Love: in Filipino, pag-ibig; in Japanese, ai. I wouldn’t pretend that I care about the other translations, since the very essence of the word is enough to make me appreciate my friends more.

Today, I, Aira, Lara (Ba) and Anna trooped to UP Diliman in order to see our friend May Ann graduate.:) It was really cute, how we were confused why it took forever for May Ann to leave the hall, then to find her inside walking around, without any shoes on. It was really refreshing, to have a group jump shot even though she was wearing formal clothes. It was really natural, that she doubted that we will show up in her graduation, basing on our past records. It was hilarious, how she reacted when Aira mentioned that her long-time crush of a weirdo already has a girl friend.

I’m so proud of my high school friends that are already graduating/graduates. However, one cannot really say that I lack this feeling of resentment that they will leave me behind. My high school clique Kichaps is indeed very special to me. No one in the buses we rode today would think that we are aged 20 and above. Inertia kept on tossing us around the bus and Lara kept on hitting other passengers with her bag while skidding along the aisle. (HAHA) But in addition to all those “oh no we can’t cross the street” scenes, I love them more for being able to believe what I really say. Of not assuming that they know better than me about what I myself feel. Of not forcing their opinions (or rather people) on me. Of not making me guilty of my actions when unnecessary.

It’s been bothering me a lot lately on how people kept on pushing this quote to my face:

“The more you hate, the more you love.”

Oh God, people, please understand that this saying is so cliche, and that it only exists in manga, anime and those drama teen series. Do not assume that you know any better than me about my feelings. Just believe in what a dear friend told me:

“The more you hate, the more you hate. You hate what you hate. If you’re annoyed, you are annoyed.”

It’s as simple as that. Don’t put too much analysis on things. I’m not that judgmental to hate people in their own entirety, mind you. Just some of their deeds.