Work Text:
Group Chat: otso baliko 🌈
Stacey: nakauwi na aq salamat sa nagpa-kape
Jho: di mo naman kailangan magmessage lagi pag nakauwi ka na stacey
Colet: kauwi na rin me
Jho: aww that’s great colet 🥹
stacey: putangina mo jho
sheena: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
stacey: kuhang-kuha mo pika ko girl
stacey: 😤
stacey: sana makanto yang tuhod mo sa kama
aiah: nakauwi na rin ako guys
mikha: zzz tulog na ako
colet: ang bilis mo naman makauwi mikha?
stacey: oh bat di mo sila sinisita jhoanna?
sheena: wala bang traffic northbound mikhs?
mikha: wala
colet: aaah bat wala pa sila maloi sa kanila? wala pala traffic
mikha: @maloi magreply ka na worried na sayo tong si colet o
colet: 😒
colet: anyway happy birthday uli gwenny
aiah: hbd uli gwenny love
aiah: parang bagay pala tayo sa dinner dinner lang, hindi yung puro inuman
stacey: ito pala yung group pic kanina
stacey: *photo of the 8 girls during dinner*
sheena: latina na sana e
sheena: kaya lang yung bundok ng kanin sa gitna 🤩
gwen: thanks guys sa gifts
gwen: ❤️
maloi: kauwi na me, traffic talaga sa maynila 😔
colet: ahh
jho: buti nakauwi ka na lucky ❤️
jho: pahinga na kayo!
stacey: 🤬🤬
stacey: lord if mapatid si jhoanna bukas papasok sa opis niya okay lang naman samin
aiah: 😭
Text Message From Sheena to Colet
sheena: may napapansin ka ba
sheena: 🙂
colet: depende
colet: anong napapansin mo
sheena: kay ano
colet: hmm?
sheena: at kay ano
colet: aaah
colet: gets
New Group Chat: Colet, Sheena, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey and Jhoanna
colet: guys napansin niyo ba kanina
sheena: ay shuta ang bilis
sheena: HAHAHAHA SANDALE, NADALE MO COLET!
gwen: ano to?
maloi: bagong gc na naman?
maloi: bakit wala si aiah at mikhs
maloi: birthday ba nila?
jho: lucky gising please 😭
sheena: nasaan si fyang?
stacey: hmm
stacey: parang alam ko to
stacey: an impostor is among us
sheena: staku i-blotter mo yan bilis!
stacey: si aiah at mikha? tingin niyo?
colet: di galing sakin yan ah
stacey: so sila nga?
maloi: ANO??
maloi: teka what, si mikha at aiah ay ano?
stacey: huy teka hindi ako sure
stacey: sure ba kayo cols, shee?
maloi: sure na ano, ano sila?
stacey: jusko ka
stacey: SILA BEH, MAGJOWA!
maloi: SILA?
stacey: hindi ko nga sure! ano ba yan lucky 😭
stacey: sabog ka ba
stacey: kausapin niyo nga to 😭
colet: hindi rin ako sure pero may napapansin kasi ako lately sa kanila
colet: ano ba yung napansin mo staks?
stacey: yung necklace ni aiah kanina sa dinner
stacey: teka may picture ako
stacey: *picture of aiah’s neckline with a thin necklace*
stacey: tas naalala ko kasi na madalas na sinusuot yan ni mikha
stacey: *picture of mikha wearing the same necklace*
maloi: ang ganda ni aiah
maloi: ang ganda rin ni mikha wth
stacey: di ko sana mapapansin yung necklace
stacey: kaya lang nung nagpalit si aiah into the turtleneck top litaw na litaw yung necklace niya
jho: shet may resibo
gwen: pero baka naman same lang sila ng necklace?
gwen: hindi ba suot ni mikha yung kanya kanina?
sheena: oo nga baka naman same lang sila ng binilhan
stacey: mga bakla, pang scorpio yung kwintas
stacey: scorpio ba si aiah?
jho: oh 🫢
jho: juicy
jho: kayo ba colet, shee ano napapansin niyo?
sheena: actually mahirap sabihin, kasi close naman talaga sila
sheena: tas noon pa lang maasikaso na sila sa isa’t isa
sheena: pero may naramdaman lang akong shift sa vibes nilang dalawa. iba yung tension
colet: malisosya lang ata ako pero
colet: i dont think sa san juan umuwi si mikha ngayon 🫢
colet: ano yun, nauna pa siya kay maloi na taga shaw lang?
sheena: HOY 😭
sheena: grabeng pagdududa naman to
stacey: oh shiittt
stacey: kaya pala para kang pulis kanina sa gc
sheena: uy pero naalala niyo ba yun, crush talaga ni mikha si aiah nung college tayo
gwen: wait, talaga ba?
gwen: 🤔
jho: huy hindi ko alam yun, kanino niya sinabi?
Stacey: taena ka shee nilaglag mo naman yung kaibigan natin
stacey: pero ahaha happy crush niya nga si aiah
stacey: di niyo ba naalala ‘to? every general assembly ng org, nagtatawanan kami sa likod kapag tinatawag ni aiah yung name ni mikha
colet: as in nung secretary pa lang ng org si aiah?
sheena: hanggang mag-chairperson siya at gumraduate kayo!
