Work Text:
Monday
My Babi 🩵
Hi Bab!
Plane just landed po
I love you 😘
Aiah just arrived in Cebu to spend with her family the short break na binigay sa kanila ng management. She spent the entire weekend with Mikha in Manila before flying home. Now Mikha’s left alone in her condo with their kids, Haru and Honey.
Almost immediately she opened her phone when she heard the text notification. Alam niyang si Aiah na iyon. She’s been counting the minutes since Aiah’s flight na akala mo sobrang tagal, isang oras at kalahati lang naman.
Mikha
I’m glad you arrived safe babi 🥹
I love you
My Babi 🩵
Flight was boring bab.
Namiss na kita
Mikha groaned to herself because she missed her just the same pero kailangan niyang tatagan ang sarili niya. She shouldn’t cry and follow Aiah to Cebu. She just left and she was entrusted to take care of their babies.
Mikha
I miss you too babi
Sobrang miss ka na namin ng mga anak natin
😭 😭 😭
Okay she can’t help it. She missed Aiah so much already. She’s in her bed now lying on her stomach while scrolling through their photos from yesterday. She literally just saw Aiah few hours ago yet, everything feels wrong without her by her side.
Honey jumped in her bed and scoot herself at her side.
“Miss mo na rin ba ang mommy mo, nini?” she asked their dog while pouting.
“Ako rin miss na miss ko na siya agad but she needed this.” She said while stroking Honey’s head.
“She needed to spend time with your lolo, lola, kuya bry, ate meg and baby Ia so I’ll take care of you muna, okay?” She tells this more to herself than to Honey. Haru joined them in the bed. Now, she has to cuddle them both.
Later that evening while she was preparing for their dinner iniisip niya kung kumain na kaya si Aiah? Nakapagpahinga kaya siya mula nung dumating siya? Knowing her girlfriend for sure inuna niya mag bond with her family especially with Baby Ia.
Meron din silang rule which she basically set na kapag family time they should both be present, no phone muna kung pwede. Though they can and always make time to update each other anytime, which was what Aiah was doing earlier when she kept sending her photos and making sure to ask kung kumusta na siya and their kids.
Tuesday
Mikha woke up with only one thought in mind.
Pumunta kaya ako sa Cebu?
She didn't even bother checking the time first. Instead, she reached for her phone on the bedside table and immediately opened the Philippine Airlines website. Hindi na nga siya nagulat nang makita niyang naka-save pa rin iyon sa recent tabs niya.
Destination, Manila to Cebu. Date, today. Her thumb hovered over one of the available flights.
Book.
Ganun lang kadali. One click and later she'd be hugging Aiah again. Napabuntong hininga siya.
No.
Tuesday feels too soon.
She promised Aiah she'd let her enjoy this short break with her family. They barely get opportunities like this. Kung pupunta siya agad, baka imbes na makapagpahinga si Aiah, mapipilitan pa itong hatiin ang oras niya.
"Namimiss pa rin kita."
She whispered it to no one before finally closing the website. However just five minutes later binuksan niya ulit.
"Last check na lang."
Tiningnan niya ulit ang parehong flight, parehong oras at parehong upuan the only difference is mas mataas na ang presyo which doesn’t really matter for Mikha. Napailing na lang siya habang nakatingin sa screen.
"Baka ako na dahilan kung bakit tumataas presyo nito."
Paulit-ulit ba naman siyang bumabalik sa parehong flight simula kagabi.
"Hala, sorry po kung may surge pricing na," she mumbled to herself, already imagining some poor passenger unknowingly paying more because of her inability to make up her mind. Tumawa na lang siya sa sarili bago tuluyang isinara ang website. Instead, she opened the app she always ends up opening whenever nami-miss niya si Aiah.
Their messages.
Mikha
sure ka ayaw mo ako sunduin sa airport mamaya?
The reply came almost instantly.
My Babi 🩵
Mamaya?
bab anong mamaya 😭
tuesday pa lang.
Napanguso si Mikha habang nakatingin sa screen.
