Chapter Text
People always say that the dead stay alive through the people who remember them. But no one ever talks about the people left behind. No one tells you what it feels like to wake up every morning and realize the person you wanted to tell everything to is no longer there, or how guilty it feels to laugh again after promising yourself you never would.
Years ago, someone asked a simple question online.
"How do you love your current partner more than the person you lost?"
Thousands answered. Some said love grows. Some said it never becomes "more," only different. Others admitted they still didn't know.
Mara never answered. She only stared at the question for a long time before locking her phone and placing it face down on the table. Because she knew exactly why she couldn't answer it.
She had been with Ahira for almost a year now. But before that, there was Cielo. The love of her life.
Mara never ran out of things to say. She could talk to anyone, laughed loudly, and somehow made quiet places feel alive. Cielo was the complete opposite. She listened more than she spoke and smiled more than she laughed. She wasn't cold. She was simply peaceful. Somehow, they worked.
Their relationship wasn't perfect. They argued over little things. Cielo forgot dates sometimes, while Mara talked too much during movies. But they always found their way back to each other. They stayed together throughout college, and by the time they graduated, talking about marriage had become normal.
"Beach wedding?" Mara asked one night while scrolling through wedding photos.
Cielo looked up from her laptop and smiled. "Whatever you want."
"What if I want both?"
"Both?"
"Isang destination wedding... then a civil wedding here."
Cielo laughed softly. "We can do both weddings. As long as it's with you, Loi."
Mara believed her. She never imagined those would become the last promises Cielo would ever make.
The accident happened on an ordinary afternoon. There was no warning. Just a phone call, a hospital, and a sentence she could barely remember hearing. Then the crash left almost nothing behind except twisted pieces of metal and people trying their best to say, "I'm sorry."
Grief didn't arrive all at once. It settled into her little by little. She stopped replying to messages, stopped showing up to work, and eventually lost her job. She argued with her family over things that didn't matter anymore. Some friends stayed. Others quietly disappeared. She couldn't blame them. She had disappeared too.
But one person never left.
Ahira.
———————————————
Ahira had known Mara since kindergarten. They grew up doing almost everything together. They were in the same section in high school, ate lunch at the same table, went home together, joined competitions together, and somehow collected the same memories without even trying. People often mistook them for sisters because they were always together. Their families knew each other, their friends knew each other, and even when they went to different classes, they always found their way back to the same place.
College was the first time their lives started going in different directions. Mara met Cielo, and for the first time, Ahira had to learn what it felt like to watch her best friend choose someone else. It wasn't easy, but she never made Mara feel guilty for it. She stayed around, listened to stories about Cielo, helped Mara pick gifts for their anniversaries, and sometimes even heard about their arguments before they had the chance to make up. She knew she was probably the last person Mara would ever think about romantically, and she had accepted that a long time ago.
Or at least, she told herself she did.
Ahira had been in love with Mara since high school. Eight years was a long time to keep something to yourself, but she never thought she deserved anything in return. Mara was happy with Cielo, and that was enough for her. She didn't want to be the reason they fought. She didn't want to become the friend who suddenly confessed after years of waiting just because she thought she finally had a chance.
So she waited.
Then Cielo died.
And suddenly, the person Ahira had spent years loving was hurting in a way she couldn't fix.
For the first few months, Ahira didn't know what to do. She would knock on Mara's door and wait. Sometimes Mara wouldn't answer. Sometimes she would open it but say nothing. There were days when Ahira would sit beside her for hours without saying a word because she had learned that there were moments when words only made things worse.
She started doing small things instead.
She made sure Mara ate something, even if it was only a few bites. She reminded her to take a shower. She washed the dishes when Mara left them in the sink for days. She answered calls from people Mara didn't have the energy to talk to. When Mara stopped taking care of herself, Ahira slowly started taking care of the things around her instead.
She never called it a sacrifice.
To Ahira, it was just what you did when someone you loved was having a hard time.
