Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

passenger seat pt 6

Six months into their relationship, Mikha and Aiah had built a steady, comforting dynamic. Mikha had slipped so seamlessly into Aiah's life—and vice versa—that it felt like they'd been together for years. They had their rhythms now: coffee runs on hectic mornings, lazy Sundays spent binging shows neither of them cared much about, and weeknights where Aiah would either collapse into Mikha's arms or rant about her day over takeout.

But not everything was perfect.

Mikha had found peace in her new lifestyle. Her job gave her the freedom she'd been craving for years, and she embraced the small joys in her day-to-day life. Whether it was discovering a new café in a hidden corner of the city or hearing a passenger's life story during a long ride, Mikha had learned to appreciate the simplicity and unpredictability of her work.

Aiah, on the other hand, was sinking deeper into a struggle she wasn't sure how to escape from.

Her days at the office were relentless. Meetings piled up on top of deadlines, and every time she finished one project, there seemed to be three more waiting for her. The expectations from her bosses were sky-high, and though Aiah was more than capable of meeting them, the constant pressure was wearing her down. Her once-effortless confidence had been replaced by second-guessing and self-doubt, and the bright, ambitious spark she used to carry now flickered dimly beneath the weight of it all.

/

One Thursday evening, Mikha was parked outside Aiah's office building as usual. She leaned back in her seat, scrolling through her phone, when she spotted Aiah stepping out of the revolving doors.

Mikha's heart sank.

Even from a distance, Aiah looked drained. Her shoulders were hunched, her hair was slightly disheveled, and she walked with a heaviness that Mikha had only seen a handful of times before.

When Aiah climbed into the car, she let out a long sigh and leaned her head against the window.

"Hi, Babi," she said softly, her voice hoarse and tired.

"Hi," Mikha replied, her tone gentle as she glanced at her. "Long day?"

"More like long month," Aiah muttered, closing her eyes. "Parang kahit anong gawin ko, kulang pa rin. Hindi ko na alam kung paano i-balance lahat."

Mikha frowned, her grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. She reached over, placing a comforting hand on Aiah's knee. "Ano nangyari?"

Aiah hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to unload everything. But then she exhaled shakily and began to speak.

"May bagong project na binigay sa akin," she said, her voice strained. "Ang daming expectations. Tapos yung dati kong project, hindi pa rin tapos kasi may mga revisions daw. Ang hirap, Babi. I feel like I'm being pulled in ten different directions, and no matter how hard I try, parang hindi enough. Kahit anong galing ko, parang may kulang."

Mikha stayed quiet, letting her vent. She knew Aiah needed to let it out without interruptions.

"And then kanina," Aiah continued, her voice cracking slightly, "my boss called me out in front of the team. Sabi niya, 'This needs to be better. I know you can do more.' Ang sakit, kasi ginagawa ko na lahat, pero parang hindi pa rin enough." She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "Nakakapagod na, Mikha. Sobrang bigat na."

Mikha's chest tightened at the sight of Aiah holding back tears, her strong exterior finally cracking under the pressure.

"You don't have to carry this alone," Mikha said softly, her hand squeezing Aiah's knee gently. "Alam kong mahirap, pero hindi mo kailangang patunayan ang sarili mo sa kanila. You're already more than enough."