Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

we can't be friends pt 2

It was Colet's idea, as always. "Group hangout naman!" she had said in the group chat, punctuated by too many exclamation points. "Let's get dinner this Friday. Parang antagal na since kumpleto tayo. Maloi, ikaw na bahala mag-book ng table. Huwag mo kami i-sabog ulit sa different corners of the resto ha."

Mikha had groaned when the plan was set, equal parts excited and nervous. Excited because she missed her friends, but nervous because this was the first time she and Aiah would be back in a group setting since everything had shifted between them. Would it feel... weird? Would their dynamic be obvious to everyone else? Would Aiah act differently around her now that they'd spent weeks building something—whatever that something was?

On the day of the dinner, Mikha arrived a little earlier than usual, a bundle of nerves stuffed into a simple black blouse and jeans. She sat at the far end of the long table, fiddling with her phone as people began trickling in. Stacey and Maloi arrived together, laughing about some inside joke, and Gwen showed up a few minutes later, apologizing for being late despite being perfectly on time. Colet, of course, showed up last, immediately accusing everyone else of not being "fashionably late" enough to match her.

Aiah walked in somewhere in the middle of the arrivals, wearing a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to her elbows. Mikha had seen her in casual clothes before during their hangouts, but something about how effortless Aiah looked tonight—hair swept into a low ponytail, confidence in the way she moved—made her stomach flip. Aiah scanned the table, her eyes pausing briefly on Mikha before she slid into the chair opposite her.

"Hi," Aiah said simply, her lips curving into a soft smile.

"Hi," Mikha replied, trying to keep her tone casual, though her pulse betrayed her by quickening just at the sound of Aiah's voice.

The table slowly filled with chatter as everyone caught up, swapping stories about work, gossiping about mutual acquaintances, and reminiscing about their last chaotic hangout. Mikha tried to engage, but she found herself hyper-aware of Aiah across the table. To her relief—and maybe her dismay—Aiah didn't seem distant like before. In fact, she was joining in the conversations, laughing easily, and even teasing Maloi about her questionable taste in TV dramas.

"Grabe ka talaga," Aiah said at one point, smirking at Maloi. "'Meteor Crush'? Yun ang pinili mong i-recommend? High school na high school."

"Hoy, may character development kaya," Maloi shot back, feigning offense. "Ikaw naman, ano ba mga pinapanood mo? Pure documentaries na walang excitement ?"

Aiah laughed, and Mikha found herself staring. It wasn't just the sound of her laughter—it was the way her dimples appeared, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners, the way she seemed so present in the group, a far cry from the Aiah who used to sit with perfect poise but kept everyone, including Mikha, at arm's length.

"Mikha, ikaw ba? What are you watching these days?" Stacey's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and she blinked, realizing everyone was looking at her.

"Oh, um," Mikha stammered, trying to focus. "I just finished 'The Last Kingdom.' Super good. Pero ngayon, I'm rewatching some Studio Ghibli films. Para chill lang."

"Uy, ang artsy mo talaga," Maloi said, grinning. "Parang ikaw yung type na may pa-movie night tapos may pa-blanket and candles."

"Why not?" Mikha said, laughing a little. "Maganda kaya yung vibe na ganon."

"That's so you," Gwen added, nodding. "Always setting a vibe."

From across the table, Aiah's gaze lingered on Mikha for a beat longer than necessary. She didn't say anything, but the small smile tugging at her lips didn't go unnoticed.