FRIEND OF MINE (2nd Generation HUGS)

Chapter 1 -Seems Like Yesterday 'HO OH! GO BELLA!' 'Para sa akin ba yan Bella!' I glance at Arzel who is just a few meters away from where I am standing. We are at a music lounge together with our other friends. We get together sometime although hindi na kami nako-complete unlike before when you were young as others has their different lives to live narin and are busy but everyone make it possible somehow na makasama parin paminsan-minsan and makapag-bond sa bawat isa sa second generation. 'I know who that song is for!' I shake my head shyly then smile timidly at Zinnie who sat beside Areszel and Luna. 'That song is for me, right Bella!' I gaze at Triton who raises his canned beer that made me shake my head again. After I am done singing, I put down the microphone as my friends roar and some whistles then I settle back to where I am seated which is beside Triton. 'Bakit hindi mo tinapos? Do you remember him again?' I slightly punch his arm before I take a sip of my martini. 'Shut up, you pig.' I look around us to check if someone might be listening to us pero mabuti na lang ay everyone seems busy with what they are doing. I heard him laugh out loud. 'Sayang! Kulang na naman tayo ngayon! Hindi na tayo na-complete since childhood!' everybody glances at JV. 'Masanay ka na JV! We will never be complete again! May mga kanya-kanya ng buhay ang lahat so what would you expect! We're lucky Bella's here tonight even if may jetlag pa yan!' Arzel said before puffing his cigar. 'I always try naman to be with you guys as much as I can. But you know, sometimes work can be so demanding.' I explained. Actually I just came back from the States, business as usual. And they are right, umuwi lang ako sandali sa mansion then head straight here to be with them. From the time Daddy made me the CEO of Smith International Group, I seldom stayed here in the country and traveled a lot. Even if our main office is located here in the country, I still have to be elsewhere from time to time. Daddy still manages our seafaring business, but the resorts? He gave the entire responsibility to me the moment I stepped out of college. Kaya naman if may ganitong bonding and get together ang second generation then I am in the country rin lang naman ay sumasama talaga ako sa kanila. We are all included in a group chat called 2nd Generation HUGS where we get to be updated about everybody's lives kahit pa malayo kami sa isa't-isa. 'Sing another song Ate Bella! Request lang please! Minsan ka lang namin makasama kasi!' Zinnie gingerly requested. 'Ayoko na! Kayo naman! Kanina pa ako kumakanta kaya!' 'I will sing the next song!' All of us look at where the voice came from. I am literally in awe and in shock the moment I saw him standing at a wide open door. Ang alam ko kasi ay nasa ibang bansa pa siya and he's told me that he will come home next month pa. It's been almost a year since the last time we two have seen each other. 'Kuya Ziggy!' Zinnie runs toward her brother and bears hug him tightly. Our other friends also walk to him and greet him. I, on the other hand, just remain seated and just stares at him. Hindi lang ako makapaniwala na he is here now, my mind has suddenly stopped circulating at nakatitig lang ako sa kanya. He had barely changed. Ganon parin siya from the last time I saw him. He is still wearing his nerdy glasses na sabi niya sa akin matagal na that he will start using contact lenses. He still has this clean cut boyish hair and his formal outfit that always made him look like a nerdy teenager from the neighborhood. And, his facial features never changed. He is still this drop dead simply gorgeous human being that looks so kind and sweet and charming and adorable na para bang si Clark Kent lang ang dating. 'Bakit hindi mo ako pinapansin, bestfriend? Aren't you glad to see me?' he stood beside me and his deep voice filled the room. I saw Triton grinning mischievously before drinking his canned beer that I want to punch his nose until he bleeds. 'I didn't notice you kaya. It's kinda dark you know.' mataray kong sagot to him. 'You're not a good liar princess. Now give me a hug as if you have missed me a lot.' He smiled at me first before I stood up and extended my arms to hug him. 'I miss you bestfriend.' 