several times, but she still didn't come back.

Is she crying?

I wanted to check on her, but I couldn't. I know I have no right. I've had a few glasses of alcohol. I don't want to tell the truth, and I certainly don't want the consequences. What happened earlier was enough.

I see Alex returning to our spot. She looked so down. She had also taken a few shots of tequila. Not once did she share a truth, and she avoided the dares even more.

Stop it! Stop it, please!

What's wrong with you?

You know your alcohol tolerance is low!

I wish I could tell her those words. I know she's drunk already. Until the next spin pointed to her. I don't know why, but she chose the truth. Everyone seemed amazed, especially Miyah, who also looked intoxicated. She leaned against me this time.

"Tell us about Mr. Changer!" Miyah excitedly said.

I was about to take a shot of tequila, but Miyah's question caught me off guard. I paused and looked at her drunk face.

Mr. Changer?

Who the hell is that?

"Come on, spill the beans!" Miyah said.

"Drop name, please!" Dian and Jajas teased.

"Ssh! Let her be," Miyah added.

Does everyone here not know who her Mr. Changer is?

Then, that means it wasn't Ken?

"He's responsible! He's as handsome as always." She paused, and I felt as if she was referring to me. "I miss him so much!" A tear fell from her left eye. She's really hurt.

Am I the one you're referring to, Pumpkin? Am I Mr. Changer?

Mitch interrupted my thoughts. "What about Ken?" she asked with surprise. "Don't you love him?" she added.

Ken?

"I do! But I just can't forget him. I'm still stuck in the past. I'm still in love with the same Alex until now!" she said continuously, looking at me as tears welled in her eyes.

Alex? That was me! All these years, I didn't know you still cared for me!

"Alex? You have the same name?" Miyah asked, surprised.

They really don't know!

But I'm not the same Alex that you know, Pumpkin.

I erased those memories a long time ago.

"Yeah! That's why I can't forget him because I remember him every day!" She looked at me intensely, feeling hopeless. I wish I could hug her right now.

I missed you so much, Alex. You just don't know how much I miss you.

"What's going on? Let's not get emotional here," Mitch intervened. "This game is supposed to be fun. Come on, let's spin again!" she added.

"It's okay, Sissy! Don't cry!" Miyah approached her and hugged her.

Of all people, why do they have to be friends?

I'm stuck in between. I know I shouldn't be confused because I came here to be with Miyah. She made me alive again. But I can't deny the fact that, until now, Alex is still on my mind. Yes! I love Miyah, but I'm still tied to the past.

Miyah's friends went back to the villa first. Miyah was also drunk, so I invited her to return to the room.

"Sissy, let's go!" Miyah said.

"I'll catch up, Miyah!" Alex replied weakly.

She stayed alone on the beach.

I'm sorry, Alex!

We're in the room now, and Miyah's asleep. I am lying down in bet, but something is bothering me. I looked out the window and saw Alex all alone.

What are you doing, Alex? It's getting late.

I just couldn't keep myself from misbehaving. I can't just relax from the fact that Alex is all alone outside on that dark cold night. I can't sit still. Once again, I approached the window to check if she was still there.

It's getting late, Alex. Come on, go inside...

I gathered the courage to leave the room, bringing her favorite blanket. I know she's cold because the night air is chilly, and the bonfire is out. I carefully descended the stairs. She's now in front of me, and I wanted to hug her. I have so much to say to her.

What happened to you, Alex?

I still love her, but everything has changed.

I can't hurt Miyah like you did to me. Unlike you, Alex, I know how to treasure the people around me!

I just watched her from behind. I know she's crying. I could hear and feel the pain she was going through tonight.

Why did you let me go?

Why did you throw our memories just okay?

What happened to you?

What happened to us?

Did you look for me?

Questions filled my mind. I wanted to ask her everything. I wanted to scold her. I wanted to take back everything that we lost in five years. Now that I know that I'm still the one, I want to talk to her. I want to talk to her sincerely, but I still worry about Miyah.

What will happen if we talk?

What will happen to Miyah and me?

I don't want to hurt the woman who brought life back to my worthless existence. I'm torn between approaching her or going back to the room. My mind is in conflict, worrying about what might happen if I talk to her.

I can hear her sobs. I saw her holding the key chain I gave her. My heart squeezed even more at the sight.

Why do you still have that?

You didn't throw it away?

What really happened?

Do you still love me?

If you love me, why did you let me go?

My mind is still in turmoil as my two feet argue whether to step closer or return to the room. I took a deep breath and looked back at the room where Miyah was sleeping.

I loved you from the past, Alex. Miyah is my present, and I want her to be my future. Let's move on.

I approached her. "You should go back to your room, Alex. You're drunk!" I said while covering her with the blanket. I didn't wait for her to answer; I turned away.

I'm sorry, but I can't, Alex. If we had met again at a different time, without Miyah in between, nothing like this would have happened.

I couldn't stop my tears either.

The pain of a breakup without closure is excruciating.

...to be continued.