A Letter To A Friend の小説・ストーリー

Praning na rin ako. "Alam kong hindi, Grantt. Sa style of typing palang, alam kong hindi si Greel iyon. Pero how about the letter from him, ha? Sigurado akong galing sa kanya ang letter na iyon, sulat kamay niya iyon!" Greel is a romantic guy who often writes me love letters, especially on our monthly anniversaries or when he's feeling affectionate. I recognize his handwriting so well that I can tell he wrote that letter.

Napalunok ako. Hindi na ako kaibigan ng mga 'yon pa. Friends don't forget each other. Nagkawatak-watak kami noong ibang school na ang pinasukan. Siguro kung maaga kong itinigil ang pagkontak sa kanila ay mas maagang naputol ang koneksyon namin. I was always the first to reach out to them. My messages are their reminder of my existence. Kaya noong itinigil ko, nakalimutan na ako.

"Ako, kilala mo? That's impossible; I never had a friend. Maliban na lang siguro no'ng bata ako." Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but I'm starting to feel comfortable with Myra. Nasasagot ko ang mga tanong niya na hindi nahihiya, hindi pabulong o pagalit. "Let's not dwell on things we can't recall. Mag-focus na lang tayo sa ngayon. I like you and I want to be your friend. Wala akong pakialam kahit tumutol pa ang mga bully o ang buong universe!"

I cut him off with a stern command, "Shut up and just don't mind me, will you? Go, get out of my room." "Okay, have a good night, bro, and don't be a coward," he teased as he exited, leaving me to grapple with the unsettling mix of nerves and anticipation. What had possessed me to venture into uncharted territory, writing a letter for someone I couldn't help but be drawn to? Can I do this? Damn whatever get on yourself man! I can do it no matter what and whatever it takes!

(Mahal kita, kaibigan ko. Napangiti ako ng mapait sa aking nabasa. Words of encouragement like this aren't helping me anymore. Marami na rin akong nabasang iba pa ngunit wala na talaga. I typed a response and sent it to her. From: Hugh McConaughey Thank you. 'Yang uyab mo ang asikasuhin mo. I'll be fine. Umiling ako pagkatapos kong makatanggap muli ng reply galing sa kanya. Hindi raw niya uyab ang lalakeng bumuhat sa kanya kanina. Tsk! My friend is Manhid.

From: +639********* Magsumbong ka at madadamay ang pamilya mo. From: +639********* Kilala mo na ba ako Jazz? I'm one of your friends. Just look around the circle and you'll find me. From: +639********* How does it feel to see your dreams slowly drifting apart? I envy you Jazz. Nasa kamay mo kasi nakasasalay ang sana ay kinabukasan mo. Kaya lang, ayokong maunahan mo. I'm one of your friends, by the way.

Tinitigan ko ang huling mensahe niya kagabi na puno ng mga pa-fall na salita. Nanginginig ang aking mga daliri, pero bawat letra ay itinanim ko ng may kasamang matinding galit. Nag-type ako ng isang solong pangungusap ang mensahe na alam kong magiging huling tuldok sa kung ano mang mayroon kami. “Don't ever contact me again.”

Kapag siya na mismo ang humanap sa‘kin because I'm still waiting for him. I gave him a letter na pinaabot ko kay Aiken. Umaasa ako na kapag nabasa niya iyon ay mauunawaan na niya ang lahat at puntahan niya ako. Pero wala pa rin. Hindi ko alam kung nabasa na niya o wala na talaga siyang pakialam sa‘kin.

Pero hindi niya pa ako kilala ng mga panahon na 'yon? I was confused. And the only thing I wanted to do that time was to open the letter so I do it. I want you to be my boyfriend this summer. If you're in, go to my place. Napaawang ang bibig ko. How I wish I never read it. Was it supposed to be sent randomly? Is this some kind of joke? Why would she send a letter asking someone to be her boyfriend? But two words caught my attention. This summer... This summer...

"Sige po. Pero lola… magpapaalam po sana ako kasi imi-meet ko po yung friend ko mamaya. Hindi po ako makakasabay ng hapunan. Kung okay lang po..." Dahan-dahan nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ng Reyna. "It’s okay, Adee. But who is this friend?" "Ah… Kaibigan ko po at the same time ay katrabaho ko rin po siya. Wag po kayong mag-alala. Mabait po ‘yon tsaka saglit lang po ako."