Context:
Aaron and Mika have already been chatting for a few days on the app.
They’ve built enough comfort to move to a call after work.
Aaron:
Hi, Mika? Can you hear me okay?
Mika:
Yep, I can hear you clearly. You?
Aaron:
Yeah, loud and clear.
Honestly, medyo kinakabahan lang ako for the first minute.
Mika:
Hahaha why naman?
Aaron:
I don’t know. Parang weird pa rin sometimes when you go from chat to actual voice.
But okay naman. I’ll warm up.
Mika:
That’s normal. I get that too, minsan.
Aaron:
Good, so hindi lang ako.
Anyway, how was your day?
Mika:
Busy. Usual Monday stuff. Meetings, revisions, then one more last-minute request na obviously “urgent.”
Aaron:
Of course. The classic “urgent” request after 5 PM.
Mika:
Exactly. You know the life.
Aaron:
Unfortunately, yes.
How do you usually recover after a day like that?
Mika:
Shower first, then quiet time.
If I still have energy, maybe music or a show. If wala na talaga, tulog na agad.
Aaron:
That sounds healthy.
I think I overcomplicate my reset sometimes. I usually go for a walk or sit somewhere quiet.
Mika:
That sounds nice though. Simple lang.
Aaron:
Yeah. I realized I need more quiet than I used to.
Parang the older I get, the more I appreciate not talking to people for a while. 😅
Mika:
Hahaha that is very relatable.
Aaron:
So, since we’re finally on a call — am I allowed to say your voice sounds very calm?
Mika:
Allowed naman, I guess. Thank you.
Aaron:
It’s a compliment.
You sound exactly like your chat vibe — calm but not boring.
Mika:
Ay wow, not boring agad? Thank you, I think?
Aaron:
In a good way.
Like, you’re easy to listen to. Natural.
Mika:
Okay, that’s a better way to say it. Hahaha.
Aaron:
Noted. I’ll phrase my compliments better.
Mika:
Please do, sir. 😄
Aaron:
How’s work been lately, aside from the usual chaos?
Mika:
Honestly? A lot.
We’re preparing for a campaign launch, so everyone is suddenly very active and very opinionated.
Aaron:
Very opinionated is corporate code for “everyone has comments but no one wants responsibility,” right?
Mika:
YES. Exactly that.
Aaron:
I knew it.
Same thing happens on my side when a project is nearing delivery.
Everybody wants updates, but nobody wants to be the one saying we need more time.
Mika:
Hahaha real.
At some point you just become the messenger for everybody’s anxiety.
Aaron:
True.
That’s actually one of the hardest parts of the job for me — managing people’s expectations without sounding too negative.
Mika:
That’s a good skill though.
Aaron:
It is, but it takes a lot out of you.
Sometimes I feel like my entire day is context switching.
Mika:
What do you mean?
Aaron:
Like, one minute I’m talking to developers, then clients, then internal teams, then finance, then suddenly I’m explaining why a timeline changed for the third time.
Parang walang single rhythm.
Mika:
Wow. That sounds exhausting.
Aaron:
It is. But I like that it keeps me sharp.
How about you? Do you enjoy the creative side of marketing, kahit stressful?
Mika:
Yes, I do.
I like that I get to think about how people respond to things.
Pero sometimes, it’s frustrating when people think creative work is just “making it pretty.”
Aaron:
Oo, that’s so common.
People don’t always see the planning behind it.
Mika:
Exactly.
May strategy, may research, may timing — hindi lang siya basta design and captions.
Aaron:
Makes sense.
I like that you care about the actual thinking behind the work. That says a lot.
Mika:
What does it say? Hahaha.
Aaron:
That you’re not just doing it for show.
You seem like someone who likes doing things properly.
Mika:
Hmm. I try.
Actually, I think that’s true for a lot of areas in my life. Ayoko ng half-baked effort.
Aaron:
Same.
Maybe that’s why I liked talking to you from the start.
You don’t sound like someone who’s just there to pass time.
Mika:
That’s a nice thing to say.
Aaron:
It’s true.
Though to be fair, I did almost overthink this call for like 20 minutes before dialing.
