They were both strangers to the city. The commute was rough. They rode a tricycle to reach a terminal for jeepneys and waited for the vehicle to be filled by the brim with passengers before the driver could travel his route.

Nora’s legs were tightly squeezed, back aches from slouching and hand grimy as she holds the rail for balance. Lily wasn’t fairing any better as she tries to keep up with an old lady’s conversation. But they made it, without any more of hitch besides the cloud of smog from the pipe engine of the jeepney.

The sidewalk was also a problem. The street was populated with parked vehicles and traffic made it worse, the heat from the engine can be felt despite the distance and the dust whenever they passed by slightly stained their clothes and skin.

“But we’re almost there!” Nora persists, exclaiming her encouragement to Lily who was infuriated by the nth vehicle passing by, ruining her hair from the minutes of prep done to it.

“My hair,” Lily whines and Nora could only afford to finger-brush the hair down on the back of her friend’s head.

The food park was next to the city’s seaside boulevard and they managed to find a table on the balcony. The place was, for the most part, vacant – for now, that is. Nora decided to commute around three-thirty to four in the afternoon and it is currently quarter to five.

Good choice, she thinks, and enters the food park. Its theme was bohemian, the dim yellow lights and wooden furniture were an obvious choice. The dried flowers and plants were as well. The food stalls have aligned itself to the idea but nevertheless differentiates from each other through the handwritten signs on top. Music can also be heard playing softly on the speakers hanged.

“Pretty,” Lily awes and Nora finds a table on the balcony.

“Beautiful,” Lily adds, focusing on the view on the side; the sun was setting and the colorful hues painted the clouds above. The sounds of waves hitting the shore was soothing and the gentle breeze were a contrast to the harsh conditioning of the street.

“Yeah,” Nora answers back, engrossed by the glee Lily shines from.

Then, Lily looks at her before checking her phone. Nora tries to evade the obvious and stares at the ship sailing slowly, a miniscule from the viewpoint.

“We should order soon,” Lily instructs, urgently.

“Cool, cool,” Nora replies, enthusiastically.

“The food bowls are really cheap and have diverse ranges of side dishes so let’s not splurge on the rest of the menu.”

“Cool, cool.” The downside of being college students.

Eventually, Lily stood up with some of Nora’s money to order their food.

Leaving Nora to mourn at the loss.  

-

Korean fried chicken was delicious. The kimchi was as well. Lily was content with her wishes granted and Nora proceeded to guide them through the boulevard. There were portable stalls for vendors to sell street food and the smell coming from the grills have them walked slowly as they passed them by.  

The chatters from the customers were muted down, trailing from ear to the other but Nora didn’t mind the conversation. It fills the quiet her and Lily engages. There wasn’t a need for them to talk either. Their expressions tell a story and many times a new topic have emerge for them to discuss.

Lily’s interest peaks, her chin points out a stall with kikiam and isaw were sold. The sizzle from the stove can be heard as they approach the stall with Lily already trying to take out her wallet from her purse.

Nora grabs Lily by the wrist, however, and observes her best friend becoming limp from the touch. She notes a confusion on Lily’s face then a glint of realization as Nora took out some money from her pocket.

“No,” Lily says and continues, “you have already paid for dinner. Let me treat you with some isaw too.”

“It won’t be a special occasion if you’re paying too,” Nora reasons, emphasizing with the money she holds with a pout.

“But I don’t want to burden you,” Lily replies. Nevertheless, she took the money from Nora’s hand, folding it properly and inserting the paper bills in her purse.

“You’re not a burden,” Nora reassures her and still frowns at the idea Lily has in her head. If anything, Nora was a burden.

If it weren’t for Lily, she won’t be studying the same college as her best friend. She won’t be living in the boarding house because her parents didn’t think she’d be responsible enough to take care of herself. Lily simply became a mediator for security. And Nora was going to treat her right.

Lily sighs. “Don’t you have a date to save up for?”

Nora stiffens. The venue was still undecided and the money, well. Nora thought she and Julia would split the bills but the decision hasn’t been addressed, yet. Her lips thinned, letting go of Lily’s wrist and stares at the relief her best friend displays before walking to the stall.

Lily used her own money to buy two kikiams and isaws, which were both placed in a plastic cup dipped in sweet and spicy sauce. She smiles, handing Nora a cup as the other was hers.

“I think I find a space for us near the sea,” Lily tells Nora, chin pointing at the seawall. There weren’t a lot of people hanging around the area and all of them were far apart from each other.

“The seawall?” Nora questions.

Lily shrugs. “Why not?”

Nora couldn’t find the downside to voice out. So, they walked and finally sat down on the surface of the seawall. She raised her feet on top, placing one leg over the other and slouches. Lily crossed legs instead.

Nora eat her kikiam first, munching it loudly before placing the barbecue stick back to the cup. The isaw was made to be eaten, and she tries to savor the seconds she’ll have once she’s done chewing her current snack. Lily snorts from her behavior, biting down the smile on her face as she ate her snack too.

“Free food always tastes better!” Finally, Nora ate her isaw. Her patience was well-spent and she moans with delight.

Lily chuckles and teases, “savor it because I’m not so sure if I can offer free food soon after this.”