Work Text:
'Pag dumidiin ang paa sa buhangin, tumitindi rin ang pangarap na ako’t ikaw.
The bright morning light seeping through the window curtains woke Aiah up from her slumber. Her senses were greeted by the fresh-like scent of the sea from outside, which is not surprising since it's their third day here in El Nido.
Her hand instinctively reached out to Mikha’s side of the bed hoping to find her there but instead she was met with cold sheets.
Aiah’s eyes gazed over the clock on her bedside table— 7:39AM.
Old habits never die hard indeed. Mikha has always been an early riser ever since. Aiah’s eyes darted to the picture frame on their bedside table. It was a photo of her and Mikha in Paris a year ago. It was one of their most memorable trips seeing as they shared personal vows with each other at Sacre Coeur.
It’s crazy how much time has flown since then.
Aiah slowly stood up and grabbed one of Mikha’s shirts from the cabinet, slipping her native slippers on before stepping out of our room. They bought this villa a year ago, specifically sourcing this area because they wanted a place that didn’t have much crowd so they can enjoy their days in peaceful solitude.
Speaking of Mikha, Aiah finds her sitting in one of the bar stools drinking coffee. She had her back turned to her hence she didn’t notice Aiah coming up from behind her.
“Guess who,” Aiah covered her eyes, mischievously.
“Hmm,” Mikha jokingly made a thinking sound, causing Aiah to roll her eyes. As if may ibang tao dito kung hindi sila. “Si Gwen ba ‘to?”
Aiah pinched the side of her waist. “Anong Gwen ka diyan. Gusto mo iwan kita dito?” Mikha’s laughter was music to Aiah’s ears. The raven-haired girl sat on the swiveling bar stool next to Mikha. The latter’s face was plastered with a smile, seemingly amused at annoying Aiah.
“Ito naman joke lang eh. Syempre alam kong ikaw yan. Boses mo pa lang alam ko na,” Mikha said as she wiggled her eyebrows at the older girl. She places the newspaper and pencil she was holding down to reach out and turn Aiah to her direction.
“What’s that?” Aiah asked, pointing to the newspaper with her lips.
“Oh. Just answering today’s crossword puzzle,” Mikha replied, showing Aiah the tiny boxes half of which were already filled out. “Ang cute nga ‘e, included sa words today ay ‘Beach’. How timely.”
“Maybe they did it on purpose.” Aiah chuckled, reaching for Mikha’s hand. “Gusto mo talaga yan no? Kahit dati pa, I always see you answering those while drinking coffee.”
Mikha smiled, “You know it eases my mind, hon.”
“Oldie ka na talaga,” Aiah clapbacked as she hopped down the stool and walked behind the kitchen counter. “Anyway, ano plans natin today?”
Mikha followed with her eyes. “Island hopping? Snorkeling? I heard there’s a really beautiful island not far from here and sabi nina Kuya Greg pwede daw magrent ng boat.”
Aiah hummed in response as she grabbed the cooking pan from underneath the sink. She turned the knob clockwise, opening the stove. “I’d like that. It would be nice to go snorkeling again. Last year pa ata yung huli natin since lagi tayong out of the country.”
The older girl grabbed four eggs from the refrigerator, knowing how Mikha loves eggs for breakfast. “What do you want me to pair the eggs with, hon? Corned beef?”
“Yes please,” Mikha replied. Aiah turned towards one of the cupboards and grabbed one of the corned beef cans.
“Alam mo palagi na lang ako nagluluto for us. What if ikaw naman magluto?” Aiah protested, pointing the handle part of the knife to her.
Mikha just looked at her disbelievingly.
“Weh? Ako talaga payag ka magluto?”
Flashbacks from months ago played in Aiah’s head.
Back then, Mikha was left alone in her condominium so she decided to surprise Aiah with a home cooked dinner meal. Mikha’s not one to cook so it really took Aiah by surprise. What she didn’t expect though is Mikha using one of our stainless kitchen spatulas instead of the wooden ones. Safe to say, an 800-dollar skillet was dumped in the trash.
Contrary to Mikha’s assertion, Aiah wasn't mad. After all, the pan can be replaced. But Mikha’s effort? That’s what matters the most. She tried to do something good that she knew Aiah would appreciate.
How can Aiah be mad about it?
“See? Kaya nga, ikaw na lang magluto lagi for us.” Mikha giggled, picking her pencil up and going back to her crossword puzzle.
“Fine.” Aiah playfully rolled her eyes before turning back to the stove. The can made a clicking sound before she poured its contents into the already seared garlic-infused pan.
Aiah was busy sautéing the corned beef when she heard Mikha speak again.
“Love you.” Mikha chuckled.
Aiah pretended not to hear anything. Two can play this game.
A few moments passed and there was no reply from Aiah, causing a frown on Mikha’s face.
“Huy, I said I love you,” she reiterated but Aiah kept quiet, busying herself with mixing their corned beef and eggs breakfast.
“Ah walang I love you back? Okay.” Mikha said before wrapping her arms around Aiah, tickling her but also safely pulling her back from the stove. “Love, joke lang! Teka masusunog yung corned beef!” Aiah laughed contagiously. “Say you love me rin or I’m not letting go!” Mikha replied, continuing to tickle Aiah.
“Oo na, oo na. I love you! Stop na,” to which Mikha did.
Laughter of two hearts in love echoed the walls of the villa that entire morning.
