Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

love in this club pt 1

"Jho, can you just make sure the next person you find doesn't bail last minute?" Mikha huffed into the phone, scrolling through her emails as she juggled yet another task in her already chaotic day.

She raked her fingers through her red hair, as if trying to untangle the mess of her week. Why couldn't anything go her way? First, her drinks supplier announced a delay in stock, forcing her to spend more money on alcohol than she'd budgeted for. Then, the original venue fell through, which meant sweet-talking her way into another BGC nightclub—and agreeing to a date with the club manager. Not her proudest moment, ethically speaking, but she was attractive, and Mikha was single. And now, the cherry on top of this shitstorm of a week? The DJ her friend Jhoanna had recommended bailed. Two days. The event was two days away.

Mikha Lim didn't usually stress. Her relaxed, nonchalant vibe often came across as indifference, but she cared. She cared a lot. This wasn't just some monthly WLW (women-loving-women) club night—this was her reputation. And she'd be damned if people started whispering that Mikha Lim couldn't pull off an event.

She dialed another number, hoping for a miracle.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the elusive Mikha Lim," a teasing voice answered.

"Hello din sa'yo, Colet," Mikha replied, rolling her eyes as if she'd expected the sarcasm. She tucked her phone between her shoulder and ear, grabbing her coffee as her assistant Gwen slipped into the office. Mikha mouthed a quick "thanks" and gave her a thumbs up before turning her attention back to the call.

Colet Vergara, her college best friend and marketing genius, was the steady hand behind Mikha's events company. The two went together like bread and butter, but for the sake of the audience, they acted more like oil and water. It added to the banter, or so they claimed.

"Anong kelangan mo?" Colet asked, her tone mock-serious.

"Why do you think I need something?" Mikha shot back, feigning innocence as she packed up a pile of papers on her desk.

"Am I wrong?" Colet teased.

Mikha paused, letting the reality of her predicament sink in. Two days to pull off a club night without a DJ. What even was a club night without a DJ? A disaster, that's what.

"Fuck—you caught me. I'm desperate, Col."

"Whoa, whoa, Lim. You're not my type." Colet's laugh echoed down the line.

"What the hell! Vergara—no—umayos ka. I mean for the club night. Jesus. Jho's DJ bailed. We don't have anyone."

"Chill ka lang, bai. I'm messing with you. Kala mo naman ha."

Mikha sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Okay, Colet, as fun as this is, pwede ba, patulong naman? Do you know anyone?"

Colet's teasing eased off. "Well... meron akong pinsan."

"Ako din—and so?" Mikha said, laughing despite herself.

"Tang ina, Mikhs, ikaw tong humihingi ng pabor," Colet snapped, slipping into her mock-angry persona.

"Oh, joke lang, joke lang," Mikha said, biting back a grin.

"Piskit bai! Anyway, may pinsan akong amateur DJ. She's okay—usually gigs at private parties. But I can call her for you?" Colet suggested.

"She's in Manila?" Mikha asked, sitting up straighter.

"Yeah. BGC area. Call ko ba?"

"Just send me her number, and I'll connect with her. Thanks, Col. Better than nothing, I guess."

"Okay, Mikhs. Pero one thing ha—" Colet paused dramatically.

"Ano?"

"Pinsan ko yan—wag mong kursunadahin," Colet warned, her tone teasing but sharp.