Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Three

"Did you ask him if the so called 'priority' is synonymous to 'girlfriend?" my best friend quizzically supplied.

I love her optimism about my dilemma, but I think it won't help my situation. Bryce already has a goddamn girlfriend and I don't have the rights to complain.

"Aly, this isn't helping." I groaned before burying myself with one of my fluff pillows. "I feel like crying. May girlfriend na 'yong crush ko." my words coming out as a muffled sound.

She removed the pillow on my face and let herself fall beside me, my bed moving with her weight. Muteness embraced us while we stared at the ceiling.

"Sobrang tuwa ko pa nang naalala niya pangalan ko. Akala ko naman espesyal ako. . ." pagpapatuloy ko.

"Hindi ka naman Monde Mamon para maging espesyal sa kanya, Arcie." She jested, earning a smack to the arm.

"Kanino ka ba talaga kampi?"

She wrapped her arms around me while giggling, "Sa'yo syempre!"

Nag-mistulan akong nagtatampo pero hindi ko rin napigilan ang pagtawa ko kinalaunan. "You're the worst best friend ever, I'm firing you."

"Huh? Ano bang sinabi ko? Sabi ko ang pangit naman nang girlfriend ni Bryce. Ew! The best ang bestfriend ko! Matalino pa! Saksakan pa ng ganda."

"Ang masasaksak lang dito ay ikaw kapag 'di mo tinigil 'yang pang-uuto mo." I retorted with a laugh.

"Baka naman kasi oras na para mag-move on kay Bryce Laurel leaves na nilalagay sa Adobo."

My laughter boomed through my room with what she said. That old joke about my crush's name always get me. So, she never let that one go. Every now and then, she would throw same joke in my face.

"But I'm serious, though. Siguro naman wala ng sense na magpaka-loka ka sa kanya ngayon alam na natin na may girlfriend na siya."

Growing up in a broken family, I question the true definition of love a lot. Though, my mom and dad remained friends and never remarried, I just don't get why they didn't give their relationship enough chances for it to work out.

I even start to question my existence. Was I not enough of a reason to keep them together?

When I met Aly, I clung into her like a vine and made it a mission to make her my best friend, which I became victorious. I realized that efforts and commitment are necessitated for a relationship to smooth sailed.

I guess I won't ever really understand love.

Because if fealty is required, why is it that surrendering is also demanded?

For balance, maybe?

But how would you really know when to hold on and when to let go? How would you know if you're gripping too tight or too loose? How would you know if you're loving too much or inadequately or just enough?

Is there a common language for love?

"Arcie? Arcie!" my head rushed back to reality when I heard my best friend screaming my name. "Good God, I can hear you thinking. Give it a rest, okay? 'Diba lagi ko namang sinasabi sa'yo, na kung para sa'yo, para sa'yo, kung hindi, edi patay tayo diyan."

Muli akong natawa. The stress my deep thinking brought me rolled off my body. "I'm not sure if the quote went like that."

"Bago na, hindi mo lang alam." she mocked.

"Parang kanina lang sabi mo i-push ko pa ito tapos ngayon sinasabi mong move on na. Saan baa ko lulugar?" I jabbed earning an eye roll from her.