Mika:
Hahaha why?
Aaron:
I don’t know.
Sometimes when someone communicates well, parang napapaisip ako if I need to sound better than I actually do.
Mika:
Ahhh, I get that.
But honestly, you sound fine.
Aaron:
Just fine? 😄
Mika:
No, I mean good.
You sound thoughtful. Not trying too hard. That’s a good thing.
Aaron:
Okay, I’ll take it.
I was worried I’d sound too stiff.
Mika:
You’re not stiff. Medyo careful lang at first, which is normal.
Aaron:
That’s fair.
I usually warm up after a while. I think my brain just needs time to realize I’m not being interviewed.
Mika:
Hahaha, same.
I don’t like calls that feel too formal.
Aaron:
Same here.
This feels more like... two people getting to know each other, which is better.
Mika:
Yes. Less pressure.
Aaron:
Can I ask something a bit more personal?
Mika:
Sure.
Aaron:
What usually makes you comfortable with someone?
Mika:
Hmm.
Consistency, first.
Then honesty.
And someone who knows how to listen without acting like everything is a debate.
Aaron:
That last one is important.
Some people listen only to reply, not to understand.
Mika:
Exactly.
And if someone is always trying to prove something, nakakapagod kausap.
Aaron:
I agree.
For me, comfort comes from calm communication.
Yung hindi ka kinakabahan kung clear ba sila or hindi.
Mika:
Yes.
I’m too old for games now, honestly.
Aaron:
Same.
At this age, peace is already attractive.
Mika:
Very true.
Aaron:
What do you usually prioritize these days?
Work, family, dating... if I may ask.
Mika:
Hmm.
Work and family mostly.
Dating if it fits naturally.
I’m not in a rush, but I’m open to it if the person is worth the time.
Aaron:
That’s a very reasonable answer.
Mika:
Reasonable is one way to describe it. 😄
Aaron:
I mean it in a good way.
I think that’s healthy.
You know what matters and you’re not forcing anything.
Mika:
Yeah.
I used to be more idealistic before. Now I’m more practical.
Aaron:
How so?
Mika:
Before, I’d give too much benefit of the doubt.
Now, I pay attention to actions more than words.
Aaron:
That’s wise.
Words are easy. Consistency is the real thing.
Mika:
Exactly.
What about you? What are you prioritizing now?
Aaron:
Stability, probably.
Not just financially, but in life in general.
I live alone, so I’ve gotten used to making my own routines, managing my time, and keeping things in order.
Mika:
That’s a lot actually. Living alone can teach you a lot.
Aaron:
It does.
It made me more intentional with my time, and more aware of what I can and can’t handle.
Mika:
Like what?
Aaron:
Like, I don’t want chaos just for the sake of excitement.
I’d rather have something simple and steady than something thrilling but exhausting.
Mika:
That’s a good answer.
Aaron:
I think at this point, I value peace more than intensity.
Mika:
Same.
Masyado nang stressful ang work, tapos pati dating stressful pa? No thanks.
Aaron:
Exactly.
Dating should add something good, not make your nervous system more tired. 😅
Mika:
Hahaha very true.
Aaron:
So far, talking to you doesn’t feel stressful, which is a good sign.
Mika:
Good save. Very smooth. 😏
Aaron:
Was that smooth? I was hoping you’d at least pretend not to notice.
Mika:
Too late. I noticed.
But okay lang, cute naman.
Aaron:
Noted. I’ll allow “cute.”
Mika:
You’re very confident now, ah?
Aaron:
I’m trying.
But honestly, I’m still a bit tense.
You just make it easy to keep talking.
Mika:
That’s a nice thing to hear.
I feel the same, by the way. You’re easy to talk to too.
Aaron:
Thank you.
That means a lot more coming from someone who actually communicates well.
Mika:
Aww.
Aaron:
So, random question: when you’re not working, what do you usually do on your own time?
Mika:
Coffee shops, bookstores, gym sometimes, and family time.
Very unexciting on paper, but that’s my kind of life.
Aaron:
I don’t think that’s unexciting.
Actually sounds grounded.
Also bookstore and coffee shop is very hard to dislike.
