Petrichor

"Oh, damn when is she going to end his lecture? I am hungry!" Mya talked to herself. She has her eyes half opened and that makes her look much alike Garfield, the lazy cat. She keeps checking on her watch. It is already 40 minutes past 12 noon. There is not even a single sign of Miss Mirinda to end her lecture any time sooner. Miss Mirinda is the research methodology expert and has been teaching for 35 years now. But that never makes her passion fade away. The whole class know about her outstanding teaching experience records and some awards she had won locally and internationally, making the whole university proud of her outstanding achievements.

"Okay! I am going to give you guys a-ten-minutes break before we resume on to the tutorial. Please be back on time!"

It is such a moment of glory right after Miss Miranda announced it and not even a minute some of the students have vanished from sight rushing their way out to refreshen themselves. But some remain in the class including Mya.

Vibrate from her mobile phone startles her. Oh, text from Bianca her best friend.

"Mya, it is Saturday night. Let us hang out for coffee after class. And plus today is Valentine's Day, could be a great night to make new friends ❤️!"

Well, a great idea indeed. Mya smiles and replies her text.

"I am on it, B! 8 pm? Come and pick me from home later. See you 🌹".

"Easy guys! Let us move on to tutorial."

***

"In a minute!" Mya shouts from her window. That familiar honking sound is certainly Bianca's. She needs to do a final touch on her face, which is the lipstick. Nars, her favorite.

"This colour could never go wrong. Okay, done!"

She rushes down and almost slip her steps from the staircase.

"Be careful darling. Do not be home too late. Send my regards to Bianca," her momma says as she gives her a goodbye kiss.

***

"This place is so crowded even on Valentine's Day. Why are they not opting for a quiet and romantic place?" Bianca mumbles as she looks on the menu.

Mya chuckles and continues contemplating on what to eat.

"Just let them be. Order quick so that we can eat. I am starving since my research class" Mya responds to Bianca's rant.

***

"This fish and chips tastes good compared to the last time we were here." Mya takes the last bite before she sips the juice that she has ordered.

"Ya, mine also tastes great." Bianca reacts positively as well.

Bianca and Mya have been friends for almost two decades now. They went to the same highschool, been a choir member, and even attended the same university, coursemate, classmate. Inseparable. But Bianca decided not to further her studies after graduating. She works instead. As for Mya, she got a scholarship to further her Master Degree, and will work with the government after graduating, which is in another six months from today.

They talk about so many things that night as if they have not met for years. It is never been good without the laughter too.

"Do you remember the guy I told you before? The one who has been courting on me for 6 months now?“ Bianca breaks the silence in an instant.

"Ya, I do. What is with him this time?" Mya asks her.

"He is actually asking me out tonight. And you know what, I said yes! But, I told him that I am bringing you along with me. And to my surprise, he was cool with that."

Mya almost choke from her sips.

"Are you sure? I do not want to be the third wheeler. You better send me home first B."

Bianca gives her the sweetest smile, as always.

"Do not worry about that. There is nothing special between us. And plus, you are the closest to me, a sister. I do not think it would be wrong for you to know him too. Finish your drink and let us get out of here. We are going to your favourite place."

"Waiter, bill please."

**

Bianca really knows how to let Mya stays entertained. She purposely brings her to her favourite place to hang out. Because she knows Mya will might get bored when she is busy talking with the guy.

It is already the second hour of Mya's favourite band playing by the time they arrive at the pub. Never mind though, it is going to be fun.

Not long after they settle themselves, Bianca's friend arrives.

"I am so sorry to keep you both waiting. I am supposed to come with my best friend but he will be a bit late. He had long meeting with his client this afternoon so he asked me to go first. I think he will be here within an hour. His house is just few minutes away from here."

" It is okay. We have the whole night. Right Mya?" Bianca asks and gives her a wink too. Mya smiles and nods back.

"Oh, ya! Mya, let me introduce to you. This is Derrick. And Derrick, this is Mya."

"Nice meeting you." Derrick says as they exchange a quick shake hand and hug thereafter.

"Sorry, I need to get this. Give me a minute." Derrick says as he picks the call from his phone.

***

Mya gets so over the top as her favourite is on play by her favourite band.

"Mya, Derrick's friend is here." Bianca whispers into my ear.

"Where?" Mya finds no one as she turns to check upon Derrick's friend. So she makes another turn to enjoy the song.

"Sorry guys, I am late. I owe you guys drinks. Please allow me give you treat."

That voice sounds so familiar to Mya. It gives her a real heavy pump to her heart. She repeatedly does the deep inhale and exhale but seems she forgets how to.

"Mya, this is my friend. Landon." Derrick taps on Mya's shoulder.

***

"Hi, Mya. I am Landon."

Mya gives Bianca the longest deep meaningful look. She tries to say words but none come out. Bianca nods her head, to give her a sign, to shake Landon's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Landon. I am Mya. Mya Bozita. How are you?" Mya looks down right after that.

A familiar face, voice, and that never-changed-way-of-staring. It seems like someone from the past that Mya may know. Will he remembers the way she recalls?

***

"Mya, Derrick and I are going to the dance floor! Join us later or stay here with Landon."

Mya is half listening as her mind has brought her somewhere.

Somewhere to recall. The past.