And Then There Were Three

Last Saturday, I promised to blog about this. So groupies (you know who you guys are), I'm not going to let you down.

It's Friday night, and normally, I'd post about my crises of the week, like my surprise Lit13 test or draining debate training, but tonight, tonight, let me speak about something close to my heart.

Hmm.. when you graduate from high school, the reality of it all doesn't hit you yet. You're going to college, leaving ICA for good, and some people you'll never see again. Maybe on that night, I didn't feel it as much as I should have. Graduation was simply a momentary separation, kind of like waving goodbye to your classmates at the end of a school day, knowing that you'll see them again soon. I guess that one of my biggest regrets is that through 4th year, I don't think I got to spend as much time as I would have wanted with my best friend or my barkada. Thank God Wyatt isn't leaving, but it's today that I really feel that my research group isn't complete anymore. :(

Last June, Resa left. I didn't realize it fully back again, probably because from a high school hangover, that it's simply the end of the day. Just the other day, as I was rushing to read some gay theories for Filipino, and I managed to encounter Resa in YM (thank heavens for modern technology! :), and despite the brief conversation, I was really glad to hear from her again. It made me remember all the good times and helpful talks we've had, and you can't imagine how much I admire her spirit and utmost brilliance. So, Resa, hang in there, girl, we'll be waiting for you when you come back. :)

One was bad enough. And today, I had to face it all over again.

TR always had the strongest spirit among us. So it really came as no surprise to me that she wanted to go abroad (Australia, to interact with the kangaroos ;p), attend a school without knowing anyone there, and going against her father's wishes. Tonight, despite her dad's still in-denial state, she's finally leaving.

As much as possible, I don't want to get sappy over her departure (but then, TR, you're porbably used to my drama, right? *winkwink*), but I really can't help feeling sad because of the spaces she's leaving in my life. Things like our Monday-Wednesday meetings or our Tiendesitas/MarketMarket shopping trips will always be fond memories. And the comfort I felt whenever I was with her is irreplaceable. She was sarcastic, and I'll never forget her dry humor, but I knew that deep down, she really cared. In other words, TR, you're really a softie inside. :)

I'm going to miss you, TR! Know that you'll do fine over there. Along the way, I bet you're going to learn a lot of new things, most of all stuff about yourself, and you're coming back here and you're going to amaze us all. :)

Sadness, yes. But as Kahlil Gibran said in his book, The Prophet:

"When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain."

And then, there were 3.