Mika:
Hahaha, ikaw?
Aaron:
Usually I’m either at home, in a café, or running errands like a responsible adult.
Mika:
Very exciting. 😄
Aaron:
Hey, don’t mock my maturity.
Mika:
I’m not mocking. I’m appreciating.
Someone has to handle the groceries and bills.
Aaron:
Thank you. Finally, respect. 😂
Mika:
So what do you do to relax? Like really relax.
Aaron:
Honestly?
Walks, coffee, music, and sometimes just sitting in silence without opening my phone.
You know, being a human being for a while.
Mika:
That sounds amazing actually.
Aaron:
It is.
I think we’re all too available these days.
Mika:
True.
Everyone wants a reply immediately, but nobody wants to sit with their thoughts.
Aaron:
That’s a good point.
Maybe that’s why I like this call. It feels slower, more real.
Mika:
I feel that too.
Aaron:
Can I be honest about something?
Mika:
Always.
Aaron:
I was intimidated for the first few minutes.
Mika:
By me? Why?
Aaron:
Because you speak clearly, and you seem very composed.
Sometimes when someone sounds that put together, I feel like I need to be extra polished.
Mika:
Aw.
For the record, I’m not that polished all the time.
I just know how to sound okay on a call after years of work meetings. 😅
Aaron:
That makes sense.
Still, you carry yourself well.
Mika:
Thank you.
And for the record, you’re doing fine too.
You sound sincere, which is rare.
Aaron:
I’ll take sincere over polished any day.
Mika:
Same.
Aaron:
Actually, one thing I really like about this conversation is that it doesn’t feel forced.
Mika:
Yes.
I was thinking the same thing.
Aaron:
Good.
Because I didn’t want to come in sounding like I was trying to perform.
Mika:
You’re not.
You sound like yourself.
Aaron:
That’s probably the best compliment I could get.
Mika:
It’s true.
Aaron:
What would you say is something you really appreciate in people, aside from being consistent?
Mika:
Hmm.
Kindness that shows in small things.
Not only sweet words, but how they speak to people, how they react when things are inconvenient, and how they handle disagreements.
Aaron:
That’s a very thoughtful answer.
Mika:
What about you?
Aaron:
I appreciate emotional steadiness.
People who don’t make every small thing dramatic.
And I like when someone is honest enough to say what they mean without being harsh.
Mika:
That’s fair.
Aaron:
I think that’s why I’m enjoying talking to you.
You’re direct, but not aggressive.
Calm, but not detached.
Mika:
That’s a nice way to put it.
Aaron:
I mean it.
And your sarcasm is manageable, which is also a bonus. 😄
Mika:
Manageable? Wow. Grabe ka naman. 😂
Aaron:
I’m saying that in the best way.
You know, with respect.
Mika:
Hahaha okay, I’ll allow it.
Aaron:
So... if we continue talking after this, are you the type who likes to keep things natural and see where it goes?
Mika:
Yes.
I don’t like forcing labels too early.
If the conversation is good, the next steps can be natural.
Aaron:
That’s exactly how I feel.
Mika:
Good.
Aaron:
Then maybe after a few more calls, we can actually meet for coffee.
Very normal. Very low pressure.
Mika:
Hmm. That sounds okay.
Aaron:
Yeah?
Mika:
Yeah.
I think that would be nice.
Aaron:
Great.
We can keep it simple — coffee, somewhere quiet, no weird expectations.
Mika:
That’s ideal, honestly.
Aaron:
I’ll take that as a yes-in-principle.
Mika:
Hahaha pwede na siguro.
Aaron:
Nice.
I’m glad we did this call.
Mika:
Same here.
Mas comfortable than I expected.
Aaron:
Same.
I was nervous at first, but now I feel like this was actually the right move.
Mika:
It was.
Aaron:
Okay, before we both turn this into a late-night life summit, maybe I should let you rest.
Mika:
Hahaha good idea. It is getting late.
Aaron:
Yeah.
Thank you for the conversation, Mika. I really enjoyed it.
Mika:
Same, Aaron. Thanks for calling.
Aaron:
Of course. Good night.
Mika:
Good night. Talk soon.