There was a point when Ahira received an opportunity to work abroad. It was something she had wanted for years. Better pay, better opportunities, a chance to start something for herself. She stared at the email for several days before finally turning it down.
Her friends called her crazy.
Her mother asked if she was sure.
Ahira only said yes.
She couldn't leave Mara alone.
So she stayed.
She found another job instead. Then another one. She worked two jobs just to afford her own apartment and help with Mara's. Some months were harder than others. There were nights when she came home too tired to even change clothes, but she still checked if Mara had eaten before she went to sleep.
She didn't expect Mara to notice.
Actually, she preferred that she didn't.
Because if Mara noticed every little thing she was doing, Ahira was afraid she might start seeing it as something she had to repay.
Ahira didn't want repayment.
She wanted Mara to get better.
She bought her a dog because she thought having something to take care of might help. Then came another dog. Then a cat. Eventually, their apartment became a place full of animals, food bowls, toys, and things Mara complained about cleaning.
It wasn't a miracle.
Mara still had bad days.
There were still mornings when she couldn't get out of bed. There were still nights when she cried because she missed Cielo. There were still moments when Ahira would hear Cielo's name and see the way Mara's face changed.
Ahira never told her to move on. She knew better than that. She knew Cielo wasn't someone Mara could simply forget. And maybe that was the hardest part of loving her, and Ahira knew she could never replace the person Mara lost.
She wasn't trying to.
She only wanted to be someone Mara could come home to.
———————————————
Two years passed, then slowly, Mara started doing things on her own again.
She started going outside, started answering messages, she started laughing at stupid videos Ahira sent her, she even complained when Ahira left dirty clothes on the floor.
For anyone else, those things were normal.
For Ahira, they meant everything. She didn't realize how much she had missed the old Mara until she heard her laugh again.
Then one afternoon, while Ahira was cleaning Mara's room, she heard her call her name.
"Ahira."
"Hmm?"
She continued folding the clothes on the bed until she noticed that Mara wasn't saying anything else. When she looked up, Mara was staring at her.
"May gusto ka ba sakin?"
Ahira's body froze. For a moment, she honestly thought she had heard it wrong, like it was her delusion speaking through her ear.
"Ha?"
Mara looked at her directly. There was no hesitation in her voice.
"May gusto ka ba sa'kin?"
Ahira didn't know what to say.
She had imagined this moment so many times before. She had thought about what she would say if Mara ever found out. She had practiced different answers in her head, sometimes while working,sometimes before going to sleep. But now that it was actually happening, she couldn't remember any of them.
Mara looked down at her hands. "Because for two years of being with me..." she paused. "I can finally feel your love."
Ahira felt her chest tighten. She had spent so long believing that Mara would never notice. She never thought the first time Mara would see her love would be after everything had already fallen apart.
"I'm sorry, Loi," Ahira whispered. Mara looked at her.
"Hindi ko mapigilan na magustuhan ka." Her voice broke slightly at the end.
Mara stayed quiet for a moment. Then, for the first time in years, she smiled at her. It wasn't a big smile. It wasn't the kind of smile Ahira remembered from high school or college.
It was smaller. A little tired but you can feel that it’s real.
Ahira started crying.
Mara noticed immediately. "You don't have to apologize for feeling the love, Ahira" she said softly. "It's there because it's real."
Ahira didn't know what to do with that.
She walked toward her and hugged her.
And for once, she didn't have to be careful. She didn't have to wonder if she was crossing a line. And when Mara wrapped her arms around her and hugged her
tighter, Ahira closed her eyes. It was the warmth that she’s been longing for, a touch that soothes all the worries and pain she kept for years.
Maybe this was enough.
Maybe after eight years of waiting, she finally had a chance.
"Subukan natin, Ahira," Mara whispered.
Ahira pulled away just enough to look at her.
She nodded. "Okay."
