Ms. Burgundy (Mikhaiah AU)

Prologue

"Good morning Mikhaela!"

"How is your day?"

"Do you want some of my food?"

"Hey Pres, pa-upo ako ah"

"Pres, baka naman oh. Pahiram lang ng ball-pen"

Same voice. Same tone.
Every single day.

That annoyingly warm, cheerful transferee who somehow thinks I'm worth bothering.

The same girl who keeps bugging me with her warm environment..

She's always there—smiling like the world hasn't hurt her, laughing like people don't leave, and speaking to me like I'm someone who deserves kindness.

"Uy Mikhaela. Tahimik mo naman dyan" Aiah nudged Mikha with a smile

Mikha looked at her, with her cold and sharp eyes "Why do you even care?"

"Hmm.. Wala lang hihi" she chuckled

"Meet me after class, you're too noisy" malamig na utos ni Mikha at bumalik na sa pag-babasa

The final bell rang.

Students rushed out of the classroom, the usual noise and laughter filling the hallway. But Aiah stayed in her seat for a while, glancing at Mikhaela who hadn't moved an inch. She still had that serious look on her face, closing her book slowly before standing up — not even looking in Aiah's direction.

"Tara na," Mikha muttered as she passed by her, not waiting to see if Aiah would follow.

And she did. Of course she did.

Mikha led her through the quieter side of the hallway, turning a corner that led to the student council office. The room was empty when they entered — a small, clean space filled with paperwork, a corkboard full of reminders, and a long table in the middle.

She closed the door behind them and looked at Aiah directly on the eyes

"Okay," Mikha began, crossing her arms. "Seriously, what is your deal"

Aiah blinked. "Ha?"

Lumapit si Mikha, slow and deliberate dahilan para kabahan si Aiah at umatras ng lakad.

"One more step, Aiah. I dare you" pag-babanta ni Mikha

Aiah froze.

There was something intense in Mikha's eyes — not anger, but something unreadable. Her presence felt heavier the closer she got, and the usual warmth Aiah carried with her suddenly felt small in the space between them.

Mikha leaned closer to Aiah "Answer the question, what is your deal with me, Arceta?"

Aiah swallowed hard, pero hindi siya umatras this time. She kept her eyes on Mikha's — kahit na nanginginig na halos ang tuhod niya.

"I don't have a deal with you," Aiah answered, steady but soft. "I just... like talking to you."

Mikha's brow twitched. "You like talking to me? Sa dami ng tao sa room, ako talaga?"

"Yeah," Aiah said, barely above a whisper now. "Kahit suplada ka. Kahit ang sungit mo. I don't know why, pero gusto ko lang."

Mikha stepped back just slightly, arms crossed again, hiding the sudden flicker of surprise in her expression.

"Tingin mo ako matutuwa sa ganyan?" she muttered. "You're wasting your time."

"Then let me waste it," Aiah said with a small smile, nervously playing with the hem of her sleeve. "Okay lang naman sakin."

"Ang gulo mo" saad ni Mikha, malamig pa rin ang mga tingin

"Me too.. Naguguluhan din ako kung bakit kita laging kinukulit" sagot ni Aiah

Mikha turned away, scoffing. "Tsk. Bahala ka."

And with that, she walked off toward the hallway without another word — leaving Aiah standing there, heart pounding, and more drawn to Mikha than ever.