Friends

"What are you doing here?" I asked, a bit flustered. I didn't expect to see Miguel waiting outside my workplace. I don't remember ever telling him where I worked beside the hotel.

"Why else would I be here for?" he patted his car, "I'm here to drop you back home," he finished with a smile.

"How did you know I worked here?" I asked, bewildered.

"Connections," was his simple reply.

All I could do was give a hesitant nod and enter the car beside him.

I thought the car drive would be an awkward silence, but I was wrong. A piece of classical music was on and washed away the uncertainty in the air. It was a classic Beethoven play called Moonlight Sonate.

"Do you still like it? Classical music?" Miguel asked while his face was facing forward, driving.

I lost focus of the music and peered at him.

"Yeah, I still like classical music. I'm surprised you still remember, " I mumbled. I felt irritated that I suddenly felt flustered and shy.

Miguel and I were friends for almost nine months. We were practically strangers, so we conversed a lot to get to know the other better.

"What about you? Do you still like the things you did in the past?" I asked casually, but in truth, I hoped he did.

Miguel looked at me from the corner of his eye and softly smiled.

"Of course."

I nodded and continued listening to music. We started with small talk and ended up having a pleasant conversation. I still felt stiff around Miguel, but I couldn't help gradually feeling relaxed. It isn't because I still have feelings for him, right?

***

"What! I don't have those cravings anymore!" I exclaimed with a laugh as I stepped out of the car.

Miguel looked at me with a knowing look. "Ok, let's pretend that you still don't like bread with yogurt," he said with a smile.

I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. "I only had those when I was pregnant."

Miguel nodded and then looked at my house. He placed one hand in his pocket and then looked at me.

"Are you feeling better now?" Miguel asked

"What?" I answered back, confused at the question.

Miguel's silver eyes looked lighter and filled with warmth that made my heart flutter.

"Well, you looked tired earlier and stressed."

I nodded slowly, understanding what he meant. I pursed my lips and looked up at him.

"I'm...fine. Thank you for noticing," I replied.

Miguel nodded and gestured to my house.

"I should go now," he said and was about to leave, but I stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

I quickly let go and cleared my throat while hoping he did not notice my flushed cheeks.

"You can come in, you know. You've never been to my new house, plus you did help me get it, remember," I pointed out.

Miguel was silent, looking at me with an unreadable expression, but smiled.

"Yes, I remember. Thank you for the hospitality."

I nervously laughed and opened the door for him. I kept telling myself I was only doing this because I wanted to be friends with him ad forget the past, which was true...

***

Miguel slowly inspected the room as his hands ran across the tables and walls. He picked up a picture of me holding Mia when she was six months old.

"Mia was such a cute baby, right," I said with a loving tone.

"Yes. It's a shame I wasn't there during that time," Miguel dryly replied. I looked at Miguel and thought I saw a conflicted expression on his face.

He slowly placed the picture down and made himself comfortable on the sofa. It seemed that I was the only one feeling nervous.

"Would you like a drink?" I asked.

Miguel hummed in thought and asked for black coffee. I went into the kitchen and asked, "What do you see in this stuff? Black coffee tastes bitter, doesn't it?"

I could hear Miguel chuckle. "As you already know, I am not a fan of sweet things, Sasha. I like bitter things."

"We're opposite in those things. Sweet things will always be better. Once I tried to blend sweet and bitter in a coffee, but it didn't work. The opposite doesn't blend well," I said; thoughtfully as I made an express and black coffee.

"But don't opposites attract like in science."

I felt my body stiffen at his reply and my cheeks beginning to warm. I glanced at him through the kitchen door and saw him staring at me.

He smiled at me when he caught my eyes, but I wordlessly went back to brewing.

"Yeah, opposite does attract in SCIENCE," I nervously giggled.

Why did he have to go and say that? Why am I busy blushing like an idiot?

***

"Here we go. Black coffee for you and express for me," I said and placed our drinks on the table.

"Thank you," Miguel said and took a sip of his coffee. "Delicious as always."

I looked down at the coffee in my hands and mumbled thanks.

Miguel placed the coffee back down and asked boldly, "Is it alright if I paid for the treatments to cure Mia?"

I almost had to spit the coffee out of my mouth and had to cough to clear my throat. Miguel is the same in his bold and not-beating around bush personality. "*Cough* No! It-It's fine. I can-"

Miguel crossed his legs and placed his interlinked fingers on one knee. His silver eyes pierced through me with a narrow look.

"Will you let your pride get in the way? Or you won't accept this help...because of me?"

"I-I. Well," I suddenly felt flustered, not knowing what to say. This situation is an opportunity to treat Mia and get the load off my shoulder but...

"I am not doing this because of pity if that is what you think. I know how you like doing things on your own and all that, but I care about you and Mia. If I can help you, why can't I?" he explained.

I could feel the sincerity from the tone of his voice that made my heart flutter.

"I-"

I looked down at my cup, feeling both happy and conflicted. Miguel once again is showing me why I used to love him.

I looked him straight in the eye. "Thank you, I mean it. You are a great friend, and I am glad that I have such a caring friend like you." I said and gave him a gentle smile.

I made sure to say friends because there was one thing I would never allow again.

To fall in love with the same person twice.

***

Authors note

I apologize for not updating last week. I'll be updating this week on Thursday and Saturday.