Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

please please please pt 6 {domestic drabbles}

It was bound to happen.

After Mikha's chaotic night out with her friends, Aiah's own circle had been relentless in teasing her about needing a break.

"Grabe ka, Aiah," Stacey said during one of their coffee dates. "It's all work, diapers, and Mikha! Labas ka naman minsan. Puro ka work-work-work!"

"True," Sheena chimed in, stirring her iced latte with a straw. "Alam mo, Mikha can handle Lia for one night. You don't need to be on all the time. I think you forgot paano maging fun."

"Hindi ako fun?" Aiah asked with mock offense, laughing.

"Okay ka lang," Sheena teased. "Pero dati ka mas masaya. Deserve mo naman ng konting break, Aiah. Lumabas tayo. Stacey, Maloi, tara na. Friday night!"

"Sali na, Aiah," Stacey said, her dimples flashing as she leaned forward. "Ikaw na lang ang missing piece."

Aiah shook her head with a laugh, but deep down, she couldn't deny that she missed going out. It wasn't just about the partying—it was about feeling free, even if only for one night. After some cajoling—and a surprisingly supportive nudge from Mikha herself—Aiah found herself saying yes.

/

"You're really okay with this?" Aiah asked nervously as she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit—a fitted black jumpsuit that she hadn't worn since before Lia was born.

Mikha sat on the bed with Lia on her lap, smirking knowingly. "Okay lang, love. One night lang naman, 'di ba? Plus, I survived my night out. Kaya mo rin."

"Yeah, pero ikaw ang cool sa atin," Aiah muttered, tying her hair into a loose ponytail. "Ako? Baka bigla akong makatulog sa bar."

"Hindi mangyayari 'yon," Mikha teased, bouncing Lia gently. "Stacey, Maloi, and Sheena won't let you. Tsaka, enjoy ka lang, okay? Kami ni Lia, bonding night muna. Right, baby?"

Lia giggled in response, her tiny hands clutching Mikha's shirt.

Aiah smiled, leaning over to kiss both Mikha and Lia. "Thank you, love. You're the best."

"Alam ko," Mikha teased. "Pero ikaw rin. Huwag ka masyadong ma-late, ha? And drink water, Aiah. Lalo na kung sila Stacey ang kasama mo. Alam mo naman kung gaano kalakas 'yung mga 'yun."

Aiah chuckled, grabbing her bag. "Noted. I love you!"

"Love you too. Have fun!"

/

The bar was loud, colorful, and alive in a way Aiah hadn't experienced in years. Stacey had booked a booth for the group, and by the time Aiah arrived, the table was already littered with cocktail glasses and a suspiciously large tray of tequila shots.

"AIAH!" Maloi shrieked, throwing her arms around her the moment she stepped in. "Grabe, ang tagal mo! Kala ko hindi ka na dadating."

"Nandito na nga ako, eh," Aiah said, laughing as she let Maloi drag her toward the booth.

"She's here!" Stacey exclaimed, sliding a shot glass in front of her. "We thought Mikha kidnapped you para hindi ka makasama."

"Ang drama nyo guys! I made time for tonight!" Aiah said, laughing as she slid into the booth beside Sheena.

"Tama lang," Sheena said with a grin, handing her another shot. "Kasi, tonight, no work. No mom stuff. Just us. Drink ka na agad."

Aiah hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "Sige na nga," she said, lifting the shot glass and downing it in one go.

The burn of the tequila was sharp, but it was quickly replaced by laughter and the warmth of her friends' energy. For the first time in months, Aiah felt free—like she wasn't juggling a hundred things at once.