Archive of Our Own

Mikha woke up to her 12PM alarm. Yes, 12PM. Some things never changed. Even if a lot of things have, she still gets up mid-afternoon. She usually wakes up at half past four every day, but today was different. Today was special and she had an hour to get ready knowing the drive would be long. 

Mikha rolled over and waited for her eyes to adjust to the brightness of her phone and smiled when she got her usual good morning texts from her girlfriend. She sent a quick reply that she's getting ready. She has been waiting for this day.

She looked at the mess on the floor and scratched her head. She already sorted out the things she was going to bring and the things she wanted for herself. She smiled at the silliness of it all. 

Mikha did some stretches and called out to Alexa to play her some music. She played Snooze which made Mikha shake her head. Of course, she plays their song. She loved this song and sang to it while she showered. 

Next stop, what should she wear? Aiah loved when she was dressing casually. Jeans, a cropped top, and a leather jacket then, ooh, and shades to complete the look. 

She wore Aiah's favorite perfume too and realized the bottle was almost empty. Maybe she'll get more, if she remembers to, anyway. Or maybe it's time to try a new one.

She grabbed the box she prepared and picked up her keys from the hook.

The drive was long and slow and Mikha enjoyed it— it’s so refreshing. How long has it been since they last saw each other? Yup, a year. Exactly a year.

Mikha counted the months in her head. She has lost track but it was okay. This was already planned way back and she didn't need to worry. They'll meet on their usual spot and order their favorites as they used to and then watch the sunset after. It didn't have to be overdramatic or grand, they both knew that. 

Mikha arrived ten minutes early, just as she planned. The restaurant was beside the sea and she smiled at the familiar salt in the air and the sound of the waves crashing in the distance. 

She arrived early but she already knew Aiah would be waiting for her. The girl was already at their table, her chin resting on her hand, eyes towards the blue ocean.

She wore a long-sleeved light blue shirt and black pants, Mikha noted as she paused by the door to watch her longer. She also had something for Mikha, which was on a cute box placed beside her.

Mikha suddenly remembered how they met right in this very place. She had a bad breakup with her ex and needed a distraction and was driving aimlessly for days. This restaurant was a small and old one, and she almost missed it when she asked the locals at a gas station where she could get good coffee. 

When she finally found it, she was shaking from hunger and caffeine withdrawal. Aiah was the only other person in the small space and told her the servers usually stay in the back until called upon by a bell and when she noticed her shaking, offered to share her French toast and matcha which to this day they both jokingly called the "lifesaving matcha".

Mikha disliked matcha. Until that moment. 

That's when their story started. Mikha found a place to stay nearby temporarily, a room close to where Aiah was, and their friendship blossomed. 

Like her, Aiah was a lost soul. She was heartbroken and grieving and running away from home.  Aiah always came to this place, every time she felt herself drifting away. 

And so they both found comfort beside each other.

Some days were good but some days were bad. There were days when Mikha was just tired of the world and would hide in her room. There were days when Aiah chose to mourn alone. 

But they would always find a way to talk, to connect. They always find themselves wanting to be together despite facing different demons every day. It felt like no one else understood them except themselves. 

That's when feelings started to brew between the two.

Oh, how Mikha fell hard for Aiah.

Mikha shook her head, trying to push away the melancholy that suddenly washed over her. She was better now, they both were. 

She was approached by Leo, the owner of the restaurant, who had also become one of their good friends and Mikha hugged him back.

"Long time, bro," he smiled and tapped her shoulder affectionately.

"Yes, long time grabe!"

The commotion made Aiah turn.

"Mikha!" She beamed and tackled her with a tight hug. "Oh, I missed you, I missed you!" 

Mikha hugged just as tightly and giggled. "I missed you too! You look great, goddamn woman!" She pulled back and looked at her fit once again. "Still running? You don't look a year older!"

Leo told them to get to their table and he'll bring their food out soon and they both nodded.

