Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

let's fall in love for the night pt 1

The bass reverberated through the walls of Maloi and Sheena's sorority house, vibrating through the floor where dozens of sneakers shuffled, swayed, and stumbled. Aiah was tucked away in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, a red cup in hand. The party was in full swing, with their mutual friends scattered across the house—Stacey was playing beer pong in the living room, Gwen was arguing over song choices with Jhoanna near the speakers, and Colet... well, Colet was already tipsy and loudly ranting about how Gwen always picked sad songs at parties.

Aiah wasn't much of a party person. She wasn't even sure why she came tonight—peer pressure, siguro. But now, nursing her drink and half-listening to Colet's theatrics, she knew the real reason she came. Mikha.

She hadn't seen her yet, but she knew Mikha would be here. Mikha always showed up at these things, even though she wasn't the loud or attention-seeking type. She was usually easy to spot anyway, her long red hair a striking contrast to the muted tones she always wore, standing out even in a crowd.

Aiah had always thought Mikha's confidence wasn't in her height—Mikha stood a couple of inches shorter than Aiah's 5'6—but in the way she carried herself. She didn't shrink or slouch like some people did when they weren't tall. Mikha stood like she was exactly the size she wanted to be. Aiah would never admit it, but she'd been harboring a quiet crush on her since... what, sophomore year? Too long. Too quiet.

"Uy, Aiah, ano ba, nakikinig ka ba?!" Colet snapped her fingers in front of Aiah's face, jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Ha? Oo naman," Aiah lied, offering a sheepish smile.

"Basta," Colet continued, clearly unsatisfied with her response, "ang sinasabi ko, it's a tragedy na si Gwen nanalo sa aux cable. Alam mo naman si Gwen, 'diba? 'Yung laging gusto ng pahugot vibes kahit pa-party!"

Aiah chuckled, half-listening. Her eyes flickered toward the living room doorway, scanning for that familiar cascade of red hair. She was about to give up when—

There she was.

Mikha.

She had just walked in, wearing a loose black sweater tucked into baggy jeans, her long red hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck, a few strands framing her face. She was holding a drink in one hand, laughing at something Maloi said. Her laugh was soft, but it had this way of drawing people in. Her hair caught the light, and Aiah felt her breath hitch.

Mikha glanced around the room, her eyes briefly flickering past Aiah. Panicking, Aiah quickly looked down at her cup, heat creeping up her neck.

"Relax," she muttered under her breath, chiding herself.

What Aiah didn't know was that Mikha had noticed her. She always noticed her. Aiah wasn't flashy or loud, but there was something magnetic about her quietness. Mikha had been harboring her own quiet crush for years, though she never found the right moment to act on it. Maybe tonight would be different.

Fifteen minutes later, Aiah found herself alone on the back porch. The party was getting too loud inside, and she needed a breather. The cold night air bit at her skin, but it was a relief after the stifling heat of the house. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the string lights twinkling in the backyard.

"Ang tahimik mo tonight."

The voice startled her, and she turned to see Mikha stepping out onto the porch, her long red hair now falling over one shoulder. She was smiling at Aiah, her hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized sweater.

"Huh?" Aiah stammered, caught off guard.

"Kanina pa kita napansin," Mikha said, leaning against the railing, her head tilting slightly upward to meet Aiah's gaze. "Parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo."