loml (Mikhaiah)

MIKHA's POV (TOTGA: IT'S ALL BEHIND US NOW)

"Mommy Aiah, look!" Miguel runs toward her, his little face beaming as he shows off his sketchbook. "I drew this with Lily!"

"Wow! This looks so beautiful... but you are so singot, Miguel. Naunsa naman ning bataa, uy."

I can't help but smile at the sight of the two most important people in my life. My heart swells with a mix of joy and gratitude. This scene is both heartwarming and a testament to the love that still connects us, though it has changed.

I take a deep breath before walking toward them, feeling a sense of peace.

"Miguel, Ninang Aiah is busy. Look at you, oh. You are so sweaty." I try to sound a bit stern, but the truth is, I can never be mad at him. He is my soft spot, my world.

"Hay, Mikha Lim. Just let him play," Ate Aiah groans, her voice filled with a blend of affection and exasperation. "Love man ni Ninang Aiah si Miggy!"

Ate Aiah smiles, her dimples appearing like deep wells of warmth and familiarity. The sight of them makes me happy, knowing that our bond has transformed into something pure and enduring.

"But I want to call you Mommy Aiah," Miguel whines, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Miguel! Who taught you that, huh?" My voice comes out sharper than intended. I think I know who's behind this, but I want to hear it from Miguel.

"Ninang Staku said I should call Ninang Aiah 'Mommy Aiah'," he says proudly, puffing out his little chest.

Sabi na nga ba.

Hay nako, Staku. You never change pagdating sa kalokohan.

I smile at the thought of Staku's mischievous influence, knowing it comes from a place of love with a little bit of malisya.

"It's cute. You can call me 'Mommy Aiah', Miggyboo," Ate Aiah says gently, her voice so tender it warms my heart. She caresses Miguel's face with such love that I feel a surge of gratitude for having her in our lives.

I stand there, feeling content and at ease.

"Miguel, come here," I finally say, my voice softening. "You're going to tire Ninang Aiah out."

"But I like being with her," he insists, looking up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

"I know you do," I whisper, my eyes meeting Ate Aiah's.

Ate Aiah's smile is steady, and I see the flicker of something deep and unspoken in her eyes. "It's okay, Mikhs. I love spending time with Miggyboo."

Miguel hugs her leg, and I see the bond they share, a bond I both treasure and feel grateful for. My heart is full, not with what might have been, but with the beauty of what is.

Miguel is now four, a vibrant and curious little boy who brings joy into every room he enters. I had him when I was almost thirty, a late-blooming chapter in my life that I embraced wholeheartedly. His dad, Tristan, and I met through a common friend. Our relationship started off like a whirlwind romance, filled with shared dreams and aspirations. We dated for a while, and soon, we had our beautiful son.

I must say, by the time I committed myself to Tristan, I had already moved on from Ate Aiah. The lingering feelings I once had for her had settled into a deep, abiding friendship. Tristan was everything I thought I needed—kind, handsome, responsible—the quintessential boy next door. The girls, initially hesitant about me dating again, eventually adored him. Even Ate Aiah grew close to him, which was both comforting and surreal.

Despite the initial bliss, our relationship faced insurmountable challenges. Tristan's decision to move to the States to finish his master's degree created a rift that only grew wider with time. The strain of long-distance, compounded by the occasional arguments and the emotional toll it took, proved too much for us. We parted ways almost two years ago, a painful but necessary decision. It was hard at first, navigating the aftermath of a love that just wasn't enough to sustain us. But over time, we found a new rhythm as co-parents and friends. Tristan is now engaged, and while there's a bittersweet tinge to that chapter, I'm genuinely happy for him.