Garden of Words (Compilation) | Completed

12 - Friends Don't Lie

Dedicated to: scarletberryy

“Emma, may crush na ako!”

Me and Emma had been best friends since kindergarten. Our friendship was built hardly that someone can’t destroy, not even the most challenging obstacles life could throw at us.

“Weh? Talaga? Ikaw magkakagusto? Weh ulit!”

Napatawa ako sa naging reaksyon niya. Hinila ko siya papunta sa kama ko para magkwento. Pumunta talaga ako sa kanila para sabihin lang na may crush na ako.

We are now at our high school phase and to have a crush is really overrated.

“Oo nga, hulaan mo!”

Kita ko ang gulo sa mukha niya. Kasunod no’n ay ang pag-iisip sa kawalan.

“Clue,” tanging nasambit niya.

“Taekwondo player.”

With that simple clue, agad niyang nahulaan kung sino.

“Oh...my...goodness. Si Erlton?”

I can’t describe her reaction right now. Pero hindi ko na pinansin iyon sa sobrang saya. It’s my first time crushing on someone. And I think it’s the best feeling I have ever felt.

“Hindi ba medyo close kayo? Tulungan mo ‘ko, please?” I didn’t hesitate to ask.

She stiffed for a while but smiled at me afterwards and nod. And she really did it. Successful ang paglakad niya sa aming dalawa dahil naging kami nga ng first crush ko.

Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. Sa sobrang saya, nilibre ko talaga ang bestfriend ko sa paborito niyang kainan.

“Thank you, Emma, the best of all the best!”

And guess what?

Me and Erlton had been together for three years. Hindi ko akalain tatagal kami. And Emma was always there, the consistent third wheel in our relationship, cheering us on, offering advice, and being the supportive best friend, I could always count on.

Me:
guess anong araw ngayon.

I texted Emma with that.

It’s our grueling week of exams feat my birthday. I decided to surprise Erlton with a visit. I haven’t seen him as much lately because of our busy schedules, and I missed him.

Tinignan ko ulit ang message kong hindi pa nabubuksan kaya bumiyahe nalang ako papunta kina Erlton.

As I approached his apartment, I saw my best friend's car parked outside. A smile crept my face.

I-su-suprised siguro ako ng mga ito. Ang cute talaga.

I quietly let myself into the apartment with the key Erlton had given to me.

I heard voices coming from his bedroom. Na curious ako, at the same time na excite sa kung ano man ang isu-surpresa nila.

As I neared the door, I recognized Emma’s voice and then my boyfriend. They were talking softly, and then, to my surprise.

Not the surprise I was expecting.

I saw them laughing, the kind of intimate laughter I thought was reserved only for me.

With my heart pounding, I pushed the door open. There they were-my best friend and my boyfriend -sitting too close on the bed, their hands intertwined and almost kissing.

“A-ano ‘to?”

Nauutal ako sa gigil at inis na nararamdaman.

“Edra, I...” Erlton stuttered, pulling his hand away from Emma.