RAFAEL

MY BEST friend, Yumirah, loves sweets. Every time she sees chocolate, para siyang in love. Her eyes are sparkling and her lips can’t stop forming a curve. I even tought once that she loved it more than me. Psh! I don’t wanna feel jealous, but I can’t seem to help it.

But . . . my love for her’s always been greater than any other emotion I feel, kaya whatever makes her happy, hindi ko ipagkakait sa kanya. Kaya nga patuloy ako sa pagbibigay ng Hershey’s chocolate, na naging favorite na niya.

Maaasim ang hilig ko, hindi matatamis. But the first time I tried this chocolate, para akong na-love at first sight. I don’t wanna sound exaggerated, but with Hershey’s chocolate, I’ve done better than I ever did in my life. Kapag tinatamad, it only takes one bite for me to become enthusiastic and motivated again. Since I started eating it, I’ve never felt lost again.

Mas mahal ko na ang pagsasayaw, mas sabik akong gumising sa umaga’t pumasok sa school, mas madali nang tapusin ang school works, at marami pa akong napansing magagandag pagbabago sa ‘kin. I’ve become more productive, happier and more truthful to myself, especially about who I really am and . . . what (or who) I really want.

“I love you,” I told her, watching the strands of her long hair dance with the wind. I hate her for being “this” beautiful, for making me love her more. “I always have, Mirah.”

She averted her gaze to the blue sky when she saw something in my eyes. She smiled before refocusing her eyes on me. “Of course, you do. We’re best friends, remember?”

Oh, that. She said it as if I forgot. Tandang-tanda ko ‘yon, kaya nga nahihirapan ako. “This” . . . what we are right now, our relationship – if I can even call it that – isn’t what I’ve always wanted. Being best friends, staying that way. It made my head ache and my heart break. I’ve wanted more than this. More than friendship.

I stared into her eyes for a few seconds, trying my best to make her read what was on my mind. That made her feel uncomfortable, so I decided to speak before she could look away. “That’s not what I mean, Yumirah… I love you more than you think I do. I… I…”

“Then what do you mean?”
I wanted to tell her everything, but the words seemed to get stuck in my throat. I swallowed hard, clenched my fist. Rafael, nasaan na ang tapang mo? Nasaan?!

KRINGGG! KRINGGG!

Tumayo siya at sinenyasan akong umalis na. “The school bell has already rang. Arat na!”

I sighed before raising to my feet.

Hershey’s chocolate ang nagbigay sa’kin ng lakas ng loob na mag-confess, but I guess the amount I’ve consumed wasn’t enough. I think I needed to eat more. And so did Yumirah, para malaman na niya ang tunay na sinisigaw ng puso ko. That my heart’s always been hers.