Sheena: dont u remember the sunflowers na binigay ni mikha nung gumraduate kayo?
Sheena: tas kay aiah, isang buong bouquet??
Stacey: patay na patay yang manok ko nun
maloi: akala ko sweet lang siya sa upperclass
sheena: nagdadahilan lang yun para hindi kayo magduda HAHAHA
Jho: bakit hindi ko ‘to alam?!
Colet: iniwan niyo naman yung batchie niyo hahaha
Stacey: epal ka kasi nun close mo yung upperclass sa org kaya di ka sinasabihan ni mikha
Jho: HOY GRABE
Stacey: yes nakaganti rin HAHAHAHAHA
Gwen: hmm
Gwen: hindi lang si mikha ang may crush nun i think
Stacey: ANOOO?!
Sheena: HUY TEKA REAL BA?
Sheena: matagal na bang sumasakses ang frenny namin!?
Gwen: hindi naman sinabi sakin ni aiah directly
Gwen: pero nun pa man iba na yung treatment ni aiah kay mikha versus sa the rest ng batch niyo lol
Gwen: matagal ko nang napansin pero dinismiss ko lang kasi eventually naging close friends sila
Gwen: kala ko sobrang vibe lang nila ang isa’t isa
Colet: naalala niyo nung nag-ate ate pa kayo samin
Stacey: kaya nga kadiri ampota, ate colet? ate gwen? ate maloi? ate aiah? 😭
Sheena: if sila nga, paalala natin kay aiah na six years ago, ate ang tawag sa kanya ni mikha
Stacey: EWW HAHAHA
Twitter: Stacey’s Public Account
@staceyaubrey: mag-ate daw pero may allegations 🥶
↪️@sheenacatacutean: kadiri naman 😀
↪️@gwennyapuli: hoy tigilan niyo 😫
New Group Chat: Colet, Sheena, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey and Jhoanna
Stacey: anyway, paano natin huhulihin yung dalawa?
Jho: huy baka naman magbackfire satin to
Jho: wala pala talaga tas magagalit satin yung dalawa
stacey: hinde, meron yan. paaminin na yan!
stacey: hulihin sa akto!
jho: hahahahaha
gwen: so anong plano?
colet: tale as old as time bro
colet: the jalosi route
gwen: tangina, lason 😭
gwen: paano pagseselosin
sheena: isa na lang satin ang lumandi
jho: huy gago HAHAHAHAHA
sheena: dali na para malaman na natin if sila nga talaga o hindi
gwen: mas masaya pagselosin si mikha ata
stacey: ME NA TO!
stacey: I’ll flirt with aiah
jho: ako na lang!
gwen: kayong dalawa go na
sheena: wag, sobrang halata nun
sheena: si aiah naman ang pagselosin, tignan natin paano siya magrereact KUNG SILA NGA
sheena: volunteer na kita @maloi
jho: uy, siya aano kay mikha?
stacey: aano ka diyan 😭 ayusin mo naman sinasabi mo!
maloi: ano na naman to!
jho: landiin mo daw si mikha
jho: tignan natin kung seselos si aiah
maloi: ha bakit ako?
stacey: i see the vision
stacey: bagay kaya kayo ni mikha
maloi: hindi ah!
sheena: joke joke lang lucky para lang magselos si aiah
sheena: dali na, di naman makisama to oh
colet: kung ayaw niya, wag pilitin
stacey: okay na yan cols, bagay naman si mikha at lucky kaya kapani-paniwala
stacey: magkalapit naman kayo ng bahay e
stacey: pasundo ka pag naglaro tayo ng badminton sa Saturday
maloi: hoy hala bakit kasi ako
gwen: sige naaaa HAHAHAHA EXCITING KAYA
sheena: ayan okay na ha, all set na to
sheena: change ko group name
*changes the group chat name to “oplan tanim bakla”*
sheena: okay na to 😌 good luck satin
stacey: tanim ka pala eh @maloi HAHAHAHAHAHA
jho: bakla ka pala eh @maloi HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
maloi: ewan ko sa inyo
–
Mikha’s POV
The whole ride to their usual badminton court was confusing as hell.
It wasn't that she was confused with Maloi’s sudden demand that she fetch her, it was more because of the fact that Maloi looked like she wanted to JUMP out of her seat for the whole duration of the ride.
Maloi (and the other six ladies in their friend group) had been her friend since they were kids in university, and not once was she ever this awkward with any of them.
“Hey, you okay?” Mikha asked just when they were about to go inside the court.
Maloi glanced at her, surreptitiously at first, then wholeheartedly the next, a wide toothy smile on her face. “Yes Mikhs, okay na okay. Andyan ka eh.”
Huh?
Mikha was so taken aback that the door almost slammed on her face.
Aiah’s POV
Mikha was frowning when she arrived with Maloi that afternoon.
“Hi guys!” Maloi cheerfully greeted everyone.
Well, everyone at the bleachers since Jhoanna and Gwen are already playing in court.
“Tagal niyo ah. Anong ginawa niyo?” Stacey commented as Mikha put her gear beside Aiah’s. Mikha was still frowning, her mind faraway from the group’s conversation.
