Sincerely, Jayvee

05

It was May, our graduation day. The end of something, and the start of everything else.

"Jayvee, I have something to tell you."

You suddenly held my hand as you pulled me outside the gym after the graduation ceremony was done, and the crowd was still buzzing with excitement and celebration.

My heart stumbled, as I followed without a word. It was the first time you ever held me like that.

"Sandali lang—"

I wanted to stop you, just for a minute, to pull out the small gift from my pocket... the one that I had been keeping since that christmas.

I wanted to tell you everything... to say those words I'd practiced only in silence.

That moment, I thought, bahala na.

But before I could… you stopped. Your hand slipped away from mine. I watched it... how it leaves mine so easily, and found its way into his.

"Anong meron?" I asked, as if I didn't understand what was happening.

Stupid me. It was too obvious, Jayvee.

You took a deep breath. "Kami na!"

That's when I felt the hard slap of realization... I had missed my chance.

I didn't even ask. I didn't even try. But somehow, I had already lost… before I even made a move.

And since then, I watched your love grow like spring itself, it bloomed as time passed.

I knew then… I was just the best friend.

But what if I had held your hand a little longer?