Buhos na Ulan, Aking Mundo'y Lunuring Tuluyan

CHAPTER 6 - Side by Side

—MIKHA—

Aiah and I reached the town and settled into a lomi restaurant, a place famous for its Batangas soup-based noodles. The moment we had signals on our phones, I immediately dialed Kuya Robert's number.

After a few rings, he answered. "Hello, Kuya Robert, I need your help. Nasan ka?" I asked, my voice tense.

"Hello, ma'am, nandito kami ni Sir sa Subic. May kikitain daw siyang mga kumpare niya," Kuya Robert replied.

"Oh shit. Nasiraan kasi ako dito sa may Cavite. Pauwi ako galing sa Tagaytay. Magpapasundo sana ako. Eh paano yan?" I said, my worry evident in my tone.

"Naku, pasensya na ma'am, malayo rin kami ngayon. Baka kung sunduin ko kayo diyan, sa umaga na lang rin. Magbus na lang po kaya kayo ma'am or matulog muna kayo sa mga motel diyan. I-text mo sa akin yung address niyo at pick-upin ko kayo bukas," Kuya Robert suggested.

"Oh sige Kuya, gawan ko na lang to ng paraan. Thank you, ingat kayo diyan," I replied, feeling a sense of resignation.

"Ano daw sabi ni Kuya Robert?" Aiah asked, her worry reflecting mine.

"Wala, we are stuck here tonight. Either mag-bus tayo or we can find some place to sleep in," I explained.

"Well, I don't know what bus to take and I think since it is late, I'm afraid we won't find any more buses traveling to Manila tonight," Aiah suggested.

"Are you okay staying over?" I asked her, feeling responsible for the situation.

"Yeah, sure, wala po tayong choice and besides wala naman rin akong lakad or appointments or anything," she said.

"Okay sige. Let's eat muna then let's find a motel, sabi ni Kuya Robert," I said.

We sat down and ordered lomi, trying to make the best of the situation. The warmth of the soup provided a bit of comfort amidst the uncertainty. As we ate, I noticed how Aiah seemed more relaxed, despite the inconvenience. Her resilience was admirable.

After finishing our meal, we started looking for a place to stay. The town was quiet, and most establishments were already closed. Eventually, we found a small, modest motel. It wasn't much, but it would do for the night.

As we approached the front desk, the lady who assisted us looked apologetic. "Good evening. We only have one room left, and it has just one queen bed," she informed us.

Aiah and I exchanged awkward glances. The reality of sharing a bed for the night sank in, adding another layer of tension to the situation.

"Is that okay with you, Aiah?" I asked, trying to gauge her comfort level.

"Um, sure, ma'am. It's just for one night. We'll manage," she replied, though I could see the awkwardness in her eyes.

We took the key and headed to the room, the silence between us thick with unspoken thoughts. As we entered the room, it was simple and clean, with the single queen bed dominating the space. We both set our things down, trying to navigate the situation with as much grace as possible.

"Thank you for being so understanding, Aiah," I said, genuinely grateful.

"It's no problem, ma'am. I'm just glad we're safe," she replied with a reassuring smile.

...

While we were lying in bed, a pillow separating us, I whispered to Aiah, "Aiah, are you still awake?" We were both looking at the ceiling in the dark, side by side.

"Yes, boss?" she answered.

"Mikha. Call me Mikha for tonight," I begged.

"Yes, Mikha?" The way she called my name...

"Hindi ako makatulog. Do you want to talk muna?" I offered.

"I think that's a good idea," she said, then continued, "...so tell me about your life. Before coming here..." she uttered.

Wow, na-hot seat pa nga.

I swallowed before I even replied to her.

"Ahm, we moved to the States when I was 12 years old and spent 8 years there before coming back. I wasn't supposed to come back, but then Dad said he's retiring and needs someone to look after the business. He doesn't want to sell the business since it's been with us for generations," I started.

Aiah turned on the side lamp and sat up a little to look at my face. I faced her in return. She looked so invested and had every intent to listen to what I was saying.

"And so, no one among my siblings wanted to take over the business, and my dad was getting frustrated. So, to avoid conflict, I volunteered," I said.

"Do you enjoy what you do?" she asked, like an innocent child.

"Wow, that's a hard question." We both chuckled.

"Sometimes. I mean, I like it, I'm interested, but I just don't like the pressure my dad puts on me. I still feel a little overwhelmed and incompetent," I confessed, and we both fell silent.

"...And then there was you. My job now got a little more interesting." I looked into Aiah's eyes with sincerity.

Aiah's eyes widened slightly, and she seemed to hold her breath for a moment. The room felt charged with unspoken emotions, and I knew I had crossed a line that blurred the boundaries I had set for myself.

"Interesting? How so?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I took a deep breath. "It's hard to explain. You make the workplace feel... different. Less lonely, maybe. More human."

Aiah smiled softly, and I could see the understanding in her eyes. "You make work more interesting for me too, Mikha."

We both lay back down, the silence now comfortable and filled with a new understanding. The pillow between us felt less like a barrier and more like a bridge, connecting two people who had found a rare moment of honesty and connection.

As I closed my eyes, I felt a sense of peace. Maybe, just maybe, this unexpected night was the beginning of something neither of us had anticipated.