“Wala, careful lang talaga magdrive ‘tong si Mikhs.” Maloi giggled. “Ako kasi yung kasama.”
Sheena coughed, while Colet stood up quickly.
“Maglalaro na ako.” Colet announced, grabbing Sheena by the arm. “Halika Sheena.”
“Hoy teka,” Sheena protested. “Wait lang ayoko pa maglaro!”
With her free hand, Colet picked up another badminton racket and handed it to their youngest friend. “Raketa mo.”
In the end, Sheena had no choice but to go with Colet. Stacey and Aiah looked at each other, frowning.
“Anyare dun?” Stacey asked, to which Aiah just shrugged. She's just as confused as her.
“Hey, okay ka lang?” Aiah whispered to Mikha beside her.
Mikha looked at her discreetly, a small bit of her tongue caught in between her lips, then winked at her in a teasing manner. In an instant, butterflies started erupting in Aiah’s tummy.
God, why was that lowkey better than a hello kiss?
“Uy guys.”
Stacey’s butt made a sudden appearance in between Aiah and Mikha that they both made an unconscious move to scoot in their seat.
This meant that Stacey was now lodged in between them.
“Kumusta naman kayo.” Stacey smiled at Aiah and Mikha. “Maglalaro na ba ka— uy Mikha! Ang ganda ng phone case mo patingin naman.”
Stacey unceremoniously took Mikha’s phone which was previously on her lap. “Send link naman nito beh. Ano ‘tong pola na nasa likod?”
“Ah wala lang yan, random sky line during one of my drives.”
Aiah glanced at Mikha who was already looking at her. It indeed was not a random picture of the night sky. The polaroid was taken at the exact spot, on the exact date when Aiah and Mikha made their relationship official.
Aiah could still remember that she only had two films left in her camera that night, both of which she used to take pictures. Stacey was looking at the first one, and the other one was on the back of Aiah’s phone.
Aiah made a discreet move to flip her phone.
—
Text Message: from Mikmik
mikmik: muntik na yun ah
mikmik: nakauwi ka na? 😼
mikmik: punta ako sayoooo
aiah: ano yung muntik na?
aiah: yesss nakauwi na pero andito si sheena sa unit, nagpaalam lang ako magbibihis
aiah: biglang nag-aya ng movie marathon ang loka
mikmik: ano ba yan!
mikmik: pauwiin mo na siya plss ☹️
mikmik: ano pala, muntik na yung sa phone case
aiah: tinanggal ko tuloy yung pola 😔
aiah: punta ka na lang dito kahit andito si shee
aiah: ayoko paalisin, minsan lang to maglambing e
aiah: imagine she even called me ate aiah again 🥹
mikmik: grabe andito ako sa parking ng megamall nag-aantay ng go signal sayo tas ganyan
mikmik: minsan na nga lang din ako maglalambing para mapagbigyan
mikmik: ate aiah 🥺
aiah: aaaa mikha lim
aiah: hahaha cute
aiah: nahatid mo na si lucky?
mikmik: uuwi na lang ako 😓
mikmik: yep nahatid ko na siya
mikmik: she's weird lately
aiah: why weird? you think she's not okay?
aiah: mukhang okay naman ata siya sa current work niya
mikmik: no i mean, she keeps saying weird things
aiah: yung kanina sa game?
aiah: ahahaha ganyan naman yan si maloi minsan
mikmik: i guess
mikmik: we gotta tell them na that we’re together
aiah: ahahaha oki
mikmik: 🙁
mikmik: but you don’t want pa?
mikmik: it’s been six months, twenty-seven days and three hours
aiah: hoy you tracked it?
mikmik: hindi, echos lang yung hours pero tama yung months and days ah
mikmik: when are we gonna tell them tho?
aiah: soon mikmik
aiah: sorry i keep pushing it back
aiah: di ko lang alam ano magiging reaction nila, we’ve all been friends for so long
Mikmik: their reaction should be happy aba!
Mikmik: lalo na sila staks kasi alam nilang crush na kita noon pa lang 😔
Mikmik: aasarin ako nun pero ok lang, ikaw na yan e
Aiah: okay then, very soon mikmik!
Mikmik: 🥹
Mikmik: uwi na meee hug mo ako kay honey
Mikmik: i miss my dog
aiah: that’s MY dog
aiah: ingat pagdrive mikmik
aiah: i gotta entertain shee
mikmik: okayy mwa 💋
mikmik: hoy yung kiss ko pabalik!
Twitter: Mikha’s Private Account
🔒@mikhalatina: isang oras na wala pa yung kiss ko ate aiah!
🔒@mikhalatina: konti na lang ipapakulam ko na si sheena 😁 babi please!