Mikha
alam ko.
gusto ko lang sabihin
Three little dots appeared almost immediately.
My Babi 🩵
Hahaha
boang
haay babi. Konting tiis pa
She couldn't help but smile while reading Aiah’s text. "Oo na. Baliw na kung baliw." Para sayo.
The rest of the day passed the same way Tuesdays usually did for them whenever they were apart. Random updates, no reason needed.
While taking care of Haru and Honey that morning, Mikha sent Aiah a picture of the two patiently waiting beside their food bowls.
Mikha
may hinahanap sila
ikaw.
A few minutes later Aiah replied.
My Babi 🩵
weh
ikaw lang yan.
She smiled to herself. Oo nga naman, siya talaga. Bandang tanghali, Aiah sent a picture from lunch. A huge serving of lechon sat proudly in the middle of the table.
My Babi 🩵
look 🥹
Napangiti si Mikha bago kunwaring nagselos.
Mikha
Wow!
pinapalitan mo na ba ako?
Aiah replied almost immediately.
My Babi 🩵
hindi.
mas cute ka.
Mas mahal kita.
Ikaw at ikaw lang Mikha Lim.
Mikha stared at her phone for a few seconds before dramatically placing it over her chest.
"Honey," she called, looking at the dog lying lazily beside the couch.
"Narinig mo 'yon?"
Honey only blinked at her. If only Honey could speak
"Mas cute daw ako. Mas mahal daw ako. Ako at ako lang daw, baby"
Honey yawned.
"Hala ka. Inggit."
By the afternoon, Mikha had already sent Aiah pictures of Haru sleeping upside down, Honey stealing one of her slippers, the coffee she made, the clouds outside her condo window, and even the new plant she'd noticed growing beside the parking area.
Kung tutuusin, wala namang importante sa mga iyon pero kay Aiah, lahat iyon importante. She replied to every single one. Sometimes with heart emojis, sometimes with voice messages, and sometimes with nothing more than,
"Cute."
"Baby 😭."
"Miss na kita."
It made the distance feel a little smaller. Not enough but enough to make Tuesday pass just a little faster.
Wednesday
Mikha frowned the moment she looked at the date on her phone.
"Hmp."
She couldn't even explain why. Monday made sense because Aiah had just arrived in Cebu. Tuesday felt reasonable because she had promised herself, she'd give Aiah time with her family. But Wednesday...
Wednesday just felt wrong. Too close to Friday to feel far away yet, too far to actually be Friday.
She stared at the calendar widget on her phone for another few seconds as if doing so would magically change the date.
It didn't.
Wednesday remained Wednesday.
She sighed dramatically before throwing herself back onto the couch. Honey looked up from her spot on the floor while Haru, who had been peacefully sleeping on the backrest, barely even twitched an ear.
"Lahat okay lang sa inyo no?"
Honey wagged her tail.
"Hindi niyo kasi nami-miss si mommy niyo."
Honey barked once.
"Okay, nami-miss niyo rin."
Satisfied with that answer, Mikha reached for her phone and almost on cue, it vibrated.
My Babi 🩵
bakit tahimik ka?
Napanguso siya, nahahalata na talaga siya.
Mikha
ewan
awkward ang Wednesday babi
A few seconds later—
My Babi 🩵
HA?
Napangiti siya. Paano ba niya ipapaliwanag?
Mikha
parang...
hindi na malayo
pero hindi pa rin friday.
This time, medyo natagalan bago dumating ang reply ni Aiah. Siguro iniisip din ni Aiah.
My Babi 🩵
I get it po babi ☹
I miss you so much
Napatawa si Mikha. Of course she gets it.
Si Aiah lang naman ang isang taong kayang umintindi sa mga random niyang thoughts nang hindi siya pinagtatawanan. Well okay, Hindi pala. Pinagtatawanan siya nito pero naiintindihan pa rin.
Napangiti siya habang isinasantabi ang phone para pakainin si Haru na kanina pa paikot-ikot sa paa niya, obviously reminding her that breakfast should've been served five minutes ago.
