under the university lights

chapter 14

The following week, Olivia and Chloe found themselves huddled in Chloe's room, surrounded by a chaotic pile of clothes and half-eaten snacks – a testament to their shared love for both fashion and merienda.  The usual bubbly energy was somewhat muted, replaced by a shared weariness brought on by the ever-present reality of gastos (expenses). Olivia, the self-proclaimed queen of gastador (spending), was lamenting her dwindling funds.

“Girl, jusko!  Ubos na naman yung pera ko!  Nakaka-stress!  Parang ang bilis mawala!” (Girl, oh my god! My money's gone again! So stressful! It disappears so fast!) Olivia exclaimed, dramatically flopping onto Chloe's bed.

Chloe, ever the pragmatic one, offered a sympathetic yet teasing response.  “Naku naman, Olivia!  Gastos is life nga naman, diba?  Pero grabe ka naman!  Anong ginawa mo sa pera mo?  Kwento mo na!” (Oh my gosh, Olivia! Expenses are life, right? But seriously! What did you do with your money? Tell me everything!)  She playfully ruffled Olivia's hair.

Olivia launched into a detailed (and slightly embellished) account of her recent spending spree.  “Una, merienda with Miguel, tapos shopping for new clothes – sale kasi, sayang naman! – then pamasahe going to that concert…  Tapos may biglang gastos pa sa bahay!  Yung pamalit ng sira kong sapatos!” (First, snacks with Miguel, then shopping for new clothes – it was on sale, what a waste if I didn't buy! – then transportation to that concert… Then there were unexpected expenses at home!  Replacing my broken shoes!)

Chloe listened patiently, occasionally offering a sympathetic “Kawawa naman!” (That's too bad!), or a teasing “Yan kasi, gastadora!” (That's what you get for being a spender!).  But amidst the teasing, there was genuine concern in her eyes.

At one point, Olivia confessed, her voice dropping to a whisper, “I’m starting to feel really pressured about money.  I don’t want to ask my parents for more.”

Chloe immediately reached out and squeezed Olivia’s hand.  “Hey,” she said softly.  “We’ll figure it out together.  We always do.  Remember that time we were both broke and we made pancit out of whatever scraps we found in the fridge?  That was epic!”  A shared wave of laughter washed over them, recalling a funny memory of their resourceful past.

They spent the rest of the afternoon brainstorming ways to save money and even started planning a super-tipid (super-frugal) merienda date, promising each other to stick to their budget (mostly).  Their conversation was a testament to their friendship – a blend of shared laughter, mutual support, and a deep understanding that transcended their financial woes.  As the sun set, casting long shadows across Chloe's room, they knew that even when gastos is life, their friendship was a constant source of strength and comfort.  They were more than just best friends; they were a team, facing life's challenges – one gastos at a time – together.