The sun filtered softly through the curtains in their small but cozy living room. Aiah paced back and forth, biting her lip, while Mikha sat on the edge of the couch, holding the pregnancy test box in her hands. The air was thick with anticipation, and their breaths seemed to echo in the otherwise quiet house. It was their third try, and both of them were too nervous to voice what they were feeling.
"Aiah, bub, tigil ka na sa kakalakad, you're gonna wear out the floor," Mikha said, her voice soft but teasing. She set the box down and stood, gently reaching for Aiah's hand to stop her pacing.
"Hindi ko kaya, Mikhs! Ayoko tumingin. Ikaw na lang," Aiah said, wide-eyed, glancing at the white stick on the coffee table like it was about to explode.
Mikha smiled gently. "Bub, it's okay. I'm here, sabay tayo, okay?" She laced her fingers through Aiah's and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Aiah looked at Mikha, her dimples showing as a nervous smile spread across her face. "Paano kung hindi na naman, Mikha?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Third time na 'to. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa."
Mikha reached up, brushing Aiah's cheek softly with her thumb. "Hey, hey... it doesn't matter how many times it takes. We're doing this together, tandaan mo. I've got you, babe, okay? Lahat ng emotions mo, kaya kong saluhin. Isa pa, meron pa tayong buong squad na backup kung kailangan natin ng tulong," she added with a small chuckle, referencing their circle of friends who had been cheering them on through every step of the process.
Aiah nodded, exhaling shakily. "Okay... okay. Pero promise, sabay talaga?"
"Sabay talaga," Mikha affirmed.
They both sat down on the couch, their knees brushing. Mikha picked up the test stick, still face-down. She held it tightly for a moment before placing it in Aiah's hands. "Ikaw na mag-flip, babe. Kasama mo ako."
With trembling hands, Aiah turned it over. For a second, they both stared in silence, neither breathing. Then Aiah gasped, her eyes widening.
"Two lines. Mikha. Mikha, dalawa!" she squealed, her voice breaking as tears sprang to her eyes. She turned to Mikha, clutching her arms. "Oh my god, Mikha! Positive tayo!"
Mikha froze for a moment, her eyes locking on the stick before her lips broke into a slow, disbelieving smile. "Totoo?!" she asked, her voice cracking. She grabbed the stick to double-check, her hands shaking. "Totoo ba talaga?! Hindi 'to joke?"
"Totoo! Dalawang linya, Mikha!" Aiah practically jumped into Mikha's arms, her laughter mixing with tears as they clung to each other on the couch.
Mikha buried her face in Aiah's shoulder, holding her tightly. "Babe... babe, magiging mommies na tayo," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She pulled back to cup Aiah's face, wiping her tears away with her thumbs. "I'm so proud of you. You've been so strong, Aiah. Grabe ka, ang tapang mo."
Aiah laughed through her tears. "Eh ikaw rin! Ikaw kaya ang nagbigay ng egg. This baby... this baby is us, Mikha. Ikaw at ako." She placed a hand on her still-flat stomach, her eyes shining with joy.
Mikha gently placed her hand over Aiah's. "Totoo 'yan. This baby is us. And I can't wait to meet them."
For a while, they just sat there, holding each other, letting the reality of the moment sink in. Their home, filled with the quiet ticking of the clock and the rustling of leaves outside, suddenly felt alive with the promise of a future they had longed for.
"Malalaman nila Colet and Maloi agad," Aiah said after a while, sniffing and laughing. "Sigurado ako sasabihin nila, 'Finally!'"
Mikha grinned. "For sure si Colet sasabihin, 'About damn time.' Maloi naman will probably cry before she even gets the words out."
