Past Island: Regrets and Guilt (Past Series #1) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 18: The Depth of Friendship

|| Raiver's Point of View ||

Sitting by the edge of Past Island, I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to the days of my childhood, back to the days when Marco was still with us. Marco was more than just a friend; he was like a brother to me. Losing him was the hardest thing I ever had to face, and even now, the pain of his absence felt as sharp as ever.

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// Flashback: Memories with Marco //

Marco and I met when we were just five years old. We lived on the same street, and our parents often brought us to the same playground. One sunny afternoon, as I was struggling to climb the monkey bars, Marco came up to me with a big smile.

"Kailangan mo ng tulong?" he asked, extending his own small hand to me.

"Salamat," I replied, and with his help, I managed to reach the top.

From that moment on, we were inseparable. We did everything together, from playing tag to building forts out of old cardboard boxes. Marco had a way of making even the simplest activities feel like grand adventures.

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As we grew older, our bond only deepened. We faced life's milestones side by side, supporting each other through every high and low. One of the most memorable experiences we shared was getting circumcised together. It was a rite of passage in our culture, and we decided to face it as a team.

"Kinakabahan ka?" I asked Marco as we waited for our turn.

"Konti," he admitted, trying to look brave. "Pero kaya naman natin to, diba?"

"Oo, kaya yan," I said, feeling a bit more confident with him by my side.

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After that day, we joked about our bravery and how we had become "real men." It was a bonding experience that brought us even closer. We celebrated our newfound status with ice cream and laughter, the pain already forgotten in the joy of our friendship.

Then came the teenage years, filled with crushes and heartbreaks. Marco and I had our first girlfriends around the same time. I remember how excited we were, sharing every detail of our budding relationships.

"Ang cool niya, pre" Marco gushed about his girlfriend, Anna. "Pumunta kami sa sinehan at nag holding hands!"

"Nice!" I replied, equally enthusiastic about my own relationship with Sarah. "Nag kiss kami kahapon, Pre." I added, blushing.

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Through every breakup, Marco was there to offer a shoulder to cry on and words of encouragement. When my relationship with Sarah ended, I was devastated. Marco showed up at my house with a bag of chips and a movie, determined to cheer me up.

"Kalimutan mo na yon, Pre," he said, handing me a tissue. "Di mo yun deserve."

"Salamat pre ah," I said, grateful for his unwavering support.

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We also talked about our dreams for the future. One night, as we lay on the grass, staring up at the stars, Marco turned to me and said, "Gusto ko maging architect. I want to build something that will last."

"Ang gandang pangarap niya yan, pre," I said. "Buti ka pa, ako kasi hindi ko po pa alam eh."

"Okay lang yan," Marco reassured me. "Malalaman mo din yan. Sundin mo lang kung ano tinitibok ng puso mo."