A few days later, Mika found herself sitting on the hood of her car as she gazed at the sunset in Manila Bay. Her car was parked in Roxas boulevard on her usual spot. She sighed because she found it difficult to appreciate the beauty in front of her.
"Sabi na nga ba andito ka, eh."
Mika was startled and her head immediately snapped towards the source of the voice. She couldn't help but feel surprised when she saw Ara.
Ara made herself comfortable and sat on the hood of her car as well before offering her a paperbag of what smelled like delicious food. Mika took it, still feeling a little bit confused.
"Paano mo alam na andito ako? Saka para saan 'to?"
Ara turned to her with a smirk.
"Hindi ko actually sure kung makikita kita dito pero mukhang ito pa rin talaga ang go-to-place mo kapag may problema ka. Saka bakit andami mong tanong? Ayaw mo ba? Akin na nga!"
Mika immediately hugged the food to herself and swatted Ara's hand away.
"Naibigay mo na. Wala na bawian!" she said before sticking out her tongue.
Ara rolled her eyes at her.
Mika opened the bag and saw burger and fries that she immediately unpacked to eat. Food was yummy but free food was tastier.
"Alam mo nakakapagtaka na di tayo nagkikita dito. Ito pa rin go-to-place ko kapag may problema ako, eh," Ara said wistfully.
Mika glanced at Ara and saw a soft smile playing on her lips as she gazed at the horizon and she coudn't help but do the same.
"Nakakatuwa naman na special pa rin sayo ang lugar na 'to," she admitted.
This place was special to her and Ara. During their early days in La Salle, back when they had something going on, when they could have been something more, this was where they usually went to hang out or have 'dates'. This was where they went to when they were sad or had a lot to think about. This place has always made her feel peaceful that even after she and Ara grew apart, her feelings for this place didn't change.
"Bakit mo nga pala ako hinanap?" Mika asked.
Ara turned to her seriously.
"Sobrang lungkot mo nitong mga nakaraang araw. Mas naging close na ulit tayo simula noong sa bar, Daks, pero hindi ka pa rin mahilig mag-open up. Nag-aalala lang ako. Baka gusto mo ng kausap?"
Mika smiled at Ara fondly.
It was true. They've been getting closer a lot lately and she wouldn't hesitate to say that Ara was once again her best friend. She just didn't want to involve anyone with her problem, her heartache.
"Ano?" Ara asked and bumped her shoulder a little bit with her own.
Mika sighed.
"Wala naman pag-uusapan, eh."
Ara glared at her playfully and it made her chuckle.
"Okay, fine. Miss na miss ko na si Alyssa, okay na?"
Ara stared at her for a couple of seconds before looking at the horizon.
"Bakit di mo na lang kasi siya ipaglaban? Feeling ko naman ipaglalaban ka niya rin, eh."
Mika felt her heart constricting with pain. She didn't doubt what Ara said.
She smiled bitterly.
"Alam ko. I didn't want to make the choice for her, Daks. Alam naman din niya na kung pinili niya ako, ipaglalaban ko siya. Eh, hindi. At okay lang naman 'yun."
