Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

rockstar pt 4

It was a rainy Thursday afternoon, and Aiah found herself back at the same coffee shop with her best friends—Maloi, Sheena, and Jho. The rain tapped rhythmically against the windows, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as they lounged in their usual corner, sharing pastries and catching up on the week.

But Aiah knew better than to think this would be a relaxing hangout. Maloi, as usual, was already eyeing her like a hawk, her chin propped on her hand and a sly grin tugging at her lips.

"So," Maloi began, drawing out the word. "Gusto ko lang i-point out na you've been looking extra blooming lately. May bagong skincare routine? Or... ibang dahilan?"

Aiah rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. "Wow, ang bilis ng tanong. Kakaupo ko lang."

"Girl, stop deflecting," Sheena said, leaning forward with an eager grin. "Spill. How's Teacher Mikha?"

At the mention of Mikha's name, Aiah's cheeks immediately warmed, and she took a long sip of her iced coffee to buy herself some time. Of course, her friends noticed.

"Oh my God, ang pula ng cheeks mo!" Jho exclaimed, smacking Maloi on the arm. "Confirmed. There's something going on!"

"Wala akong sinasabi!" Aiah protested, though the guilty smile creeping onto her face betrayed her.

"Exactly," Maloi said, leaning closer. "Pero mukha kang kinikilig. So, ano na? Are you seeing her? Dating her? Kissing her? Having—"

"Maloi!" Aiah cut her off, her face now fully flushed. "Ang bilis ng tanong mo! Chill lang!"

"Chill?" Maloi scoffed, grinning mischievously. "Aiah, come on. You've barely dated since Enzo was born. This is big news. We need all the details!"

"She's not wrong," Sheena chimed in. "You never tell us anything about your dating life. So naturally, we're very invested in this... Teacher Mikha situation."

Aiah sighed, setting down her coffee cup and running a hand through her hair. "Okay, fine. Yes, we're... seeing each other. Pero bago pa lang. Like, super bago. So huwag kayong masyadong mag-assume, ha?"

Maloi's eyes widened, and she immediately smacked the table with her palm. "Aha! I knew it! Alam ko talaga! There's no way you were texting her non-stop for 'guitar-related reasons' lang. Grabe, I feel so validated."

Aiah groaned, though she couldn't help but laugh. "Ano ba? Ang kulit niyo."

"Bakit ba kasi ngayon ka lang nag-open up?" Jho asked, her voice curious but warm. "You've had a few dates here and there before, pero parang lagi kang... ano, detached?"

"Yeah," Sheena agreed, her tone softer now. "You've never really let anyone in, at least not that we've seen. Pero with Mikha? Parang iba. I mean, nag-bloom talaga yung vibe mo, girl."

Aiah leaned back in her chair, her smile fading slightly as she thought about their words. "I guess... kasi hindi madali. Like, sure, I've dated before, pero lagi akong nag-ooverthink. What if hindi nila matanggap yung dynamic namin ni Enzo? Or what if magulo lang sa buhay namin?" She paused, her fingers fidgeting with her coffee cup. "I don't want anyone coming into my life na hindi ko maaasahan. It's not just about me, eh. It's about Enzo too."

Her friends exchanged glances, their teasing expressions softening.

"Fair point," Maloi said, her voice quieter now. "I mean, hindi rin biro yung situation mo. Pero... does Mikha know all that? Like, have you talked to her about it?"

Aiah nodded slowly. "A little. I mean, alam naman niya yung context. And she's been so... understanding. Like, she gets it. She's great with Enzo, and she's never made me feel like I have to explain myself too much."