Title: Dear Mirani
Author:

What inspired me to write this story is that life can be unexpectedly short. We must not waste it but rather use every seconds to the fullest. So here goes my bestfriend and I's story.

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Dear Mirani,

Its been a long time. Haven't you received my letters? I thought you didn't cause if you did for sure by this time your reply should had reach me.
Do you still remember Sophia? Yes, the rose that you gave me on my 13th birthday. You know what? Its been a year and I can say she's already a fully grown beautiful rose. I wish you can see her too. I miss you.

Your Bestfriend,
Liyana

I crumpled the letter and throw it straight to the trash bin. How long should she send me these junks? Can't she sense that I don't want to communicate with her anymore? And bestfriend? Is she nuts? She's no longer my bestfriend since the day that--nevermind.

"Mirani, honey, its time for school now. Its your first day, why are you still not dressed with your uniform?" Mom sit beside me on my bed.

"I have no friends there." I frown

"Yes but soon enough you will." Mom gave me her assurance smile.

"What if I don't?" I look at her worrily.

"That's impossible dear." Mom pats my back and all I can manage is to heave out a sigh, "Go dress up. School bus might arrive later." then she went out my room.

I immediately dress up with my new uniform. I prepared my books and notes and put them on my bag. I took one last look to the letter in the trash bin and for a while I think of keeping it but I shake it out of my head and continue to go out of my room.

My mom open the door after I knock and she was beyond surprise when she saw me.

"Honey! What happened?" but instead of answering her, I went running straight to my room and shut the door.

To my stupidity, I forgot to lock it. Crap.

Mom entered still bugging me of questions I don't wanna answer.

"Who did this to you? Why aren't you talking?" Mom held me on my shoulder and forced me to face her.

And the moment I did I came out bursting with tears.

"Mom, why am I so weak?" she hug me tighter making the mustard sauce on my uniform spread and smudge on her shirt too, "Why can't I fight back?" I hug her back helding her against me like she was the breath I take.

"Hussh.. hushh now sweetheart." she gently massage my back. Running out of words to comfort me.

"This was all her fault." I said grimly

Mom hold me in arms-length, looking intently on my eyes, "Who? Liyana?"

I immediately struggle out from her, "I wanna take a shower mom. I stink."

"Do you wanna talk about her?" I stopped for a while.

"No. I don't want to talk about IT." I said emphasizing the last word.

"But--"

I face her, "Mom, I wanna take a shower. I am already sticky." she nods. Not arguing further.

She went out and as I enter the bathroom, I heard the click of the doorknob.

I turn the shower on and let the tears that wanted to spring out my eyes the moment she mentioned that very--very familiar name I've known most of my life.

Dear Mirani,

How was your week? I'm sorry I wasn't able to visit you there for some reason but believe me, I'm dying to do that. I mean I really am. Anyway, I miss those times that we ate together in the cafeteria. And having petty fights just because there's only one order of baked mac left. Can we just compromise and you forgive me to what I've done? I love you still, I wish you do too.

Your Bestfriend,
Liyana

I don't know why am I still reading this junk. Maybe cause I find it funny when she's stating her white lies and sentiments.

The hallway of our building is so tranquil. No hints of students. But its already 7:28 in th morning, weird.

I slid the letter on my bag cause I can't throw it just like that. Maybe I'll throw it to the first trash can that I'll pass by.

I just closed the zipper of the pocket when a drop of water fell on my face followed by ample amount of it. It was accompanied by eyes cubes. Then someone shouts, "ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE!"

then they all laugh at me. In an instance I am surrounded by strangers I've never known so I cant just get it why they are like this, "BRAIN FREEZE MEN!" a boy added.

The cold feeling is overwhelming that I can't bearly feel anything but the prickling of my scalp. I am trembling to death until I surrender to my knees and to the cold cement.

I was also walking on the school hallway that very moment. I remember it clearly like a tattoo that cant be easily erased in my mind.

My father was an architect so we often transfer from one place to another when he was designated to a new agency. He's an indemand architect for he's an excellent one. We currently reside in Seattle, Washington exactly near the Seattle Architectural Agency. And mom got me transferred to a fine school in Seattle.