The morning went by quietly. Aiah was spending another day with her family while Mikha stayed home with their own little family.
It wasn't unusual pero ngayong alam niyang dalawang tulog na lang Friday na mas lalo siyang hindi mapakali. Around lunch, habang nagtitimpla siya ng kape, nag-vibrate ulit ang phone niya.
My Babi 🩵
miss na kita.
Napahinto siya sa paghalo ng kape. Her lips slowly curved into a smile hindi na niya napigilang mag-reply.
Mikha
wow
random
She says that habang pinipigilan ang kilig. Sino ba naman ang hindi kikiligin Aiah’s with her fam and she still takes time to tell her that she missed her. But Mikha reminded herself to act cool.
My Babi 🩵
bawal?
Do you not miss me babi? 😔
Mikha chuckled to herself.
Mikha
Hindi. Continue
Tell me more bab 🥰
She thought that would be the end of it, hindi pala. A few minutes later another message from Aiah.
My Babi 🩵
yung kamay mo.
I miss your hands babi
I miss holding you
Napangiti siya. Then another text came.
My Babi 🩵
yung pabango mo
Another
My Babi 🩵
yung tawa mo
Another
My Babi 🩵
yung pang-aasar mo
By now, Mikha was already smiling so much that her cheeks were beginning to hurt. Then the last message arrived.
My Babi 🩵
ikaw.
Wala nang kasunod hindi na rin kailangan. Mikha stared at the screen for what felt like forever. Once, twice. Tatlong beses niya pang binasa ang bawat message. Then she went back to the first one.
"Yung kamay mo."
Scroll.
"Yung pabango mo."
Scroll.
"Yung tawa mo."
Scroll.
"Yung pang-aasar mo."
Scroll.
"Ikaw."
Hindi niya alam kung ilang beses niya iyong inulit basta paulit-ulit lang. Parang baka iba ang mabasa niya sa pang-apat, sa pang-lima o sa pang-anim pero pareho pa rin. At sa bawat basa niya, mas lalo lang siyang kinikilig.
Napahiga siya sa sofa habang yakap-yakap ang phone niya sa dibdib.
"Ano ba..."
mahina niyang reklamo sa sarili.
"Namimiss din pala talaga ako."
Hindi lang siya, si Aiah din. Just as much. Maybe even more. That thought alone made something warm bloom inside her chest. It felt too full na parang sasabog na puso niya sa sobrang lambing, sobrang saya, at sobrang pagmamahal na nararamdaman niya sa babaeng nasa kabilang isla.
She pressed the phone against her chest a little tighter.
"Dalawang tulog na lang."
She whispered it like a promise.
Like a countdown.
And for the first time that day, Wednesday didn't feel so awkward anymore. It simply became one day closer to Friday.
Thursday
Officially Mikha's least favorite day of the week. Wednesday at least had the decency to become Thursday eventually. Thursday, however, seemed determined to stay exactly where it was.
She had already packed yesterday. Her luggage had been sitting quietly beside the front door for almost twelve hours now. Every time she walked past it, she'd stop for a few seconds just to make sure everything was still inside.
Extra clothes, check.
Charger, check.
Powerbank, check.
Toiletries, check.
A small paper bag of pasalubong for Aiah's family, check.
And tucked safely into one of the side pockets was the hoodie Aiah always ended up stealing whenever they were together.
"Hindi ko 'to isusuot." She smiled to herself.
"Alam kong ikaw lang kukuha."
Satisfied, isinara niya ulit ang luggage. However just five minutes later binuksan niya ulit.
"Last check."
Bandang tanghali, dumating sina Colet at Sheena sa condo.
"Nandito na kami!" sigaw ni Sheena habang papasok.
Honey immediately ran toward them, excitedly wagging her fluffy tail. Si Haru naman ay tumingin lang mula sa cat tree niya bago muling pumikit.
"Asan mga anak ko?" tanong ni Colet.
"Hay naku, huwag mo muna silang angkinin nandito pa ako"
Napalingon silang dalawa kay Mikha. She was already carrying a small notebook.
