Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

lego house pt 4

The music at the bar was loud enough to fill the gaps between conversations but not so deafening that you couldn't hear yourself think. The familiar neon glow of Colet's favorite hangout lit up the group's faces as they huddled around a corner booth. Mikha sat at the center of the chaos, holding a gin and tonic in one hand while Gwen and Jho bickered over who had the worst karaoke performance during their college years.

"I'm telling you, Jho, ikaw 'yung kumanta ng 'My Heart Will Go On' na sobrang off-key na nagka-feedback pa sa mic!" Gwen said, laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink.

"Huy! Hindi ako 'yon! Si Colet 'yon, aminin mo na!" Jho shot back, pointing an accusing finger at Colet.

"Excuse me!" Colet interjected, raising her margarita. "Ako pa? Perfection ang boses ko. Ako nga ang tumulong mag-save ng party after 'yung second-hand embarrassment sa performance mo, Jho."

Mikha chuckled softly at their antics, leaning back in her seat and swirling her drink. It was her 30th birthday celebration, or at least the "part two" of it, as Colet had called it. After spending the actual day with Janna and Aiah, this was supposed to be the "real" party. Colet had insisted on gathering the gang, dragging Mikha out of her usual routine and into the wildness of their old bar haunt.

She glanced around the table, taking in the familiar faces. Gwen and Jho, already bickering like siblings. Stacey and Sheena, who were quietly sharing a plate of fries but occasionally chimed in with their biting, sarcastic one-liners. Maloi, holding court at the far end of the table, her booming laugh cutting through the noise of the bar.

It was all so familiar. Yet, something felt... off.

Mikha took another sip of her drink, trying to shake the feeling. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. The night was fun, sure. Everyone was here. Everyone except—

She cut herself off mid-thought.

"Aba, parang seryoso ka diyan sa gin mo, Mikha," Maloi said, sliding into the seat next to her with a wicked grin. "What's on your mind? Or sino?"

Mikha rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Wala. I'm just enjoying my drink."

"Hmm," Maloi said, her eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. "Or baka naman may kulang sa gabi mo?"

"Hay nako, Maloi," Mikha muttered, laughing lightly. "Can you stop being dramatic for one night?"

"Dramatic? Me? Never," Maloi replied, raising her beer in mock innocence before leaning in conspiratorially. "But since you brought it up, bakit parang tahimik ka? Not enjoying your big night out?"

"It's fine," Mikha said quickly, waving her off. "I'm just... tired, I guess."

Maloi raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. Not yet, anyway.

As the night wore on, Mikha found herself drifting in and out of conversations, laughing at the right moments but feeling strangely detached. It wasn't until Colet sat down beside her, holding a fresh margarita in one hand and a mischievous smile on her face, that she realized something was up.

"Okay, spill," Colet said, nudging Mikha's shoulder.

"Spill what?" Mikha asked, feigning confusion.

"Kung bakit parang wala ka sa mood tonight," Colet said, tilting her head. "You're usually the life of the party, lalo na kapag ikaw ang celebrant."

"I'm fine," Mikha said, forcing a smile. "Promise. Just... a little drained, siguro. It's been a long week."

Colet didn't buy it for a second. "Hmm. I see." She sipped her drink, her eyes darting toward the entrance of the bar briefly before returning to Mikha.