"Running, bouldering, Hyrox— Aiah proudly started dramatically counting her fingers in front of her.

—okay, okay geez oo na ikaw na ang fit!" Mikha laughed. 

"Hey! Ikaw rin naman! May pa-abs pa nga!" She poked the skin sticking out from Mikha's cropped top which only made her laugh harder. 

"Well, I've been doing pilates and I got back to playing volleyball."

"Nice, nice, very nice." 

Their food arrived soonafter— Aiah already arranged it ahead of time— and they both continued talking about everything that happened while they were apart. At least, all the good stuff first.

Because… a year ago, they broke up. 

So, one would say, this was their heartbreak anniversary.

It wasn't even an official one. There wasn't even something official between them for one to happen in the first place.

Mikha was the braver one to finally acknowledge the elephant in the room and ask what they were after months of being the way they were. Months of talking until the sunrise where clothes were optional. Watching the sunset for days while sipping lifesaving matcha. The jealousy and the making up afterwards. To the eyes around them it was something, why weren't they both admitting it then?

That's when the chaos started. Aiah was not ready to escalate things, to change things. She was quite protective of her heart that just started feeling right again. Mikha on the other hand didn't like the uncertainty, didn't understand why they couldn't heal and grow better together. She wanted more. 

The long talks became awkward silences and absences from their usual meet-ups. No one knew who started what, and the comfort and peaceful nights were replaced by guessing games and hide and seek.

The once-in-a-lifetime connection was severed and none of them knew how to fix it or if they really wanted to fix it. 

Mikha could not take it anymore and decided to leave the place that healed her with new wounds. Aiah chose to stay with the same pain.

Aiah was there on the day of Mikha's departure. Tears were shed, promises of staying in touch were exhanged and a final hug was shared.

Both promised to meet a year later in this very same small town, when they're both... better and less chaotic.

Funny thing about time is sometimes a lot can change in a month than in years. And in just a year, a lot of chapters were added to each of their books.

But here they are, keeping at least one promise to meet as different but somewhat the same people. 

Mikha noticed the sun was going down by the time they finished eating and exchanging gifts(and items they were returning to each other) and Aiah noticed her staring at the horizon.

"For old time's sake? Wanna go?" Aiah raised her half-full lifesaving matcha and pointed at the beach. 

Mikha smiled and nodded, taking her lifesaving matcha too. "Yes, let's go."

They moved to their usual spot on the beach. There used to be a huge driftwood where they used to sit but it was gone now and they settled for the sand which was just as pleasant. 

"Ang ganda talaga dito," Mikha marveled at the orange reflection of the setting sun on the water. "No wonder you didn't want to leave."

Aiah was quiet for a few moments. Mikha wasn't bothered by it. Aiah does that sometimes, she likes to gather her thoughts. Mikha was the impulsive one.

"Do you wish you hadn't left?" She finally said.

Mikha looked at her then, trying to understand what she was feeling at the moment. She didn't look sad or angry, she was smiling, as if it was a question that just came up. Something about her smile was comforting, like Mikha can say whatever she wants and it wouldn't cause them pain afterwards. 

"At first," Mikha started. "I wanted to go back, there wasn't a day when I didn't think of just grabbing my keys and driving back to you. Pero alam ko naman na it wouldn't change anything. Because if we wanted it to work in the first place, we would have tried." 

Aiah softly nodded in agreement. "It had to happen. You had to go, I had to stay. Or we wouldn't be where we are right now." She slowly smiled. "I mean, you are glowing. Look at you. Is she treating you well?"

"She is. I'm getting so spoiled to be honest. She's really great. It's just so easy with her. I wish you guys could meet." Mikha said thoughtfully. That's far from happening but she meant what she said. She's in a really good place now and her girlfriend was a huge part of it.

"She knows about today?"

"Yes, she thinks it's time. Before we leave anyway."

"When are you leaving nga?"

