"Someone's excited" binati ni Mika nang may malaking ngiti si Rad nang makita niya itong buksan ang pinto. "You're home early"
"I got the letter" Rachel excitedly share. "Fuck. I hope this is it"
"Hoping for good news" Sumandal naman si Mika sa kanya at sinubukang silipin ang sulat na hindi pa nabubuksan. "Libre mo ko, mahal. Ice cream with sundae."
"Babe, anong ice cream with sundae" natawa naman silang dalawa. "Pagod ka nanaman" hinilot naman niya ang sentido ni Mika. "Pero okay, ililibre kita. Hindi nga lang ice cream with sundae but our favorite duo. French fries with sundae"
"That's what I meant. I'm sorry" Mika chuckled. "Thank you, you're the best" humalik naman siya sa pisngi ni Rachel at ngumiti nang matamis na ikinahawa na lamang din sa labi ni Rachel.
Binusan niya ang sulat at sinimulang basahin ang nakapaloob.
Nawala ang sigla niya at huminga nang malalim saka niyakap ang kasintahan.
She was not granted a scholarship sa kanyang gustong pasukang law school. She can't afford to work and study at the same time dahil hindi naman ganon kadali isabay ang trabaho sa law.
"Babe, it's okay. You'll get it." Mika kissed the top of her head.
"I have to wait another sem, tapos kung di papalarin, another year."
Mika chuckled. "Kahit ilang years pa yan, magiging abogado ka rin."
"I have to. Feeling ko makukulong ka anytime eh- sa puso ko nga lang"
"Ang korni mo, pasalamat ka mahal kita."
*****
"Hi, are you single?" Tanong ni Mika at yumakap kay Rad mula sa likod na ikinatawa ng huli.
"Sorry, I'm not."
Ipinatong naman ni Mika ang baba niya sa balikat nito to oversee kung anong ginagawa ni Rachel. She was making some coffee for the two of them.
"Sayang. I'd like to take you out on a date sana"
"Mika, ipunin ko nalang yang pera mo. Here, coffee. May pandesal din dyan"
Naupo naman sila sa dining nila na good for two lamang.
Living together was a bit rough for them. Both are earning minimum wage pero nairaraos naman.
Rachel settled for a job habang nag-iipon ng kanyang pang enroll sa law school. Mika was chipping in a part of her salary rin not as an obligation as a partner but because she wanted Rad to suceed in her chosen path.
"Babe, birthday mo rin today. So please, let me spoil you kahit ngayon lang" Mika pleaded with a cute smile. "You even forget your birthday"
Rachel sighed. "Sorry. Was really stressed out nitong nakaraan. Nanghingi si mama, ayoko naman galawin ang ipon ko."
Mika reached for her hand. "Mahal, andito ako to help okay?"
Umiling si Rachel at inusog ang upuan palapit kay Mika at sumandal dito. "I don't want to share my family burden sayo, Mahal. Ayoko masanay sila na nagbibigay ka. Kasi once na humindi ka, baka maging masama pa tingin sayo. Ang hirap lang talagang maging financially troubled"
"Babe, malapit na ako yumaman kasi sobrang tipid mo" sabay tawa ni Mika. "Anyway, I bought you pants, may butas na yung isa mong pants eh. Sumabit ka ba sa jeep?"
