Hookup [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

23

—🦊—

MIKI's POV

"Lumabas ata sandali yung dalawa," a faculty staff member tells us, glancing up as we stand by the door. My music pulses softly through my headphones, but it doesn't drown out the thought of Chase and Aira hanging out together. I wasn't ever one to get jealous or show much emotion, but right now, I'm finding it hard to ignore the images forming in my mind.

"Miki? Huy?" A hand waves in front of my face, breaking my thoughts. Gale and Johanne stare at me, curious.

"Narinig mo ba sinabi namin? Punta kami sa coffee shop, y'know, our haven," Gale repeats with a laugh. I give her a quick nod. "Ah, okay. Sure."

"Sasama ka ba? Mukhang kailangan mo nanaman ng kape, nalulutang ka eh," Johanne adds, her smile playful.

I pause my music and nod again. "Sige, tara."

After leaving our things in the faculty room, we step outside, slipping on facemasks and caps to dodge any unwanted attention. We maneuver through a narrow alley, making our way toward the coffee shop—a quiet spot we stumbled upon ages ago, managed by a woman named Emily, who's as passionate about music as she is about coffee. It's become our hidden getaway, a place where we can just be ourselves.

The bell chimes as Gale swings the door open. Inside, Chase and Aira are already seated, chatting across from each other. My jaw clenches for a moment, that unwelcome feeling creeping back. I thought I'd be happy if Chase found someone she liked, but seeing the two of them... I dislike it.

"Daya niyo naman kayo lang bumili, hindi niyo man lang kami hinintay," Gale teases, mock-frowning as we approach their table. I sneak a quick glance at Aira, barely resisting the urge to keep looking. Why do I feel this way about her?

—🐶—

AIRA's POV

The question lingers in my mind, even as I catch Miki's gaze from across the table. I know we're not exclusive; what we had was just a hookup. But still, I feel an odd flicker of guilt, especially under her lingering stare. Why are you looking at me like that, Miki?

The tension breaks as Johanne nudges Miki, snapping us both out of the moment. "Ikaw, Miki? Do you want any coffee ba? Para magising gising naman tayo onti pagdating natin dun," Johanne asks with a grin, waiting for her reply.

Miki shifts slightly, glancing at her phone. "Ah, not today. Baka matulog muna ako sa cabin pagdating natin. Hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos."

A chorus of disbelief erupts. "WOW? Miki? Our top coffee lover? Ayaw sa kape?" Johanne gasps, acting shocked. So, she loves coffee, huh? I clear my throat, trying to shake off her stare, though I can still feel her eyes on me.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Chase asks, concern coloring her voice as she stands up. Miki brushes it off with a nod and takes a step back. Meanwhile, Chase's name is called from the counter.

"Chase and her plus one," Emily's voice rings out, grabbing our attention. Chase and I stand to get our drinks while Gale and Johanne trail behind. "Plus one? Hindi mo man lang pinakilala si Aira," Gale jokes, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, Aira is our temporary manager, by the way, Em," Gale introduces me with a grin. Emily beams. "Nice to meet you, Aira. Well, my name is Emily, and again, I got impressed with your french skills kanina."

"It's nice to meet you too, Emily," I reply, and Emily nods, seeming genuinely pleased.

"Nag-French si Aira?" Gale's curiosity lights up, and both Chase and Emily nod with admiration. "Yeah, the accent was..." Emily gestures a chef's kiss, and Gale's eyes widen.

"Say something in French ulit, Aira!" they beg, practically bouncing with excitement, and I couldn't be more glad to show off my french skills.

Soon enough, we're packed into the van, setting off for our destination. Chase is up front beside the driver, while Gale and Johanne take the middle row. I end up in the back with Miki, the tension between us making me hyper-aware of every movement. I steal a glance at her, headphones in, her gaze out the window. What does she even think of... everything that's been happening between us?

—🦊—

MIKI's POV

I won't deny it; I'm glad I get to sit next to Aira. Maybe it's obvious to everyone else that I have a crush on her, or at least, that's what they think. I could practically hear Johanne and Gale whispering to each other before we got on the van, deciding to sit together so I'd have this moment.

"Alright, girls, we're here," the driver announces, pulling up to the resort. Sunlight floods in as we step out, bags in tow. I'm the first out of the van and instinctively hold out my hand for Aira as she steps down.

"Thank you, Miks," she says, her hand lingering in mine. I bite back a smile, nodding quickly, Miks.. what a nickname.

We grab our bags and make our way to the reception area, where Chase hands over the reservation details. "Nakareserved na yung cabin niyo," the receptionist smiles, handing us the keycard.

Walking toward our cabin, the sun now fully risen, we pass groups playing beach volleyball, families grilling, the air alive with laughter. It's a nice change of pace, seeing everyone enjoying themselves.

"Tara, girls," Chase calls, sliding the keycard through the lock. The door beeps open, and inside is everything we could want: four rooms, a lounge, a huge TV, even a backyard with enough space to escape to if any of us need it.

"Pili na kayo ng kwarto niyo, then unpack tayo para we can have lunch after, or you can rest muna dahil sa biyahe," Chase says, heading for one of the rooms. There's a color-coded tag over each door, and I spot the red one.

"I'll take the red room," I call out, already moving toward it.

Chase stops me. "Red room lang yung dalawa yung bed, pero—"

But before she can finish, Johanne and Gale chime in, "Ako na sa blue room," Johanne claims, while Gale raises her hand. "Ako na sa yellow, tapos si Chase sa green. Edi si Aira and Miki na sa red room."

I pause. Being alone in the same room with Aira... Maybe not the best idea. But Aira speaks up first, her voice steady. "Okay," she says simply.

I just sigh internally, knowing I'm about to spend a night resisting every tempting, intrusive thought in my head.