Accidental or providential?
This was the query which I raised upon realizing that yesterday’s meet up with my college best friends, Francis and Soc, occurred once more after three years (check on related story at https://wanderingjouster.com/2012/09/17/our-saga/). Texting Francis about it, he kidded that he actually planned it that way. I laughed but I was sure he’d also give this cited notion a centavo for his thought. Anyway, I decided not to make a fuss about this personal observation. What matters was being together again and this time, we’re with another good friend who had finally popped up 23 years after our college graduation. With Luzviminda Ramos-Valeriano around, our 2014 mini-reunion became more fun-packed.
Hailing all the way from Nueva Ecija, Luz eventually proved to us her missing our company sooo much. Well, she had to walk her talk that she’d show up despite living far. We jested that she had no reason not to come since Francis came all the way from the US of A just to be with us.
From Racks, Luz suggested to do one of our favorite jamming sessions – karaoke singing! We quickly recalled those days when they’d go to our house in Pandacan, Manila and hold an ala-Bagong Kampeon (New Champion) contest. A really good singer just like Francis and Soc, Luz has the “it” to make it on stage. And what about WJ? I am their number one fan, but if pushed… ehem… I might belt out a song or two. Hahahahaha.
We spent an hour inside the videoke room. It was really short for us but we couldn’t extend our stay at Mall of Asia since we mothers (especially me!) had to be in our house at a certain time. Sigh! Why does time fly fast when you are having fun?
Taking a short stroll along the bay, we maximized our remaining minutes by giving more updates about each other. I walked side by side with Francis, while Soc had Luz beside her. This scene was reminiscence of our days at Philippine Normal College (now Philippine Normal University). You see whenever we walked together, our beautiful amistad (friendship) is revealed for we were guided by Albert Camus’s famous maxim: “Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
Simple words to live by but had a strong impact to us four in sustaining this bond which has continuously battled against time, distance, and personal dogmas.
