Take my Hand | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 28 - Third World War

The present wasn't wrapped up in wrapping paper. Mikha set the well-known brand of shopping bag on her lap with an anticipated look. "I hope you like it", she said.

It was the handbag in the picture Mikha sent her weeks ago. The same handbag that she said she liked. Aiah placed the shopping bag on the table and admired her new thing.

She diverted her eyes from the bag and stared at Mikha's eyes. Mikha smiled nervously waiting for her opinion over the gift.

Right at that second, she wanted to kiss Mikha senselessly just to show her how big her feelings–whatever it was towards her. Was it love? Maybe. She never fell in love–not even once before.

Being with Mikha was everything new to her. There was no compulsion, no rush in things she wasn't comfortable with, overall and most importantly she could be herself freely.

Mikha made her world turn upside down in the best way possible.

She wanted to tell her her story. She wanted her to know all about her. She believed in her.

"Hey," Mikha poked her cheek "Are you okay? You don't like it?" she looked dejected by the long silence. "I'll find a new present, I promise."

Will you be my present then?

"I love it, Mikhs." she said instead. "I really do. It's really pretty and it'll go with all my dresses. Thank you." and she meant it way deeper than just a 'thank you for the bag'.

Then Mikha kissed her cheek in slow motion. The burning sensation from that certain spot didn't disappear 'till she closed her eyes as she entered her slumber state.

- - - - - - - -

Mikha deliberately permitted Aiah to have full access on her phone for one reason; to prove to her that she had nothing to hide.

Not to make her insecure and get jealous over a random–or her ex one night stand text who she didn't even remember not to care to save their number.

Aiah didn't actually check Mikha's phone. She was in the kitchen cooking for dinner whilst Mikha was in the bathroom doing some business when the chat popped up on Mikha's phone screen. She got curious and the message made her stomach whirl in anxiety, her chest tightened in anger.

The third world war happened that night.

Mikha explained what she needed to explain. Her day was bad and Aiah made it all worse. Being accused of something that she didn't do was not a nice feeling. It hurt–literally.

"That person practically wants to have sex with you!"

"But I don't want to have sex with her!" she shouted louder.

"Well, you had sex with her, didn't you?" she remarked sarcastically.

"Oh, you just have to bring that up now." Mikha said flatly.

"How am I supposed to react then?!" Aiah really–really tried her best to not let a single tear fall down her cheeks. Her voice was shaking and everything went blur.

"I don't know who's that, I swear! Damn it!" She massaged her temple.

"Aiah, I'm tired." Mikha never called her 'Aiah' for so long, it sounded so strange, odd and distant. "You believe what you want to believe." She walked out from the kitchen and slammed the door harder than usual, leaving the sobbing Aiah alone.

- - - - - - - -

Aiah successfully slipped to her room and set her clothes for today without waking her up. Her breakfast was prepared neatly on the kitchen counter, a bottle of infused water was ready to go. Mikha knew that today, Aiah had to attend yet another stressful court early in the morning. So her physical absence didn't become a question. The following morning went normal as if nothing happened.

But somehow weird.

Was it just her or did the sandwich feel bland? The coffee was too bitter, Spongebob wasn't as funny as usual, the home atmosphere by any means-creepy.

She couldn't concentrate at work. Her brain kept replaying the same scene over and over. She was a bit out of control last night and she regretted it. She shouldn't let anger take over her rational self.

Restlessness was an understatement.

She wanted to call Aiah–it seemed not gentle enough. She decided to step on her gas and apologize in person.

She stopped by the florist as a bribe for Aiah to get her forgiveness faster.

She walked into Aiah's building holding a bouquet of flowers that was bigger than her head,

She spotted Aiah near the escalator with Maloi and a guy. She cleared her throat from afar. She didn't have speech preparation–she'd just go with the wind.

She stepped closer as she smiled nervously.

"Really?" the guy sounded surprised.

She saw Aiah nodded, she didn't see her expression though. Aiah's back was facing her.

"You're finally agreeing to have dinner with me?!" he shouted excitedly, his eyes practically sparkling.

Aiah nodded again.

"Sweet! I'll tell you when and where. Text me your address, I'll pick you up. See you soon, Aiah!" he side-hugged her.

Mikha froze as her heart stopped beating and her stomach twirled, not in a good way. She couldn't believe her eyes, nor her ears. She gulped and held back her tears–she won't cry no matter what. She turned back her head and pulled her jacket closer. She threw the flower harshly in the trash can.

Her heart broke into millions of pieces.

"Mikha?" she heard the indistinct voice she used to love so much. She walked faster ignoring the shout.

"Mikha, wait!"

She couldn't process all of it. The ringing in her head won't stop–it made her dizzy. She thought they were on the same page, they wanted the same thing but apparently not. She clenched her fingers till its knuckles turned white. She really wanted to punch that guy right at this moment but how could she do that when Aiah said yes to the invitation?

A pull of her arms reflexively yanked by her.

"Mikhs?!" Aiah was surprised by the rough act she's never seen before.

"You must be having fun making fun of me, huh?" The look on Mikha's face scared her, it was something totally different from the Mikha she knew. It was anger, disappointment, a distant look that she obviously didn't like.

"What are you talking about?" she frowned.

"Yeah, don't play dumb." she snickered sarcastically. "Have fun with your date on your dinner tonight." the tears were threatening to escape her eyes, she quickly turned around and trotted away from her.

"Wait, Mikhs! I can explain!" Aiah went after her.

"Explain what? How you're laughing at me? How you were lying to me this whole time?! I was nothing but honest to you! I told you how I felt!" she yelled.

"You know I feel the same way about you." Aiah's lips were trembling now. "Why–"

"No, you don't. Because I would never treat you like that." she walked again before stopping and facing her for the last time.

"You know what, whatever we are–whatever it is." she shrugged.

"We're done."