I first met Maya six years ago when we became classmates in College. My first impression of this girl was that she was a tomboy because of her clothes (big shirts, boy-cut pants, rubber shoes & backpack) and her “siga” stance. Now, anyone looking at the present Maya would probably have a hard time imagining her as the exact opposite of the radiant beauty she is at the moment. But between then and now something prompted this girl to start dieting and wearing girly clothes and makeup, inspiring others (myslef included) to follow in her footsteps. Hence the Maya you see before you now.
Back to the past, we didn’t hit it off immediately, because we came from different High Schools and had our own worlds. The first time our names were ever brought together was when one of our classmates, Rogelio, wrote in his English class writing assignment that his prophecy was for me, Maya and Apple to become beauty queens. Actually he wrote this in jest because we three had the same figure – round. How were we to know that the three of us, months later, would come together as close friends and even call ourselves triplets because of our identical figures?
It all began when Apple, Maya, Zenie, Gay, Joy, Alie and I decided to watch a movie together one afternoon after our PE class. We managed to sneak into an R rated movie (American Pie) and almost got caught thanx to Alie who replied “18 and above” when the guard asked her how old she was. After that, we (except for Alie) became bonded. One day we were eating in Jollibee and thought about what to call our group. Since we all had the same crush, our cute and cuddly Accounting professor, we decided to name ourselves after our codename of him. And from then on, the HUGGABLES were born.
Apple was a huggable only during freshman year because she left ADZU in Sophomore year. But the five of us left still remained the best of friends, always sitting in the same row in all classes and grouping ourselves into one team for class projects. We have gone to each other’s houses, celebrated each other’s birthdays, gone out on food trips when our meager “huggable paluwagan funds” could allow us to, copied off each other’s papers and assignments, passed notes/chats to each other during class, shared our stories, fought with each other, laughed together and cried on each other’s shoulders.
Even after graduation, we did not separate, except for Joy, who opted to stay in our home town. We became roommates in our review dorm for six months. then we parted ways when we each looked for jobs in different places. But not even a year later, we were again reunited as roommates in our own apartment or what we call in jest “bahay ni ate chona” after our favorite tv show Pinoy Big Brother. We say she is the “Say” in our house because she is the songbird in our class (and not just in the house). How long we’re gonna stay together, who knows? Que sera sera. All I do know as of this moment is that Maya, my dear triplet, barkada, classmate, roommate and friend, has turned 23 today. And I am ever so thankful that I have spent almost a quarter of those years as her friend, and hope to spend more years together.
Maya, thanks for everything. I love you. Happy Birthday!