Group Chat: oplan tanim bakla
stacey: ang dugyot naman ng name nitong gc na to
stacey: anyway @maloi uy wag ka namang magback out
maloi: ayoko naaaaa
maloi: nakokonsensya na ako
stacey: huh? hindi ikaw yan beh wala kang konsensya
gwen: grabe 😭
gwen: pero totoo, ang tindi mo kaya nung college
maloi: big girl na ako
maloi: iba na lang
sheena: nasimulan na natin eee
sheena: andito pala ako sa condo ni ate aiah, detective 🕵🏼♀️
jho: kinacareer niyo naman to 😭
stacey: hmm may nakita ako kanina
stacey: hindi ma polaroid cams si mikha eh, pero may pola siya from one of her drives daw
stacey: eh sinong mahilig sa polaroid cams?
sheena: AH AH AH WAIT
sheena: shet mangingialam ako ng bag ng may bag
sheena: tama pa ba to?
gwen: go mo na andiyan ka na eh
Jho: waht 😭
Jho: what if mamatay na lang tayong lahat
sheena: shet wait
sheena: fak, binalik ko uli pero ito lol may nakita ako pola sa bag ni aiah kanina
sheena: *sends a pic of a polaroid*
sheena: buti na lang nagbibihis si aiah
stacey: 🫢
stacey: tangina netong mga to mukhang sila nga ata
stacey: MAY SUPER IDENTICAL POLA SI MIKHA NA GANYAN, SA LIKOD NG PHONE NIYA
colet: wait legit?
stacey: oo as in ganyan, night sky line. same angle ata? tas yung ferris wheel same. tagaytay ba yan?
sheena: AGAGAGAHAHGAG
sheena: wait baka mamaya naman nagkataon lang
gwen: or baka nalaglag yung pola ni mikha sa bag ni aiah
Jho: or baka wala lang, magkaibigan lang sila binigay lang ni mikha yung similar pola kay aiah
stacey: wow
stacey: benefit of the doubt
colet: lakas ng kutob ko tho, sila yan
sheena: so balik tayo sa selosan ah
maloi: auq na talaga guys
sheena: sige naaa
sheena: ayaw mo ba sila mahuli?
sheena: iba huhulihin ko sige
maloi: ano?
sheena: dali na ate lucky please?
jho: gumamit na ng bunso card
–
Twitter: Mikha’s Private Account
🔒@mikhalatina: why did i tell my parents i can be independent. wrong answer bro ang mahal mabuhay sa maynila
Text Message: from Babi
babi: babiii pabili ng treats si honey pagpunta mo dito
babi: are you gonna bring the kittens?
Mikha: ok otw sa imong heart 🫡
Twitter: Mikha’s Private Account
🔒@mikhalatina: family day shopping 😍 iba talaga pag pamilyado ka na your priorities will shift
Group Chat: otso baliko 🌈
sheena: ate aiah may ice cream ka?
sheena: henge, punta ako diyan
stacey: uy nasa bgc lang din kami ni gwen
stacey: drop by kami aiah
sheena: yaaaay sabay na lang din tayo lunch
sheena: asan kayo? @maloi @colet @jho @mikha
aiah: wait pupunta kayo now dito sa bahay?
sheena: yesss pwede ba? andiyan ka ba or wrong timing ate?
aiah: hindi naman, andito me. medyo makalat lang unit ngayon.
Text Message: from Babi
babi: mikha papunta sila dito sa unit shet
babi: nag-ate uli si shee :(
babi: wait if nagddrive ka dont mind this, focus on the road
babi: we gotta tell these people soon na tayo na
babi: andiyan na yata si sheena
Group Chat: otso baliko 🌈
sheena: kami lang ba? busy ba yung iba?
jho: punta kami diyan nila lucky and colet after church shee
jho: saglit na lang to
stacey: papanik na kami ni gwennybear
stacey: si mikha na lang hindi sumasagot?
Aiah’s POV
By the time Jhoanna, Colet and Maloi arrived, Aiah could feel herself sweating bullets.
Mikha was not replying, which would’ve been the norm since Mikha does not need instruction to go to her place every Sunday. Only this time, there’s six other people here in her unit. Six other people who are their best friends but don't know that her and Mikha are dating and would be shocked if Mikha arrived like she owns the place.
Bakit nga ba kasi hindi pa namin sinasabi?
“Honeycakes, wait lang.” Jhoanna was trying to get away from Aiah’s chowspitz who is pestering Jhoanna. “Oo na Honey, sayo naman ‘tong laman ng ref. Hihingi lang ako ng konti.”
“Grabe ka Honey, mas nauna kami sa buhay ni Aiah uy.” Stacey joked.
The rest of the girls are planted in front of the TV, watching a movie while sharing a tub of ice cream.
Aiah kept glancing at her phone. Mikha still wasn’t replying. But why would she? Sundays are their thing. They jokingly call it their ‘family day’. Mikha would be by her doorstep at 12 on the clock, carrying her grumpy cats Nezu and Haru. Aiah would have food prepared. They’ll go get groceries sometimes. They’d go to the dog park when it’s not too hot or raining. They’ll have a nice dinner in a new restaurant Aiah suggested. They’ll go home and talk about nothing and everything and fall asleep in each other’s arms. Then they’ll go to work by Monday morning.
The door knob jiggled. Honey barked happily. Aiah shot out of her seat.
“Hello, hello ninicakes.” Mikha crooned, distracted as she was having a hard time pushing Nezu and Haru’s pet stroller into the unit.
