The trip had been a whirlwind—unexpected emotions, long-overdue confessions, and an ungodly amount of teasing from their so-called friends.
And while Mikha had genuinely enjoyed every chaotic second of it, after all, she was coming back to Manila with an actual girlfriend now—she couldn't help but be thankful for the quiet.
No loud voices.
No screaming inside jokes.
No Jho making another unnecessary but devastating sexual innuendo.
Just her and Aiah, sitting comfortably in the backseat of the car, heading home.
The silence between them wasn't awkward, it was comforting, familiar.
Aiah stretched slightly, looking over at her. "So, bub, overall, a good trip?"
Mikha turned her head to reply, only to completely lose her train of thought.
The neon lights from passing billboards cast a soft glow on Aiah's face, illuminating her sharp jawline, the relaxed curve of her lips, the warmth in her eyes as she gazed at Mikha.
And that's when it hit her.
This was her girlfriend.
Aiah was hers.
After years of blurring the lines, of pretending, of dancing around what they really were, this was real.
And Mikha still didn't know how the hell she managed that.
She exhaled, smiling. "The best."
Then she smirked, nudging Aiah's knee with hers.
"I came back with the most beautiful baggage."
Aiah snorted, rolling her eyes. "Sus! Bolera ka talaga, Mikha Lim."
She leaned in slightly, grinning. "Naka-extra special cuddles ka lang eh."
Mikha grinned back. "Ay, 'di na ba pwedeng mahalin ang jowa?"
Aiah's smirk faltered just slightly—just enough for Mikha to notice the way her ears turned pink.
Mikha's grin widened.
Aiah cleared her throat, looking away. "Gago."
Mikha laughed, triumphant.
And just like that, she knew.
No matter how much teasing she endured—
No matter how many times their friends roasted her alive—
No matter how much of her pride she had to throw away—
It was all worth it.
Because at the end of the day, she got to sit here, beside Aiah.
And call her home.
/
A month had passed since the trip.
Since the confessions, the teasing, the realization that they had been circling each other for years and finally, finally, choosing to stay.
Mikha had expected things to feel different after they got together, some drastic change in the way they existed around each other.
But what surprised her most was how effortless it all was.
Because the truth was, they had always been like this.
The difference now?
They didn't have to second-guess it anymore.
And that made all the difference.
/
Mikha had just gotten back to her apartment after an exhausting day at uni when her phone buzzed.
