What
can I say about a girl I loved since I was ten... that I love the way
she laughs at me when I commit mistakes, the way she fusses over silly
things and even the way she cries over some sad silly late night show...
She
was my best friend and I have known her since we were small. She knew
all my secrets, which reveals my feelings for her, that I love her not
only because she's pretty and smart but also the way she laughs at
everything and the way she sees life and love. I could still remember
the first time we met; I was five years old then. It was one windy
afternoon having no one to play with except for my best friend, Troy. He
and his family just moved out to a neighboring state at transfer
because his father got promoted. And so I climbed up our tree house, I
saw a moving truck coming down the street. I watched it approaching and
noticed a family station wagon following it. It stopped in front of the
house and out came a family. I was about to glance away when came out
the loveliest girl I've ever seen.
She was four years old that
time but then even at an early age she was a beauty. She had long curly
hair, which reached almost to her waist. She had fair complexion and
eyes which could make a man lose his heart into them. I continued to
watch her when suddenly she looked up and saw me watching them in the
tree house window. I was about to duck when she smiled and waved her
hand. I waved back and then watched in amazement as I saw her running
towards the tree house. So I went to the edge of the ladder and said,
"Would you like to come up?" she answered, "May I?" So I help her climb
up and when she reached the top she then turned to me and said, "By the
way, my name's Sam, what's yours?" I answered, "My name is Christopher
but then you can call me Chris." She smiled and said, "Well I like your
name. Hey your tree house's neat!" then I replied, "Thanks! Troy and I
made this. This used to be our hide out. We used to goof around, play
ball and go biking together. He was my best friend and I kind of miss
him you know." She smiled and said "I'm here now, we could do things you
do with Troy and I could be your new best friend too. I never had a boy
for a friend before so it could be exciting to have one. I could learn
how to play ball and I have my bicycle so we could go biking together.
Now how does that sound to you?" I smiled and said, "Well that sounds
good enough." Then she held her hand and said, "It's a deal then!"
So
that's how it started. So we became best friends and it was kind of
strange at first for she was a girl and there are things which I was
little bit hesitant to indulge her like catching frogs, swimming in the
lake and climbing trees, but then she tried and did everything just to
please me. There was even a time when she fell off the bike trying to
catch up with me in a race we had and I was the one who bandaged her
scraped knee. I could still remember the time when she hit the window of
our neighbor when we were playing baseball and it was I who talked to
Mr. Chambers and promised to pay for the damage, which meant having to
loose a week's allowance. I remembered the time when I fell off the tree
when I tried to rescue a little kitten because Sam was near to tears
when she saw the helpless kitten trapped in a branch. I even fought with
the tough guy when they teased Sam and made her cry and I ended up
having a black eye and a bruised cheek. I remember Sam crying as she
placed an ice bag over the damaged eye and later gave it a get-well
kiss. I did everything to please her and gave everything her little
heart desires.
The lake was our favorite hang out. We had our
Saturday swim routine. We would pack food and later eat them under the
big oak tree. There was a special branch in which the two of us could
sit together and tell each other's dreams. She dreams of being a
Ballerina and she knows my dream of becoming a doctor. She never laughs
at my dreams and pursuits even if they were quite impossible. It made me
like her even more.
As years went by, I noticed that my feelings
towards her were slowly changing. Somehow, I thought it was just a
simple crush case. But when I started thinking about her at night,
dreaming of her and having the feeling of wanting to be with her all the
time, I thought it was something different, something that made me feel
strange, but then it was exhilarating feeling. It made me feel so
alive. Whenever our hands touch, I could feel the tingling sensation in
my spine. Once when we were at the lake having our Saturday swim routine
and as I carried her towards the water edge, I had the feeling of not
wanting to let go. I just wanted that moment to continue hoping it would
never end. I then realized I was slowly falling in love with my best
friend.
