Echavia

One time, while I was looking at my parents doing household chores and I couldn't help them with anything because they didn't let me to, I, of course, became so badly bored. My mind flew somewhere then where adventures are and new discoveries lie.

I ran upstairs and went to my parents' room, found old boxes filled with dust and "Achoo!" I reminded myself not to breathe since I got asthma ever since I was pretty little. Oh yes! I opened them and one by one, pictures of my childhood life came falling down. Among the photographs upon my little hands, was a photo of me and my best friend.

As I look at it nostalgically, memories from my colorful past came back like a love song syndrome. Such painful memories, too hurtful, I know, between me and her. Because...

I made a rift.

I always laugh unconsciously when people start comparing us as if we're sisters. When she make pigtails on her hair, I do the same thing, with small sling bags, "sandos" and even the baby powder we put on our faces and necks were too identical! Because we compromise the night before going to sleep. Hahaha!

But to me, I know for a fact, she's far better than me.

In all aspects.

She's the one who opened a new world for me where I can develop my talents, both singing and dancing, my adoration for "kalye" games and sports like football and badminton when we get the chance. She cares for me like a sister, who would comb her baby sister's hair everyday before going to school.

"I just know then that I love her."

She knows my health condition, that I cannot do extraneous works because I get breathless easily. There was even a time when our neighbor kids, all boys, were playing and I couldn't join because my parents would get mad at me. My best friend, sat beside me and watched the kids enjoy themselves.

She doesn't want to make me feel "left-out."

She's even willing to walk out of the game to be with me.

And so I love her.

Her dances were really good! She pulled me into a small dancing group in school when I was making the most polite things. I never participated in any activity for four whole years in public! I was good in controlling myself and she just broke my guard to no avail!

But I was fine with it.

"It was her, my best of friend."

We started joining dance contests, at school or in town, win or lose, we always go home cheering still and proud of our moves. She's always confident, a fighter, independent actually but she always choose, always, to stay with someone imperfect like me.

My beautiful, talented and smart friend, who always give me this sunny smile and big-big laugh that makes everyone's day as bright as her! All of us loves her so I am a jealous-lass most of the time. I want her to only be with me, at the back of my mind. But I had to share her with other people as well.

I love her much.

Then I became afraid of the day to come that our friendship might get taken by time. In a blink of an eye, without notice, the reason why I'm always careful about her, to not lose her.

I stopped reminiscing when I felt tears fall on my cheeks, I was crying now and feeling blue. Christmas was fast approaching after all! And I miss her so much. The girly person I have spent my four years with, caring for me while adoring her favorite accessories.

My only girl neighborhood, playmate, classmate and best friend, Echavia.

I made promise to not leave her and stay together forever.

But my family decided on a whim, to move somewhere far.

Early morning, my father carried me while asleep to a car.

When I woke up, we were already travelling on ship to a distant land.

Seventeen years, and I still have not seen her. I don't know where she is or

If she still remembers her old best friend, yours truly...

--whzl

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*I do not own the cover photo