"Beach, please."
Sighing, I was looking at my throwback beach photos on my iPhone.
Matagal-tagal na rin yung last kong punta sa beach. I really wanted to go back. Yung tambay ka lang. No work. No stress and bullshits. It is true — it can give you peace.
And then.
Notification from Maqui Farr-Jose.
Wow.
Hala, grabe. I miss her.
Juliiieee.
She replied to my Instagram story.
Maquuuuiiiiii, I misss youuuuu. Agad-agad ko namang sagot.
In just a few seconds, I received a reply from her. And, it made me so happy.
Uuwi ako sa March. Beach tayo. Pwede ka?
Yes. Omg, yes. I super miss her, and I know I gotta answer yes.
Yes, Maq, sige. I'll block a week on March from my schedule. Sabihan mo ako ng exact date, agad ha?
Sobra-sobra yung excitement ko. As in.
Maqui — she's my bestfriend. She's still my bestfriend. Nagkatampuhan kame, yes. After Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars ended, I was one lang retained to be on Sunday PinaSaya. There's no word fight or fight itself, wala, pinili lang hindi pag-usapan. Little did I know, naging gap na pala between us.
But, we talked.
The very reason why she got really mad was when I made wrong decisions. Sa life, sa love, sa career.
Sa life — I chose to forget Elmo. Ayaw niya non. She's a big JuliElmo fan. It wasn't easy for her to become the bridge. Sabi niya, we should keep the friendship. I chose not. Sa love — I chose Ben over everything. And, everyone. Ayaw ni Maqui. Ayaw ni Mommy, ayaw ng family. Maraming may ayaw. But, love eh. And, ako, gusto ko. So, sabi ko, no one can dictate my decision. Sa career — I chose to give up my love to the fans. Dati, kayang-kaya ko naman sakyan yung mga trip nila eh. Kaso, bigla akong naging sensitive. Ewan. Kaya ayun, hindi ko namalayan, Maqui chose to leave.
But, that was all in the past now.
I remembered Maqui sending me an iMessage when she heard about the breakup. Clearly, tutol nga talaga siya. Kinamusta niya na lang ako bigla, and I felt it, bumalik na yung bestfriend ko. I was so glad. I am so glad.
February 2019 came.
Maqui started updating me with details. Na-excite naman ako.
I received an iMessage.
Maqui Farr-Jose: Juls, we'll land March 16. But, Gino and I have errands, so, we'll go on the 25th. That's Monday. Alis tayo ng night para hindi traffic. Uwi tayo ng 31st. You okay with the dates?
Hala. Ang tagal pala. Pero, pwede na rin. I miss the girl. And, the beach.
At, balak pa ata akong gawing third wheel ng loka.
Keri with the dates, Maq. I'll tell Mama and my handler na din. I'm super excited to see you.
I replied.
Tayo lang bang tatlo nila Gino? Ready ako maki-third wheel.
Pahabol ko pa.
Oh. I forgot, Juls. I also asked the Tikis.
What. Tikis? Edi ibig sabihin.
Owow.
I mean, wow.
