Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

sugar and spice pt 1/4

*Tap.Tap.Tap.*

Mikha's knuckles make soft but hopefully audible knocks against a window frame.

She's not quite sure how she found herself here.

Standing on unused bricks unstably stacked on top of one another, peering through a window into a dimly lit room. She's trying not to lose her balance, crash down and make any noises. *That* would not be good. In fact, she is trying her best ninja impersonation right now and she would be so bloody grateful if the person in the room acknowledges her presence.

She tries again.

*Tap.Tap.Tap.*

The window opens but there's still a screen separating Mikha and the figure infront of her.

"Jesus, Aiah, kanina pa ako dito." Mikha hisses in frustration because she's got about five minutes before her legs give in a she loses her balance.

Aiah smiles at her, innocently, "Sorry na, I was listening to music - I didn't hear--"

"You literally summoned me here." Mikha cuts her off with an eye roll.

Aiah raises her eyebrows, "You didn't have to show up."

"You didn't have to text me."

//

This has been their dynamic for a while now. Two months, three days and 7 hours to be exact. Mikha's not keeping count but she can't help being an freak of nature who is just really really good at remembering minute details. Since she arrived in Cebu for her summer vacation after her second year in college, the dynamic between her and Aiah has completely changed. Mikha's not sure if it's for the better or worse. At least for now it feels like it's the former.

You see, Mikha and Aiah have known each other for a very long time. Since Mikha could remember, Aiah's been her friend - they legit have grown up together. Mikha remembers spending the first 10 years of her life in Cebu with Aunt because her stand-up mom was too busy touring rehab facilities to, you know, take care of her. So for the first ten years of Mikha's life, she remembers Aiah being her best friend. Aiah the confident, rule-following, honour roll student as Mikha's best friend. Mikha was the complete opposite. Her rebellious fire had always been apparent at a very young age, which is why she was never surprised Aiah's parents barely let them hang out outside of school.

Mid-way through fourth grade, Mikha's mother decides she could take care of her own child and forces Mikha to move a thousand miles North, to the most exciting place - Pampanga. Naturally, as a ten-year old, craving for your real parent's affection, she agreed to it. And before she knew it, she was being driven in a beat up Toyota, with her small suitcase tossed uncarefully in the backseat.

She didn't even get to say goodbye to Aiah.

//

Fast forward to almost nine years later when she finally managed to visit her Aunt in Cebu again. This is code for 'mother has again fucked up and now I am back in my Aunt's care'.

That was the first summer she'd spent in Cebu after moving to Pampanga. Surprisingly, she didn't feel too great about being there. It brought back some painful memories. Although when she tried to conjur up happy ones, they always had a certain brunette, brown-eyed girl in them.

Mikha knew from early on she liked girls.

Maybe as early as five but she's not sure. The first person she told was her now-bestfriend Colet. She remembers being thirteen and terrified of the rejection and was so grateful for Colet's unconditional love. She thinks that has been the only time she felt fully loved and accepted.