That Feeling [COMPLETED]

Chapter 4

"You okay?" I asked Willow when I get inside their car.

Even if she's wearing thick eyeglasses, her two eyebags are still visible, she maybe cried because of what happened yesterday.

"Oo, Lav," she smiled at me.

Kahit sinabi niyang oo, I can't still help but worry. I can't help but blame myself too, sana hindi ko siya iniwan kahapon, sana sinama ko nalang siya. Hindi sana siya naaway ng kampon ni Gretchen.

"Don't blame yourself, Lav. Wala kang kasalanan at isa pa, sanay na ako," she said without breaking her weak smile.

"Ayaw mo talagang mag contact lens nalang at..."

"Ayaw ko, Lav. Hindi naman kasalanan kung gan'to ang hitsura ko, 'di ba? I don't want to change myself for them to accept me. Ikaw nga, you stayed despite how I look like... ah... hindi ka naman nahihiya na kasama ako, 'di ba?" she spoke up, hesitating the last question.

Nanlalaki ang aking mata na tinignan siya, hinuli ko ang kan'yang tingin pero niyuko niya lang kan'yang ulo, she was guilty of what she asked.

"Willow, hindi! I would never be ashamed to be seen with you. Willow, naman! I'm your friend, awayin ka man ng lahat, nasa tabi mo ako... ipagtatanggol ka..." I softly said to her.

"I'm sorry if I made you think that way. I choose to befriend you because you are a good person, a genuine one. Wala akong pakialam sa sinasabi ng iba dahil mas kilala kita, you are a good friend and that's enough reason for me to be here with you, I don't care about your physical appearance, Willow," I added. I saw her wipe her tears under her thick glasses.

Willow is my classmate since Elementary, and within those years we became closer and closer. In those times, the reality isn't that harsh towards her, nagsimula lang ito nang tumungtong kami ng High School.

I convince her a lot of times to improve her clothes and use contact lenses instead but she always declines. Ayaw niyang baguhin ang sarili para lang matanggap ng ibang tao. Gusto niyang tanggapin siya kung ano man siya. I want that for her too, pero hinuhusgahan siya lagi ng ibang tao dahil sa kaniyang hitsura at hindi man lang naisipan na kilalanin muna siya.

"No, Lav. I'm sorry that I ask you that. Akala ko kasi masyado na akong naging pabigat sa'yo. Akala ko... n-nagsasawa ka na sa'kin kasi lagi mo nalang akong ipinagtatanggol," she stuttered between her little sob, apologetic about what she said earlier.

My Willow is so fragile. Why can't people see that? Bakit kasi may pamantayan? Why can't just people let be free in their own way of being comfortable? Bakit hinuhusgahan ang tao kung pwede naman silang intindihin.

"Hindi ako magsasawa, Willow. Kaibigan mo ako, hmm?" I softly whispered and hugged her.

"Salamat, Lav, ha? I don't know how can I survive and be in this phase without you and Atticus," she murmured.

"Aways, Willow. Kakampi mo ako lagi," I assured her.

I treasure Willow not because she is my only friend. I treasure her because she's a good person and she understands me. I appreciate her as much as she appreciates me. She's not only a friend, but she is also my sister.

"Sa bahay ka maghahapunan?" Atticus asked.

Naglalakad kami ngayon pauwi at gaya ng nakasanayan, nakahawak na naman siya sa kamay ko.

Today went normally. Aside sa dinidikit ko si Willow lagi sa'min para hindi maulit 'yong kahapon. Hindi rin naman siya pinaparinggan ni Gretchen sa classroom. Sana pirmihin niya 'yan para hindi na makasakit ng ibang tao.

"Mom and Dad will be able to go home today. Sabay-sabay kaming magdi-dinner," I said smiling widely at him.

My parents rarely go home kaya sinusulit ko lagi. I'm planning to cook for dinner later too. I missed them so much that I'll exclude my sulking towards them. I want this day ends happily!