Mirage

eight

[Note: Italicized - flashback. Bold & italicized - flashback inside a flashback.] 

"Yes, susunod na lang ako Stell. I'll be there in a bit may inasikaso lang ako kasi pauwi na si Mayu dito sa Phil."

Aliyah had her phone clutched in between her jaw and shoulder while talking to Stella and reading something on a paper.

"Uhuh, I'll let you know pag papunta na ako. See you!"

It was almost dark outside and Aliyah has a night out later with Stella, Joanne, and their friends. Actually, it looked like she was the only one not at the place yet but their specified time of going was 6pm and she still have half an hour before the said time.

She put her phone in her pocket and put down the paper. It was a schedule and itinerary of her work for a magazine. Mayu's going to be the photographer and Guia, her childhood friend, is the model for their cover.

Aliyah started fixing herself before going out. But when she was locking her door, there was a strong burning smell and it seemed like it was coming from Mira's house.

It made the girl worried and tried to knock on Mira's door. "Mira? It's me Aliyah."

"Nandiyan ka ba?" She tried calling again. Aliyah was about to get her phone to try and contact the landlord for Mira's number when the door slowly opened.

The moment it was opened, the burning smell became stronger. "Mira? What happened? Okay ka lang?"

"Yes." Mira had her head hung low and she was holding her right hand like it was in pain. Aliyah immediately noticed her hand with a small burn.

"Mira?!" Aliyah tried to gently grab Mira's wrist but the latter avoided her. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Can I come in?" She asked first remembering very well what happened early this morning.

Mira didn't answer right away so Aliyah just took it as a yes. "I'm going in anyways." She grabbed Mira's wrist and dragged her inside.

They went straight to the kitchen and Aliyah quickly led Mira to the sink to soak her hand on cool water. The girl then noticed how much a mess the kitchen is and she saw where the burning smell was coming from: the pan on the stove.

"Ano ba kasi ginagawa mo? Buti na lang maliit lang paso." Aliyah said with a frown while still holding Mira's hand.

"I was trying to cook dinner."

"Cook? Pano ka napaso?"

"I just...wala."

She looked at Mira carefully. The latter's eyes were swollen and her nose was really red. Mira looked...lost.

"Hmmm." Aliyah quietly turned off the faucet and guided Mira to sit at the dining. "May ointment ka ba dito or something?"

Mira shook her head.

"Okay, uhmm meron akong aloe vera sa unit ko. Kunin ko lang saglit dito ka lang, babalik ako."

Without waiting for the girl's reply, Aliyah went out of Mira's unit to get the aloe vera.

Mira was still feeling the heat and swelling of her hand. She didn't want anyone to see her like this, especially Aliyah. Seeing Aliyah's worried and frowning face doesn't sit right with Mira, she doesn't like it.

Earlier she was just trying to make dinner after waking up. Mira was hungry after not eating lunch, having a breakdown, and sleeping the whole day.

She turned on the gas stove and started frying some hotdogs but as Mira was adjusting the heat of the fire, she got into a daze and the fire consumed her eyes.

"Mira anak, make a wish then blow the candles!" her mom excitedly said.

So, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and made a wish. 'I wish for my family to be together and happy forever. Thank you for another birthday!'

She blew the candles and they all clapped their hands. "Happy birthday Mira Jane!" her dad shouted and hugged her. She laughed and hugged back, "Thanks pa!"

"Group hug!" the eldest sister said and they all joined the two for a hug.

All day they were happy and celebrating Mira's birthday. They watched a movie, did karaoke, and most importantly ate Mira's favorite foods.

Then it was evening. They just finished watching a movie and the kids were preparing to get to bed. Mira was already in her room when she heard one loud bang. And then another, and another, and another one.

And suddenly, it started feeling hot as in super-hot. 

"Aww shit" she hissed. Mira accidentally grabbed the burning pan after zoning out. She immediately let go of it and started running it with water at the sink.

She heard the door creaked open; it was Aliyah.

"Hey, here aloe vera and nagsearch ako sa net sabi lagyan daw ng gauge bandage kaya I got one din."

"No need na sa bandage." Mira tried to say but Aliyah looked at her sternly.

"No, mas okay nang may bandage and cautious para safe. Para hindi mag-infect."

"It's just a small burn."

"Still a burn, still painful."

Aliyah sat in front of Mira and started applying aloe vera on the burnt area of her hand and bandaging it.

"You looked really in pain kanina." Aliyah mumbled while focusing on Mira's hand.

Mira didn't say anything but just looked at the girl in front of her.

The two were sitting in silence. Aliyah was still holding Mira's bandaged hand and the latter just let her. Aliyah seemed to not notice this and was in deep thoughts.

"Strawberry flavored ice cream." Mira suddenly blurted out making the girl turn her head to her.

"Huh?"

"Favorite ice cream ko, and last flavor I ate."

Aliyah stared at her, "Really?"

She nodded. "I was 16."

"16? Ung huling ice cream mo?"

"Yeah. 6 years ago." Mira said softly as she retracted her hand from the girl and stared into space.

Aliyah didn't know what to say. It was obvious something happened to Mira in those six years. It was also obvious to Aliyah that Mira had a breakdown, with those swollen eyes and red nose, who wouldn't notice.

"Hmmm." She looked at Mira's kitchen and saw the opened cabinets filled with cup noodles. Was she eating noodles every day?

She stood up from her seat and went to the kitchen. Aliyah rolled up her sleeves and tied her hair. She grabbed the pan, put the burnt food in the trash bin, and began washing it.

"I'll cook your dinner. Anong meron dito? Nag gro-grocery ka ba?" She started inspecting the refrigerator for ingredients.

"Huh?" Mira then just noticed and stood up quickly to go to Aliyah. "Wag na. Ako na." She tried to stop her.

"It's fine, injured ka pa oh. Ako na, ano ba meron dito."

Unfortunately, Aliyah didn't find any fresh ingredients in Mira's kitchen. "Serious? Puro cup noodles lang ba kinakain mo? And fried foods?"

"Ayun lang ung madali."

Aliyah sighed, "That's not healthy. Dun tayo sa unit ko. Let's go." She grabbed Mira's wrist again and started dragging her.

"What? Wait? Wag na!"

"Nope, let's go."