"Since when did you turn racist?" Sana eyed Eve up and down suspiciously.
"Racist? Hell no. It's just that, remember him? John Lee? That dude that I would have gotten married to when I was like twenty one? Yea, that guy. His family were real sons of a bitch back then, and daughters too. Sons and daughters of a bitch."
Sana's face remained in a calm position and even Clarissa waited for her to come to her conclusion. Clarissa was the first to talk after Eve was done.
"So in a nutshell, you won't help me?" She pointed out.
"Of course she will! She's not that stupid." Sana remarked.
"Hey, that's not fair--" Eve cried out but Sana went on.
"This dude might not even remember you. Honey, it's been years back. You will help Clarissa anyway that you can, yes or yes?"
Eve puffed up and frowned her face but finally, she agreed. "I'll let you know by next week if my plugs can do anything."
Clarissa's face brightened up. "Thank you, thank you!"
Sana leaned forward. "Great. Um, while you're at it..." Her fingers curled around her hair as she fumbled nervously with it.
"What is it, Sana? I know that look." Clarissa said. Eve had snuck out again and was back with something inside a chips bag. Maybe it was chips, Clarissa didn't know.
"I want you to try the test again, but at my hospital. I don't trust the Santiagos, like I've said before." She was keeping a straight face now.
Clarissa sighed. She wanted her to find out again how miserable her life was. How she was able to be born into this world but won't ever be able to have a kid of her own as well. It caused a sharp pain to ache in her chest, but she knew Sana was only trying her best.
"Okay." She said at last. Her friend instantly brightened up.
"Great! We'll go this Saturday then. I'll be off my shiftSaturday morning. This is really great news."
Clarissa watched how Sana was even more excited than her. And a smile lit up on her face. "I've missed you," she found herself saying. Sana smiled back just as easily.
"Also," Clarissa said. "I think it's time I met with Jared. Clearly not because I want to get back or anything."
Sana's face toughened. "No. For what though? Now that I think of it, I think you should meet with him to finalize the whole divorce so he can know that you two are done for this time. I'll get my lawyer involved. Promise me that this time, you'll take care of yourself and forget about him?"
She looked too serious for Clarissa to try and joke with so she just nodded. "I promise, Sana."
"When is Mira coming back anyway? I've missed that little ass--" Eve said and quietly corrected. "Fuck, I mean, that little angel. I've missed that little angel."
Mira was Sana's daughter. Clarissa had seen how big 'little Mira' was now on Eve's phone and was catching up to the latest gists. Sana lost her husband, Austin, back when they were all still friends, over five years ago. Since then, she had never been on any date as she still held feelings for her late husband. Clarissa remembered him, his cute cheerful smiles all through the day.
Austin had died after an unfortunate plane crash on his way back home from a business trip.
"She's with her grandma. Austin's mother. You know how that woman is." Sana replied.
"True. Once she says Mira is leaving her side in a week, just know she won't let her go until at least a month has passed." Eve said.
"At least Mira is happy there, right?" Clarissa smiled.
"Sure thing. She should be coming back next week though." Sana said.
Eve quickly added. "That's if your mom doesn't come to take her too. Remember how she complained back then about her wanting her grandchild to spend more time with her?"
"Well I'm bringing her home first. I'm sure Clarissa must be eager to see how big Mira is now. She's turning 9 next month." Sana said.
"Wow. That's wonderful, Sana." She envied her life sometimes. Sana was a strong woman and had raised Mira by herself without Austin there. "I can't wait to meet Mira."
Saturday came sooner than Clarissa had expected and she had to be forced out of her bed early by Eve to drop her off at the hospital. Eve claimed she had a date so she left before even meeting Sana.
Clarissa only waited shortly before some nurses came to attend to her. Sana came a little while later, guiding her through everything that needed to be done, from all the necessary tests, then even down to payment. She was to come back on the third day of her menstrual cycle for a blood test, which Clarissa had already begun, so their next appointment was on Monday.
"I'm so happy things are going fine, Rissa." Sana said to her as they walked out of the hospital. She had wanted to get some fresh air so they decided to walk to the bus stop to take the bus home.
"Honestly, I'm happy. I can breathe and relax well. It's all thanks to you and Eve." Clarissa said with honesty.
"You took the chance to recreate your life, Rissa. Say a little thanks to yourself as well. You know what? Let's go get something to eat. Or just anything to buy. I know a store around here." Sana held her hand and was leading her towards a small supermarket she usually shopped at.
They were smiling and giggling like they used to in their first years in college whenever they gossiped about boys. Truly, everything was going well for Clarissa. She had to be strong and face all of the difficulties entangled around her workplace. Eve would help, and she was pretty influential. Once she is able to get to Sun mi's agency, then that was just half way through the problem. Then, she would have to figure out a way to persuade them--
The supermarket was smaller, compared to the grand ones at Sana and Eve's area, but it seemed pretty crowded. She could see through the glass window, only, someone had caught her eyes. He looked so much like...
"Hey, is that Jared?" Clarissa tapped her friend and pointed towards that direction. He was busy attending to customers with his face looking tired as hell. His uniform looked big on him as he'd grown a bit skinnier, with his hairstyle a lot messier, but still...!
Sana scoffed. "Nah. I don't think so." She said, doubting her own words. "I mean, why would Jared be working as an attendant here? Let's go inside to confirm."
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. "Oh, it's Eve." Clarissa said.
"I'll head in to confirm while you pick up--" Sana said but Clarissa cut her off.
"It's fine. Let's go in together. I'll just pick her call first." Clarissa was not going to admit it, but if that really was Jared in that uniform...she could feel her heart breaking for him already. She never really had a problem with him. She just hated the way he let Desdra control his life and decide the future for them as a couple!
She heaved in a deep sigh and picked up. Again, she didn't want Sana to see Jared like that if that was him so she would distract her from going in.
"Hey Eve--" Clarissa felt an uncontrollable joy and she jumped up in excitement. "What! Oh, I'm so happy, Eve!"
Sana looked confused. "What did she say?"