Please remember, this is a work of fiction lang po! Ship responsibly :)
/
A week later
Aiah wasn't expecting anyone.
She was still in her post-work fog, hair tied up in a haphazard bun, wearing a loose sleep shirt and shorts, halfway through deciding between eating cold leftovers or ordering something dangerously cheesy when—
KNOCK. KNOCK.
She paused mid-reach for her phone.
Another knock followed, a little rhythm tapped like a signature: two quick, one long.
She already knew who it was.
She pulled open the door—curious, unprepared, a little breathless.
And there she was.
Mikha.
In loose jeans and a fitted top, hair tucked behind one ear, her lips already curled in that now-familiar grin. One arm cradled a bouquet of wildflowers, and the other held a reusable bag bursting with groceries—fancy ones. A bottle of wine peeked from the top.
"Hi," she said, like this was the most casual thing in the world.
Aiah blinked. "Ano 'to?"
"I figured gutom ka na."
"May bouquet ka pa talaga?"
"Well," Mikha said, lifting the flowers slightly, "pang-display 'to. 'Yung ibang dala ko—pang-seduce."
"You're here unannounced."
Mikha smirked. "Gaya-gaya lang sa'yo."
Aiah narrowed her eyes, but her lips tugged upward. "Nagpakita ka lang para magluto?"
"I brought everything para makasama kita tonight."
A beat.
Then Aiah stepped aside and pulled the door open wider.
"Pumasok ka na bago may makakita sa'yo na nagpapaka-romantic. Masisira 'yung image mo."
Mikha leaned in, kissed her cheek on the way through. "Worth it."
⸻
Aiah leaned against the counter, sipping from the wine Mikha had opened, watching her move like she owned the space—barefoot, sleeves rolled up, apron on (one of Aiah's, which was wildly domestic, and deeply unfair).
She was dicing shallots. Shallots. Not onions.
"Anong klaseng kulam 'to?" Aiah asked. "Bigla kang pumasok sa apartment ko may bitbit na herbs, wine, at bouquet? Parang scene sa K-drama 'to ah."
"It is kulam," Mikha replied. "Culinary seduction is a legitimate art form."
"Pangalanan mo na lang 'yang playlist mo ng 'Lutong May Malisya.'"
"Meron na akong ganyan. Volume 2 na nga eh."
Aiah snorted. "That doesn't surprise me."
Mikha chuckled and glanced at her. "Nagustuhan mo 'yung flowers?"
Aiah looked at the bouquet now sitting in a makeshift vase. "Magulo sila. Parang ikaw."
"Carefully curated chaos," Mikha said proudly. "Gaya ng dinner."
Aiah tilted her head. "So, anong niluluto natin?"
"We?" Mikha teased. "Ako lang 'to. Crab ravioli in lemon beurre blanc."
Aiah blinked. "Teka lang, niluluto mo 'yan para matulog ulit sa kama ko o mag-propose ka na ba?"
Mikha winked. "Why not both?"