It wasn't a promise that everything would be easy. It wasn't Mara saying she had forgotten Cielo.
And Ahira knew that.
She didn't expect Mara to suddenly love her the way she loved Cielo. She didn't even know if that would ever happen. But for the first time after a long year of grief, Mara was willing to try. And for Ahira, that was already more than she had ever asked for.
———————————————
A month later, Mara decided she was ready to look for a job.
It took her a while to send her first application. She stared at the screen for almost an hour before finally pressing the button.
Ahira didn't say anything. She only sat beside her.
When Mara finally got an interview, Ahira helped her prepare. When she got nervous, Ahira reminded her that she didn't have to be perfect.
Eventually, Mara got accepted by one of Ahira's old companies.
It wasn't the biggest job. It wasn't some life-changing opportunity. But when Mara came home that afternoon and told Ahira she got hired, Ahira smiled like she had just heard the best news in the world.
For the first time in two years, Mara had something to look forward to.
And that was how their relationship shifted.
No grand confession. Not a perfect well-written love story. No slow-mo scenario. Just two people who had already spent years knowing each other, and now finally trying to learn what it meant to love each other differently.
“Loi?”
“Mmm?”
“I already cooked our breakfast, bangon ka na.”
“Pengeng limang minuto, pagpapahingahin ko lang mata ko.” Mara excused then shut her eyes again. Ahira giggled upon seeing her attempt.
“You look really cute talaga when you sleep.” Ahira can’t help but compliment her.
“Urgh Ahira! Wag mo nga ako asarin.”
“I’m not?”
“Fine, tatayo na!” Mara got up from her bed, one eye still closed. She stared at Ahira, feeling annoyed that the woman was still smiling when she clearly looked like a mess.
“Bakit ba ayaw mo ng compliment?” Ahira kept giggling as she continued to push the topic.
“Ang weird kasi hindi ka naman ganyan sakin noon. Lagi mo nga akong inaasar na tulo laway ako matulog kahit ‘di naman.”
“That’s my way of getting your attention kasi.”
Mara thought for a good comeback for that, but all she can think of is Ahira’s giggle echoing through her room. She didn’t expect that the woman is quick on rizzing her out of the bed. And what do you mean that it’s her way to get her attention? Kelan pa naging romantiko si Ahira?
“Ang papansin mo pala.” that’s all she can think of.
“Sa’yo lang naman ako nagpapapansin.” Ahira said her voice grew softer.
Mara swears that her heart almost betrayed her. “Alam mo kumain na tayo.” She quickly stood up and left the room leaving the giggling Ahira in the room.
It was only 6 months since she got a job again. 8 months since Ahira confessed to her. But the woman is no longer the old Ahira that she shared laughter and jokes with before. She’s no longer the Ahira who is always aloof to her when their skin touches when she gets closer to her. The Ahira she’s been living with right now is braver, more confident, more… charming.
“Do you want me to pick you up later or do you have something to do after?” Ahira asked her politely.
“Ano pa bang gagawin ko after?”
“I don’t know, maybe hang out with your co-workers, call your friends, catch up with your life.” She took a bite of toast bread with egg on top of it.
One thing Mara noticed about Ahira is she doesn’t want to rush her with everything. Mara thought that after the confession, she was going to keep Mara all to herself, asking for more time together so they could get to know more of each other. But no, she patiently gives her an option and freedom to choose what she wants. She didn’t make her feel like she had to reciprocate her overdue feeling.
“I’m just suggesting, pero if gusto mo ko kasama, sabihin mo lang. Magpapatangay naman ako sa’yo, Loi.” Ahira stared at her with that teasing smile.
Mara couldn’t really get a hold of the girl in front of her. She always catches her off guard with her antics and words that somehow make her heart jump out of nowhere.
She rolled her eyes before responding. “Ikaw lang naman kaibigan ko ngayon ‘no. Saan mo ba gusto?”
“Oh. Libre mo?”
