Hookup [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

21

—🐶—

AIRA's POV

My eyes snap open, and I gasp, dragging in deep breaths like I've been underwater. My surroundings blur, shapes and colors swimming around me until my vision finally sharpens. Familiar faces surround me, their expressions tight with worry. Miki, Chase, Gale, and Johanne all hover close, eyes flickering over me with relief and concern.

"Hey, hey... it's okay. You're safe now," Miki's voice cuts through the quiet panic in my mind. I turn, meeting her eyes. Her face is soft, her tone calm, but there's something deeper in her gaze, like she's still holding on to her own shock. I push myself up slowly, feeling the texture of the couch beneath me, realizing I'm in their studio. The dim lights, the scent of old vinyl records and fresh coffee — it all starts coming together, grounding me.

Miki leans forward and hands me a water bottle. "Here, inom ka muna ng tubig." Her hand hovers as I reach out, noticing my shaky fingers. She pauses, then wordlessly twists off the cap and holds the bottle out again, her hand steady under mine as I finally take it.

"Thank you," I mutter, the words tumbling out in a quiet stammer.

Beside us, Chase lets out a deep breath, as if she'd been holding it since she saw me fall. "Thank god, you guys are okay," she says, her voice barely masking the relief underneath. "Maintenance didn't put a warning sign on the elevator; they meant to, but they got distracted. Luckily, they responded fast and got you both out." Her tone holds a small trace of anger, but it's mostly washed away by the relief, her shoulders sagging as she looks at me.

I can feel Miki's gaze, lingering with quiet intensity, even as Gale chimes in. "Natakot kami when Miki was carrying you out," she says softly, exchanging a glance with Johanne. "The paramedics said you fainted from the panic." Her voice is gentle, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might unsettle me again.

"Sorry, guys," I manage, clutching the water bottle, wishing I hadn't caused such a scene. The embarrassment stirs in my stomach, hot and insistent.

Miki sits down beside me, her weight sinking into the couch, her hand still resting on mine in a way that feels grounding. "It's okay," she assures me, her voice low and steady. Her touch, warm and familiar, keeps me centered, and I find myself easing under her quiet reassurance.

Gale crouches in front of us, suddenly grinning. "Sabi pala ni Miki, you wanted us to see this, no?" She holds up a glossy print, and I recognize it immediately — the draft of their concert poster.

I nod, managing a small smile. "That's the initial poster for your concert. Sabi ni Dad."

"Maganda naman," Gale says, flashing a bright smile that pulls me back into the warmth of their little circle. Her eyes are soft, her concern barely masked beneath her grin. I nod, assuring them I'm fine, though I feel their eyes, cautious but affectionate, watching over me.

  —🐶🦊🐺🐨🐣—

3RD PERSON

Miki's hand remains on Aira's, her thumb tracing slow, absentminded circles along her knuckles. There's a warmth there, unspoken but undeniably present, rooting both of them in the moment. As Aira looks down, taking a quiet sip from the water bottle, Gale and Johanne get lost in the concert poster, their voices rising with bubbling excitement as they point out their favorite parts.

Chase's gaze shifts back to Aira, drawn almost unconsciously to the small locket around her neck. It gleams softly under the studio lights, a strange tug of familiarity stirring within her as she observes the intricate design. The sight of it feels like a distant memory, too familiar to ignore. Chase's brows knit together, a flicker of thought crossing her mind. Could Aira be...? But she shakes her head slightly, dismissing the thought. Surely, if she were, Aira would have recognized them by now... right?

The laughter and energy in the room soon lighten the air as the girls delve into plans for the concert, each adding ideas and suggestions, their voices filling the studio. Miki's gaze lingers on Aira, the scene a quiet backdrop to her own swirling thoughts. The terror of Aira collapsing had gripped her, and for a brief moment, she'd felt like the ground was slipping away. But then Chase had been there, quick to act, calling the technicians and guiding them out. Aira's safe now, close, and Miki can't help but let a small, content sigh slip as she brushes her thumb over Aira's hand.

Her phone buzzes, snapping both of them from their thoughts. Aira pulls out her phone to see her dad's name flashing on the screen. She accepts the call, a faint sigh escaping her lips as she lifts the phone to her ear.

"Dad?" she says, her tone warm but still tentative. The moment her father's voice spills out, though, a loud panic fills the room.

"Aira? Oh my god, okay ka lang? Nasaktan ka ba?"

Aira chuckles softly, sharing a quick glance with Miki, who gives her a small, reassuring smile. "I'm okay, Dad. Miki was with me the whole time."

Her father's relief is audible, his voice a bit shakier as he continues. "Okay... good, anak." He exhales a few times, seeming to calm himself down. Then, his tone shifts to something lighter, almost conspiratorial. "So, kaya mo bang mag-bonding this weekend with the girls?"

"This weekend?" Aira's brows knit in confusion, curiosity peeking through.

"Yes! Since irerelease na ang concert poster, I thought maybe you'd want a break. I've arranged a little trip to the beach for you and the girls," he explains, the excitement in his voice sparking curiosity among the others. "Pwede mo ba ako ilagay sa speaker?"

Aira glances around, nodding at her dad's request. She taps the speaker button and his voice fills the room, bringing a warm cheeriness to their little circle. "Hi, girls!" he greets, his enthusiasm bubbling through the phone line.

"Hi po!" the girls echo, their voices in perfect unison.

"So, may plano ako for you all this weekend," he announces. "It's a trip to the beach! I figured you might need a break before concert prep kicks into full swing, so I've already booked a cabin and everything. You can use the time to relax or even perform there if you want!"

"A beach trip?" Johanne echoes, her eyes widening with joy.

"Yes!" her dad replies, laughing. "It'll be a good chance for you all to unwind, and you can promote the poster while you're there. I thought it'd be a nice way to break up the stress, alam niyo na."

The girls break into excited chatter, their voices filling the studio with laughter and plans for the upcoming weekend. Gale's already talking about what she'll pack, and Johanne starts listing the snacks they need. Miki, though, remains close to Aira, watching the bright joy flicker over her face. The thought of the weekend — time away, shared moments under a vast open sky — stirs a quiet thrill in her, but it's undercut by a strange restlessness, a flutter she can't quite place.

A beach trip with Aira, she thinks, letting a small smile escape. The chance to be near her, away from the noise and distractions, to share the space between them without words... It fills her with something hopeful and uncertain. And in that moment, she feels as if the weekend may hold more than either of them expects.