Many times I tried to deny the feeling for I was scared
to imagine what would happen if ever I'd try to tell her how I feel
about her. I was scared because she might think that I'm taking
advantage of her and our friendship. I was afraid of losing her so I
just kept my feeling hidden.
We reached the age of fifteen and I
noticed that Sam grew lovelier each day. How my heart aches wherever I
see boys glance her way. I want to punch their noses as I watch them
talking to her giving compliments, flowers and chocolates. There were
times when I watch her at a distance with mixed feelings of anger and
hurt! Because it hurts so much to know that there were so many things I
wanted to tell her but then I could not do so. There were so many
presents which I long to give her but then I could not for she might see
me only as a friend. I was also scared of letting her know how I feel
about her as much as losing her.
Then one day, I just learned
from a friend that she already had a boyfriend. At first, I tried to
convince myself that it was just a rumor. Her boyfriend was Mark, a
popular senior, who was the heartthrob of the campus. She, being the
cheerleader was close to the basketball team to which Mark was the
captain. When I saw them walking together at the parking lot that
afternoon, I watched her with my heart slowly breaking into pieces. I
saw her wave at me but I just pretended not to see her for I was scared
that she might see in my eyes the pain I'm feeling inside because of
seeing her with another guy. Those days that followed where the saddest
days of my life. How my heart aches when I see her walk by me with him
at her side. Every time we meet in hallways and I see him around her,
there's a feeling inside me that makes me want to grab her away from
him. How it hurts to see the girl I long possess was now owned by
somebody else. That special smile I long for her to cast on me was now
casted on him. As she passes by me she doesn't know that I whisper the
words "God how I love you."
Then one faithful day they broke up.
She came too me that evening crying on my shoulder. They had a big fight
and it ended up with their break up. Mixed feelings were scaring me
inside. I was happy because she was free and maybe I would have the
chance of telling her my true feelings for her but then I was feeling so
bad because she is crying her heart out just for him. At that time, I
was not quite sure of what I wanted to do.
So we found ourselves
doing what we did in old days with our Saturday swim routine, spending
time in our tree house. We still enjoyed doing childish pranks for we
still are both young at heart. So many chances I had for me to confess
my feelings for her but still I couldn't bring myself to her for I was
scared of losing her once more. I once lost her, now I could not bear of
losing her again by telling her, "I love her". So I just kept my
feelings even if it was bursting to be expressed from my aching heart.
It
was a week from our JS Prom, we were seated at the branch of an oak
tree drying ourselves after our afternoon swim when she said, "I was
wondering Chris if you would like to be my partner?" It just got out of
my wits for it was like a dream I never thought would happen. It took me
awhile to answer her, "I thought there are so many boys who would die
for you to be their partner?" So she turned away and quietly said, "Well
I just thought I would like to spend that night with my best friend."
Then she continued in a whisper I could barely hear, "Don't you want to
die just like them to be my partner Chris?" I was too stunned to speak
for it came close for me to blurt my feelings for her. We… we're silent
for a while until I finally whispered, "I would be happy to be your
partner Sam. "The she smiled and suddenly kissed my cheek. I could
hardly contain the joy I felt that time. I saw her turned red and bowed
her head. Suddenly she stood up and run towards the water saying, "Last
one to reach the water treats to sundae fudge!”I ran slowed up so that I
would lose which meant having to have her with me for another three
hours or more.
Our Prom night came. I bought a new tuxedo and
poured almost the entire bottle of perfume. I went to fetch Sam. Sam's
mother greeted me and I went to sit in the living room waiting for her
to come down. I was talking to her father when I heard her say, "How do I
look?" I look up and saw her lovelier than ever in a strapless white
dress with her hair flowing around her face. I stood up and opened my
mouth but found out I could not find my voice. Then I got her hand
shakily fastened the corsage around her wrist and whispered, "To the
loveliest girl in the whole world." She then asked, "Is that true?" I
nodded and she smiled and I smiled back then I turned to open the door
for her. When we arrived at the gymnasium we hardly recognized our
classmates. Gone were the jeans and T-shirts. They were replaced with
tuxedos and gowns. Then I held out her hand bowed and said, "Would you
give me the honor of your first dance?" She laughed and curtseyed. Then I
led her to the dance floor. It was like a dream coming true, a moment
of enchantment. I was there dancing with the only girl I ever loved. She
was smiling up to me, as we were slowly moving in a smooth gliding
motion. I found myself lost as I stared down to her sparkling eyes. The
curls of her long hair were like waves enhancing her beautiful face.