“Yep, sahod ko mamaya. Ask whatever you want.”
“Mmm.. What if ano. Movie date? Payag ka?”
After months of banats and jokes, Ahira asked her on a date for the first time. That’s new to Mara. And a splash of cold ice water runs to her blood as she gazes upon Ahira’s teasing stare. May binabalak ba siya?
“Alam mo ang mapang-asar mo na. Parang hindi mo na ako mahal.” Mara's eyes widened as those words came out of her lips naturally. She mentally slapped herself for forgetting that Ahira liked her, and those words are so meaningful to her. She turned to Ahira who looked stunned on her seat. “I mean–”
“Are you questioning my love for you, Mara Loi?” Her voice grew deeper, intimidating, it made Mara skin fold into its root. “How do you want to receive my love? Through letters? Gifts? Touch?”
Mara clenched the hum of her pajama underneath the table, unable to come up with a response to the intimidating Ahira in front of her.
“Heh, I'm just kidding, Loi. Go finish your meal baka ma-late ka pa. I’ll just text you the information about the movie date later.” She stood up and went to the kitchen leaving the dumbfounded Mara frozen on her seat.
This is not the only time Mara felt a groundbreaking feeling Ahira makes her. There’s several of it and Mara couldn’t help to check her heart always if it’s still beating for her or para na kay Ahira.
She never knew that Ahira has this playful and charming side. All her life she thought that the women are just quiet, always listening, and keeping her composure to herself.
———————————————
Inside the cinema, people are busy coming in with their favorite snacks and drinks. Meanwhile, Ahira and Mara walk hand in hand, Ahira holding their popcorn in her right hand while looking for their seats. Once they settle into their seats, Ahira still keeps a hold of Mara’s hand, like she never wants to let her go.
When the movie starts, Mara leans a little closer to Ahira’s shoulder. The simple gesture makes Ahira smile. It’s such a small thing, but somehow, it makes her heart beat faster than usual. Maybe because she’s been craving moments like this for so long. The closeness. The warmth. Just having Mara beside her without needing anything more.
Ahira isn’t in a hurry. She doesn’t want to keep pushing, afraid that asking for too much might only make Mara pull away. She’s always been gentle with her, always willing to be patient, and somehow, she’s learned to be satisfied with whatever Mara can offer. Everything feels enough for her as long as Mara knows about her undying love. And more than anything, she’s happy knowing that Mara is genuinely trying. Even the smallest effort means more to Ahira than Mara probably realizes.
Nagsimula ang movie na masaya ang lahat. Everything felt light, almost comforting, until the middle of it, when everything suddenly shifted. One of the main characters passed away due to an illness no one knew he had. It happened so suddenly that he never even got the chance to say goodbye to his girlfriend.
Mara was shaken by it.
Her body suddenly stiffened before she slowly pulled herself away from Ahira. Her hands began to tremble, just slightly at first, like something deep inside her was trying to break through. She kept staring at the screen, but she wasn’t really watching anymore. The scene in front of her was slowly becoming something else.
A memory.
She remembers everything.
The pain. The loss. The moment she had to let go of Cielo without ever being ready for it. It all came rushing back so suddenly that she could barely breathe. She tried to keep herself together, tried to convince herself that it was just a movie, just a scene that would pass.
But then the scene showed the girl completely devastated after losing the person she loved.
That was when Mara finally lost it.
Tears came flooding down her cheeks, uncontrollable and painful, as if all the grief she had been holding back was finally given permission to come out. She abruptly stood from her seat, barely aware of the people around her. Without saying a word, she hurried out of the cinema, almost running as soon as she reached the door.
For a moment, it was like she had forgotten everything.
The movie.
The people around her.
And most especially, Ahira.
Meanwhile, Ahira didn’t think twice about rushing after her. She quickly gathered all of their snacks and drinks before following Mara out. All she could think about was finding her, but knowing Ahira, she couldn’t just leave their trash behind. She was just that kind of person…one of a kind, even in moments like this, she still couldn’t bring herself to leave a mess behind.
