A week has passed and here I am, paying my debts to the lady who lent me her money.

I knocked on her door and smiled when she opened up.

"Hey. Was I too loud? Sorry." She said and popped her bubble gum again.

I could see from the outside that she has this mini-recording studio and a guitar sitting on the floor.

I shook my head and extended my hand containing the money I borrowed from her.

"Ah. I just want to pay my debt last week. You totally saved my ass out there." I said sincerely.

She looked at me then at my hands then took the money.

She did not bother to count it and shoved it into her shirt.

"Hindi na kailangan but thanks anyway." She said.

"Ah, if you want any help, you can just knock on my door. The second one on your left." I said.

She adjusted her spectacles and nodded, her high ponytail bobbing with her.

"Oh. May bagong resto nga pala malapit dito. Have you tried it? Maybe we can go out tonight for some dinner." I suggested, trying to stop the awkward atmosphere.

Her eyebrows instantly raised when I mentioned about it.

"Isa pang tanong mo, iisipin ko type mo ko. Hindi tayo talo, bru." She said and rolled her eyes.

My jaw dropped open in shock.

I do not know what to say!

There was an air of silence before we burst out into hilarious laughter.

Tears even formed in our eyes as we laughed harder in realization.

"Oh my God! Sa akin talaga nanggaling yun?" She said and wiped the corners of her eyes before returning her specs. "Madonna, btw. You are?" She introduced herself.

"Sheila." I said and we shook hands grinning .

"Oh, sorry about my manners! Pasok ka bru!" Madonna enthusiastically said before she locked the door behind me.

After our weird yet fun encounter, Madonna and I became close.

Clarinet was out of the picture for quite some time because of a predicament she currently has.

Clarinet has to stay with her ophthalmologist as she was being closely monitored about her eyes' recovery.

Me and Madonna would occasionally hang out and it was her who pushed me to pursue my Masters degree.

And now, here we are in front of my laptop as we cross our fingers while waiting for my entrance exam and interview results.

From: the Dean of Graduate School of Boulevard University
To: [email protected]

This is to congratulate Miss Shaniah Ella Suarez for passing the interview.

We are looking forward to seeing you become a successful businesswoman under the mentorship of our professors.

You may call our Registrar's Office or go to our website for other inquiries.

First Semester starts this August 15, 2017.

Thank you and God bless!

With that said, both Madonna and I squealed in happiness and jumped up and down.

"Omg, bru! I'm so happy for you!" Madonna exclaimed and hugged me again.

"I knoww! Thankkk you, bru!" I exclaimed, my face almost cracking because of my wide smile that wouldn't go away.

"Mapupush thru mo na din ang business na gusto mo!" Madonna commented as soon as our excitement died down.

I nodded speechless.

My mind is getting too advanced.

I am just starting my post graduate journey yet I am already daydreaming of putting up my own small business!

I am elated.

"Huy! Gising! Kung andito ka, Shei, igalaw mo ang baso!" Madonna's voice boomed in my ears and I have to pull back in surprise.

"Kaloka ka naman, bru!" I complained and shook my head.

"Eh kung bago ka magdaydream dyan, umpisahan mo munang planuhin ang gagawin mo sa opisina nyo. Magsend ka ng schedule ng MBA mo sa immediate superior mo at HR para macredit sa sahod mo. " Madonna suggested and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Yup. Will do all those things next week. " I nodded in agreement.

Gosh! I will be a busy bee starting next week.

We spent the rest of our Friday night doing a series marathon in Netflix.

"Ano pinagkakaabalahan mo pala, bru, bukod sa pagkanta? Do you do covers on Youtube?" I asked out of the blue while we were seated on my couch and waiting for the next episode to start.

"Nope. Wala sa plano ko pa yung cover cover na yan." Madonna shook her head. "Attend attend lang ng gigs para sa extra income.. But other than that, waley na. "

I nodded and bit on the stick-o.
"I see. Nacurious lang. Churi naman." I giggled shyly and we continued watching the series.

We got engrossed with the kdrama and when we looked at the clock it's almost 1am!

I yawned and looked sleepily at Madonna beside me.

Her head was hung over the couch and her mouth was slightly open when a ladylike snore escaped from her.

I wanted to laugh but I do not want to wake her up so I switched off the tv and set my phone to 9am.

I am planning to enroll tomorrow and buy some things at the bookstore on my way home.

Geez! I am starting to love this independent life!

I just hope I can keep this up!