Mirage

seventeen

Aliyah gripped the steering wheel. She feels confused right now. Earlier today, she was just excited in meeting Mira but then the girl wasn't replying and picking her calls. She waited inside her car for hours,3 hours to be exact. If Mira wasn't going to make it why not just tell her right?

Why made her wait?

Then, Aliyah's mind started worrying. What if something happened? What if Mira got hurt again?

Should she call Cielo? They work in the same building.

Until Stella suddenly called asking her to pick them up. It was good timing since she was there anyways. But the moment Stella mentioned she was with Mira; Aliyah clenched her jaw.

"Ate Liyah, gusto mo mag dinner samin? May binili daw si ate Jo." Stellas offered when they got to their apartment.

They were still inside Aliyah's car, Stella looked back and forth at Aliyah who was removing her seatbelt and Mira who was quiet ever since.

Aliyah looked at Stella, "Sure- "

"Uh can you help me?" Mira butted in.

Both of them looked at the girl. Aliyah raised her eyebrows. "Why? Ano meron?"

"Ah sige, una na ako. Bye Ate Liyah, Mira!" Stella waved at them as she quickly got out of the car and run inside the compound.

"Ubos na groceries ko, medyo malayo dito ung store eh."

Aliyah stared at Mira for a moment and then sighed. "Fine."

She wore her seatbelt again and started driving. It was just a few minutes' drive and by the time they were there, the rain stopped. Aliyah parked the car and looked at Mira, "Hintayin na lang kita."

"Samahan mo ko?"

Mira was looking at her expectantly. The girl was giving her a look she can't resist. Ugh, bat ka ganyan. She started getting soft.

"Okay." Aliyah mumbled and got out of the car.

As they were inside the grocery store, Mira got a basket and walked ahead of Aliyah. The latter was just following Mira around and not saying anything.

Hays, wala naman atang bibilin to eh. Mira was just roaming around the aisle, looking like she was thinking hard of what to buy when she hasn't even put one thing in her basket.

Aliyah raised her left eyebrow when Mira grabbed packs of ramen noodles. She shook her head, "Of course yan una mong kukunin."

Mira turned to her and smiled cheekily.

She immediately stopped. Aliyah was shocked at that smile; her face softened and instantly grin with Mira. Wow, maganda talaga siya pag naka smile.

"Comfort food ko ung ramen, sabi sayo eh."

The whole trip to the grocery store, Mira bought snacks, noodles, and ready to cook foods. They just finished paying at the cashier and was getting out of the store already but it started raining again.

Aliyah was the one holding the plastic bags after fighting it from Mira. She extended her palm to feel the rain, "Ung payong nasa kotse." She turned to Mira.

"Dito ka lang, kukunin ko lang ung payong."

She was giving the bags to Mira but the girl said, "Sabay na tayo wait."

Mira was wearing a denim jacket, she removed it and put it on top of her and Aliyah's heads.

"Wait, seriously?" Aliyah looked at her amused.

"Why?"

"Tatakbuhin talaga natin to hanggang parking?"

"Mahina lang naman ung ulan."

"Anong mahina diyan, mababasa tayo." Aliyah laughed. She tried getting out of the jacket but Mira out an arm around her, making her stop.

Ang lapit niya. Aliyah nervously gulped as she looked at Mira.

"Let's go? Count of three ha."

"1."

It was a bliss. Aliyah could only feel Mira's arms around her.

"2."

Was it normal to feel this combination of comfort and nervousness?

"3."

She forgets everything around her. All of her focus is just on Mira.

"Oh diba, hindi tayo nabasa!" Mira exclaimed like she proved something.

They were already by Aliyah's car and she felt out of breath. Not sure if it was because they ran or because her heart kept beating fast.

"Okay ka lang?" Mira looked at her and in an instant she could her cheeks slightly heating up.

"Yeah, tara na."

Aliyah quickly opened the car and went inside. She put the bags on the backseat and started fixing herself.

As Mira went in the passenger seat, she gave the jacket to Aliyah. "Here, baka nilalamig ka?"

She wasn't feeling cold, not at all. If ever, she was feeling more heat in her face.

Stupid, simple gesture lang naman! She thought to herself.

"Daan tayo don." Mira suddenly spoke as she was putting the jacket around the stiffed girl. "Sa 7/11."

"Bakit? May bibilin ka pa?" Aliyah asked trying to avoid Mira's eyes.

Mira just nodded so Aliyah quietly started the engine.

Aliyah turned on the music radio to try and not feel awkward. The air was getting uncomfortable for her especially that her heart hasn't tamed yet. Jusq Lord, help me.