Dopamine Part 2

Chapter 11: May spark pa rin

Mikha's POV

The next morning, the familiar scent of brewed coffee and fresh pastries greeted me as I stepped inside the café. The warmth of the place wrapped around me like an old friend and my first thought was, Whoah, ang daming tao? 

It had been a while, and it was true what they'd been saying—mas nag-improve talaga yung business ng café. Of course, andoon yung hard work ng buong team but it was mainly the efforts of Aiah and Jho, whose teamwork really took the café to the next level.

Simula pa noon, I've always admired both of the girls, and I couldn't be prouder of what they've achieved.

"Miss ma'am, you're late." Aiah teased without looking up.

I chuckled, slipping into my role naturally. "Awww, hindi nga ko sure if rehired na ba ko eh." 

Jho smirked from across the counter. "Well, andito ka na, so you better start working bago pa magbago isip ko."

"Grabe boss Jho, scary." I slipped on my apron and, as casually as possible, grabbed Aiah's hand, who was standing by the register.

The ever-sweet Aiah, even with a customer in front of her, never hesitated to give me a peck on the cheek.

"Che, marunong ka pa ba?" Jho teased.

I raised an eyebrow. "'Yon lang. Gawan kita, dali, ano gusto mo?"

"Cappuccino without foam nga."

"Oh, s—" Just as I was about to respond, the door swung open, and in walked my ever-kikay cousin, Stace.

Ken, her boyfriend, smirked from across the cafe. "Lovebirds back at it again."

"Ewan ko sa inyo, kelan flight ninyo?" I asked.

Aiah raised about Ken and Stace last night. Medyo nag-tampo pa ako kasi ako pa huli naka balita, defense naman ni Stace she planned to tell me soon naman, wala lang talaga siyang chance and because of the events lately, matagal tagal rin na hindi kami nakapag bond. 

Little did we know, Ken had already secured his green card for the U.S. before he even met Stace. His parents had arranged it for him para na rin sa future family niya. 

Now, the plan was for them to have a civil wedding here in the Philippines, para he can take Stace with him once he settled in the States. It was a big step for both of them, and while excited ang lahat, hindi ko pa 'rin maiwasang malungkot cause Stace had always been around and para ko na 'ring kapatid 'yan.

"Aw 'wag sad cous. May three months ka pa to bond with me." her lips curling into a playful smile as she flicked her hair over her shoulder.

"Sama ka na lang sa'kin." she continued, her eyes lighting up as she glanced over at Aiah. "Ok lang ba, boss Ays?"

"No, bawal," Aiah responded quickly, her tone playful yet firm. She raised an eyebrow at Stace, and we all couldn't help but laugh.

---

As the morning rush picked up, I got lost in the rhythm of the café. Feel ko naging octopus ako at some point sa sobrang daming customer. Hindi ko namalayan 'yung oras at hapon na pala. Nung medyo kumalma na, we all gathered in one corner to take a break.

"Guys, wings or pizza?" Ken asked.

"Both, please, baby," Stace answered.

Just as the door swung open, familiar voices filled the café.

"We're baaaack!" Maloi and Colet sang in unison as they entered. Maloi, carrying the boxes of pizza, while Colet with the pack of wings. "Ma'am, sir, here's your wings and pizza po."

Aiah grinned. "Ang tagal ninyo ha?"

Wow, so Aiah knew they were gonna come.

Just then, the door swung open again, and in walked Gwen and Sheena with some stuffs also in their hands.

"Eyyyy, muling ibalik ang tamis ng pag-ibig~" Sheena sang as she flashed a mischievous smile, glancing between Aiah and me.

"Oh, inom na 'yan agad mamaya," at natawa kaming lahat sa comment ni Gwen.

It has been a while since nag-inom nga 'din kaming lahat. But yeah, sobra kong namiss 'to. 

We all settled in, munching on the food, when Jho suddenly cleared her throat.

"Okay, listen up mga bhie, I have a very important announcement to make," 

"Ano, mag U.S. na 'rin kayo?" Aiah joked.

"Pwede, pero hindi." Jhoanna replied with a smile. "It's about our wedding. Baste and I have decided to keep things small, I want you all to help me organize it."

The group instantly shifted focus, eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Ayy push yan 'te, we're ready for you," sagot agad ni Sheena, cause experienced na 'rin sila sa mga weddings.

"Consider it done," Gwen seconded the motion.

"We want this wedding to be perfect, and, I trust you guys to help pull it off."

Sheena laughed. "Eyyy, na-excite ako bigla!"

"I was planning on keeping it simple, but alam niyo na, 'simple' can still be a lot of work," Jho added with a smile. 

In that moment, nagkaroon agad ng solid plan in place; nakapag break down agad kami ng tasks and assignments. Jho looked at us and said, "Grabe kayo, I know hindi ako magsisisi na I have reached out to you girls for this."

"Alam mo yan, girl," Stace teased, "pero sorry ka na lang, mauunahan pa kitang maging bride."

"Happy for you, sis." Jho chuckled and sincerely reacted to Stacey.

We all laughed, the lightheartedness of the moment filling the room. Despite the whirlwind of wedding plans ahead, there was something comforting about being surrounded by these people. 

It felt good being here, with everyone around, especially Aiah. The simple act of planning together, sharing these small moments, made me realize just how much I missed this.

As we spoke, Aiah and I exchanged a brief glance. It was subtle, but there was a softness in her eyes. Kinilig ako bigla. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as we locked eyes for just a second longer than usual. 

The air between us felt charged, and for a moment, it was just the two of us in the room, the playful teasing of our friends fading into the background.

There was something undeniable between us, something that hadn't completely gone away, though there were no words, we both felt it—may spark pa 'rin. 

I-uwi ko na kaya 'to? Charot.

Mamaya ka sa'kin. Hihi

As we went over the final details, it was clear that this wedding wasn't just about Jho and Sebastian—it was about all of us, too. Lalo na for Aiah and me, it was a special moment, a reminder that despite everything that had happened between us, sobra kong thankful kasi honestly, I never thought na maaayos pa kami.

I thought, there wouldn't be a chance anymore for the both of us, but yeah.

Life was so dull without her.

I felt incomplete.

Life will always be so much better with Aiah.

---

Hello guys, I'm back!!!! I'm back from the dead, charot. 

Huhu, namiss ko kayooooo! 

I'm currently working on another story, but I just couldn't rest until I finish this one. So, I'll be leaving a few more chapters to wrap it up.

I really appreciate everyone who's still been waiting and supporting this! <3 Love love ko kayoooo