If Mikha was paying more attention, she would have seen Aiah’s wide eyes warning her about the other people in the living room. But Mikha was not paying attention.
Mikha wanted to go in for a hug instead.
“Hello!” Mikha greeted again, more happily this time, ditching the pet stroller, arms wide open for Aiah. But Aiah quickly ducked to evade Mikha’s arms. She went straight to get the stroller handlebars and pushed it inside the condo unit.
“Huh? Ba– HA? Uy anong ginagawa niyo dito?”
Finally, napansin mo rin jusko.
“Huh? Nasa gc kaya kami nandito. Di mo ba nabasa? Bakit ka andito?” Stacey said with a brow up in the air. The rest of the girls are looking at them with blank expressions.
Mikha looked to Aiah, brows rising imperceptibly. “Ah, oo.” Mikha laughed. “Oo nabasa ko nga yung GC, nagj-joke lang ako. Uy andito rin pala kayo! Ganon.”
“Dala mo sila Haru?” Gwen asked, a small smile on her face. Aiah couldn’t quite read that smile.
“Yep, walang mag-aalaga eh.”
“Kaya rin siguro hindi ka nagrereply, Mikha. Busy ka ihandle sila Haru at Nezu?” Aiah commented, hoping to sound calmer than she actually is.
Group Chat: oplan tanim bakla
sheena: i think huli
sheena: sobrang halata 😭
gwen: papunta na si mikha bago pa man tayo magyaya sa gc
gwen: sure yan
stacey: sobrang funny ng mukha ni aiah kanina
stacey: pinanlalakihan niya ng mata si mikha
colet: huy halata na kayong nagcchat
sheena: ate @maloi ah alam mo na
sheena: gusto ko yung sasabunutan ka ni aiah sa selos
Mikha’s POV
Mikha was starting to suspect something.
“Mikhs, anong favorite treat ni Haru?” Maloi asked, twirling a lock of her hair. They were on the couch, watching a movie Mikha couldn’t understand because Maloi and Aiah were on her either side.
Aiah wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary, just stroking a sleeping Nezu on her lap. Maloi on the other hand was rambling along with the movie, her head on Mikha’s shoulders. She smells like candied apples.
“Nothing in particular, lahat naman ng ibigay ko sa kanilang dalawa kinakain nila mostly.”
“But Nezu hates cheese, right Nezu?” Aiah commented.
Mikha caught Stacey’s raised brow. “Kilalang-kilala talaga ni Ninang Aiah si Nezu.”
Mikha chuckled, her heart on her ass.
“Ah,” Aiah looked at Mikha, the same alarm written on her face. “Oo nakwento mo kasi Mikhs diba, Nezu hates cheese.”
“Okay tama na Honey, pagod na akong itapon yung bola mo.” Sheena complained, shooing away the dog who was pushing the ball to Sheena with her snout. “Tama na beh, pagod na ako.”
“Halika na dito Honey.” Colet called for Honey, picking up the ball from the ground to hide it behind the couch instead.
But Honey wouldn't listen, the dog jumped on the humans on the couch to get to her ball.
“Aray beh!” Gwen squeaked. “Ang bigat mo ano bang pinapakain mo dito Aiah?”
“Honey.” Stacey complained as the dog continued to rummage the sofa for the missing ball.
“Ay Honey, tama na. Get off the couch.” Aiah commanded. “Honey… Honey stop. Nasasaktan na sila oh.”
“Honey!” Mikha yelled. Honey stopped and looked at Mikha. “Bumaba ka diyan.”
Honey whimpered, but went down the couch to stay by Mikha’s feet. “Ang kulit-kulit mo, mamaya na yung ball sabi eh.”
“Ay bat sayo nakikinig Mikhs, hindi kay Aiah?”
Holy shit.
–
It was after dinner when the girls decided to part ways for the day.
“Grabe Monday na naman.” Gwen stretched as she made for the door. “Sino sasabay samin ni Stacey pa-C5?”
“Dadaan ba kayong Aura? Pasabay naman.”
“Gagala ka pa Jhoanna? Uwi ba ng matinong babae yan?” Stacey joked, earning an eye roll from Jhoanna
“Hindi may pinapabili kasi si Mama, ngayon ko lang naalala.”
“Ikaw Lucks?” Sheena asked.
“Bahay, pa-Shaw.”
“Sumabay ka na kay Mikhs, diba Mikhs?”
Mikha couldn't speak.
She doesn't go home on Sundays with Aiah. All she could think about during dinner was the excuse she was going to make so she could stay back without the other girls noticing.
Hindi ako uuwi, magkamatayan na.
“Oo nga sumabay ka na kay Mikha.” Stacey added.
“Ha?” Maloi looked at Mikha, then to Colet who was already by the door, hands in her pocket with a blank expression. Hmm. “Wag na, magc-commute na lang ako.”
“Hala anong oras na, delikado na.” Gwen said.
Mikha looked at Aiah who was by the kitchen counter, just looking at the rest of the girls with another blank expression.
“Sige na Mikhs, okay lang naman diba? Si Lucky mo naman yan, kawawa naman.”
Anong Lucky ko???
