Nothing can bring the hurt of loneliness upon my heart so swiftly as to see a lifeless friend and witness through the glow of lighted candles and bunches of flowers, the family that surround and grieve in silence together.
At this moment, all that are left in my heart of this departed friend are but beautiful memories we have shared, that few have ever known.
On the day that she came along as my co-teacher in Jamog Elementary School, we readily became close because of the many things that we have in common. I like her presence in my life for many wonderful reasons I can't simply forget. I found in her an ever loyal and sympathetic partner, a good companion and confidant who can stick to you through thick and thin.
I have always counted her friendship as my valued asset. Her gentle ways that warms, and her friendly smile she always wore, brought cheer to our lonely existence and lessened our homesickness, being like an exile in that far-flung rural world.
We waded the rustling narrow creek and splashed the water,
We tip-toed on the creaking, and swinging hanging bridge and wiggled like toddlers;
We trekked the weedy farms and muddy rice paddies, then trampled the fields of huya-huya and suyak that scatter,
We climbed the slippery hill, slid and tumbled down, then nursed our bruises and pulled out our salugsog, together.
Once we tried back riding on a carabao in going to the barrio for a bilasyon,
We sat pretty on the carabao's back on a "Miss High and Mighty" fashion;
We waved our hands like beauty queens on a float to every onlooker,
But when the carabao climbed the bank we fell off and the pupils rolled on the ground in hysterical laughter.
We picked ourselves up and brushed off the sands that were clinging,
Then hand in hand we slowly walked while writhing and limping;
Together, we headed toward the house of the manoghilot and healer,
Who luckily happened to be my godfather.
When Corazon Tajanlangit was pregnant, ultrasound was in obscurity,
We did a pustahanay as to what will be the gender of her baby;
The penalty for the loser was to call the expenses for a get-together party,
We lost in the betting including Corazon herself, so off we went to the city.
While we were eating in the restaurant, there came an old lady,
She offered a himalad for five pesos only;
Just for fun, we extended our hands jokingly,
Seeing Edith's palm, she said that she will lose her life partner so early..
We went on a pleasure trip to Mindanao with Hayde,
While getting ready to travel, her Mama cried;
Because of the big maleta of clothes she carried,
Her mother thought she was leaving to get married.
Then came the Christmas season, we went on a daigon,
Because we wanted to raise funds for the stage construction;
While we were singing "Whispering Hope" loud and clear,
Tito Pert behind Edith, was whispering a love song into her ear.
My love-struck uncle asked me all about the object of his affection,
What is her favorite color, favorite food, her taste and her disposition;
He urged me to go with him downtown to pick out the gift he'd offer,
Because he was head over heels in love with her.
So it came to pass, in the advent of Spring,
When the birds, with their love songs, start to sing;
On his lady love's finger, Tito put an engagement ring,
And that was that: a love team blossomed on a BSP-GSP Camping.
But one day Tito came to our house with anger, so red,
He blurted, "That friend of yours is so hard-headed!"
He recited a litany of complaints, but when his oration ended,
"I understand her", I calmly and softly commented.
My simple remark made him even madder,
He yelled at me, "She is your friend, so you side with her!"
He slammed our door and left, grumbling like a rapper,
Indeed, she is my friend, so I know the truth of the matter.
She is my friend indeed, so her mind, I can read,
As we lay down the bamboo floor of the teachers' cottage;
In muffled whispers, our pent-up emotions we freed,
And unearthed the problems we grapple with courage.
In the still of the night, we bared our deepest longing,
We shared our heartaches and untold pains we were concealing;
We confided to each other the secrets we had long been keeping,
We dampen our pillows with our tears till dawn is breaking.
Their petty quarrel did not last, for the tempest was done,
By the setting of the sun, school children to their homes were gone;
Like the stalking moon, Tito appeared and announced to everyone,
That once and for all they'll tie the knot and unite as one.
When I gave birth to my first-born not long after,
I chose Edith as one of my child's godmother;
Because I want our relationship to be much closer,
And make the bond of our friendship last forever.
But I realize, nothing can bring back our days of splendor,
The time has come for the inevitable departure;
I have to let go of the one I fondly treasure,
And let her follow the divine light leading to Our Creator.
Our Lord in His infinite mercy,
From all pains and worldly troubles has set her free;
And has summoned her affectionately,
To joyfully join Him in glorious eternity.
Now, in her reunion with Our Father in Heaven,
I am sending her off with my ardent prayer as precious token;
I utter an affectionate , sweet farewell to a dear treasured friend,
Farewell, my one-time sister in profession, my special friend, kumare and aunt.
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