Let It Be Me

3

"I'm just saying, give her a chance. I mean, she is your sister." Mikaela explained to Patrick while cutting up some fruits.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and Patrick is at the Manuel's, as usual. He's been here since 10 in the morning, ranting about his sister who is coming home from California on Wednesday. He hasn't seen his Ate Clara, his 21-year old sister, in 10 years. She moved to Cali with her grandparents when she was just 10, just because she wanted to, well at least that's what Patrick was told.

"You don't get it Ella. She was my best friend, and she just left. She didn't even tell me until we were in the car, on the way to the airport!"

"Trick, malay mo naman she has a bigger reason. We don't know her side yet, let her explain muna ha?" Mikaela said while cupping Patrick's cheeks before kissing the top of his head. "And besides, di mo ba siya namimiss?"

"Syempre namimiss. Be ano ba yan, amoy pinya yang kamay mo tapos hinawakan mo yung pisnge ko." Patrick complained while wiping his cheeks.

"Paka-arte mo po." Mikaela said before sticking her tongue out to her best friend.

Patrick grabbed the bowl of fruits on the kitchen counter and headed to the Manuels' living room. He put the bowl on the coffee table and turned the TV on. He was going to sit on the couch when he remembered Mikaela, who was still standing in the kitchen, waiting for Patrick.

"Be akala ko naman nasa likod kita. Nasa sala na ko eh." Patrick said when he got to the kitchen.

"Buti pa yung prutas naalala mo dalhin. Yung best friend mo, hindi." Mikaela said as she crossed her arms.

"Syempre di kita nakalimutan, ikaw pa? Joke lang yun, parang nung Valentines lang."

*FLASHBACK*

"Happy Valentines day beautiful. Sorry if your knight in shining armour was a bit late." He said, which made Mikaela giggle.

"Happy Valentines day din. Thank you, Gino." Mikaela replied as she smelled the bouquet of roses in front of her.

"Oh don't thank me, this was not my idea." Gino said with a crooked smile in his face.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Instead of answering, Gino just kissed Mikaela's forehead before walking away, leaving Mikaela confused and full of questions.

Suddenly, Mikaela heard two familiar voices singing The Way You Look Tonight through the restaurant's speakers.

"Some day, when I'm awfully low,

When the world is cold,

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight."

"You're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft,

There is nothing for me but to love you,

And the way you look tonight. "

Mikaela was enjoying the wonderful song, when the one of the singers started coughing uncontrollably.

"Kahit kelan ka talaga Kabe!" Lester's voice boomed throughout the restaurant as he scolded poor Katsumi.

Mikaela was laughing at the two boy when her eyes were covered by a pair of huge hands. She got goosebumps and felt her heart beating faster.