'Parang hindi naman kaya.' I gently punch his broad chest and he laughs louder. Then he let me go and looked me straight in my eyes. His bluish emerald eyes bores deeply at mine with utter amusement. 'Tama na yan! Baka maniwala na kaming may something talaga to the both of you!' we both stare at Arzel who is grinning madly like the lunatic he ever is. 'Kanta ka na Kuya Ziggy!' Zinnie and Areszel cheered him in unison. 'Let's catch up later. Kakanta muna ako para sa princess ko.' he gently tucked some of my loose hair behind my ear before heading at the front. 'I thought you weren't at the country. Sabi mo mga next month ka pa makabalik.' we are at my car at pauwi na kami. He let Zinnie drive his car home sa village para daw maihatid niya muna ako pauwi. Since malapit lang naman ang mga homes namin at the same village rin. 'Why do I have this feeling na parang hindi ka masayang nakita mo ako? That you are not happy and thrilled that I am here now in the country?' he just glanced at me for a second then eyes back at the road. 'Silly cow. Anong pinagsasabi mo jan, bestfriend! Of course I am glad to see you after almost a year of not seeing kahit shadow mo. I was just shocked to see you tonight since I knew talaga na wala ka dito sa country.' 'I have a month-long vacation that's why I have decided to come home. Besides, I miss everyone. Matagal narin akong kinukulit ni Mama to go home because she misses me na raw so much. Also Zinnie and Dad.' 'Talaga lang ha?' 'Oo kaya! So? How's everything about you? You seldom talk to me about what's been going on with you recently sa mga chat natin. It seems you are quite busy palagi.' 'Wow ha! Nagsalita ang hindi nagkukuwento! Ikaw rin naman kaya hindi mo rin ako sinabihan about sa mga happenings sa life mo recently.' I pouted that made him laugh again loudly. 'Ang cute mo talaga bestfriend everytime you pout. Dalasan mo ang pag-pout mo para palagi kang cute sa paningin ko ha!' 'Cute are for girls, you silly cow. I am not cute kaya! I'm pretty!' I adjust myself and lean at the window. 'Yes you are pretty. That's your name right? Pretty Bella! Hahahaha!' I punched his arm that made him laugh even more. Then after a while he stops. 'But seriously, how's life going on?' 'Business is fine, nothing new to tell. Same pa rin naman na hectic schedules and travelling through and forth plus busy with conferences and meetings and stuff. About my personal life? Same pa rin also, walang naman mga bago sa akin. Just like you, I am on vacation right now kaya umuwi ako pero paalis rin ulit ako maybe after a week or so.' 'And what about your... Lovelife?' napatingin ako sa kanya. 'What about it?' 'Nagkabalikan na ba kayo ni Troy? The last time we've talked you have mentioned that Troy is trying to win you back. Has he succeeded? Has he won you back?' I gaze intently at him at nainis ako because he is teasingly grinning while looking straight ahead. I inhaled deeply before releasing the air. 'Nah. Troy and I are already done, matagal na. I don't want second chances, alam mo yan. He had his chance before but it didn't worked out. Besides, mahirap rin kasi since palagi akong out of the country and siya naman is also busy with his modelling career. Ang hirap kaya ng long distance relationships. Isa pa...' I pause. 'Isa pa ano?' sumulyap ulit siya sa akin. 'You still can't get over that longtime crush of yours? Is that it?' mabuti na lang talaga at madilim dito sa loob ng car because I can feel my cheeks are burning, I suddenly blushed. 'You know what! I still can't figure out who that longtime crush of yours is. Ayaw mo naman kasi sabihin sa akin who he is while ako naman is so open to you about anything.' 'Eh bakit ba kasi gusto mo pa na malaman about him! Hindi ba pwedeng I have a crush for a long time at gusto kong sarili ko lang ang makaalam about him? Period.' 'Gusto ko na tuloy isipin na ako ang guy na yun, bestfriend. That I am your longtime and ultimate crush. Ako ba siya princess?' he stares at me because the traffic light just turned red. He is all so serious then minutes after ay basta-basta na lang that he burst in laughters. 'Huwag kang patawa jan, Ziggy! Ikaw? Longtime and my ultimate crush? Jesus Christ! Lord Almighty! Hahahahaha! Magugunaw na lang siguro ang mundo ay malabong magka-crush ako sayo no! In your dreams Zeus Genesis Reiz Jr.!' I amusely utters. 'Eh sabi mo kasi before that you knew him way back since childhood days pa natin! So maybe ako yun! Sino pa ba ang super close to you but me right?' I raise an eyebrow at him. Calming my stupid heart that is beating radically. 