Lost and Found • mikhaiah au

20. Feast for One

As the weeks rolled by, life seemed to settle into a familiar rhythm for Agnes. Her trainings remained intense, with the early mornings, demanding drills.

Colleen remained a steady presence, their student-coach relationship returning to its previous ease despite the emotional upheavals they had shared. Everything felt normal, just as it had before.

But amidst this predictable rhythm, something new and special had emerged: Maiko was now a constant in Agnes' life.

Maiko began visiting almost daily, whether it was to join Agnes for meals or to help care for their kitten, Lingling. Their time together was a blend of effortless shared laughter, weaving a thread of warmth through Agnes' life.

Their interactions were filled with small, affectionate gestures, Maiko's teasing comments that never failed to make Agnes smile, and the way Maiko's eyes lit up when she played with Lingling.

There was a quiet intimacy in their shared moments, from cooking together in Agnes' kitchen to lounging on the couch, their conversations flowing easily as they discussed everything from training tips to their favorite movies.

Agnes couldn't help but notice how the little things Maiko did made her heart flutter.

The way Maiko would lean in just a bit closer during their conversations, or how her touch lingered just a fraction longer when they were together.

It wasn't just friendship.

Agnes felt something more, a connection that transcended the usual bounds of being 'friends.' Every glance and touch from Maiko seemed to speak volumes, leaving Agnes with a sense of longing she couldn't quite put into words.

Sometimes, during their quiet moments together, Agnes would catch herself lost in thought, wondering about the nature of what she and Maiko shared.

She didn't have a name for it, but she knew that every little thing Maiko did seemed to make her fall harder. The simple act of Maiko holding her hand, or the way Maiko's smile made her heart race, all pointed to a feeling that went beyond the ordinary.

Despite the clarity of her emotions, Agnes found herself unsure of how to define them. All she knew was that Maiko's presence made her days brighter and her heart fuller.

"Lalim niyan."

Agnes snapped out of her daydream, a nervous laugh escaping her. "Luh! 'Di ba pwedeng nagpapahinga kasi hiningal sa training mo!"

Colleen raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her face. "Sus!"

Agnes chuckled awkwardly and waved it off. "Nye nye, musta na stats ko muna?"

Colleen's expression shifted to one of approval. "Your stats are actually improving. I'm confident you'll be able to give Maiko a serious run, you might even beat her in the next competition."

At the mention of Maiko's name, Agnes felt her heart skip a beat, and she mentally scolded herself for letting her emotions get the best of her. She shook her head, trying to refocus. "Talaga, ako pa."

Colleen grinned, clearly satisfied with Agnes' response. "Just keep up the hard work. You're doing great. Mag-shower ka na, maaga kita i-dismiss ngayon."

"Weh, may date lang kayo ni Ate Malia, 'eh!"

"Inggitera! Edi mag-date kayo ni Herrera."

Agnes' cheeks flushed crimson from Colleen's teasing. She quickly grabbed her towel and hid her face, then sprinted to the locker room, her hurried footsteps punctuated by Colleen's laughter.