"Mikha..." Napakunot ng noo si Sheena. "Bakit may notes?"
"Instructions."
"...Instructions?" sabay na tanong ng dalawa.
Tumango siya na parang seryosong briefing ang mangyayari.
"Okay."
Tinuro niya si Honey. "Breakfast niya seven thirty."
"Okay."
"Lunch, exactly twelve."
"Okay."
"Dinner six."
"Okay."
"Tapos itong treats—" Binuksan niya ang isang drawer. "—dalawa lang every afternoon."
"Dalawa lang." she looked at the two like saying take this seriously. "Hindi tatlo."
"Hindi tatlo." Parang mga sundalong inuulit ng dalawa ang bawat sinasabi ni Mikha kasabay pa nang pagsaludo ni Sheena.
"Lalong hindi apat." Dagdag pa ni Mikha looking at them intently.
"Oo na, naiintindihan ko na." Sagot ni Colet habang tumatawa.
"Hindi kasi marunong tumanggi 'yan pag humihingi."
Honey barked happily.
"Tingnan mo." Napailing si Mikha.
"Manipulator ang baby." Napatawa si Sheena because Honey is proving Mikha right.
Sunod naman si Haru. "Si Haru..." Tumigil siya sandali. "Siya ang boss."
"Nakita ko naman." Sabi ni Sheena habnag tumatawa
"Sisigaw 'yan kapag late pagkain niya."
"Okay." Colet and Sheena back to soldier mode.
"Kapag gusto niyang magpa-pet, lalapit."
"Okay."
"Kapag ayaw niya..."
"...kakagatin ako?" pabirong sabat ni Sheena.
"Hindi, subukan mo lang." then she continued. "Sasamaan ka niya ng tingin and will judge your life and your life choices."
"...Mas malala pala."
Tumango si Mikha. "Exactly."
Tinuro niya ang iba't ibang lalagyan ng pagkain, emergency vet numbers na nakadikit sa ref, extra leash ni Honey, favorite toys, lint roller at grooming brush. Parang may iiwang dalawang bata imbes na isang aso at isang pusa.
Tahimik lang sina Colet at Sheena habang nakikinig. They were taking this task seriously. Nang matapos si Mikha, nagkatinginan silang dalawa. Sheena leaned closer to Colet and whispered,
"Gets ko na."
"Ano?"
"Bakit anak tawag nila."
Napatawa si Colet. "Oo nga."
Narinig iyon ni Mikha. "Siyempre." She said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Babies namin 'yan ni Aiah."
Pagkaalis nina Colet at Sheena, tumahimik ulit ang condo. Mas tahimik kaysa sa usual.
Mikha glanced at the clock. Napabuntong-hininga siya bakit parang hindi talaga gumagalaw? Sakto namang tumunog ang phone niya.
My Babi 🩵
Calling...
Mikha didn’t even wait for it to ring for too long. She answered it immediately and Aiah appeared at her screen right away.
"Hello babi."
"Ready ka na?"
Mikha looked at the luggage by the door.
"Oo."
"..."
"..."
"Thursday pa lang."
"..."
"I know."
Pareho silang napabuntong-hininga.
"Tingin mo ba," Mikha started, "pwede akong matulog tapos paggising ko Friday na?"
Nakita niya ang mahinang pagtawa ni Aiah mula sa kabilang linya.
"Kung pwede lang."
"Edi ang saya."
"sobra." tumatawang sagot ni Aiah sa kabilang linya
Sandaling natahimik ang dalawa. They’re just looking at each other like they’ve been missing each other for a year already. Turns out they were both very dramatic when it comes to distance.
"Babi?"
"Hm?"
"Excited ka?"
Mikha laughed softly. "Tinatanong pa ba 'yan?"
"Kasi ako..." Mahina ang boses ni Aiah. "...sobrang excited na babiii."
Mikha felt herself smiling again. "So am I, babi." She said while looking at Aiah fondly.
That night, neither of them managed to sleep. Every time one of them tried putting the phone down, another message would appear.
