October 7, 2006
Old Friend
“Wa na si Balot. Mag unsa na lang ta ani ig pista? N christmas…n semana santa…”
My sister and I cannot help but feel lonely. Our childhood friend Lotlot, is now in New York –she left last Oct 3. She finished PT, and so her future abroad is really quite bright.
It used to be four of us back home in Catmon–me, ayette – my sis, Lotlot, and her sister Lallelle. We were friends since we were small. Really. And believe it or not, we’ve done it all: laugh and cry our hearts out, ikyas sa balay ug agi sa bintana para maka laag, ligo sa KM47 na walay kwarta and walay ilisan (meaning basa mi ig uli), gatecrash ug asa nay pakals (usually at Herbert’s house every after procession during holy week), exchange boyfriends (–this, this is so true) and
make fun of him. And of course, we’ve tried fighting too, as in.
But now they’re gone. First, it was Lallelle. She left for Bahrain 2 years ago. She came home last April but went back again a month later. And now, si Lot.
So i’m writing this to express my loneliness–going home to Catmon wont be the same without her. Somehow, there’s an emptiness in me now that she’s gone. Because even when we don’t see each other often, it was very comforting to know she is here nearby..just a text away.
Ain’t life grand.
But I am not to worry..or be sad. For I’m lucky to have had a childhood friendship. They say friends from your childhood are the ones who really know you…because they saw you when you had less pretentions. They tend to judge you less, because they know where you came from, what your family really is like. And somehow, they understand you better, because they saw you when your dreams are simpler and thus understand what your heart really desires.
So I guess I’ll just look forward to seeing you again sometime. For no distance and no time, can dim this bond we have. Maybe when you guys come home…or maybe i’ll be there…whatever will be, will be.
