Sana couldn't bear staying in Momo's apartment after her drunken confession.
Of course, she had known all along. Momo was in love with Mina. But she couldn't deny her own feelings.
Sana went outside and wandered aimlessly down the well-lit street. After a few turns, she found herself in a less crowded area where the air seemed colder and the lights were dimmer. She walked past blinking signs, numbed by alcohol and emotions.
It was an alley she wasn’t familiar with. Which was a relief for Sana because at that moment, she wished to escape familiarity. Every corner she knew around this town has a random memory with Momo attached to it. They’ve been to so many different places tried various restaurants and bars; the unfamiliar seemed like a gentle friend she would eagerly embrace.
As the cold night engulfed Sana, she heard a faint sound of music accompanied by sweet vocals. She looked for the source until she came across a small two-story barbecue joint. She entered the establishment because the sound seemed to be coming from the rooftop. On the first floor, two customers were eating together and appeared to be drunk.
“I guess I came to the right place. I fit in perfectly.” She muttered to herself.
A young server greeted her and gave her a copy of the menu.
“May I be seated where the music is coming from?” she asked.
“Certainly! You can place your order with me here and proceed to the steps beside the restroom over there.” “I'll be right with you with your order,” the server said.
Sana smiled at him and placed her order of tangsuyuk and one cup of hot Americano coffee.
Sana ascended the stairs into an open area illuminated by yellow lights. No patrons were lounging anywhere in this intimate setting. Perhaps it's because of the cold air that dominates this ungodly hour, but Sana felt warmer than she did five minutes earlier when she was out on the streets.
She turned to her left, following the voice.
She was met by the image of a girl wearing a pretty pink cardigan and loose khaki pants. She sat comfortably in an armchair on an elevated platform that served as a stage. A small oil drum fire pit is not far to her left. A mic stand stood in front of her, with one foot folded under her as she sat, while the other supported her guitar.
The fire beside her danced and reflected warmly on her face. The girl looked like she was scrolling through her phone for what Sana thought was the next song to play when the girl suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met, and the girl smiled warmly at Sana. She felt it course through her frozen heart and some of the ice melted. She shyly smiled back then the girl gestured for her to take a seat.
Before starting the song, the girl closed her eyes and took a slow but deep breath. When she opened her eyes, they were transformed. Sana saw pain peeking through the windows of her soul right before she strummed the guitar.
It was beautiful. She was beautiful.
Sana didn’t realize she was holding her breath when a tear trickled down her face.
It was a heartfelt rendition of Walked Through Hell by Anson Seabra. The pretty girl made a pretty mess out of Sana as she expelled all the pent-up emotions she had been holding.
I guess all the mountains that I moved just weren't enough
And all those nights I walked you home
From crowded bars, when you were drunk
Well, they meant nothing 'cause you up and walked away
And I just wonder what it'd take to make you stay
'Cause when you said jump, I said how high?
But when I jumped, you said goodbye
Sana was reduced into a sobbing wreck when the server made his entrance. She sniffled like a kid as she accepted the food. The server was kind enough to hand her extra tissue from the other table since her table’s supply was almost empty.
I would have walked through hell
To find another way
I would've laid me down
If I knew that you would stay
I woulda crossed the stars
To keep you in my life
But now I'm falling hard
Without you here tonight
The girl in the pink cardigan finished the song and remained silent for a few seconds with her eyes closed. She blinked once, magically restoring the warmth she had exuded before her performance. She smiled again as she looked over at Sana, an apologetic expression on her face as she saw the other girl's tear-stained face.
She stepped down from her perch on the armchair. She laid her guitar on the case and walked over to where Sana was sitting.
“Hi,” the girl said with a slight wave.
“Hello,” a puffy-eyed Sana replied. “That was beautiful.”
“Thank you,” the girl said, then she made a move to sit beside Sana, her expression replaced with genuine concern. “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?”
Sana let the girl sit on the nearest wooden stool, grateful for the company.
“I’m fine, thank you,” Sana responded softly.
A beat.
"No, you're not.”
The girl pulled her wooden stool much closer to Sana in one fluid motion and pulled Sana into a full embrace.
Sana stiffened, surprised by the sudden gesture. After a few breaths, she relaxed. Truth be told, she melted then succumbed to the girl’s provided warmth. Her love language.
She felt like crying again, but she got distracted by the girl holding her because she started counting softly.
“One… two… three,”
Sana tried to look up, only to be pulled back in—
“Four… five… six,”
By the time it reached ten, Sana had given up her little efforts to peep. Oddly, instead of her heart racing wildly, she felt calmer and at peace.
