Forgetting You

Mikhaela Lim was a fortress. Every brick of her personality had been carefully laid to keep people out. But lately, Aiah had a way of slipping through the cracks.

It was the little things that unsettled Mikha the most — the way Aiah laughed at her own jokes, the way she rearranged the books on the shelves to her liking, or the way she’d hum a tune while cooking dinner. Mikha found herself listening, watching, even enjoying the quiet moments they shared.

One evening, Aiah convinced Mikha to take a walk around the nearby park. The sun was setting, casting warm hues over the city. Aiah stretched her arms out, spinning slightly as they walked.

"It feels good to be outside," Aiah said, smiling up at the sky. "I feel... free."

Mikha glanced at her. "You’ve always been free."

Aiah tilted her head. "Maybe. But I think I was trapped before — by things I can’t remember."

Mikha didn’t know how to respond. Instead, she walked in silence, listening to the rhythm of their footsteps.

Later that night, as they sat on the balcony sipping tea, Aiah spoke again.

"Do you ever feel trapped?" Aiah asked.

Mikha hesitated. "No."

Aiah gave her a knowing look. "Liar."

Mikha smirked, shaking her head. "I don’t get trapped. I control things."

Aiah leaned back, looking at the stars. "Maybe that’s why you’re afraid to let go."

Mikha’s chest tightened. The words hit too close to home. But instead of pushing Aiah away, she stayed, letting the silence speak for them both.

And in that moment, another crack formed in Mikha’s armor.

It had been weeks since the accident, and life had settled into a strange rhythm between Mikha and Aiah. But the peace was shattered one morning when Mikha received a call from her assistant.

"Ma'am, there's someone here looking for Aiah Arceta," her assistant said cautiously.

Mikha's hand tightened around her phone. "Who?"

"A woman named Colet Vergara. She claims to be her fiancée."

The words sent a jolt through Mikha. Fiancée? She glanced at Aiah, who was peacefully sketching on the balcony, unaware of the brewing storm.

"Tell her to wait," Mikha instructed. "I'll be there shortly."

When Mikha arrived at her office lobby, a tall woman with dark hair and an air of confidence stood waiting. She wore a tailored suit, her sharp gaze scanning the room with restless energy.

"Colet Vergara?" Mikha asked as she approached.

Colet turned, her eyes narrowing as they took in Mikha's presence. "Yes. And you are?"

"Mikhaela Lim. Aiah's... friend."

Colet's expression softened for a brief moment before her worry took over. "Where is she? Is she safe? I've been looking for her for weeks."

"She's safe," Mikha assured her. "But she has no memory of who she is."

Colet's face fell. "No memory?"

Mikha nodded. "She doesn't remember anything. Not even her own name."

Colet ran a hand through her hair, visibly shaken. "I need to see her. Please."

Mikha hesitated. She didn't want to let Colet disrupt the fragile life she and Aiah had built together. But she knew it wasn't her decision to make.

"Follow me," Mikha said, leading Colet to her condo.

When they arrived, Aiah was sitting on the couch, flipping through her sketchbook. She looked up, her brows knitting in confusion as Colet entered the room.

"Aiah?" Colet whispered, her voice trembling.

Aiah stood slowly, her gaze locked on Colet. "Do I know you?"

Colet's lips quivered as she approached. "I'm Colet. Your fiancée. We've been together for five years."

Aiah's eyes widened, a mix of shock and disbelief washing over her face. "Fiancée?"

Colet nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "Yes. We live together abroad. You came back here to reconcile with your family. You wanted them to know that we're getting married."

Aiah blinked rapidly, trying to process the information. "I... I don't remember."

Colet reached out, gently taking Aiah's hands. "It's okay. We'll figure this out together."

Mikha stood by the doorway, watching the reunion with a tightness in her chest. She couldn't deny the ache she felt as she witnessed Colet and Aiah reconnect.

But she knew this was Aiah's past coming back to claim her.

And Mikha wasn't sure where that left her.