Outside the cinema, some stores in the mall were already close to closing. Some sales ladies and salesmen were excited to finally have dinner with their friends, hang out with their co-workers, while others looked completely exhausted and were probably just thinking about getting home and resting. The mall was still filled with noise and movement, but Ahira barely noticed any of it.
All she could think about was Mara.
She kept looking left and right, searching every corner she could think of. Twenty minutes passed with her running around, stopping every now and then just to catch her breath, until she finally saw her.
There was a small garden just outside the mall. It was dark and almost empty, with only a few lights flickering weakly around the area. And there she was.
Mara was quietly sitting on a bench not too far from her.
Ahira could only see her back, but she knew her well. Kaya kahit likod lang nito ang nakikita niya, kabisadong-kabisado niya. She knew the way Mara sat when she was trying to hold herself together. She knew how still she became when there was too much going on inside her.
Ahira didn’t approach her right away.
She simply stood there and watched her from behind.
Not because she didn’t want to comfort her. Not because she didn’t care. But because she knew Mara needed a moment to breathe. She needed a little space to let everything out without feeling like someone was waiting for her to be okay.
Ahira loved her enough to understand that sometimes, loving someone meant knowing when to step closer and when to stay a little farther away.
So she waited.
She stayed right there, quietly watching over her from a distance, until Mara was ready.
Because Ahira knows her.
And when the time finally comes, she knows exactly when to step in and lend her shoulder for Mara to lean on.
Ahira quietly sat beside her. She didn’t say a word. She just smiled at her, letting Mara know that it was okay to cry. It was her way of saying that she was safe, that she didn’t have to hide her vulnerability from her.
Kung dati, uupo lang siya sa tabi nito and simply wait until Mara was okay, this time, it was different.
Ahira slowly spread her arms and welcomed Mara into a tight but comforting hug. She adjusted herself around Mara, pulling her closer and making space for her to settle wherever she felt most comfortable. She willingly made herself into something Mara could lean on again just like she had always done. She held her there making herself smaller, making space, waiting until she could feel Mara’s shoulders slowly relax against her.
She knew how heavy it was for Mara to be reminded of something she had been trying so hard to forget. So she understood. She truly did.
Of course, it hurt her too.
Seeing Mara hurting again felt like thousands of needles piercing through her heart. Every tear that fell from Mara’s eyes felt like another wound, but Ahira never let it show. She only held her tighter, silently reminding her that she didn’t have to carry the pain alone.
It felt like an hour had passed before they finally decided to go home. Not a single word was exchanged between them. Somehow, they didn’t need to. Their presence was enough to hold each other up.
Ahira didn’t ask what happened. Mara didn’t explain.
Just like the old days, Ahira simply stayed. She waited patiently beside her until Mara finally calmed down, never asking her to talk about something she wasn’t ready to share.
“Pagod na ’ko,” Mara quietly said.
It was so soft that perhaps no one else would have heard it. But Ahira felt it anyway. She may not have caught the words clearly, but she understood the weight behind them.
“Uwi na tayo, Loi,” Ahira whispered. “Nandito ako. Kapit ka lang sa’kin.”
And just like that, Mara held onto her as if her whole life depended on her.
Ahira held her back, guiding her gently as they walked, careful with every step as if Mara were the most fragile thing in the world.
And for that moment, she was.
The drive home was quiet. The night that was supposed to be fun had turned into something neither of them had expected. Something Mara probably wished had never happened.
On the passenger seat, Mara quietly stared out the window, watching the city lights pass by. Her eyes were empty, her expression unreadable. She looked so hopeless now, so different from the girl she used to be—the girl who would get all giddy just talking about a movie they had watched.
Ahira glanced at her for a moment before turning her eyes back to the road. This wasn’t how she imagined the night would end. But it happened anyway.
