"You can have 15 minutes." Their coach told the girls who are showing signs of exhaustion. The girls' glee as they started to run towards their bags and grabbed their water bottles.
"Mikha" the coach called the attention of the clearly exhausted and frustrated girl, "you can do better, you just need some rest" the coach added as the girl replied with a nod.
Mikha let out a sigh of frustration, she looked at the other girls and hesitated for a moment, glanced at the barely visible patio on the second floor. She paused and let out a small smile as she grabbed her water bottle and air pods and started to walk towards the patio.
As she entered the patio, the cold gust of wind and the screaming silence greeted her. "Finally," she murmured to herself, "a quite place to collect my thoughts" she added as she unconsciously touched her shoulder, the same exact spot where that girl touched her earlier.
"Ok ka lang?" that girl's voice ringed in her head, that girl's concerned eyes burning with pure concern and love.
She took a deep breath as sat herself down in an obscure corner. She closed her eyes trying to ward off that memory and feelings and tried her best to enjoy the music in her air pods.
"Halika Rito, sumugal ka ng sampung minuto. Sabay tayong maglalayag sa kawalan" the song started to serenade her.
She flinched; that girl's face started to appear in her mind, again. Just like those countless sleepless nights.
Her brightest smile that keeps Mikha going whenever they exhaust themselves.
"Kaya natin to Miks", Mikha can hear that girl's voice encouraging her, "Kakayanin nating dalawa."
Mikha swallowed the lump that blocked her throat when she remembered that girl's gaze when they received their first recognition.
She was the first person that girl went to and hugged.
She tried her best not to think of her, but her efforts went down the drain.
She can even hear her voice now.
"Andito ka lang pala." A familiar voice called out to her.
Mikha immediately opened her eyes.
She can see that smile, those dazzling eyes.
"Aiah!" Mikha exclaimed.
"Mikha!" Aiah jokingly replied with a bright smile, "Ano ginagawa mo dito!?" Aiah added as she sat down beside Mikha.
"Paano mo ako nahanap?" Mikha asked in confusion, she was sure no one saw here went up here.
"Nakita kitang umakyat kanina." Aiah replied as she pulled out of Mikha's airpod and put it to her ear.
"Nakita mo ako?" Mikha asked.
Aiah nodded her head with a smile.
"Paano?" Mikha still insisted.
"Hinanap kita. I know you needed someone to comfort you," Aiah replied with a smile. She let out a sigh of relief internally. She almost said, "I know you needed someone to comfort you, pwede nalang ako forever?" Aiah bit her tongue before adding "Uhm, gusto kita" Aiah paused as she looked at Mikha, "gusto lang kitang makasama." Aiah finished her sentence as she quickly closed her eyes to avoid Mikha's gaze and pretended to enjoy the music. She realized the song is still on pause, so she quickly grabbed Mikha's phone and pressed the play button.
"Wha—" Mikha tried to asked something but her brain froze when she heard "Gusto kita". She bit her inner lips. This girl Aiah is messing her brain. Her emotions are like inside a hurricane being mixed up with out her control. She wanted to get pissed with Aiah for breaking her peace, but she wanted to hug the girl for being there. She wanted to get mad for making her feel weak whenever she smiles but she likes the feeling.
