How we met...
We were classmates in high school. I and Ivah were the noisy ones and their the "nasasapawan". Haha! Naturally, on the first day of school, we introduce ourselves cause we were pretty much strangers on the first day. I can't really remember when she approched me, but I remember this lines very clearly:
Sha: "Christian ka gayam?"
(So, you're a Christian?)
Arla: "Wen, apay?"
(Yes, why?)
Sha: "Awan, haan nga madlaw."
(Nothing, you don't seem like one.)
I could have slapped her face in the face right there and then. She doesn't even know me! I mean, how dare her judge my Christianity? That was the first time, FIRST TIME, that some stranger humiliated me just like that. I'm not sure if I've
decided in my heart to hate her for the rest of my life because of that. But if I did, at least God is gracious :)
How we got along...
I can't really remember the hows and whys, it just happened! We just got along just like that.
What established our relationship...
I would have to say our passion for Christ. It's funny how we stumbled and stood up together. We're completely different persons,with different stumbling blocks, having different passion so if it wasn't for God, really, I don't know how we'd get along.
Her greatest contribution in my life...
She was with me in my transformation process. I just came to a point in my life that when I look into the mirror, I'm no longer sure if it's me looking back. I was so lost and I never saw or recognized that. I just knew that I needed to change, I needed to get back on track with God. And changing is never an easy thing to be done by yourself. And God knew that. God knew that I could not do it alone and so He sent Sha to walk with me. And the journey was just life changing :D
Sha knew me. I portrait an image of a strong and a determined woman, but she knew that I was fragile and vulnerable. She showed me that it's ok to be weak sometimes, that with her, I can just be myself. And I'm glad that in this crazy world, something remained true and real: I've got her and Jesus :)
Over the years...
There were lots and lots and lots of times that we had our misunderstandings. There was even a season that she changed number and she didn't tell me and I only learned it from a common friend, and I was damn offended. I thought she was my best friend. I actually felt like she just pushed me away, just like that. That was months...almost a whole semester that we did not communicate and I got used to it, and I thought hey, best friends break up too. But things between us proved that true friendship is not measured by the amount of time we talk or catch up. Cause after that semester and saw each other again, the only thing I remembered is that I miss her and I love her.