'Don't worry princess, hindi ko naman pagkakalat sa mga friends natin if ever ako nga ang ultimate crush mo. Hahahaha! Saka, that's absurd Bella! Hindi kita type kaya! You are so skinny at hindi kita papatulan jan! So just keep on dreaming na lang! Hahahaha!' 'How dare you Ziggy! Ang kapal-kapal talaga ang mukha mo! You cow! The nerve of you to say that to me!' I cross my arm in front of me dahil talagang my heart is pounding hard. Nahalata na ba niya na siya nga ang ultimate and longtime crush ko? Oh my gosh! What will I do if he already notices it? 'Hindi lang ikaw ang kilala ko since childhood Ziggy, mind you! There's Arzel for one. And Triton, JV, Thunder and Lightning! So don't assume too much! You're not my type also kaya! Hello! I hate guys with nerdy glasses, you don't fancy me!' 'Uy! Defensive bestfriend? Hahahahaha!' hinampas ko ang arm niya ng malakas. 'Pikon! Hahahahaha! You're more beautiful when you're angry, bestfriend!' 'Ewan ko sayo! You talk to yourself!' I decide to remain silent to subside my raging heartbeat. 'Uy galit na siya agad. Galit ka na niyan princess? Galit ka na agad sa ever handsome bestfriend mo?' he start tickling my side. Ganyan siya kapag nagtatampo ako or naiinis ako sa mga pamimikon niya sa akin. He will tickle my side hanggang sa mawala na lang ang irritations ko sa kanya. 'Saka ayoko munang pagtuunan ng much attention ang love issues na yan. I want to focus sa business. Eh ikaw? How is your lovelife?' hindi naman kaagad siya nag-respond kaya I look at his way. I saw him blushing like a teenager. His cheek and ear are crimson red dahil narin sa mga lights ahead of us. 'Well?' I ask impatiently. Half of me wants to know why suddenly he became like the color of a tomato. May girlfriend na kaya siya? Sa tagal ng pagkakakilala ko sa kanya ay never pa akong nakakita or nakarinig that he had a girlfriend. He had crushes which is a normal thing to feel, but the serious thing? None that I knew pero wala pa talaga akong nabalitaan na nagkaroon siya ng girlfriend ever. Sa aming dalawa, ako pa nga ang slight secretive than him. So kung nagka-girlfriend na siya ay for sure, I will be the first to know. 'I've met someone...' biglang naging unbalance ang stability ng body ko. Something in me ache that I tried hard to push it away. Ang kaninang radical beating of my heart had tripled. I silently cleared my throat because parang may bumara all of a sudden dito. 'And?' 'She's coming over this week. Ipapakilala kita to her, bestfriend. I want you to meet her first.' my heart literally breaks into pieces. 'Seriously?' my eyes are about to water but I castigate my emotions so I won't be too obvious na nasasaktan ako sa sinabi niya. 'Well she likes to meet Zinnie and Mama, also Dad. I often told her stories about them... And about you.' I really beg myself not to show my true emotions. To mask my dismay and to pretend to be joyous in front of him. 'Really? You must be so fond of her! She must be something as well! So matagal na kayong dalawa?' I knew that this time would come sooner or later. Because things like this are inevitable. Pero mas masakit pala kapag you've finally known the truth sa tao mismo that is important to you. Is she pretty? Ano kayang nagustuhan ni Ziggy sa kanya? Sexy ba siya and tall? Is she kind and lovable? Is she a girlfriend material? Does she love Ziggy that much just as the way that I... I stop before ending the question inside my head. 'Almost a year. I've met her at the office.' he proudly announced. 'Wow! Tagal narin pala! Why is it that hindi mo siya na-kwento sa akin the last time we've chat?' `We had an argument that time so hindi ko narin nasabi sa'yo about her. Anyway don't worry best friend, you'll get to see her personally once she arrives in the country.' I just fake a smile. I need to fake it. I am just alone now at the mansion with our maids. Daddy is not around. He is in the Northern part of the Europe Continent with some business gatherings. Tita Coreen is with him so solo lang ako now dito sa mansion. My siblings Core and Ezra are at their respective abodes although Tita Coreen wanted them to stay here instead but they wanted to live independently. I am in my room and just done with my evening rituals. As I look at myself in front of my