Hookup [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

11

3RD PERSON

Chase sits at the edge of the studio's worn leather couch, her phone held loosely in her hand, but her thoughts are far from the screen. Miki and Aira have been gone for longer than they said they would be, and while Chase isn't exactly worried, she can't help but wonder what's taking them so long. She's already glanced at her phone twice, her thumb hovering over Miki's contact, thinking about sending a quick message.

Just as she decides to check once more, the door to the studio swings open. Miki strides in first, her phone clutched tightly in her hand, her expression calm but focused. Behind her, Aira follows, her gaze slightly distant but relaxed as she trails in after Miki.

Chase's face immediately brightens, a wave of relief washing over her. She rises from the couch, her movements quick and light as she jogs over to meet them. The sound of her footsteps echoes faintly, cutting through the soft background music playing in the room. Johanne, sitting in the far corner, remains oblivious, her wireless headphones firmly in place as she taps her fingers rhythmically on her knee, nodding along to whatever she's listening to. Gale, on the other hand, is fully absorbed in her keyboard, creating tiny symphonies as her fingers glide over the keys, blending into the soft hum of the studio.

"You guys took forever," Chase says as she reaches Miki and Aira, her voice carrying a hint of teasing curiosity. "Ano nangyari sainyo?"

Miki, always quick to come up with a response, answers smoothly without missing a beat. "Hinahanap namin kayo sa Cafeteria," she explains, raising her phone slightly as if to show she'd been searching. "But the other elevator was packed, so we had to wait for the next one."

Chase nods, buying the explanation without question, though her eyes flicker toward Aira, who remains a little quieter than usual. A playful smirk curls on Chase's lips as she turns her attention back to Miki. "Miki didn't do anything to you, did she?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eye as she directs the question toward Aira.

Before Aira can even respond, Miki smacks Chase lightly on the shoulder, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Ano ba, Chase!" Miki scolds, her tone playful but with a sharpness that makes Chase laugh.

"Joke lang eh!" Chase throws her hands up in mock surrender, her laughter infectious as it spills into the air between them.

Aira shakes her head, a soft smile playing on her lips as she reassures Chase. "Miki didn't do anything naman. We're fine."

Miki, still flustered by Chase's teasing, clears her throat and quickly changes the subject. "Anyway, may gagawin pa ba tayo here sa studio?"

Chase shrugs, her earlier playfulness slipping into a more relaxed demeanor. "Wala naman na siguro, we were just waiting for you two."

The three of them make their way back to the center of the studio, where they settle down on the wooden floor. The cool, polished surface feels familiar beneath them, a comforting reminder of all the hours they've spent in this space, honing their craft, finding their rhythm together.

But just as they start to settle in, Aira's phone rings, the sound piercing through the quiet ambiance. She pulls it out quickly, her eyebrows lifting slightly when she sees who's calling.

"Sorry, I'll take this lang," Aira says, holding up her phone to show the screen to Miki and Chase. "It's my dad."

Chase nods, watching as Aira stands up and moves toward the door, her footsteps soft but purposeful as she steps outside to take the call. Miki and Chase's eyes trail after her, the studio feeling a little emptier in her absence.

Miki snaps out of the moment first, letting out a small breath. "Ah, bigla ko naalala," she says, more to herself than anyone else, "May need pa pala ako ipractice sa guitar, hindi pa kasi ako familiar sa guitar riff part ko."

Chase nods in acknowledgment, still slightly distracted as her gaze flicks toward the door Aira had disappeared through. There's something warm and comforting about Aira's presence, something that makes Chase feel like having her around might be exactly what the band needs—especially now, with their new manager on board. Chase can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, things are starting to fall into place.

—🐶—

On the other side of the door, Aira answers the call, pressing the phone to her ear. "Hi, Dad," she greets softly, leaning against the wall just outside the studio.

Her father's familiar voice comes through the line, warm and steady. "Kamusta na with the girls?"

Aira smiles at the mention of the band, her thoughts flickering to her bandmates—Miki, Chase, Johanne, and Gale. "They're a vibe naman," she answers simply, her voice light. "Parang makakasundo ko naman silang lahat."

Her father hums in response, a sound Aira recognizes as his way of showing he's pleased. "Good to hear from you, anak." he says. There's a pause, then he adds.

"Who do you like the most?"

Aira hesitates, her mind flashing back to earlier moments with Miki. Memories flicker quickly—moments filled with lingering touches, soft words, and the heat between them that seemed to grow with every passing second. But she knows better than to give a direct answer. Her father's question feels innocent, but she knows it would be unfair to single anyone out.

"Everyone," Aira replies, her voice light but firm. "I can't pick one, dad. Magiging unfair yun sa iba."

Her father laughs softly, agreeing with her. "Well, true."

There's a brief lull in the conversation, but then her father's voice takes on a more serious tone. "Aira..."

Aira straightens slightly at the shift in his voice. "Yes, Dad?"

"Do you still have the necklace? Yung locket na itinabi ng mom mo for you." he asks, his tone measured, almost careful.

Aira instinctively reaches up, her fingers clutching the locket around her neck. She's relieved that Miki found and returned it to her—something about the necklace feels significant, like it's a piece of her past she needs to hold onto. "Yeah," she answers softly. "I still have it."

"That's good," her father says after a moment. There's a pause, and then his voice becomes even more deliberate. 

"I hope you find— or meet the person who has the key to that locket soon."