Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

always

Mikha's not sure why she still keeps answering her calls.

They keep going through this cycle for the past decade where they have an in depth catch up, then complete radio silence on both ends, Mikha then sends a 'How are you?' text, she gets ignored for a couple of months and then Aiah's name flashes on her screen in the least convenient time as if calls between them are normal.

Their relationship has always been so complicated. Childhood best friends who grew apart then reconnected in their teenage years in more ways than one,summer hookups when Mikha visited, a messy on-off long distance run throughout their college years peppered with other relationships, a final break up to accept they were not meant to be and even what comes after surprises Mikha. They both have their own lives now - ones that coexist but never converge. Mikha's engaged to Jasmine and Aiah has a family with Jeremy.

Even though Mikha's finally at a happy place with a secure, stable relationship, somehow this invisible string tying her to Aiah remains intact. They barely see each other and text sporadically, yet in Aiah's most important moments she calls Mikha. Mikha doesn't know what to make of it but she still answers the calls.

Like the first time it happened. She guessed from social media that Aiah's back with Jeremy (her once high school boyfriend who may or may not have been a victim of one of their summer flings. Mikha isn't proud of their youthful stupid decisions back then). She does wonder what actual fucking reason Aiah had to get back together with him. For the most part, he is an asshole but hey, Mikha's not impartial.

At first Aiah doesn't tell her directly. Though in one of the calls - Mikha did mention her cryptic social media posts. Aiah stays quiet on the other end and Mikha feels slightly guilty for prodding. What does it matter? But she thinks, friends should be open with these things and she often wonders why Aiah just gives her crumbs of information. Mikha doesn't care - she thinks - it doesn't affect her anymore like it did before.

Then Aiah finally says it. 'I'm back with Jeremy.' And Mikha feels a weird sting in her heart but responds 'Aiah, if you're happy, then masaya ako para sa'yo."

They don't talk for three months after that.

Then Aiah messages her out of the blue - 'Mikhs, Can you video call?'

Mikha has two guesses why.

Aiah's getting married or Aiah's pregnant.

Turns out Mikha was right — about both.

'You're the first person I told."

She tells her again - 'Aiah, if you're happy, then masaya ako para sa'yo.'

Aiah genuinely looked happy and sounded happy. Mikha tells Jasmine and they send a congratulatory card.

Sometimes Mikha can't help but let her mind wander back to those turbulent years with Aiah. In someways she hasn't fully grieved the loss she experienced. The loss of her soulmate and best friend.

They both get busy planning their own weddings and four months fly by without so much as a 'hello' from either end.

Mikha gives in this time - 'Hope the planning is going well.'

It takes Aiah a couple of weeks to respond. 'Salamat, Mikha. Same to you. Send my love to Jasmine.'

It read like a reminder so Mikha doesn't respond.

//

She knows the date because Aiah told her - it was late November, an ordinary weekend for Mikha but across the country, she knew a backyard somewhere in Cebu, was set up, waiting for a bride and groom. Aiah's wedding was rushed — Mikha knew in her heart this is not the wedding Aiah always dreamed of because she knew exactly what that wedding was. She's been subject to that animated description from Aiah before. This was not it. But this was going to be it.