Mikha looked at Maloi, who looked confused and slightly stressed. For some reason, she looked like she was on the brink of tears. And Mikha couldn’t resist that, not from Lucky or any of the girls inside this room. They all were equally precious to her.
Oh hell, whatever.
“Halika na Lucky, sabay ka na.”
The rest of the girls cheered. For some weird reason.
Text Message: from Mikmik
Mikmik: nahatid ko na si lucky
Mikmik: balik na me diyan 😌
Mikmik: andito pa yung treats at doggy food sa car, di ko nababa dahil andiyan sila 😫
Mikmik: want anything? dessert?
Aiah: oks lang wag ka na bumalik
Mikmik: anong wag, sunday pa rin
Mikmik: naka-mine na ako sa lahat ng sundays!
Aiah: 😒
Mikmik: ano yaaaan 😭
Twitter: Mikha’s Private Account
🔒@mikhalatina: what if we all just die bro
🔒@mikhalatina: SEND THE FLOOD FR
Text Message: from Mikmik
Mikmik: pupunta ako 😡
Aiah: ahaha wag na nga mik, maaga pa tayo bukas
Mikmik: pero bakit ka galit kanina?
Mikmik: why iyang emoji -> 😒
Aiah: wala don’t mind me
Aiah: nas-sad lang ako na kay lucky ka inaasar instead of sakin
Mikmik: gago wtf
Mikmik: otw teka
Aiah: HOY
Twitter: Aiah’s Private Account
@aiahkinspriv: ← nasuyo tas nangsuyo
@aiahkinspriv: really need to bite the bullet and tell the rest of the girls
@aiahkinspriv: pag ano, pag may nag i love you nang isa samin 😀
Group Chat: oplan tanim bakla
Sheena: hi mga mhie ano ang agenda natin for this weekend
Stacey: attendance check:
Stacey: mga early:
Gwen: bat ba ganap na ganap ka dito bebe
Sheena: kasi if real, tinatago nila and i wanna know why
Stacey: bakit nga kaya nila tinatago satin?
Stacey: anong meron bakit ayaw nilang malaman natin?
Stacey: magets naman natin
Gwen: baka hindi pa sila sure kung ano sila?
Gwen: di pa ganun siguro katagal
Sheena: nagpahalata lang kasi sila kaya nakikichismis na ako
Jho: oks lang naman siguro if ayaw nila sabihin
Jho: buhay naman nila yan
Stacey: oh wag ka na iyak jho
Maloi: ang oa ng oat na to
Sheena: HAHAHHAHAHA
Jho: di na talaga ako magsasalita dito punyeta
Colet: kausapin na lang kaya natin ng maayos yung dalawa
Colet: si aiah at mikha naman yan
Gwen: dat pala naisip na natin to dati
Stacey: hinde, masaya naman sila hulihin HAHAHAHA
Maloi: may nakita ako actually
Maloi: may dog food sa kotse ni mikha 😂
Maloi: wala namang aso si aticoh
Stacey: aba alert ka yata ngayon lucks, anmeron
Maloi: tumutulong na nga!
Gwen: hahaha huling-huli na yang dalawa
Sheena: ay nako sobrang halata na HAHAHAHA
Stacey: icchat ko na nga si mikha
Sheena: now? asan ba kayo
Maloi: tama kay mikha naman ako na lang lagi pumupunta diyan sa bgc, kayo naman ma-traffic
Jho: sorry na southie kasi kami lahat
Stacey: luh kala ko ba di na magsasalita
Stacey: 🫢
Jho: TANGINA KA TALAGA STACEY
Mikha’s POV
Mikha and Aiah were in the middle of baking cookies when the doorbell rang.
“Coming!” Mikha scratched her head, smearing flour on one part of her red hair.
“Love!” Aiah laughed, wiping her hands on her apron. “Tignan mo ‘yang buhok mo, puro harina na.” Aiah went to her side of the kitchen counter to dust her off.
“Wait, what did you say? Sa first part?” Mikha could feel her heart pounding in her rib cage. Love?
But Aiah just smiled a mischievous smile. “Dali baka shopee parcel ko pala yun.”
Mikha walked towards her front door in a daze.
She would have missed and opened the door directly too if not for another round of incessant ringing from the door. “Sino ba ‘to?” Mikha gazed through the peep hole.
Ah, si Lucky. WAIT, SI LUCKY?
“Mikha!” Maloi knocked on her door this time. “Dali ang lamok dito!”
Mikha’s poor, poor heart, which was soaring just minutes ago from Aiah’s endearment, dropped to the floor in an instant. “Wait!” Mikha wracked her brain. “Wait, nakahubad pa ako! Mamaya na!”
Wait, anong nakahubad?!
But she couldn’t waste time anymore, she’d just have to face that excuse later. Now, she’d have to hide Aiah somewhere before this all blows up on their goddamn faces.
“Aiah!” Mikha ran the distance from her door to the kitchen. “Aiah, si Lucky nasa pinto!”
Aiah’s face fell in an instant. “Ano?!”
“SI LUCKY NASA PINTO!”
Aiah was out of the kitchen in an instant, careening up the staircase and into Mikha’s room.
Jesus Christ.
Mikha searched the living room for anything else that could indicate that Aiah was just here (and she still is here).
