As they passed by the bulletin board, Momo picked up a piece of paper from a small carton box.

“Go on your ideal date”

“Mina, let’s go to Manila!”

“Momo, why are you making plans all of a sudden…”, asked a confused Mina.

“Read this”, Momo said, handing her the piece of paper. They stopped for Mina to read those five words. A few seconds passed when Mina finally asked.

“Why me? Didn’t you have a chance to do this when you were still with Rosé?”

“You know that Rosé and I are diligent students. That’s why we only go to coffee shops to study.” Momo laughed with a hint of bitterness.

“Just kidding.” She added. “I guess she’s not as outgoing as I am. If we’re not in a coffee shop, we’d be in her condo, watching Korean dramas and…” Momo stopped talking.

It was a good thing Momo didn't finish her story about her ex-girlfriend because Mina’s face has turned sour. She knows that she is jealous. It’s been three months since Momo and Rosé broke up but she still feels irritated just listening to Momo recall her past relationship.

Mina couldn’t sleep that night.

That damn box.

How crazy must she feel to even blame a box. That box is placed by the bulletin board outside the Guidance Office. They pass by it every Friday after class. Inside that box are small pieces of paper with words meant to uplift students. Some strips include advices while some have inspirational quotes. Most strips include little “things-to-do” to encourage socialization. An example of this is the paper Momo picked earlier.

That damn box.

Eight months ago, Momo picked a piece of paper from that box with these five words:

“Say ‘hi!’ to your crush”

Those five words began Momo and Rosé’s relationship.

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Mina woke up to her ringing cellphone. She glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was only six in the morning. It’s a Saturday and all Mina wanted to do was sleep.

Who would call this early?, Mina muttered to herself while waking up.

In a second, Mina lost all trace of drowsiness after seeing who was calling her. Momo.

“Momo?”

“Mina! Let’s go to Manila?”

“Huh? Now?”

“Um, yes? Unless you have other plans.”

I have no other plans. But, wait. What’s this? What will I say?

Mina was flustered. Of course, she wants to go with Momo. They are always happy when they’re together even though Momo only sees her as a friend. But this, this plan is Momo’s ideal date. The thought made her panic. She thinks she might fall deeper in love with Momo, if that was even possible.

“Can we schedule it on a different day? It will rain later. Our plans might go to waste.”

“How can you tell? The weather seems so bright today.”

“Because I said so.”

Mina heard Momo’s laughter on the other line.

“I don’t normally believe girls who use “because I said so” as an excuse, but then you’re not like other girls. Fine, but the next time the weather’s wonderful, will you go with me?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll be waiting for that day. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Mina has been staring at her ceiling for the past 30 minutes. She didn’t mean be cross. She just couldn’t sort out the reason for her anxiety. She just knows that her cheeks heated up while talking to Momo earlier. She wants to be with Momo. She thinks she might want to pretend to be Momo’s girlfriend. Even just for a day. But, she knows she might end up hurting herself in the end. Momo might not even want to pretend to be her girlfriend.

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“Momo.”

“What is it?” Momo asked as she looked at her seatmate, who was captivated by her smile. Mina sighed. Why am I nervous?

“Didn’t Professor Bae say that we won't have class on Thursday because she’s attending a conference? That means our class ends at 10 AM then. Why don’t we go to Manila that afternoon?”

Mina could only see glitter in Momo’s eyes.

“Really?! Yes! I’ll do our itinerary then.”

Of course. If I could see you smile like that, how can I ever say no? was what Mina intended to say, but decided not to.

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Immediately after class, Momo tugged Mina to the jeepney station.

“Let’s go, Mina! We need to make the most out of this day!”

She looks like a child. I’m amazed her jaws aren’t hurting from all the smiling.

Mina fell asleep in the PUV. She couldn’t explain it but vehicles lull her to sleep. It was fairly a short ride and there was no traffic jam. But, all her thinking and anxiety caused her lack of sleep last night.