Maybe This Time

If you can't be happy with your love life, opt to be happy for your friends'.

This is my guiding principle while I remain single, or as John Mayer put it, 'perfectly lonely'. I am a loyal friend to high school and college buddies, and at times, a reliable bridge that gives way to two friends meeting up in the middle, trusting each other, and staying in a relationship as long as they can.

I have been witness to a number of barkada relationships; some of which lasted, some did not. I am a 'couples' friend'.

Now, I would like to introduce you to two of my friends, Ephra and Majh. Our friendship dates back in high school, and is still tight, currently. 

Ephra is a gentleman; one of my closest guy friends. While Majh is a cheerful lady; considered to be one of my 'daughters' in our barkada of nine 9 girls and 1 boy (me). Both of them are faithful members of their churches, they also possess a good sense of humor and are breadwinners.

December 19,2012

Last Holiday season, I have been with my 'tol' and my 'nak' spending midnights in Makati and Divisoria. We looked for clothes, had dinner anywhere, and chatted endlessly. Before we were able to do all of the above, I chaperoned Majh while she patiently waited for Ephra. 

The guy is often late and the girl always waits. Her knight-in-shining-armour would appear an hour-or-two late, loaded with excuses (some lame, most valid), instead of sword and shield.

Being the odd one out, I just watched them go through petty arguments that soon ended up in reconciliations... so cute! :)

One midnight in a convenience store, Majh was pissed off bigtime with Ephra's tardiness, giving her tired self valid reasons to be mad and sulky with her boyfriend. Not to mention that in a few hours the next morning, Majh would have to go to office and work.

That moment was legitimately awkward: me staring at the window, angry Majh also staring at the window, and Ephra standing behind us, occasionally begging his 'chast' for forgiveness. 

And then THE moment came... the radio station on loud speakers played the song "Maybe This Time" while the three of us were quiet. The moment I recalled what the song meant, I laughed myself off. Laughed hard until Ephra asked me "yun (song) ba yung kinakatawa mo?"

"Oo"

And then the iceberg begun to melt. The fire slowly exhausted. Hidden smiles peeked out.

Ephra and I sang our hearts out like drunkards. 

"(kalabit) sorry na... yan na oh... Maybe This Time na nga oh"- Ephra; again, just so cute! :)

This song is blog worthy

Two old friends, meet again, 

Wearing older faces, talk about the places they've been...

Two old sweethearts, fell apart, somewhere along the road...

It's the same old feeling back again, It's the one that they had back when, 

They were too young to know when love is real...

It (love) got another chance, and if they take it...

These lines talk about former lovers who separated ways when they were younger. Since their reunion, they realized that they still dearly hold each other special. Very chast-like.

Maybe this time

It will be lovin' they'll find

Maybe now they can be more than just friends

She's back in his life

And it feels so right

Maybe this time

Love won't end

Ah...the song just fits my friends. It appropriately conveys the story of their whirlwind romance during high school, their silence during college, and coming back together slowly, thereafter.

From friends, lovers, strangers, friends again, stronger lovers now.

By the way, did you notice that I highlight those two lines in the chorus? Because Ephra and I did not sang those lines, we shouted the hell out of them! Haha... 

During college, I remember having lunch outs with Ephra and we would talk about personal matters; of the heart, of the soul, of the body. I would not go into details but I could say how he was during those 'letting go' moments with her. 

Seemingly (or as far as I can claim it), this song is their couple song. I can presume that their relationship would continue getting stronger with God in the center.

Thus, for them, maybe this time, love won't end. For the nth time, so cute :)

Post Script

It feels really good to go through a love story not written on paper. I was not cupid which struck them both with arrows nor did I bribe them to be sweet hearts again. I just watched them mature over time. I saw their individual strengths and weaknesses. 

Time amazingly works for our betterment. Love provides for our emotional security. Friends inspire us to be better version of ourselves. 

In the right time, I would know how to love someone better because I have seen it with my friends.

*** I did not bother asking permission while writing a part of their story; when I heard the song I knew I just had to.