I instinctly closed my eyes when I felt a liquid poured onto my head. I open it when someone shouts from above and a pail fell just near on where I am standing, I am under the stairway to the second floor, "WELCOME NEWBIE!" then a ton of laughters echoed bouncing from the four corners of the hallway.

The liquid thing that they poured to me is so sticky. It almost seem like a slime to me. And it seriously stinks.

As the usual me, I am about to wail and cry out when someone appeared like a superhero in a cartoon show, minus the cape though.

She angrily grabbed the pail and threw it with all her strength to the one who did all this which is now laughing his heart out. It hit him on his head.

"YOU! BETTER PUT YOUR HANDS OFF THIS GIRL OR I'LL THROW YOU TO THE GARBAGE TRUCK WHERE YOU BELONG!!" she turn her back to face me but this time she's genuinely smiling at me as she offer me her both hands like I don't smell rubbish at all, "Come. Its alright."

Moms worry face is the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. What happened?

"Mirani, honey, are you alright?" Mom asks me worrily.

I smiled weakly, "Yeah."

"What happened? Honey, tell me." she held my hand and gently squeeze it.

"This is all her fault." I said still impassive, "This might not happen again if she just ..." I cant help but to bit my lip to suppress the tear that might fall.

"Honey, how can you forgive her when you can't forget--"

"Forget!? Do you know how humiliating it was when it happened to me? Its been better if the ground opened and ate me alive but its not!!" A two-syllable word. Its very easy to say as much as how hard do it.

"Its not just for her benefit, sweetheart, but also for you. Until when will you live with a heavy baggage in your heart?" I look at mom

"Do you think you'll be happy just because you ran off from her? Did it solved the problem?"

Dear Mirani,

Are you and your new classmates getting along well? Did they bully you? Do you have friends there? Tell me. I'm here. I'm still here. I'm waiting for your response. I'll wait until the ticking of the clock comes to end for me.
I know you won't believe me like before but I really really want to be with you that night but I just can't.

Your Bestfriend,
Liyana

"That night. That very night." I closed my eyes remembering the past that almost seems like yesterday.

"I don't wanna join that contest! Never!" I shake my head continuously emphasizing my point.

"Why not!? If I were you, I'll sing that voice out!!" Liyana waves her hand like our maestro in our music subject.

"In the first place, why did you put me on the list without asking my permission?" I put my hands on my hips while tapping my feet on the floor.

"My motto is," she clears her throat, "Go for it, permission later." then she laughs heartily and slapped me on my shoulder.

I glare at her. She holds her hands out and seriously said, "I just wanna help you conquer your stage fright." she held my hands, "besides you deserve to be on stage, anyway."

This is what I love with Liyana. With her simple words, my heart can't help but to swell with overwhelming love for this girl. My savior. My bestfriend.

When I realize what she had said, my eyes were suddenly clouded with fear, "I can't." I stepped back.

"You can." She held my both shoulders, "I'll be here. Its not just you alone. We will do this together. I'll be here. I'll be there, ok?" With the faith that she gave me that I can do this, I believe in too that I can.

She's always there when I'm practicing playing piano and at the same time singing the piece that I'll use for the contest. She never get tired of clapping her hands when I'm finished like a fan that is very delighted to see her idol performed.

On the big day, that morning I noticed she's impossibly pale. "Are you okay Liyana?" I ask her and I put my hand on her cheeks, "You're so pale."

"Of course I am. Do you know how nervous I am for you tonight?" she told me,"I even bet for 20 bucks so you better not let me down little chick." she pats my back and laugh her usual not-so-lady-like-laugh.

"Ah.. your nervous just for the sake of your money?" I ask her pretending to be hurt.

"Sort of." we look at each other and both burst out laughing.

But I knew theres something else. Something I can't name.

And I was right. She didn't came.

"Mom, did you see Yana?" I ask mom for the nth time and for the nth time she shakes her head.

I rubbed my hands trying to calm myself but to no avail it doesn't change anything I feel.

