This blogpost is dedicated to my best friend.
Let me share first how my best friend, Zyralin, and I first met. Zyra and I met on our first day of Anatomy and Physiology class. She sat on a seat in front of me. With curly hair, a bright smile, and a friendly aura, I approached her and asked her name. From then on, we were inseparable until our graduation day. And that was 14 years ago.
I think the reason that pulled us together is that we were opposites. While I was a nerdy, quiet student, she was funny and a social butterfly. For some strange reasons, we just immediately clicked.
Thereafter, we almost did everything together, like what best friends would normally do. We ate lunch together, went home together in separate jeepneys. If one wanted to go to a mall or do something else, one went with her too. Even during weekends when we didn’t see each other, we texted and joked around as usual.
Because our names sound similar, Ira and Zyra, there were a few instances in the past when people would interchange our names. Then Zyra would comment, “Wow, I would be lucky to be mistaken as Ira. Would you feel the same to be called Zyra?”. Of course, I would roll my eyes jokingly and would say, “Never.”
That’s just how we were and still are. We make fun of each other. I call her “piggy oink” and would normally start my chat with that. She calls me “peng” short for “penguin”. If you ask her why she will gladly explain to you but it won’t make any sense.
She loves making fun of my double chin. I tell her she has a big nose. She gets back saying I have big eyes. Then, I would find something else to comment about her. This goes on and on ha.
Best friend
Zyra is fun to be with and generally, a funny person. She not only makes me laugh out loud but other people as well. I had some emotional moments back then but every time I saw her in school, she would always make me feel better. She still does. There’s always laughter involved every time I talk to her, face to face, or through our video calls. That’s one of the many reasons why my friendship with her is very important to me. People who pull you up, support you, stand by you are the people who truly care for you.
Throughout the years, I think it’s safe to assume that we make each other a better person. In the early years of our friendship, I learned not to take life too seriously from her. Instead, try to have fun and enjoy every moment with the people around you. For her, I would say, she learned to be focused on things she considered are important. That she should work hard if she wants to achieve her goals.
This photo was taken during a party after passing the Philippine Nursing board exam. Zyra and I were there, as well as our close friends, Ofelia, Benelea, and Grace Syl.
Later on, however, it becomes more than that. I can’t say for her. But for me, it’s to love and care for your family and friends deeply. We both have lost a family member, failed many times in life, succeeded in a few things, lived the life expected of us, be adults. But every time I see her or think of her, I see an inspiration… An inspiration who reminds me that whatever happens in life, whatever it throws in your face. You stand up, smile, and continue living. And we will always have each other when it gets really tough.
I could tell you stories after stories of her. But that would probably take hundreds of spaces on my blog ha. She likes simplicity. So, she would know from this post that I love her. And that I’m lucky to have her in my life, as so as her other friends.
Zy and I enjoying the fish spa in Thailand when she visited with her mom and aunt.
I am grateful to have her as my best friend. That I’m happy to be called silly names if that’s what it takes. Happy to talk until 3 AM when we see each other. Happy to be even called “Zyra”, sometimes…
I didn’t know you’re a nurse. I thank you both for your service.