Maybe she’s an angel.
Then her eyes shot open, and she thought to herself: Or maybe she’s Death? Who knows?
She heaved a sigh and closed her eyes again in reckless abandon, accepting this gift of comfort from a total stranger.
“Eighteen… nineteen… twenty.”
The girl broke off the hug, a ready smile already being served. “I read on a quote somewhere that a 20-second hug increases oxytocin, lowers stress levels, and helps build connection.”
Cute. Sana chuckled. “I guess it really works.”
Following Sana's confirmation, a puffier smile was given in return.
“I was brought here by my feet because earlier, I heard you were singing faintly from afar,” Sana explained. “ It felt like you were calling me.”
“Actually, I was just tuning my guitar and playing whatever came to mind before you came up here.” The girl responded.
“What was the magical song you played to summon me, then?”
“Uh, if you must know—” the girl began, “I was singing an acoustic version of Baby Shark.”
They exchanged unblinking stares for a brief moment before bursting out laughing.
Sana's mood was greatly improved by the pretty stranger. “Are you a regular solo act in this joint?”
“Technically, I am a member of a duo,” she explained. “However, my partner needed some alone time and did some soul-searching.” She looked at Sana, her eyes digging deeper. “Perhaps that is the way the world works. Sometimes you think you're being left behind when, in fact, you're simply not their destination. And there are times when you aren't even looking, but you are the one who is found.”
“Yeah. Who would have thought Baby Shark was destiny’s power song.”
And just like that, the two girls clicked. They laughed freely and shared the almost forgotten tangsuyuk.
Things were going well as they talked about food, music and tried out acoustic versions of other children's songs when Sana abruptly stood up.
“I have to go!” Sana nearly shouted.
The girl in the pink cardigan didn’t even get to say anything when Sana immediately made her exit. Sana paid her bill quickly and was out of the barbecue joint in no time.
The server went up to clean the table. “What happened? Why did she run off like that?” He asked the girl.
“I don’t know. I’m confused as well.” She replied with a shrug.
After the server left, the girl was left with her own thoughts. “I wasn’t even able to ask her name.”
That night, she ended her solo act with a solemn rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
Meanwhile, not far from the barbecue joint, Sana entered her own apartment. She was sweating profusely.
“Oh, shit!” She exclaimed.
And quite literally, she ran to the bathroom to do just that. The assortment of food and beverages she consumed that evening finally caught up with her and dragged her back to reality, after that one beautiful chance encounter.
-
Momo dropped by Sana’s place after she woke up without the other girl beside her. Since they both know each other’s passcode, she got in easily and went straight to Sana’s bedroom. She found her still asleep.
Fully aware that Sana doesn’t have much in her apartment, Momo brought with her two orders of ramen. She jumped beside her and gave her a bear hug.
“Wake up, baby shark!”
“Hngh—?”
“Wakey, wakey! Get up. Let’s eat before the food gets cold.” which, in Momo’s world, is quite offensive.
Sana squinted and looked around, the dregs of sleep still clouding her gears.
While she was in the process of orienting herself with what was happening and what happened the night before, a busy Momo could be heard outside the bedroom preparing the food while singing baby Sha doo, doo, doo-dooo, baby Sha doo, doo, doo-dooo!
Sana got up and waddled to the kitchen. “What are you singing?”
“Baby Sha. Get it? ‘Cause, it’s you, and you’re wearing that.”
“Oh,” Sana didn’t realize she was wearing her blue shark onesie. “OH!” she exclaimed as the previous night’s encounter finally sank in.
Sana relished the food so much it made Momo happy and proud of herself.
“Isn't it tasty? When I awoke, I was starving. Have you had a good night's sleep? Did you experience any stomach pains? I considered bringing the cheesecake, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Let's just eat it at my place.”
Sana just smiled and nodded, not fully present, as she pondered and recounted what had occurred the night before. She enjoyed the food because it was great for hangovers, but the drunkenness from all the emotions and events of the day before lingered.
Momo had to leave early because she had an appointment with a patient. She kissed Sana on the forehead and continued on her way.
Sana tried to busy herself once she was left alone. A lot still needed to be processed, but thankfully for her, the pink cardigan girl occupied most of her thoughts that day to actually be bothered by anything else.
She made a decision to look for the barbecue joint again.
She needed to know the girl’s name.
📌
who's that girl!? She gives sana-ssi comfort. Sana mag meet ulit sila...
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