Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

let's fall in love for the night pt 3

The cool night air hit them like a sudden wave as they climbed out of the pool, water dripping from their hair and clothes onto the tiled floor. Aiah shivered slightly, wrapping her arms around herself as the warmth from their swim quickly faded into the chill. Mikha, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed, squeezing the water out of her long red hair like she'd done this a thousand times before.

"Giniginaw ka na naman," Mikha observed with a soft laugh, grabbing a towel from a nearby bench—the ones usually left by the swim team for practices. She handed it to Aiah and grabbed another for herself. "Halika, mag-hot shower muna tayo bago tayo magbihis. Para hindi ka magkasakit."

Aiah paused mid-rub, looking at Mikha like she'd just suggested something outrageous. "Shower? As in... sabay?"

Mikha blinked, then burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Hindi! May mga cubicle 'di ba? Separate showers, syempre. Ano'ng tingin mo sa akin?"

Aiah felt her face flush. "I-I knew that!" she stammered quickly, though her body betrayed her embarrassment as she clutched the towel closer to her chest.

"Sure ka? Kasi mukha kang nahihiya." Mikha teased, leaning slightly closer, her voice dropping into a playful tone. "Promise, hindi ako nangangagat. Well—unless gusto mo."

Aiah's eyes widened, and her ears turned a bright shade of pink as she turned her face away, trying to hide the undeniable blush creeping up her cheeks. "M-Mikha!" she exclaimed, her voice rising just slightly.

Mikha smirked, leaning back and chuckling at Aiah's reaction. "Relax lang, Aiah," she said, her tone softer now but still teasing. "Go shower muna. I'll wait sa locker area 'til you're done. Tapos ako naman."

Still flustered, Aiah fidgeted with her towel, unsure of what to say. Mikha didn't press her further, though. She simply started toward the lockers, her bare feet padding quietly against the tile. But just as she was about to step away completely, Aiah reached out and grabbed her hand.

Mikha stopped, turning back to her with a curious expression. "Hmm? Bakit?"

Aiah hesitated for a moment, her grip tightening slightly on Mikha's hand. She wasn't sure why she'd stopped her, but something about the way Mikha was about to walk away made her heart race. "Um..." Aiah's voice faltered as she searched for the right words. "Thank you."

Mikha tilted her head, clearly confused. "Thank you? Para saan?"

"For..." Aiah hesitated again, her gaze dropping to the floor as she tried to gather her thoughts. "For everything tonight. For making me do something crazy. For... making me feel..."

Mikha smiled softly, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them. She reached out, brushing a strand of wet hair away from Aiah's face. "Making you feel what?" she asked gently, her teasing tone gone now, replaced with genuine curiosity.

Aiah swallowed, her throat dry despite the water dripping from her hair. "Alive," she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tonight made me feel alive, Mikha."

For a moment, Mikha didn't say anything. She just looked at Aiah, her dark eyes softening as the words hung between them. Then, slowly, a small smile spread across her lips. "Aiah," she said, her voice low and warm, "you've always been alive. Baka kailangan mo lang ng konting push para makita mo."

Aiah felt her chest tighten, her heart hammering against her ribs. She didn't know how Mikha always managed to say the exact thing she needed to hear, but in that moment, she felt like she could drown in the warmth of Mikha's gaze.

But before she could get too lost in it, Mikha's teasing smirk returned, breaking the tension just enough. "Pero hindi mo naman kailangan magpasalamat pa. Ang gusto ko lang naman ngayon ay..." She tilted her head toward the showers. "Maligo ka na muna para hindi ka magkasakit. At para hindi ko marinig na giniginaw ka ulit mamaya."