Mirage

twenty one

"Hi."

When she saw Aliyah, her chest lightens. The heavy feeling from earlier, from her nightmare was lifted the moment she saw Aliyah smile at her. The worries, the heaviness all of it was gone and replaced by happiness.

"Hello." Mira softens.

"Uhm pwede na po ba kaming pumasok o magtititigan lang tayo?" Mayu butted in.

"Hays, buti na lang walang pasok bukas babangungutin ata ako ng mga langgam." Cielo said.

Aliyah let Mayu and Cielo go in first before she and Mira followed behind them. They greeted Mira and teased her about the sticky notes which made her blush like a tomato. But that night they watched movies, shared stories, and she felt like she belongs.

When it was time to sleep, Sam and the others decided to stay over night because it was already late. Mira said goodnight as she was going back to her unit since there are too many of them to sleep on Jo and Stell's unit.

She already got out of the place when Aliyah called her.

"Mira Jane!"

She turned around to see Aliyah who was closing the door behind her.

"Sabay na tayo." Aliyah walked beside her as they take their time passing through the hallway.

"Should I call you Jane? Ano ba magandang nickname."

Aliyah wore a thoughtful look whilst they walk. "Ah alam ko na, MJ. Simple lang." She smiles.

"MJ? Yan tawag sakin ng old friends ko." Mira said softly.

"Ohh really? Do you like it or should I not call you that?"

"Whatever you want to call me, okay lang."

They stopped in front of their units.

"Hmm sige I'll think of something else. Think of a nickname for me too! Para cute." Aliyah grinned.

Mira endearingly shook her head at Aliyah's silliness.

"Hey..."

Aliyah looked at her. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

The girl looked at her confusingly. "For what?"

"I got a nightmare last night and I wasn't feeling well the whole day. I just...you made it better. And Cielo and the rest."

Mira scratched the back of her head.

"Kaya pala parang matamlay ka." Aliyah stepped a little closer to her. "You don't have to thank me. I'll make it better for you every time you need me."

She felt lucky. Mira felt really lucky. Just how did she met someone that could make her feel everything all at once.

Does she deserve this? Was it okay to trust this?

"Hey." Aliyah reached for a strand of Mira's hair and tucked it behind her ear. "Call me if you have another nightmare."

"Samahan kita." She smiles at Mira like a ray of sun seeping through the darkest room.

That night she slept so peacefully. With only thoughts of how life could not be bad after all. Like she finally found water in a dessert.

"Good morning ate Liyahhh." The youngest greeted Aliyah when she stepped foot in their apartment.

"Good morning, aga niyo ah."

"Bumili ng breakfast si Sam at Cielo." Mayu said while drinking coffee by the kitchen.

"Invite mo rin si Mira breakfast tayo." Joanne said as she closes the door to her room.

Aliyah nodded, "Nag text na ako, baka tulog pa."

"Naks ka text mate aga aga." Stella teased.

She shook her head at the youngest.

Just then the door opened, revealing Sam and Cielo.

"Guys? Si Mira nasa labas may kausap na pulis?" Sam said with face full of worry and curiosity.

"Huh?" Aliyah frowned.

Cielo put down the foods by the kitchen counter. "Mukhang galit si Mira. Hindi ko alam."

Aliyah immediately went out, not even finishing what Cielo was saying.

She quickly got out of the compound and saw Mira talking to an officer.

"Bakit ganon?! Hindi yon pwede, officer!"

"Mira kumalma ka muna."

"No! Bakit ako kakalma?! Ang haba ng hinintay ko!"

"Tas, tas." Mira looked angry and lost at the same time. "Tas ipaparevise niyo? Bakit? Sino nag parevise ng parole ko?"

"Hindi ako babalik don!"

Aliyah was confused at what she's hearing but the only thing's on her mind was her worry for Mira. The girl looked angry and desperate, she wanted to be there for her.

The officer sighed, "Sinubukan ko ng ipaliwanag sa chief na wala namang kailangan iparevise. Sobrang qualified ka para sa parole."

Mira waited for the officer to continue.

"Pero may tumawag at pinapareconsider niya ung parole mo. Kaya kailangan natin pumunta sa office na may kasamang abogado."

"I'll give you time. By Monday pupunta ulit ako dito saka tayo pupunta sa office, okay? Make sure na wala kang viniolate na rules para safe."

Officer Manalo already got inside his car and went away. Mira stood there still in disbelief.

Aliyah doesn't know if she should go and talk to the girl but she decided to just wait.

When Mira turned around, she was greeted by the sight of Aliyah. Her face fell. Bat siya nandito? Does she know now?

She started walking in the compound and passed by Aliyah.

"Mira?"

"Wait!"

Mira ignored her and continued walking fast to her unit.

I'm not okay.

She slammed the door shut.