ARIANNE

She corrects my lapses in pronunciation. She bullies my stupid wondering(s). She refuses to listen when I'm being silly. She tells me to shut up every time I get too noisy. But of course I know she loves me.

Well, that's Arianne. Better yet, Ate Arianne. People know her as this simple, healthy woman with a goody kind of heart. And, I,  know her more than that. We've known each other for two years (as of this writing). We were wave-mates during our training months in the company we're working at and had been team-mates for more than a year. Yet, our friendship is beyond the figures.

The two years of being friends have given us the opportunity to know more of each other. We know at least about each other's strengths, happiness and the sources where we take these things from. Most importantly, we have openly made known to each other our weaknesses, our struggles, and our journey towards every coping up.

That I guess is what makes Ate Arianne extra special because she knows my weaknesses, she knows where I hurt before I even know it myself. She knows what I don't like to hear but will tell me when it's about time. She knows what I don't like other people to hear, so she'd talk to me in private. She'd patiently listen every time I vent out like our fuming customers but isn't afraid to put reality stoppers into my mouth. All that without the need of a single ounce of alcohol.

I love that Ate Arianne knows so much about timing. I love that she has this magical ability to feel things are truly necessary. This could be because she's seen me in my weakest points. She's seen me cry because I'm 18 years old. She's seen me hold back a tear 'cause I'm already 19. And she'd seen me hope never to stream water from my eyes because I'm 20. For all the flaws I've made her see, there's nothing I'd want to take back because it made me feel secure now that once I turn 21, she'd still be around, able to discern when I'm already about to fall on my knees and break down.

I don't know whether I've been enough of a good friend to her because I didn't get to ask her that. No one does that, I guess. What I know is that she isn't the type of person who lets other people see what's going on inside of her. She always makes it look like it doesn't matter. But I know what matters to her. And for that, I hope she does not think I am again assuming. I care.

On a lighter note, I'm certain that one day, she'll read this. First, because she likes reading celebrity blogs. Two, because I'm a celebrity (almost famous). And three, because I consider her one of my fans notwithstanding the fact that she bluntly corrects my pronunciation. Kidding aside, I want this to be my way to express appreciation and gratitude for her amazing kindness to me.

Ate Arianne, thank you for always being there and for making me feel there's always a friend I could turn to. Thank you for making your ears always available for my childish rantings. Thank you for pulling my hair each time I seem to be way up somewhere. Thank you for all the McDonalds conversations over your BigNTasty burger. Thank you for all the affirmation and for all the words of appreciation you've given me even in those times I didn't deserve them. I may not have said thank-you enough but I thank God I have you as a friend. I pray to God that you also thank me for once becoming a People Awardee because of me. LOL. Thank you and I love yah to the moon and back.