There were so many things I wanted to tell her that moment. I wanted to
tell that she was the most beautiful girl that night. I wanted to tell
her that she would always be the beacon of light in my darkness, but
what I wanted to tell her the most was that I love her. I drew up all my
courage and bent to whisper it in her ear but suddenly the music
stopped and the magic was gone. I came close to telling her, but still
haven't done it.
We walked towards the table and found ourselves
surrounded by friends. I asked her if she wanted a drink, she nodded and
so I went to get one. It took me a long time to get one and when I
returned to our table, she was gone. I asked her friend, Katie, where
she was but she told me that she doesn't know. So I went to search for
her. As I was searching for her, I reached the garden. There I saw two
silhouette figures outlined by the moon's silvery light. They were so
close to each other that I could never describe the feeling I had when I
recognized the white dress that Sam was wearing that night. I just
turned and left the gymnasium.
Since that night, I avoided her.
Many times she tried talking to me but I never gave her the chance to do
so. I was afraid to hear her say that she loves Mark and not me. I
would rather have left in ignorance of her true feelings for me than to
hear from those dreaded words and feel my hope crush and my heart break.
I didn't return her calls. I would not see her if she comes into our
house. In the hallways, as she approaches I would go to another
direction. It also hurts to do those things but then I thought that was
the best way to forget her. Those months were tormenting but still I
kept my pride.
The day of our graduation came. I was planning to
take up medicine at a neighboring state and was to move out the next
day. As the program ended, she approached me and handed me a rose. As
she stared at me, there was something in her eyes I couldn't describe.
There was sadness in them and when she smiled it wasn't the same smile
she had. I wanted to hug her at that moment, tell her that I love her
but then she turned and walked away from me.
So I moved out the
next day as I planned. Luckily, I was accepted at the university. I
concentrated with my studies but still I think of her at night. I was
always wondering if she thinks of me too. I tried hard not to think of
her but still I could not stop myself from loving her. Each achievement I
have was done for her. I thought that if I will be successful one day, I
would be able to tell her that I love her and by that time, I'm worthy
of having her.
It was a year after our graduation when I decided
to return home and see her again. I thought a year is too much for me
not to see her and during the past year I felt like a person lost in the
desert and only the sight of her could quench the thirst I have inside.
As I got off the plane, I went home directly, desperate to get to her
house desperate to see her, to hug her. Then I would tell her that I
missed her and that I have loved her for a long time. This time I am
determined to let her know my true feelings for her and I could not
contain anymore the love I have for her. I reached their house; I saw
her elder sister and I approached her. I smiled at her but I noticed she
didn't smile back. I was confused for she used to be a cheerful lady
just like my dear Sam. I then asked, "Hi Jen! I guess you're surprised
why I'm here. Well I just want to visit you and I was also hoping to see
Sam. I kind of miss her you know. Mmm… by the way have you seen her?"
All I saw was sadness in her eyes as she replied quietly "Come follow
me."
I was confused with the way she's acting but still I
followed her. As we were walking, I was trying to indulge her in a
conversation but she just answered my question briefly. Then I realized
that she was leading me to the direction of the lake. It was still the
same as I left it, with the same oak tree, Sam and I used to climb up. I
smiled upon remembering the kiss Sam gave me when I agreed to be her
partner. It's been one of the happiest days in my life and I realized
that I missed Sam more than I thought. Then Jen stopped walking and
pointed to the tree. She then whispered, "There's Sam."
