Part 2: and She Said YES

As I was writing this, I was staring at a bear can – full of love letters. It’s been a while, I still can remember me collecting stationery and choosing the best design for a very special person in my life. I remember the days when cellular phones were not yet so in, and all we had was a landline. I remember spending hours daily with her. I remember those times when Uber and Grabcar haven’t existed yet, and all we had was jeepney. I remember those days … when life was simple yet hard.

Yes, love letters. My heart was pounding whenever I receive a love letter from her. I can’t remember the day and time, but I clearly remember the very moment when I proposed to her – if she could be my best friend forever… I wrote her a letter… It took a day before I received her answer, a common friend of ours handed over a sheet of paper – that was not the first letter that I got from her, but that was the first time that I couldn’t open it without praying first. Oh God, what if she said ‘no’? I was afraid, I could tell. I was excited, too.

And yes, yes she said YES! And since then, I didn’t have to go through things alone. I know God has been with me in every step of the way, and having Ate Aicel, is such a sweet, sweet bonus. Finally, I could talk to someone tangible when things were rough. Finally, I could have a shoulder to cry on when I felt like giving up. Finally, someone could somehow control me in a way that is not smothering.

Ate Aicel is my exact opposite in so many ways. She is humble and meek, I was wild and proud. She is conservative. I was wild and proud of it (disclaimer: this was before I met Jesus). Ate Aicel didn’t have time for boys, I didn’t have time that I didn’t have a man around (disclaimer again: this was before I met Jesus). Ate Aicel has so much love to give, and I was a taker and selfish.

High school life wasn’t easy. My parents were striving to give me 20php daily. I had to work on someone else’s projects to earn so I could work on my own’s. I had to not eat so I could pay for school miscellaneous. I remember our yearly class picture, to which there were two shots – one with serious faces and one with wacky faces. I wanted to have both and keep them, but I couldn’t afford 25php each, so that’s a total of 50php. I remember that year when I gave up the thought of having to keep a class picture. Ate Aicel paid for mine. I didn’t ask her to, but she just knew me so much, and she just loved me that much. It was a simple gesture, but to me, it means a lot and that was one of the things I couldn’t forget. I got to keep a class picture because of her. I have it now, here with me. I kept it… I didn’t know and until now, I don’t know still what she had to give up for me to have my class pictures.

There were days when I really couldn’t go to school because of fare – we didn’t have money. Ate Aicel would pick me up, and would sometimes bring me home. I couldn’t say ‘no’ to that, because I really wanted to go to school. I remember nanay would always say, “Kung di dahil kay Aicel, baka di ka nakatapos ng high school,” – which is true.

Every day, I would call her or she would call me. I still memorize her phone number haha! We would talk and talk about stuff which we both knew already, hours daily.

I was in and out of short-term relationships. Ate Aicel did not approve of most of the men I clung to. Yet, she never stopped loving me. Never did she judge me. She was quiet but I could sense when she would want to say ‘no’. And when it was time for the man to go, I would never hear Ate Aicel saying, “I told you so.” She would just be with me, cry with me, and go out mall-ing with me.

Ate Aicel patiently taught me how to play guitar - More Than Words, Gitara by Parokya ni Edgar, Before I Let You Go, Leader of the Band (intro only haha!), and a lot more.

Ate Aicel and I share families – I love her family and mine loves her. We see each other every now and then.

Our friendship has been tested over the years. But she didn’t give up on me, and I don’t want to give up on her, as well. She’s just so special, so special and I never would want to let her go. 

I remember our J-S Prom when she was so worried because I didn’t have sandals and I was part of the cotillion. I remember when I joined the Digital LG Quiz contest on television, for the very first time, and my parents couldn’t be there because of budget, Ate Aicel’s full support did suffice. I remember our sleepover. I remember so many things, so many… 

I also remember Ate Aicel’s first crush, her first heartache, her first suitor hahaha, those days when two men wanted her so much – I still remember their names lol! I also remember Ate Aicel’s first serious relationship, the first man she introduced to her family, the first man that I approved, the first man whom she dated, the first man whom she married, the father of her children. I remember her wedding day. I was crying, tears of joy. My best friend, finally. I knew that day I did not lose her. I felt that our friendship won’t end there. I love her so, and I want her to be happy.

Things are not the same now. We don’t get to see each other daily. We don’t talk very often. But I can say, that she still is the very best friend I have ever had. She loves me, all of me. She has seen my best and my worst, and she loves me still. She loves me despite my flaws. And I know she will love me until the end.

I met her in high school, and tomorrow she’s 32. I want the world to recognize her birthday. May 22, 1986 – a very special girl was born. A girl who is selfless and kind. A girl whom I love so much. I always thank the Lord for you.