She was just about to open the door again when she saw a tail behind the sofa.
SI HONEY!!!
—
“Ba’t ang tagal mo?” Maloi complained as she walked inside Mikha’s apartment, scratching her arms. “Ang daming lamok sa harap ng bahay mo, Mikhs. Linisin mo naman yung garden mo!”
Mikha wanted to hit something.
Her kitchen was a mess, her hair was a mess, her whole head was a mess. She hauled Honey upstairs to Aiah, who she found hiding under the bed. She wanted to say that she didn’t have to do that, but then Mikha remembered their friends will barge into each others’ rooms unannounced. Hell, Maloi is barging into her house unannounced right now.
“May harina ka sa buhok oh.” Maloi took her by the nape to gently hit her head to dust off the remaining flour on her hair. “Kala ko ba nakahubad ka? Bakit may harina ka sa buhok?”
Putangina!
“Ah ano kasi, maliligo na ako after kong magbake kaya nakahubad na ako. Nagbihis lang uli ako para pagbuksan ka ng pinto.”
With a raised eyebrow, Maloi just nodded. Mikha sighed, thankful she didn't prod anymore.
“Papunta rin pala silang ibang girls.” Maloi said as she settled on the kitchen counter.
“Ha, bakit?”
“Wala lang, may gustong pag-usapan ata."
One of the girls probably has a problem. Her house used to be the “frat house” if you may call it, especially when they were in college. Whenever someone needed a place to crash, to do an all-nighter in or just for chill drinks, Mikha would offer her house. Almost all the girls became her roomies at one point barring Aiah, which is irrelevant now since Aiah is also a regular in her house now.
Mikha nodded, cleaning off the mess from their baking. “Okay, need ng alak?”
Maloi smiled. “I don't know, depende sayo.”
–
Group Chat: oplan tanim bakla
Maloi: san na kayo guys?
Sheena: ito passenger princess ni colet
Sheena: *sends picture of herself*
Stacey: grab na ako, si gwenny rin ata
Jho: magsasalita ako ha
Jho: para mag-update
Jho: hatid ako ng pinsan ko, guada na
Stacey: HAHAHAHA JHOANNA
Stacey: labyu beh
Jho: leche
Maloi: may feeling ako na nandito si aiah sa bahay
Maloi: nagtatago 😁
Stacey: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH PUTEK
Stacey: di nga?!
Maloi: oo sobrang suspicious ng pagbubukas ng pinto ni mikha lim
Maloi: tsaka nagbbake siya, nagbbake ba si mikha?
Maloi: tsaka ayaw niya akong papanikin ng second floor 😔
Stacey: alam mo HAHAHAHA SOBRANG FUNNY NETO
Stacey: kala ko sa kdrama lang nangyayari to
Sheena: sabi ni cols ipipilit niyang sa second floor sala tayo magstay
Sheena: hanap gulo amputa
Jho: if andiyan talaga si aiah kawawa naman siya 😭😭😭
Jho: kulong ka diyan girl
Gwen: tawagan nyo si aiah, invite natin sa bahay ni mikha 😁
Gwen: tignan natin pano sasagot
Gwen: lapit na ako
Maloi: oo nga no
–
Mikha’s POV
The rest of the girls have arrived by the time she had finished showering in her room (she made sure to lock it).
She had talked with Aiah as well, thinking of ways she could escape the house without the other girls knowing. It would've been easy except she also had to haul Honey down. And they can't ensure Honey won't bark.
“Buti nga hindi na siya tumatahol now.” Aiah muttered. Aiah and Honey are both sitting on the floor near the door so Aiah could hear if someone is approaching.
Aiah looked at her with pitiful eyes. Mikha’s heart clenched.
“Or we could come clean now, don't you think?”
“Mikha!” That was Colet, knocking on her bedroom door.
Aiah and Mikha looked at each other.
Shit.
“Oo na!” Mikha’s voice trembled. “Lalabas na.”
The girls were setting up on the second floor living room when Mikha came out of her room.
So much for barring Lucky from the second floor.
They had brought food, at least. And alcohol. Lots and lots of it.
“Sinong heartbroken, bakit ang dami nito?” Mikha asked as she looked at the selection, all hard liquor with rarely any beer.
“Di rin namin alam.” Stacey said cryptically.
“Ano? Ano na namang drama niyo?”
“Uminom ka na lang Mikhs!”
As the hour progressed, Mikha grew more and more worried. Aiah was probably thirsty and starving inside her room. Honey needed to eat dinner. But the girls were having fun here, catching up and eating good food.
“Beh bakit yung mga pusa mo nakabantay sa kwarto mo?” Jho pointed at her cats Haru and Nezu who are sitting facing her bedroom door.
It would've looked a bit creepy if Mikha didn't know Aiah was on the other side.
“Patawas mo yung buong bahay Mikhs jusko, baka may aswang ka sa kwarto.” Maloi said, laughing a bit.
"May nang-aaswang nga ata." Sheena snickered.
“Asan ba si Aiah, bat di ma-contact?” Colet commented. “Alam mo ba san si Aiah today, Mikha?”
“Ha, bakit ko malalaman nasan si Aiah?”
