The chill of the air and the dampness of the grass brushed against my feet as I stepped out of the house.
It's the first day of January 2025, and the New Year's Eve festivities have come to an end.
The once-bustling house has fallen silent, a stark contrast to the laughter and noise that filled it just hours ago.
I surveyed the surroundings, my gaze catching the remnants of last night's celebration-scattered debris littering the ground.
A small smile formed on my lips as memories of the previous night came rushing back.
The warmth of family togetherness lingered in my heart.
Although we weren't complete, having my cousins join us made the occasion joyous nonetheless.
My reverie was broken when my mother approached me, already dressed and ready to leave.
"You're really not going to the year-end party at the church?" she asked, her eyes curious but understanding.
I shook my head and chuckled softly.
"No, Ma, I'm fine here."
She simply smiled, bid me goodbye, and left for the event.
I watched her retreating figure, feeling a strange sense of detachment.
These gatherings no longer excite me as they once did.
Perhaps it's the exhaustion from last night, or maybe it's this dull ache in my stomach that refuses to go away.
"Te, you're just here?" my niece's voice pulled me back to the present as she approached with a playful grin.
I nodded and offered her a small smile, turning my attention back to the scenery.
"We're really going to miss this, aren't we, Te?" she remarked, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
"Yeah," I agreed, my tone soft.
She hesitated for a moment before calling my attention again.
"Te?"
"What is it?" I replied, glancing at her curious expression.
"Why do you have so many friends?" she asked, her tone innocent but laced with genuine curiosity.
The question caught me off guard.
Me? With many friends? I blinked, trying to process her words.
"Ahm... I don't know," I said with a small laugh. "Maybe it's because I like making friends, and I'm naturally easygoing."
She nodded thoughtfully, her gaze wandering before settling back on me.
"Did your friends fight with you or something?" I asked, studying her face for any signs of distress.
"No, Te, not at all," she assured me, laughing softly.
"I've just noticed how many friends you have at school or pretty much anywhere. What's your secret?"
Her question made me pause and think.
A "strategy" for making friends?
"Ahm... maybe it's because I'm talkative and can't help but smile at people-even strangers." I answered with a laugh.
"I just love exploring different things about people, and maybe that's why."
She nodded again, her smile growing.
"I've never thought to ask you this before, Te. It's interesting."
"Well, now I'm the one getting nervous," I joked.
"It's my first time being asked this question!"
Her laughter filled the air before she shifted the conversation.
"Last question, Te. What's your definition of a friend? And how do you know if someone is fake or genuine?"
I turned to her, surprised by her sudden depth.
What could have prompted such a profound question from someone so young?
"For me," I began after a moment of thought, "a true friend is someone you can be your real self with-someone who accepts you for who you are. As for spotting a fake friend, you'll feel it. There's a certain energy about people that tells you if they're being genuine or not. Trust me, I've encountered both types, and I've learned to respect everyone regardless. But a true friend? You'll know when you feel their sincerity. It's unmistakable."
She nodded thoughtfully, her gaze distant as she processed my words.
"Wait," I teased. "Were you really fighting with your friends? It's okay, you know. Arguments between friends just show that they care enough to work through things."
She laughed again and shook her head.
"No, Te, I swear. I'm just curious!"
"Ahm..do you prefer having lots of friends or just a few close ones te?"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Honestly, both," I said.
"I enjoy having many friends, but I also value the quality of close, meaningful friendships. It's like choosing between sugar and salt-they may look the same, but they serve different purposes. Just remember that when it comes to friendships, quality always matters more than quantity."
Her young face lit up with understanding, though I could tell she didn't fully grasp my metaphor.
She nodded enthusiastically nonetheless, her innocence shining through.
As I watched her turn her attention back to the horizon, I felt a quiet sense of joy.
I've always loved making connections with people-learning about their thoughts, their stories, and their views on life.
It's a privilege to experience the diversity of human nature.
The soft glow of the sun began to rise, casting a warm light over the surroundings.
A sense of gratitude filled my heart as I silently prayed, thanking God for another year of blessings, challenges, and growth.
Here's to a new year-a chance to love, learn, and live fully once again.
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Non-FictionLife often presents itself as a series of hurdles, each one taller than the last. These hurdles, though daunting, are not meant to break us but to shape us into who we are meant to be. It is through our darkest nights that we gain the strength to fa...