Mikha and Aiah spent the entire day out in the sun and doing all the fun activities Mikha had mentioned earlier. They went snorkeling, rode a jetski, and even went cliff diving. It even came to a point where they were too exhausted to do anything else that the following day, they spent the whole day at the villa and only went out to watch the fire exhibitions by the islanders during the evening.
“Here, love.” Mikha spoke, handing Aiah one of the bestselling craft beers in the island. Aiah gave her lover a small smile. They clunk their glasses together and watched the exhibitionist perform fire dances. Aiah feels Mikha’s arms encircling around her prompting her to lean back to Mikha’s frame. She then felt the younger woman place a kiss on her head, a habit she never outgrew ever since they got together.
Aiah sighs feeling warmness in her heart. She thinks maybe its because of the fire in front of them or maybe its because she’s in the arms of the woman she loves.
You see, even with their busy schedules, Mikha and Aiah made sure to spend quality time together. On Friday nights, they would always have dinner in Aiah’s condominium unit in Makati with the latter cooking for the both of them.
Then every other month, they’d go on a three or four-day week long trip to some country abroad where they would simply bask in the beauty of the country itself and in the peacefulness the presence of one another brings to both of them.
“What time’s our flight tomorrow?” Aiah asked softly, because even though she’s enjoying her and Mikha’s little getaway, a part of her feels lonely at the thought that they have to leave this place eventually.
That soon enough, she and Mikha would be apart again.
“At 4pm, hon.” Aiah heard Mikha respond. Aiah recognizes the dejected tone in her voice and she somewhat feels comforted by the fact that Mikha feels the same way she does.
“I wish we didn’t have to leave,” Aiah commented, feeling tears slowly forming in her eyes yet she only continued to stare at the fire in front of them, silently hoping and wishing that maybe the flicker and dusts would slow itself down.
Maybe by then, she and Mikha would have a little more time.
“Me too,” Mikha replied, not knowing what else to do other than envelop Aiah tighter in her arms.
Mikha and Aiah’s plane just landed. Both of them not uttering a single word since they stepped out of the airplane. Mikha’s on the other side of the baggage claim waiting for her luggage while Aiah’s on a separate distance, waiting also for hers.
After getting their luggage they walked side by side as they exit the airport. As they approach the door, Aiah felt Mikha swiftly yet unnoticeably caress her back, a sign that she’ll walk her separate way already. Aiah only nodded in response.
“I’ll see you soon,” Mikha spoke, turning her gaze to Aiah who had a poker face look yet Mikha knows deep down, just by looking into those eyes that Aiah feels as disheartened by this separation as she is.
“It’s okay,” Mikha uttered, trying her best not to hug Aiah right there and then. “I’ll see you this weekend, okay?”
Aiah nodded once again before finally turning to the opposite direction. Mikha could only look at her back slowly getting smaller and smaller before finally disappearing into a taxicab.
Mikha faced the other way and boarded a taxi of her own, uttering the words, “Pacific Condominium BGC”.
It was already dark when Mikha arrived home after making a quick detour to her unit. She placed her car in park before turning off the engine, getting ready to step out. As usual, just like how she’s been doing for the past year, her hand found itself rummaging through one of the car drawers for a certain pouch. She wouldn’t want to lose this one. Upon finding it, she immediately slipped it on, finding discomfort in the way it feels in her finger.
Discomfort like it doesn't belong there.
Like it no longer should.
Mikha sighed deeply before stepping out of her car.
Her feet found themselves walking through the porch of their house.
Everything’s clean.
Everything’s in place.
Everything's perfect.
She twisted the doorknob and went inside. The smell of garlic butter penetrated Mikha’s nostrils but it wasn't the same as the ones she's been indulging the past days. Her car keys made some noise as she tossed it at the small marble bowl by the door.
It wasn’t long until she was greeted by a familiar face.
“Hey,” the woman greeted, wiping her hands on her apron before taking it off. “Nandito ka na pala. Akala ko male-late ka?”
“Maaga natapos ‘yung conference ‘e,” Mikha smiled, letting down her bags on the floor.
As if letting down her heart.
The woman’s figure walked towards Mikha, arms embracing her in a tight hug, inhaling her scent. “That’s great. Na-miss kita.”
Mikha wrapped her arms around the woman— around her wife.
“I missed you too, Maloi.”
Epilogue
“Mikha! It’s good to see that you came.” A woman greeted.
“Ofcourse, Cols. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Mikha said before clicking hers and Colet’s champagne glasses together. “By the way, this is my wife, Maloi. Hon, this is Colet, our Senior Partner here sa firm.”
Maloi politely reached out to shake the other’s hand to which the latter gladly accepted. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“No, no. The pleasure’s all mine. It’s nice to finally know who keeps Mikha inspired, seeing that she’s had the most number of solved cases in the firm.” Colet praised, her words gracefully slipping from her tongue. “Now I see why, I get it now.”
Maloi merely leaned onto Mikha’s side prompting the latter to place a kiss on her forehead. “How about you, Colet? Brought anyone tonight?” Maloi asked, genuinely, while Mikha looked away, taking another gulp of her champagne.
“Yes, actually, I'm with my wife as well. You've met her Mikha, right?" Mikha nodded at Colet. "She’s around here somewhere. She’s probably getting another round of champagne. That woman loves her parties.” Colet said, looking around the vicinity of the venue.
“Oh, there she is. Babe, come here! I want you to meet someone.”
“Mikha, Maloi. I want you to meet my wife, Aiah.”