The city was quiet at this hour, and somehow, its stillness followed them into the car. Ahira kept both hands on the steering wheel, driving through the familiar roads while memories of the past quietly filled her mind.
She used to love listening to Mara from the backseat while Cielo drove. Mara would sit in the shotgun seat, talking nonstop about anything and everything, while Cielo would occasionally answer her between glances at the road.
Back then, the car was never this quiet. There was always laughter. Always teasing. Always Mara. But now, there was nothing.
The silence was getting too cold.
And perhaps because it hurt too much to sit in it, Ahira found herself remembering one of those nights when everything still felt easy.
"Sobrang ganda talaga nung movie, kahit ang lungkot ng ending!" Mara kept repeating the same thing ever since they left the cinema
"Ayoko parin nung ending na hindi na sila magkasama," Cielo answered while keeping her eyes on the road. "Dapat kasi yung horror nalang pinanood natin eh," she added.
"Oo nga, sana yung horror nalang," Ahira seconded from the backseat.
"Edi sana hindi niyo nalang ako sinama!" Mara complained, rolling her eyes.
Like a reflex, Cielo reached for her sulking girlfriend's hand. "Loi, kahit ano pang movie yan alam mong paulit-ulit parin kitang pipiliing kasamang manood. Kahit panoorin pa natin lahat ng mga nakakaiyak na palabas, hindi ako magsasawa. Basta kasama ka."
Mara immediately blushed and tried her hardest to keep herself from smiling. "Kainis ka talaga, Lo!" she burst out, lightly smacking Cielo's shoulder. "Kiss kita diyan eh."
"Pwedeng i-claim ko yan mamaya, mahal?" Cielo teased, stealing a quick glance at Mara who's already giggling in her seat.
"Hello? Ano ako dito hangin?" Ahira complained from the backseat.
And just like that, the three of them burst into laughter.
For a moment, Ahira could almost hear it again. Their laughter, Mara's voice, and Cielo's teasing. The warmth that used to fill the car. Then the memory faded.
Ahira blinked and found herself back in the present, driving through the same city with the same girl sitting beside her—but somehow, everything felt different now.
What if…What if Cielo's still here? Maybe you're not hurting like this Loi.
Her grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
Maybe you wouldn't have to carry all this pain alone. Maybe I wouldn't have to watch you fall apart like this.
She glanced at Mara for a brief second before looking back on the road.
I'm sorry if I'm not enough to fill that missing piece in your heart.
And the silence that followed felt even heavier than before.
———————————————
Ahira woke up at 5AM as usual. She walked straight to her bathroom, still in pajamas, eyes barely open while she freshened up. Her mind drifted back to the movie date last night.
The movie plan was supposed to be their first date together. A plan she came up with during her working hours, something simple, something both of them will reminisce about in the future. She had even spent most of the day thinking about what they could do after the movie.
But she didn’t expect Mara to break down.
Mara used to love watching sad movies. She would always be the one complaining whenever Ahira and Cielo picked something too happy or too scary. She liked stories that made her cry, then she would spend the rest of the night talking about how good the movie was.
But last night was different.
Ahira saw the way Mara froze when the character died. The way her expression changed before she even realized she was crying. She knew that look, she had seen it before.
Ahira felt helpless.
She knew she couldn’t take away what Mara was feeling. She knew there were things in Mara’s heart that belonged to a past she could never reach. She knew that no matter how long she stayed beside her, there would always be a part of Mara that still missed someone else.
Ahira let out a soft sigh and walked out of the bathroom. Her feet automatically dragged her to Mara’s apartment across hers to make their breakfast.
She entered Mara’s familiar door pin. A number that had somehow stayed with her all this time. She paused for a second, mentally thinking about what breakfast she should make today that Mara would enjoy.
It had become a routine for her. Wake up early, make breakfast, wake Mara up, listen to her stories, and make sure she eats.
