After nearly four years, finally, we’re all together again.
Maybe it’s true that friendships forged in hellfire stay stronger. A month before graduation, I realized that I loved these people more than anything else (except for my family, of course, but that’s a given) and that I’d do anything to keep us all together. I knew, then and there, that surviving the horrors of Moncada and the aftermath of treachery had given us a bond that was unlike any other.
But fate has a way of cracking horrible unfunny jokes. Somewhere along the way (on my 21st birthday, I heard), things changed and somehow we didn’t have what we had anymore. Anyway, that’s what we thought at that time, because things didn’t seem to fit anymore. Everything’s changed, and I wasn’t sure we could ever go back.
But of course I have this weird never-say-die attitude, particularly when it has to do with the band of evil sisters (sorry, Jason, sister ka na rin) I hold so dearly in my heart. And so I’ve always sort of stayed in touch with all sides, regardless of the cracks and gaps and whatnot that kept us apart. I know I wasn’t always very good at keeping things together, but at the very least, I can say I tried.
Yesterday, September 15, at a horrible place known as the Mall of Asia (I’d have it declared a solar system if I could), my wish finally got granted. Despite the crowd, the midnight madness, traffic and, of all things, school, we found a way to be together at last. Finally, we were complete.
Of course I had to go and ruin it because I’m a freaking nerd, but in any case, I can’t say anyone was happier than me last night. I’ve been working so hard for this to finally happen, because I knew that there was still a way we could at least retrieve what we had. It will never be the same again, particularly because we’re all old and decrepit now with old-people problems, but I always knew we’d love each other for as long as we could and would like to, regardless of everything that’s happened along the way.
To my bestest friends in the world: thanks for a birthday wish granted.