"Mirani Cohlman, your next." the master of ceremonies announces.

I glance nervously to mom.

"You can do it honey." she smiled and hugged me.

"Mom, I'm scared." I closed my eyes firmly

"Around of applause for.. MIRANI COHLMAN!" the beating of my heart deafened me as I sit infront of the piano. I know they're clapping but I can't hear it.

With shaky fingers I started to struck the keys of the piano. I wanted to cry. Liyana where are you?

"I-i always thought you were the b-best.." my eyes scans the gymnasium but she's nowhere of sight. All I can see were the strangers I barely know, "I-i guess I a-always w-will..." those words she said came like flashes of light in my memory.

"I just wanna help you conquer your stage fright."

"besides you deserve to be on stage, anyway."

"You can."

"I'll be here. Ok? Its not just you alone. We will do this together. I'll be here. I'll be there, ok?"

My nightmare comes to life. They are all laughing, saying boo's and stuffs. I can't do this. I knew this will happen. I started to cry but they won't stop...

I cover my hands on my face sobbing loudly as I reminisce the darkest part of my young life.

"Mirani its time to ea--Honey! what happened?" mom immediately hugged me, "Whats wrong?"

"She wrote again," I gave to mom her letter, "I just don't know how to escape this. Everything that has to do with her."

"Mirani, honey, listen you can't escape the past because that is already a part of who you are.." she pointed my heart, "besides, you just can't throw a friendship or any relationship just because of a mistake." mom heaves out a sigh.

"...why look at a single mistake and forget all those efforts she had done for you?"

I look outside the window of the train as it passes through many places and tunnels. Trully, like life, we will pass to many dark places but we will always gonna see the light at the end of the tunnel. I smiled as I took a glance on what am I holding. Its been almost a year since I saw her.

She's the reason why I stopped for the remaining years that school year after the incident. And it took me a while to get a grip from what happened.

This is the right time to reconcile. To fix things up from the past. I miss her.

I ride a cab to Seattle.

Hesitation strikes me when the cab stops infront of their gate. They live exactly next to the Post Office of Seattle.

"Maam we're here." the driver told me

"Ah.. y-yeah." I paid him and I am now standing infront of the gate with my hand that hangs on the doorbell button. Can I really do this?

I was about to turn my back and forget about all these when the gate opens and someone came out with a watery eyes bidding goodbye accompanied by Mrs. Armani. Liyana's mom.

I froze when her eyes caught me. Her eyes narrowed for a while and when recognition floods in it, for a while I expected she'll shut the gate and shoo me away, but all she did is hug me and lead me inside.

"Mirani..." she nuzzles my hair like she used to do and tighten her hug.

They have many visitors that day. I scan the guest. Why are they wearing black and white? Why are they all crying?

Liyana's dad died!?

Mrs. Felice left me for a while and my blood drains when I saw the casket. I grip the envelope that I am holding.

No...

Liyana Elaine James Armani

This is not real...

Born on December 25, 19**

She just wrote me a letter yesterday...

Died on September 23, 20**

And I wasn't able to give her my letter and tell her that I forgave her.

Her mom return and hand me a letter... And as I open it I am scared on what it says...

Dear Mirani,

I'm afraid this would be my last letter for you Annie. This is my last chance to tell you these so I'm sorry for hiding it all these times.That day that you'll perform on our school fair, on the afternoon, my mom found out that I have a leukemia. Noone did that time actually. I knew this since we were still in grade school. Remember that time when I wasn't able to join the athletics? The school doctor told me. And that night when you perform. I faint and brought to the hospital and they declared its a stage four cancer and gave me less than a year to live as a due date.
I'm sorry and I love you. I'll be here for you. I'll still be waiting for your response.

Your Bestfriend,
Liyana

I cried louder when her hand written on the last sentences were littered. She must really had a hard time writing this letter.

Why must you always need to keep all these burden alone? You made me believe its your fault all this time.

Mrs. Felice put her hand on my shoulder and said, "The last thing she did is to water sophia, the rose you gave her on her 13th birthday."