When The Time Is Right

Where It All Started

"Sizzy?"

"Sizzy! Gusto mo ba pumunta dito sa condo? Nagluto kasi ako ng buttered shrimp and I wanted you to be the first one to come and have a taste." Alyssa's excited voice was heard through Samantha's cellphone which caused the latter to smile.

"Aba, totoo ba 'to, Sizzy? Anyways okay, I am coming over na. Stay put ka lang jan ha. Tignan nga natin kung edible yan.. charot!"

"Haha sira. Bilisan mo na habang fresh pa 'to. Ingat ka, Sizzy." The call ends there and Samantha stood up to prepare herself before coming over to her bestfriend's house.

"Is that Alyssa again?" Samantha stopped on her tracks as Albie's voice was heard. She turned towards the guy then towards the television which played the movie that they chose for their movie night. She looked down after realizing what just happened, her palm on her forehead.

"Love, c'mon let's not fight over this.." Samantha's voice was soft and calm as she approached Albie to calm the guy down. "Alyssa's my bestfriend for years, it's only normal for me to choose her right?"

"No, Sam. It's normal for you to choose her sometimes but for it to be all the time? It's making me feel like I am competing for you! It always feels like I can't have you fully because a part of you is with her!" Albie's voice was low but you can hear the pain in his voice. Samantha heard and felt it but what can she do? She just can't go and drop her bestfriend.

"Albie.."

"Sam, do you know what really hurt me the most? You chose Alyssa over our special day. It was our anniversary and yet just one call from her and.. and you left right away. Are we really sure about getting married if you're not even fully into our relationship? Tonight is even supposed to be our movie night and here you are already leaving just because she called."

Samantha clenched her jaw. Naiinis siya dahil totoo lahat ng sinasabi ni Albie. Naiinis siya kasi kahit anong gawin niya, hindi niya talaga kayang mamili ng iba pagdating sa matalik niyang kaibigan na si Alyssa. "Albie, I have to go."

"One step out of that door and we're calling it quits." The words that came out of Albie's mouth shocked Samantha to the core. She turned her head fast towards the guy and surprise is also evident on his face but he later on projected a firm expression as if telling Samantha that he means what he is saying.

"If you are making me choose between my bestfriend and our relationship then.." Samantha swallowed hard, her eyes already glossy as she stared at Albie's eyes. "Good bye."

Umalis na nga si Samantha at hindi na nilingon pa si Albie kahit makailang ulit siya nitong tinawag. Hindi na niya napigilan pang maglabas ng hikbi habang patuloy na tumutulo ang luha galing sa mga mata niya. All she really needs right now is Alyssa's hug because when Alyssa hugs her, it's like everything is okay. Alyssa's hug makes her feel like there are no problems in the first place.

It was a surprise as to how Samantha arrived at Alyssa's condominium without getting into an accident. Wala pang kaalam alam si Alyssa sa naging away ni Samantha at Scott kaya naman dali dali na ang kanyang pagakyat para marating ang condo ni Alyssa.

Once she reached the door, she gently knocked and didn't even wait for Alyssa to fully open the door when she hugged her. Samantha's wails and sobs can be heard while Alyssa was taken aback.

"Samantha, why? What happened?" Tanong ni Alyssa ngunit wala sa wisyo si Samantha upang makasagot. Alyssa pulled Samantha inside her home and led her towards the couch to give her the hug she truly deserves. Just like magic, Samantha calmed down almost instantly.

Pinulutan na nga nilang dalawa ang buttered shrimp na gawa ni Alyssa habang si Samantha ay tinutungga ang alak na may halong iyak. "Bakit? Masama ba na unahin kita kaysa sa kanya o kahit sa kanino pa man? Ganon ka rin naman saakin eh. Isang tawag ko lang sa'yo andito ka na agad. Wala namang say si Benedix about doon. Sobrang understanding niya pa sa'yo pero bakit ganon siya? Bakit ang dali lang sa kanya magbitaw ng ganon na salita just because I didn't choose him over you?"