"Next month."

"Wow, Mikha Lim, overseas for good. You're finally doing it. You're seeing the world like you wanted to. I'm... happy for you, Mikha." Aiah reached out and placed her hand on top of hers. "You deserve everything you have right now," 

Mikha smiled back and tapped Aiah's hand fondly, smiling wider when she noticed the ring with a massive diamond on Aiah's finger. 

"Mukhang ang bigat niyan ah—

—baliw! Stop it!" Aiah hit her arm, laughing.

"When did that happen? I didn't know you guys got engaged!"

"It wasn't something big. He asked lang and I said yes."

"Where?"

"Here lang din. We were having breakfast, last month." 

"Kahit kailan talaga yan si Leo laging lowkey!" Mikha laughed. "He asked for my permission did you know?"

"He did?"

Aiah’s expression made Mikha chuckle.

"Yeah, dati pa yun, he said he was starting to like you, you've been talking more when I left, he said he was sorry—

"Mikha— what happened with Leo and me, I know we never really talked about it but I hope you know na it just happened. I never even considered him before, heck we've known each other for years, I've been coming here for years diba—but I was so... so broken. And he was patient. So, so patient."

"I was surprised lang but it made sense you know? That he was the right fit and I wasn't. You've always wanted stability. Leo is the perfect example. No surprises, just consistency, every day."

"Miks, I didn't mean when I said you were too impulsive for your own good— I liked that about you—

"Aiah, it's really okay... looking back... our fights were petty. When everything started to go down, we were competing who would hurt the other more. So childish. So silly, if you think about it now."

"You've forgiven me?" Aiah softly asked.

"Aiah— I was the one who left. I should be the one asking that. I left you when you needed a friend the most."

"We're still losers. We claim we love the deep talks but sometimes our conversations make no sense it would end in arguments." Aiah sighed. "I really miss this though. I really missed you."

"Me too. You have no idea.” Mikha thought for a few seconds. She had a lot of questions but it was out of curiousity mostly. Her chest no longer feels heavy like it did before. 

 “Did you... wish you could have left with me?" It was Mikha's turn to ask. She always wanted to know this, even if she already knew the answer. 

Aiah played with her fingers, trying to organize her thoughts.

"I— no. Back then I knew I wasn't ready to leave this place. I was still too broken. I haven't moved on from my previous heartbreak— but Mikha, I did love you. But I realized I loved you too late." Aiah played with the ring on her finger. "Leo was there. He witnessed how I spiraled down. But you— you've moved on. And all I had left was him,"

"Did you hate me for moving on too fast?" Mikha whispered.

"No, Mikha— 'wag mong isipin yan. I hated myself for realizing too late. But seeing how happy you are, how loudly you are loved— something I could never do, it made sense to me that you are where you are meant to be."

Mikha frowned. "And you? Are you where you're meant to be? Are you happy Aiah?”

Aiah wiped the tears forming in her eyes and nodded. "It took some time but yes, yes I am." 

Mikha finally let herself cry too. "I'm glad. I'm happy for you too, Aiah. Wag ka na umiyak please, nahahawa ako," she moved to hug the girl tightly.

"I mean sino ba naman di magiging happy kung may unli-lifesaving matcha voucher," Mikha added to make things light but they were full-blown crying now. 

"Baliw ka talaga. I'll miss you."

Mikha broke the hug to answer. "Me too, I'll miss you. I'll always miss you Aiah."

"We had so much fun, Miks, that's what I'll always remember."

"That we did." Mikha wiped the tears from Aiah's face. "We really did,"

The sun was almost gone and they both watched as it sank deeper.

"The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?" Mikha whispered and Aiah met her gaze and nodded, understanding what she meant.

"It is. It really is."

When they parted that day, tears were shed, a final hug was shared but there were no promises of meeting again. 

Mikha drove away, Aiah waving goodbye in the distance.

No one was left at the restaurant.

The end.