Sometimes, Ahira wondered when taking care of Mara had stopped feeling like something she chose to do for her and started feeling like something that simply belonged in her days as natural as waking up, breathing, and being there for her.
She opened Mara’s door, and the smell of fried garlic immediately welcomed her. A mixture of dried fish simmering through the air made Ahira’s senses awaken.
She walked to Mara’s kitchen and was welcomed by Mara wearing shorts and a loose oversized shirt, her hair tied in a bun with one shoulder exposed. Ahira’s eyes lingered on Mara’s soft shoulder before slowly trailing down to her hips, which were swaying as Mara did a little happy dance while cooking.
“Good morning!”
Ahira's thoughts immediately snapped when Mara greeted her.
Their eyes met, and Ahira almost swore to god that Mara looked even more beautiful when she wasn’t wearing anything on her face but a smile.
She’s smiling, in the morning, where Mara always overslept. And for some reason, seeing Mara like this made Ahira feel relieved.
“You’re awake,” Ahira said, trying to keep herself composed after the swarm of thoughts filled her head. “And you cooked.”
“Yep. It’s been a while.” Mara said while still flipping the dried fish. The dried fish where Ahira was allergic. “Malapit na ako matapos, pwede bang paki-ayos ng lamesa para makakain na tayo?”
“Sure.”
Ahira swiftly grabbed two plates, their own spoons, and filled their cups.
“I cooked extra eggs for you. Alam kong allergic ka sa dried fish kaya dinoble ko na yung luto para sa’yo.”
That made Ahira smile.
At least Mara still remembered.
They ate their breakfast like they usually did. Ahira would often take a glance at Mara who was still talking about work drama in her job. Ahira listened to her attentively. She nodded whenever Mara needed validation. She smiled whenever Mara was telling jokes. And she asked questions to make Mara feel she was being heard and that she was listening to every detail.
Ahira liked moments like this. Nothing big was happening. Mara wasn’t crying. She wasn’t talking about Cielo. There wasn’t anything Ahira needed to fix or make better. And for once, Ahira didn’t ask about last night either. They never touched that topic. Maybe because they both knew that some things didn’t need to be talked about right away. Maybe Mara simply wasn’t ready, and Ahira was willing to wait until she was.
For Ahira, seeing Mara like this is already enough. Mara’s just sitting across from her, talking about her day. Smiling. And somehow, that was all Ahira needed.
“What about you?” Mara asked, changing the topic. “May kaibigan ka naman ba sa work mo?”
Ahira felt a little small hearing the question.
For years, she had always been the one asking about Mara’s life. Her feelings, her thoughts, her dreams, even the little things she found interesting. Ahira was always curious about her, always wanting to know what was going on in her mind.
So hearing Mara ask about her now felt different.
It was such a simple question, but Ahira couldn’t help but notice how much it meant to her. Mara was slowly starting to ask about her, slowly becoming curious about her life Ahira had always been willing to share.
And that was enough to make her feel those familiar butterflies in her stomach again.
Maybe she had gotten so used to loving Mara quietly that even the smallest effort from her could still make her heart feel this full.
“I have one.” Ahira answered.
Mara looked at her. “Ha? Isa lang? Ilang taon ka na sa kumpanya na ‘yan, bakit isa lang?”
“I don’t need a lot of friends, Loi. I only need one to survive.” Ahira said.
Mara stared at her for a second before shaking her head.
“‘Di ka pa rin nagbabago Ahira. You’re still the lone wolf I know.” She muttered, her voice almost a whisper but still carrying care. “But I think mas okay ‘yun.”
Ahira turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Why?”
Mara smiled, then looked down at her plate. “Because you get more time with me and less time with someone else.”
Ahira froze on her seat. She didn’t know if Mara was joking or not. But the way she casually continued eating made Ahira wonder if Mara even realized what she had just said.
Ahira looked down at her plate, trying to not smile too much, but her heart was already doing something stupid.