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She knew something was wrong the moment Mikha went missing on the stage.
Aiah looked to her left side and right, her eyes roaming around the area to see where she could’ve possibly been.
“Asan si Mikha?” She wondered out loud. Maloi didn’t hear her, or maybe she did, but she let her be. Sanay na ito na nakakarinig ng ganito mula kay Aiah kaya minsan ay hindi na lang ito pinapansin. Her friend just continued swaying to the music beside her.
She clicked her tongue, turning her head to the other side, to see if she came back already.
Still no. Still no sight of her.
“Mikhs…” She said out loud again. She felt Gwen tensed a bit beside her before the younger girl continued waving to the fans.
She’s been looking at he subtly simula nang magsimula sila. Mikha looked uncomfortable the moment they stepped out under the sun. She’s not known for her patience with heat. Aiah knows this too well.
Way too well.
Napakainit nga naman ng panahon at maong pa ang suot niya. Plus her red hair was down in waves. Si Aiah nga na hindi naman balot ang braso eh naiinitan, siya pa kaya?
Aiah sighed, the hold she had on the mic tightening as the red head continued to be out of sight. She squinted her eyes more as a heat wave passed through her. God, ang init.
The girls started getting closer together for the photos, but still, the red hair is nowhere to be found. Gwen stepped closer to her, telling her to scoot in closer to Maloi.
She raised her hand to guide Gwen’s back, throwing a look over the younger woman’s shoulder to see if the woman she’s been waiting had arrived but still, no.
“Wala pa si Mikhs..” She said through squinted eyes.
Gwen didn’t offer her any words. Just looked behind her before turning back on the fans again.
It took the red head a few minutes more before she finally went up the stage again.
Aiah let out a sigh of relief at the sight of her.
The staff took the photos, a couple of them. Once done, Mikha didn’t waste any time. She whispered, “Gwenny, padaan.” To Gwen, who willingly went out of the way, so she could go to Aiah.
The moment she stepped closer to her, Aiah melted.
The distance was just fine. Not too close. But not too far. Just alright for the both of them.
Her eyes were filled with annoyance. Annoyance that soon turned into sulking ones. The annoyance melted into a look of pleading, a look that Aiah knows way too well in her heart that she couldn’t- will never be able to resist. Mikha sulkingly looks at her, her thick brows furrowed. Eyes squinted from the heat, and lips jutting out in a small pout.
Aiah raised her eyebrows gently in encouragement, urging the redhead to say what she wanted to say, her eyes immediately softening at the sight of Mikha. Because she couldn’t reach out. She couldn’t touch her and call her endearingly. She couldn’t step any more closer or they will attract too much attention again. She couldn’t let her guard down today. Not totally. So, all she did was look. And wait.
“Babi, ang init po.”
The fact that Mikha let the endearment slip in public, despite not facing the crowd, was enough indication that she’s not having any of this.
But Miikha turned her eyes on the chairs, suddenly being hyperaware that they’re surrounded by too many people and sulking won’t work. She moved her hair out of her face in annoyance. “It’s so hot. My clothes are sticking to my skin. I need to sit.” She whispered instead.
Aiah stared at her in pity, wanting to do something to ease the heat she’s feeling. But she knew she couldn’t, so she let her be. For now.
Later that day, when they were on their way home loaded in one van with their manager asking where they should get off, Aiah spoke on Mikha’s stead.
“Mikha’s coming home with me.”
Mikha looked up from her ipad, she was sitting beside Jhoanna who had a sickening smile on her face. “I am?”
Aiah nodded, then turned to look at their manager. She never wavered, even if their manager narrowed her eyes at her. She stood her ground. Because she wants to do something for Mikha.
Their manager just sighed, before nodding. “Be careful.”
Aiah nodded before turning back to her phone. The girl’s murmur started filling the van again as they made their way to their first stop which is Maloi’s condo.
All the while, Aiah could feel a pair of eyes on her way.
Once in her condo, Aiah safely locked her door. Letting Mikha get inside first, with Honey walking towards her.
“Hi, my nini. How are you, my honey?” Mikha cooed, crouching down at the excited dog. Honey has always been fond of Mikha. Even if the girls are all present, her dog will always find her way towards her.
Which says something about how often Mikha comes here. How gentle and good she is in taking care of the both of them.
She turned towards the sofa, where a fluffball regarded them with a bored look.
“Haru.”
The cat’s eyes lifted up to meet Aiah’s, and for some reason, the cat’s aura started to lighten up. It started to stretch on the sofa, then rolled over, expectantly looking at Aiah with its boba eyes. Aiah started making her way towards the fluffball, booping the cat’s nose affectionately before giving him head scratches. She sat down and continued giving it her full attention.
She felt eyes staring at her so she looked up, and found both Honey and Mikha looking at her with doe eyes.
“Come here.” She beckoned the two of them.
Like magic, Mikha scooped Honey in her arms. Like a kid, then sat down on the floor, beside Aiah’s legs.
Aiah then reached out, both hands on Mikha’s hair, combing the soft locks gently away from her face before starting to tie it up in a loose ponytail. “Are you okay?”
“Ang init kanina, bab.” She answered, looking gratefully at Aiah’s gesture. “Thank you.”
