The difference between Mikha and Guest was impossible to ignore.

Mikha came from a wealthy family. She never had to worry about rent, groceries, tuition, or whether there would be enough money left at the end of the month. Guest, on the other hand, worked almost every day after school just to help her family get by. Yet somehow, Guest was always the one spoiling Mikha. It could be something as simple as her favorite snack, a cute keychain she had saved up for, or a small gift she bought after spending weeks putting money aside.

"For you," Guest would always say with a smile.

Mikha knew Guest couldn't afford expensive things. She didn't care about that. She loved every little thing Guest gave her because she knew how much effort went into it.

But there was one thing Mikha couldn't do.

Help Guest financially.

"Let me pay your family's electricity bill this month," Mikha said one evening.

Guest immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Mikha, please. It's nothing to me."

Mikha sighed, staring at her.

"You work yourself exhausted just to take care of everyone. Let me take care of you for once."

Guest looked down, quietly shaking her head again. "I don't want your money."

"Why?" Mikha asked

"Because I love you. Not because you're rich."

Mikha went silent.

Guest smiled faintly before pulling a small paper bag from behind her back. "I bought you something."

"Mikha blinked. "You bought me something?"

"Yeah. Your favorite." Guest smiled.

Mikha stared at the bag, then at Guest. "You won't let me spend a single peso on you, but you'll spend your hard-earned money on me?"

Guest shrugged. "I like spoiling you."

"You're impossible." * Mikha said.*

Mikha laughed softly, but her expression soon became serious. "Then promise me something."

"What?" Guest waited.

"Don't ever think you have to struggle alone just because you don't want my money."

Guest looked at her quietly.

"I won't force you to accept anything," Mikha continued. "But I'll always be here. Not because I think you're poor. Not because I feel sorry for you."

She gently held the little paper bag.

"Because you're important to me."

For once, Guest didn't have an answer.