I looked
at where she was pointing and saw a newly dug tomb with the name of the
girl I ever loved. I could not believe at what I saw and desperately
tried convincing myself that this is all just a nightmare and I would
soon wake up. I stared at Jenny in disbelief with her eyes searching for
explanations and she slowly started saying, "It has been a week since
she died. She died of Leukemia, but even though she was sick, she never
stopped thinking about you. It was even your name she uttered before she
died. She asked us to bury her here for she always regards this place
as a place of LOVE. She said that this is where she had spent the
happiest days and that was when she was with you. By the way, she also
asked me to give you this." She handed me a parcel and with that she
left.
I slowly opened the parcel and saw that it contained the
dried orchid from the corsage I gave her for our prom. Then at the
bottom I saw a letter. It was dated last month. I opened it with shaking
hands and started reading........
******************************
I
know… by this time you read this letter I'm gone. I just want to tell
you that I feel very lucky and thankful to God that I had a friend like
you. I would also like you to know that I had left something inside,
something I kept from you all these years. I love you Chris, not in a
friendly way but as one who would feel like spending the rest of my life
with. I have always loved you even from the start. I guess it just
bloomed each day that's why the happiest days of my life was… when you
were by my side. You just don't know how I dreamed of you at night and
wake up in the morning and dream no more for you were with me. When you
were away, I can't stop crying because I was afraid to think that you
are with another girl. I just can't bear to see you with another girl. I
just want you all to myself. I may sound selfish but that's how I feel.
Each
time, you held me close to you, was like a dream coming true, for to be
close to you and feel your heart beating next to mine was like heaven.
So many things I did so that you will learn to love me but I NEVER saw a
hint. I did everything to please you because I love you so much that I
even tried to fool myself that you're in love with me too. So many
nights I've cried when I think of myself unloved by you. Well you might
think that what I'm saying are lies but, I tell you, my heart speaks the
truth for I cannot bear telling a lie to the one I love. I know you
might be thinking of Mark; but I just did that to make you jealous, to
make you see me as a young woman, capable of loving and not as the
little girl you used to play with. Sometimes I imagined that you were
jealous and fooled myself that it was a sign that you feel something for
me too. When Mark and I broke up and I came crying, I just did that to
know… how you would react and with that I'll know that you love me too.
But I failed for you didn't give me any clue. When our prom night came,
you just don't know how happy I was when you handed me the corsage and
saying that I was the loveliest girl in the whole world. While we were
dancing, I wanted so desperately to hear you say that you love me too
but you NEVER did. When Mark came and pleaded me to give him a second
chance, I was scared that you might see us talking. I didn't want you to
get the wrong impression so I told him we would talk in the garden.
There I explained to him that it's you whom I really love.
What
happened next was that I found you missing and later learned that you
were searching for me, I just concluded that you saw us together. The
next day, I tried to explain but then you never gave me a chance to do
so. You continuously avoided me and never knew how much pain I've
experienced that time. I felt the world crushing on me. In our
Graduation day, when I approached you, I wanted to tell you… how much I
loved you but I decided that I just couldn't do it. I could not bear to
hear that all you feel for me is just brotherly hand of love. For I want
you to love me as a woman and not as a girl or playmate. So I just
turned away and left.
Now that saying I LOVE YOU might be too
late, but still I want you to know that I will always love you and my
heart has always been and will be yours alone.
P.S.: Think of me sometimes... and always remember that loving you was the best thing that ever happened in my life.
************************************
I
felt my tears falling as I folded the letter. I wanted to shout out to
let her know that I love her, if not as much, but more than she did for
me. I love her more than anything in this world. I knelt touching the
soil of her grave and rain started to fall. I continued crying softly
and whispered, "Oh God, send my love to heaven."
DISCLAIMER:
I am not the original author of this story. I just posted this on my
blog to keep this as a treasured collection. SO please refrain from
commenting about the integrity and the honesty virtues.
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