make-shift dresser, a smile flashes at my lips when I see my only collage frame standing at the side. Several pictures ang nakalagay sa frame. Childhood pictures of Ziggy and I together to be precise. Kinuha ko ito and marvelously look at it one by one. It seems like yesterday, how intact we were with each other and how often we were together during those times. Time really flies so fast. Before when we were young, we used to play at the village park or take a swim at the clubhouse. I remember the first time he taught me how to play basketball. He let me wear his favorite jersey and patiently taught me how to play his favorite game. We have a picture of that moment na kasama rin sa frame na hawak ko now. 'Good old memories with you, bestfriend.' I smile bitterly. I never thought I'd feel something more for him. I never saw it coming. All along as time passes, what I have thought was just an infatuation to him eventually grew bigger and wider. Honestly, the real reason why I have ended with Troy and with our four years relationship was because of him, because of Ziggy. Because I don't want to pretend anymore. I won't want to pretend anymore na si Troy ang para sa akin when I perfectly knew deep inside of me that he is not the one that I want and the one that I need. Pinipilit ko sa sarili kong si Troy ang the best man for me and that he is all that I needed but habang tumatagal, napapagod na akong magkunwari. I try to feed my mind and my heart that Ziggy and I are best of friends, that friendship lasts longer than lovers do. That what we have is stronger than a boyfriend-girlfriend thing. But the more I push myself to believe that, the more that I realize what my heart truly feels for him. At first ayokong i-entertained ang nararamdaman ko for him because I knew that he saw me as his dear friend and a sister. Pero ang hirap pala na itago ang lahat. I can pretend and hide it to everyone around me pero sa sarili ko ay hindi. Through the years, I came to love him more than just a friend. Through the years, I see him from a different angle and have valued him more in a very special way. Mahirap since it is just a one-sided feeling. Ako lang ang nakakaramdam ng kakaiba for him. We don't share a mutual feeling when it comes to this matter. I am just the one who is feeling this love for him. Lalo na ngayon that he has already met someone special and he was obviously excited pa kanina when telling me the details about his girl at sa plan ng pagpunta niya dito. 'Fairytales just happen in stories alone, Bella. Better wake up and smell reality. It is much better if you end everything now than suffer a more painful and dreadful heartache in the future.' I place the frame back on the dresser top. I remember something that I have read in a book once with the title "Loving My Bestfriend". Naka-relate ako talaga. When I was a kid, I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea of falling in love with my best friend. It seemed like some grown-ups love to talk about and even my own parents included, but when you're a kid it's just a baffling idea. For one thing, I didn't have any male best friends as a kid except him, and though I might not have hit puberty at that point, I definitely knew that when it came to falling in love, I fell on the straight side of the road. Plus, all of the stuff I did with my best friend wasn't exactly the romantic-walk-on-the-beach-kind-of-a-thing or watching-movies-while-cuddling-together I expected to encounter in my romantic life. But in a way, I now get it that it is but natural to fall for your best friend. After all, who else knows you better right? There are pros and cons and that is... When you fall in love with your best friend, it can be the best thing in the world or the worst thing in the world. If they love you back in return, it can feel like the sky's the limit and it is like a fairytale happily ever after come to life. But if you love your best friend and they don't feel the same way towards you or perhaps you are scared enough to share your true feelings to them, just like me, then it can most likely feel like hell. Like you are eaten alive by flames or being hit by a 10-wheeler truck. That was devastating. I shake my head to free my mind sa mga naisip ko. Hesitantly, I walk towards my bed and pray for sleep to envelop me instantly and take me to dreamland. ------,--'-,-'-{@