They arrived at Sidney's place just as the afternoon light began to soften.
Ayisha knocked.
The door opened to Ann.
"Ay—sorry," Ayisha said quickly, bowing slightly. "Naabala ba namin kayo?"
"Hindi," Ann replied with a smile. "Nanunuod lang kami ng movie. Pasok kayo."
Ayisha and Samantha slipped off their shoes and stepped inside.
Sidney, sprawled comfortably on the couch, turned toward them. "Kamusta ka na, teh!" She paused the movie, stood up, and wrapped Ayisha in a tight hug.
"Ugh!" Ayisha groaned.
Sidney released her, laughing, then turned to Samantha. "Grabe, ang laki mo na."
She tilted her head. "Mas matangkad ka pa sa ate mo."
Ayisha immediately smacked Sidney's arm.
"Aray!"
"Tigilan mo height ko!" Ayisha snapped, arms crossed.
Sidney burst out laughing. Samantha joined in, and even Ann smiled as Ayisha continued to grumble.
Sidney then rested a hand on Samantha's shoulder. "You can stay here as long as you want."
Ayisha rolled her eyes, slipped the bag off her shoulder, and shoved it into Sidney's arms.
"Oof!"
"I'm going now," Ayisha said. "Thank you." She smiled at Ann, then shot Sidney a look.
She hugged Samantha tightly. "Don't be stubborn."
"Opo," Samantha said, smiling.
They pulled apart. Ayisha reached into her wallet and handed Samantha five hundred pesos.
"Para sa'yo 'yan. Wag agad ubusin, ha."
Samantha's eyes widened. "Ate, ang laki nito."
"Wag mong gamitin sa masama," Ayisha warned.
"Opo. Salamat po, ate." Samantha beamed.
Sidney leaned in. "Paano ako?"
Ayisha shot her a look. "Hoy. Hindi ka kapatid ko. At may sarili kang pera."
"Ang sama mo," Sidney said, pouting dramatically as she hid behind Ann though her face was still very visible.
Ann laughed, shaking her head.
Ayisha didn't bother responding. She turned and walked toward the door.
"Bye!" Sidney called out. "Wag mo kalimutan yung pera ko!"
Ayisha stepped outside, phone already vibrating in her hand.
A message from Maria.
**Pasabay ng raw chicken. Kulang daw kasi yung nandito. Konti lang naman. Salamat.**
Ayisha groaned and opened her wallet. Six hundred pesos.
"Shit," she muttered. "Ang mahal pa naman ng manok."
Her phone buzzed again.
**20 pcs.**
"Huh?!"
She dialed Maria immediately.
"Yes?" Maria answered cheerfully.
"Hoy! Wag mo 'kong i-yes diyan!" Ayisha snapped. "Bat ganyan karami? Sabi mo konti lang!"
"Sabi lang sakin 'yon," Maria said lightly. "Hehe."
Ayisha clenched her phone. 'I swear, si Maria at si Sidney pareho lang, parehong nakakainis.'
"Kaninong pera gagamitin?" she asked, voice tight.
"Pera mo daw."
"What?!" Ayisha stopped walking. "Kulang nga pera ko! Ang mahal ng manok!"
"Papalitan din daw pagdating mo," Maria said quickly.
"Eh sabi ko nga—"
The call ended.
Ayisha stared at her phone. "Ay. Bastos. Buwisit."
She exhaled sharply, then walked toward the line of tricycles.
"Kuya, palengke po."
"Special na ya" She added.
She climbed in, already tired, already counting expenses in her head as the engine roared to life.