we were never really friends : a mikhaiah au

two

They stepped out into the warm afternoon sunlight, the bustling streets of Manila stretching out before them. Aiah looked at Mikha, her eyes sparkling with a mix of determination and playfulness. "Let's start with something simple," she suggested, scanning their surroundings for inspiration.

Spotting a quaint café across the street, Aiah squeezed Mikha's hand gently. "How about some coffee?" she proposed, steering them towards the inviting aroma of freshly brewed beans and warm pastries. "Take a chance with me?"

"Huh?" Mikha asked, confused by what the older girl had said.

"Take a Chance with Me," Aiah repeated, smiling. "Our favorite coffee shop."

"Ahhhhhhhhh," Mikha responded, finally understanding.

Mikha wasn't particularly in the mood for coffee today, but she knew Aiah was. To make the older girl happy, she simply smiled and nodded, seeing how excited Aiah was.

They crossed the street and entered the cozy café, settling into a warm corner booth. The tension from earlier gradually melted away as they took in the comforting ambiance. Mikha realized they were still holding hands. Aiah noticed too and quickly let go, laughing nervously. "Shit, sorry! Nadala lang," she said.

Mikha laughed along, hiding the fact that she was secretly thrilled by the touch.

"So, Oatmilk latte with honey blend syrup topped with a honey drizzle?" Mikha asked, her voice carrying a playful tone. She knew by heart what Aiah's usual order was, having memorized it from countless visits to the café together. The familiarity and care in Mikha's words made Aiah's heart flutter. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.

Aiah responded with a twinkle in her eye, "And Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with raspberry syrup topped with whipped cream." She wasn't about to let Mikha have all the fun. Not to be outdone, Aiah recited Mikha's order with the same precision and affection, having committed it to memory long ago. She took pride in knowing these little details about Mikha, the red-haired girl who always seemed to brighten her day.

Mikha's smile widened, a light blush tinting her cheeks. There was something special in these small acts of knowing and being known, a silent communication that spoke volumes about their closeness. The exchange, simple as it was, felt like a tender moment shared just between the two of them, a brief escape from the unspoken tension that had been building between them.

As they sipped their coffee and laughed over shared memories, Mikha felt a sense of relief wash over her. Aiah's spontaneous gesture had lifted her spirits more than she could have imagined. She leaned in closer to Aiah, grateful for this moment of respite amidst their hectic schedules.

Aiah caught Mikha's gaze and smiled warmly. "You know," she began, her voice soft but earnest, "sometimes we get so caught up in the pressure and expectations that we forget to just enjoy it."

Mikha nodded in agreement, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're right," she admitted, her eyes reflecting a newfound clarity. "Thank you for this, Ate Aiah. I needed it more than I realized."

As Aiah squeezed Mikha's hand affectionately, she smiled warmly. "Anytime," she replied sincerely, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Pero ano ka ba, 'di pa tayo tapos, 'no. Simula pa lang 'to."

Mikha laughed, enjoying the moment of lightheartedness amid their busy day. "Huh? Ano pang pinaplano mo?" she asked curiously, leaning in with a playful grin. "Lagot na talaga tayo. We have like, an hour and a half na lang, ate Aiah!" she chuckled.

Aiah grinned mischievously. "Ano sabi ko? 'Di ba, we get so caught up in the pressure and expectations that we forget to just enjoy it," she explained, her tone filled with excitement. "So what kung mapagalitan tayo? Andito na tayo, isagad na natin."