Take my Hand | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 16 - Polaroid Pictures

Mikha laid on her back facing the sun through her sunglasses. The air was fresh, not too cold but not too warm either. She breathed steadily as the sleepiness kicked in. Aiah was by her side, reading "The Rosie Project". She wasn't sure what genre the novel was but knowing Aiah, it's most probably romance or comedy.

"I've had enough horror, mystery and tragedy for a lifetime from my clients. I don't want to read or watch depressing, sad stories. I like happy things—romance kind of book or movie, not that I can feel too." Mikha tugged a smile at the thought of Aiah's quote.

Mikha's world turned upside down within the span of days. Aiah acted like nothing was wrong and Mikha couldn't be more grateful for that. She wasn't ready to spill the beans to Aiah just yet. She still had a lot on her mind and she needed to fix herself before she told her everything.

The idea of sharing her past with Aiah was very intriguing. She wanted to see her point of perspective. And maybe she'd be able to move on at last. Aiah was one of the kindest people she had ever met. She didn't judge people based on the surface she saw. She gave people chances even when they least deserve it.

Me, for example. Mikha said to herself.

Now, the question was, is she ready for a new chapter in her life with this gentle human being? Is she good enough for her? Is she strong enough to let her past go? Would she be able to make her happy? Would she allow herself to be free and love again? She didn't know.

But Aiah, in some way, somehow showed her the way. There was a vague light at the end of the tunnel. It was promising enough.

Aiah asked Mikha to try with her. All she had to do was say yes.

"Sleep?" the voice rang softly in her ear. She nodded a little but opened her heavy eyes nevertheless. She removed the sunglasses as she squinted her eyes by the bright sunlight.

"Are you done reading?" she asked.

"Nuh-uh," Aiah shook her head. "Half way to go, see?" Aiah brought the book closer to Mikha. "You should sleep if you want. The weather is nice."

"Yeah, the weather is too nice to pass on." she replied as she adjusted her position into half sitting and supporting her body with her arm. "How come I didn't know you wear glasses?" Mikha finally noticed a pair of frames on her face.

"I only wear it when I read, sometimes." Aiah answered without taking her eyes off the book.

"You look good with it," Mikha said before she could stop herself. "I mean, you don't look weird or anything." she quickly added as she wore her sunglasses again trying to act cool. Completely missing a shade of pink that spread on Aiah's cheeks while she's at it.

"It feels heavy on my nose."

Mikha didn't respond to that. She was busy calming her heartbeats.

It was Mikha's first time enjoying serenity at the park comfortably with someone. As the time passed by, her walls became thinner and thinner. Aiah broke her barrier effortlessly. Sometimes, she was angry at the thoughts, but who was to blame? Aiah? She didn't even do anything wrong. All she did was nothing but sincerely taking care of her and she was fond by it too much. That was the cause of her building collapse. 

'All you have to do is try with me'. The remark rewinds in her brain over and over again.

"You don't have to skip work for me, you know." Mikha spoke after a moment of silence.

"I'm an exemplary employee, Mikha. I rarely take days off. Two days of telling a white lie is not a major crime." Aiah replied.

"White lie?"