A random thought
A sticker
A selfie
A "miss na kita."
By two in the morning, pareho pa rin silang gising.
Mikha
gising ka pa?
My Babi 🩵
Yes po bab
Di ka makasleep?
Mikha
Yes, di ako makatulog
My Babi 🩵
Same
I can’t wait to see you and hold you again
Mikha
ilang oras na lang.
Can’t wait to hug and kiss you 🤭
There was a brief pause before Aiah replied
My Babi 🩵
6 hours
Ugh babi now I miss you even more
Napangiti si Mikha.
Mikha
sino nagbilang haha
Typing...
Typing...
Typing...
My Babi 🩵
ako.
every thirty minutes nga chinecheck ko
Napatawa si Mikha. "Of course you do."
She whispered to herself. She locked her phone and placed it on her chest the same way she had the night before. This time, she didn't bother forcing herself to sleep. After all, in just a few hours, Thursday would finally let go. And Friday, their Friday, would finally begin.
Friday
For the first time that week, Mikha didn't need an alarm. She was already awake before the sun had even finished rising. In fact, she wasn't sure if she had slept at all. She reached for her phone almost immediately.
5:43 AM
One new message. Her lips curved into a smile before she even opened it.
My Babi 🩵
Good morning babi ☀️
Today's the day
I love you.
Mikha smiled like an idiot. Finally, it’s Friday. She hugged her phone for a second before replying. Sobrang excited niya na kasi makikita niya na ulit si Aiah. Ilang oras na lang and she'll be holding her in her arms again.
Mikha
Good morning bab.
See you in a few hours
I love you so much
She stared at the screen for another few seconds before finally getting out of bed. Today, after what felt like forever. She’s finally going to see Aiah again.
The flight felt even longer than the one Aiah took going to Cebu. Mikha had no idea how that was possible. Every few minutes she'd glance outside the window, then at the time, and then outside again. The plane hadn't magically flown faster, unfortunately.
The moment the aircraft landed, she was already texting.
Mikha
Landed babi 🥹
The reply came before she could even stand up.
My Babi 🩵
Welcome to Cebu, my love
I'm waiting ❤️
Mikha's heart skipped a beat, she already knew Aiah would fetch her. Actually, no. She just hoped Aiah would. Kahit paulit-ulit pa niyang sinasabing okay lang, kaya niyang mag-taxi papunta sa bahay nila. Deep inside she wanted Aiah to be there. She wanted the first face she'd see after five days to be hers.
Of course, they couldn't make a scene. They both knew that. It would only take one person with a cellphone, one photo, one post, one tweet and one headline to shake everything. Mikha laughed to herself remembering something she'd jokingly told Blooms months ago.
"It is a fact na tinalo nga namin ang mga loveteam."
OA man pakinggan pero alam nilang dalawa kung gaano kalaki ang ingay na pwedeng gawin ng isang simpleng airport sighting. So, they were careful like they allways do.
When she finally walked out of the arrival area, she spotted Aiah almost immediately. Simple lang ang suot nito, cap, mask, casual clothes and nothing that screamed BINI Aiah. Except to Mikha, she'd know that girl anywhere. Even from the other end of the airport.
Aiah saw her too, her eyes smiled first. Then the rest of her face did.
“Sobrang ganda talaga, lord”
Without thinking, pareho silang naglakad palapit sa isa't isa. No running kahit gusting-gusto na nila. Bawal ang dramatic reunion kasi it will grab attention.
Just a quick hug. The kind of hug friends would give each other after not seeing one another for a while. Mabilis lang, casual at safe hindi agaw eksena but they knew na if a bloom had seen that or was able to take a photo or video that would still trend. SObrang daming slowmo edits na naman for sure.
"Hi, bab." Mahina lang ang boses ni Aiah.
"Hi." Mikha smiled back.
Miss na miss na miss kita. Neither of them said it, they didn't have to. They knew and feel it.