“Kasi close kayo beh diba?” Colet looked at her weird.
Sobrang defensive, Mikha!
“Mikhs, bat hindi ka pa nagjojowa?” Sheena asked after a few minutes. “Huwag mong sabihing sawi ka pa rin kay Aiah?”
“Maka-sawi naman ‘to!” Mikha laughed, hoping Aiah wasn't eavesdropping.
“May gusto ka kay Aiah?” Gwen asked, more seriously this time.
The rest of the girls are also paying more attention to their conversation now.
“Noon. Nung college.”
“Ngayon wala na?”
Mikha scratched her head. “Guys, sobrang close namin ni Aiah. Ano bang question yan.”
“Wala lang. Baka kasi nabblur na yung linya sa friendship.” Colet said magnanimously. “Hindi naman rin mali if maging kayo.”
Mikha wanted to admit everything at that moment. She hated lying to these people who trusted her fully. But she needed Aiah to agree first.
“Bat di na lang si Lucky?” Stacey said, pushing Mikha towards Maloi who was sitting beside her on the couch.
“Ano ba yan, Staku! Ang sakit naman!”
“Oo nga, kayong dalawa na lang, bagay naman kayo eh.” Sheena looked at them both, making Mikha a bit uncomfortable. “Close din naman kayo simula college, mabait at sweet si Lucky. And you're a very dependable person, Mikhs. Why not?”
Now more than ever did Mikha wish that Aiah wasn't listening. They fought over this just last week, and she couldn't stand Aiah feeling down again because of this.
Mikha looked at the door where her cats were still holding vigil.
“Guys, ano ba. Tropa nga lang kami ni Mikha.” Maloi rolled her eyes. Mikha looked at Maloi who was looking at someone else.
Hmm.
“Binibigyan lang kayo ng ideas guys, kasi to be honest Mikha I don't think may pag-asa ka kay Aiah if you're still feeling that way towards her.” Stacey said seriously.
“What made you say that?”
“If meron, dapat matagal nang nangyari.” Sheena shrugged. The rest of the girls agreed.
“It's cus I didn't have the courage to tell her.” until recently.
“So may feelings ka pa nga.” Colet threw her a chip. Mikha knew it was the older girl’s way of comforting her. “Baka tumanda ka na diyan sa pwesto mo Mikhs, ha? Wag mong gawin sa sarili mo yan. Si Aiah may pagka manhid pa naman.”
Why do they think about Aiah this way?
Mikha looked at the door. She didn't want Aiah to hurt anymore.
Mikha stood up.
“I’m not waiting for her,” she looked at Colet defiantly. “She's not manhid, and even if nasa ganun kaming sitwasyon forever, I’d take it. I’d take what Aiah can give. I love her that much.”
The door flew open, scrambling the cats away.
Aiah came bounding towards Mikha, tears in her eyes.
“You love me?”
Mikha smiled, digging her face deeper into Aiah's hair. “Since the beginning, Aiahkins. Since the very beginning.”
Their friends’ cheers erupted.
-
Group Chat: otso baliko 🌈
Mikha: nakauwi ka na love?
Aiah: yes mikmik, nakauwi na 🥰
Mikha: okay, honey is probably tired na rin.
Sheena: oo na, oo na puta
Sheena: nauurat na ako
Colet: kick mo nga yang dalawang yan
Mikha: dito na kami magcchat dalawa mula ngayon
Mikha: para kasama na rin kayo sa relasyon
Mikha: pinagtutulungan niyo na pala kami all this time
Stacey: naka off na notifs bye
Aiah: kung ano-ano pang drama niyo kanina ha
Aiah: nag-away pa kami slight ni mikha dahil dito
Jho: sorry na ate aiah
Sheena: oo nga sorry ate aiah 🥺
Sheena: im so kawawa
Mikha: STOP
Maloi: aiah naalala mo ba nung ate aiah pa tawag sayo ni mikha?
Mikha: STOP STOP NAAAA
Aiah: oo, cute cute mo pa nun mikha. still a freshie 🥹
Gwen: ang tibay ng sikmura ni aiah ayoko na
Stacey: oo nga ang hirap mo asarin kahit kailan 🤧
Twitter: Aiah’s Public Account
@staceyaubrey: mag-ate daw pero may allegations 🥶
↪️@sheenacatacutean: kadiri naman 😀
↪️@gwennyapuli: hoy tigilan niyo 😫
↪️@aiahkinsarceta: nako
↪️@staceyaubrey: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA SORRY
Text Message: from Mikmik
Mikmik: im gonna make ganti
Aiah: ha? anong ganti?
Mikmik: watch
New Group Chat: Aiah, Sheena, Jhoanna, Stacey, Gwen
Mikha: damay-damay na to
Mikha: napansin niyo? oo o hindi!
Stacey: bagong group chat na naman?
Mikha: oo kasi kala niyo kayo lang observant?
Gwen: ano to kinakabahan ako ha
Mikha: tignan niyo sinong wala sa gc
Sheena: HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Sheena: MIKHS ANG TALINO MO!
Sheena: pakiss nga!
Jho: HOY, SI COLET AT MALOI?!
Aiah: my god 😭