“I would’ve gone off the stage to grab you some water.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
Mikha ruffled Honey’s fur, before the dog walks away seeing that her moms are too preoccupied talking to each other. Haru stayed beside Aiah though. Scooching closer, even.
“Sa susunod, I will talk to them about your clothes.” Aiah mumbled, fiddling with the maong jacket.
Mikha shook her head, “There’s no need for that.”
Silence reigned between them for a while. The only sound inside Aiah’s condo was Honey’s activities of rummaging through her box of toys. Hindi na naman niya makita yung favorite toy niya.
“Paliguan mo ako?”
Aiah looked down at Mikha, whose eyes were looking at her with the same expression she had earlier on the stage. When she told her it’s too hot.
And Aiah couldn’t say no to that. Plus, her plan was to make bawi.
“Okay, honey.”
Honey perked up at the sound of her name, running towards them with her favorite toy dangling from her mouth.
Natawa si Aiah. “Hindi naman ikaw, Nini e.”
Honey just tilted her head to the side in confusion that made her laugh even further.
Aiah told Mikha to go in the shower first.
She changed into some cotton shorts and shirt. She also put some food on Honey and Haru’s plates before making her way towards her bathroom.
Aiah’s bathroom is full of Mikha. Her toothbrush beside Mikha’s spare here, her scrunchie on Aiah’s container of claw clips. Her mouthwash. Their shampoo and body soaps melting together on the sink.
Sometimes they’re in Mikha’s condo.
But most of the time, they’re here.
Aiah likes her space. But Mikha likes Aiah’s space more.
She found Mikha sitting on the toilet, stripped off her clothes, looking at her expectantly.
“You poor thing.”
Mikha pointed at the tub, “I started the water on the tub na.”
“Good girl. Come, let’s wash you up.”
Aiah pulled up her hair in a messy bun, before touching the water. “It’s pretty nice and cold. Get in.”
Slowly, Mikha let herself down on the tub, shivering but welcoming the cold.
“Grabe yung init kanina. I was so pissed. I keep on moving my hair away from my face kasi it’s sticking to my skin. Ang init pa ng clothes ko. Tapos, it was so loud. I was so overstimulated.” She complained while watching the water be filled with bubbles from Aiah’s bathbomb.
“I know, baby. I’m really sorry.”
Aiah pumped some shampoo on her hands before sitting down beside the tub, putting the shampoo on Mikha’s hair.
“Lean back so I can wash your hair properly.”
Mikha did it willingly.
While washing her hair, Mikha couldn’t stop talking now.
And Aiah listens.
She’s finally okay.
Contrary to what people see, Mikha is very talkative once they’re inside their tiny homes.
Hindi naman si Aiah ang madaldal. Si Mikha ang puno ng mga kwento at palaging humahagikgik kapag sila lang dalawa.
And Aiah is always delighted to listen.
It is, after all, her very own medicine.
Her peace.
It’s hard to find a peaceful joy in the world they got themselves into. Full of people who want a piece of them. Full of people who want to see them fail. People who think they own them.
But Aiah managed to find someone who she can be with while she shuts her system off and just exists. Not inhibitions, no expectations, no crowd to show off a performance to.
It’s just her Mikha.
She eventually joined Mikha on the tub.
They stayed there for a few minutes more. The events of the day soon caught up on them, feeling the tiredness in their bones as water ran on them.
Aiah was busy looking at the fading bubbles when she felt it. She lifted her head up and met Mikha’s eyes.
Mikha was looking at her through her long lashes, the water dripping from them.
“Bawal ‘yan.” She murmured.
Mikha frowned, planting her head on her knees. The water swallowed her shoulders, the only thing visible was her head and her knees.
It made her look so adorable.
“Bakit bawal? I was just staring.”
“Staring is bad.”
Mikha huffed.
“Why are you staring anyway?” She asked.
Mikha smiled then.
It always amazes Aiah how beautiful she is.
“Ang ganda mo po, babi e.” Mikha scoot closer. “I knew you were looking for me kanina. Someone told me you kept on saying my name while on stage.”
Aiah made a funny face, “Sino na naman nagsabi?”
“Secret.” Mikha lifted her hand. A little wrinkled from how long they stayed in the water. She pushed some strands of Aiah’s hair away from her face before sighing, “You know, after today, I realized something.”
“Hmm?” She hummed in response, a little speechless with Mikha’s action.
“I really won’t last a day without you. I might’ve gone nuts kanina kung wala ka. Your presence helps me a lot po.”
Aiah chuckled, “You’re getting sappy, Mikha Lim.”
“No, I mean it.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Mikha smiled toothily, “Let’s go na. I want some cuddles.”
Aiah pulled away slightly, narrowing her eyes. “Nagiging needy ka na ha.”
“Please, babi?”
She just shook her head, then stood up. Mikha’s eyes darted down her naked form.
“My eyes are up here, Mikha.” Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mata. “Halika na, sabi mo you want some cuddles?”
Mikha stood up in a rush, “Opo.”
They have a long way to go. They have the world as their stage, stranger’s eyes on them. They have a lot going on and they should always put on a mask to be safe.
But inside Aiah’s condo, it’s just the two of them.
And with Mikha by her side, Aiah is pretty sure she will be fine.
They will be fine.