A few minutes later, they were finally inside Aiah's car. The heavily tinted windows shut out the rest of the world. The moment the doors locked Mikha immediately turned toward Aiah then pouted. Hindi na niya kailangan magsalita Aiah already knew.
"Ay..." Natatawa nitong sabi. "My poor baby."
She reached over without another word. A gentle kiss landed on Mikha's forehead, then one on her nose, on her cheek, then on the other cheek,and her chin. Aiah was smiling the whole time she was peppering her with kisses.
Then Aiah leaned in again teasing her, kissing the corner of her lips which made Mikha pout even more. Aiah chuckled before finally giving her a soft kiss on her lips. Right where Mikha had been waiting for. Just one, then another, and then another.
Mikha couldn't stop smiling in between each kiss.
"Aiah..."
"Hm?"
"Five years kitang hindi nakita."
Napatawa si Aiah. "Five days lang iyon bab"
"Same thing."
"Drama."
"Sayo ko natutunan."
"Ako?"
"Oo kaya."
"Sino kaya every thirty minutes chinecheck ang oras?"
Napahawak si Aiah sa noo. "Ay."
"Huli."
They both laugh at their silliness. The kind of laughter that only came after missing someone for far too long.
"Babi."
"Hm?"
"I have something for you."
Mikha watched as Aiah reached toward the back seat. May hinila itong maliit na bouquet ng white tulips wrapped in soft cream paper.
"For me?"
Mahinang tumango si Aiah. "Welcome to Cebu."
For a few seconds, Mikha just stared at the flowers. Hindi siya agad nagsalita, she just carefully accepted them as though they might disappear if she moved too quickly.
"They're beautiful."
"You deserve beautiful."
That was it walang warning bigla na lang uminit ang mga mata ni Mikha.
"Aiah..."
"Hey." Natatawa nang sabi ni Aiah. "Wag ka ngang iiyak."
"Hindi ako umiiyak."
"Edi bakit parang may luha?"
"Allergy."
"Sa bulaklak bab?"
"...Oo."
Napailing si Aiah habang natatawa. "Liar."
She reached over and gently brushed the corner of Mikha's eye with her thumb.
"I just..." Napangiti si Mikha habang nakatingin sa bouquet. "Namiss kita…Sobra."
Aiah's expression softened immediately. "I know, babi. Kasi ako rin. Miss na miss kita"
The drive home felt much shorter than either of them wanted. Not because they were running out of things to say. Kabaligtaran nga they had too many stories. Too many random updates na hindi na kayang ikwento sa text. Too many moments they wanted to share now that they were finally sitting beside each other again. Most of the drive, magkahawak lang sila ng kamay. Every stoplight gave Aiah an excuse to steal another quick kiss and every time, Mikha would pretend to complain.
"Bawal habang nagda-drive."
"Red light."
"...Okay." Then she’d lean in “isa pa babi, longer kiss po”
Aiah would just chuckle to that then proceed to kiss Mikha sa lips. She missed her girl too paano ba yan?
Pagdating sa bahay, halos hindi pa nakakapag-park si Aiah nang bumukas na agad ang front door.
"Nandito na sila!"
Narinig ni Mikha ang boses ng mama ni Aiah bago pa man sila makalabas ng sasakyan. Pagbukas niya ng pinto, sinalubong siya agad ng mahigpit na yakap.
"Finally!"
"Welcome back!"
Napangiti si Mikha.
"Hello po."
"Namiss ka namin."
"Namiss ko rin po kayo."
Sunod niyang nakita sina Baby Ia, Ate Meg at Kuya Bry na masayang kumakaway sa kanya mula sa loob ng bahay. Bigla na lang nawala ang pagod ng biyahe. Parang nakauwi na nga siya.
Lumapit si Aiah at marahang hinawakan ulit ang kamay niya. This time, wala nang kailangang magtago. Wala nang airport, wala nang mga matang nakatingin, just home.
Mikha looked at their intertwined hands before turning toward Aiah. Five days.
Five impossibly long, dramatic, painfully slow days. Worth every second. Because now she finally had her girl back.
And they met on Friday.