Politics vs. Friendship

My idol Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I've always thought of how smart Maya Angelou is and this quote proved just how much. Typically, it should go as a positive way of reminding people to be careful of what they'd do, but in my current case, its the other way around. And its all connected to Rochelle.

Rochelle had been my friend since first year when we had our PE (women's swimming) together during the first semester. She was part of the other BSE freshman section but we nevertheless became close. When the majors were finally arranged, she became the closest person to me in class. Her running for student council secretary alarmed me in a way, because I knew that things would be a bit difficult for her. I didn't think I would be effected that much.

February had always seemed to be the longest month for me, what with having all its 28 days jam-packed with activities and deadlines. So I was off and running for the Journal last Thursday when I saw Rochelle and her co-party members, Ate Camille (for president) and Ate Julie (for VP) were inside the classroom and were apparently explaining something to the English Majors. I was all "What's going on here?" but since the professor already arrived, I didn't get my answer. Later that afternoon, the Education Debate team, to which I was part of, had a meeting with Sir Bong. Rochelle was also a member. Too preoccuppied with the debate, I forgot to ask Rochelle what was happenning when I entered the classroom. We were all going crazy because the debate was held the next day, and Education week was fast approaching. (It actually started today.)

Anyways, we agreed to meet early Friday morning to prep up for the competition. Rochelle wasn't able to attend, and out of the blue I remembered about the "issue" in the class. Bryan filled me up. Long story short, I learned that Chelle had blindsided us (2E2) about being affiliated to their party (KALYO) by taking our registration forms and IDs in support of her party. What pissed me off were actually three things:

1. That Chelle lied to me.
2. That she lied to everyone else.
3. That I was too ignorant to know what was already unfolding in front of me.

I knew there were something fishy when Chelle asked for the forms. I knew I should've asked her in detail. But because of too many things in mind (EJ, requirements, assignments, projects, deadlines...), I forgot. And now I feel torn: should I defend Rochelle, she being my friend and closest confidante or confront her and decide the fate of our friendship?

I needed to think. I needed to get past the hurt and disappointment. I needed to talk to Chelle first, but for some reason I couldn't face her just as suddenly. Probably because I was still hurt and disappointed. So I decided to let it go for a while. We went through the debate competition, fought well and hard, lost but had gained a lot of things from the experience. *That reminds me, I should ask Chelle to request a certificate of participation from the TomCat. It would really look good in my resume. Hehehe* Afterwards, we got to interview the four oh-so lovable boys of Lakas Coalition. Kuya Ney (for CSC pres), Jonet (for Treasurer), papa Cachi (for Auditor) and Jules (for P.R.O.) answered all our questions in that whole hour we've interviewed them. We even got pics and autographs! Ha! (I plan to watch the Miting de Abanse on Wednesday since I've got no other plans for V-Day anyway).

Anyhow, Rochelle and I finally had the Talk on the LRT, with our guidance counselor Ma'am Carol and Javi as witnesses. I told Chelle what happened to me and how I felt. I told her that she's still my friend, and I'm still hers, but there is still a looming doubt on my part. I still feel really pissed off to the fact that she lied.

The problem now lies at the fact that my beloved co-English Majors are sooooo dramatic. And plastic. They are this close in becoming utterly judgmental, which I hate. I told Jenny, a friend and one of the people who still dislikes Rochelle for what she did, that if there will be a time that I'd have to choose whose side I'd be in, I'd remain neutral. Why?

Because either way I'd lose. If I choose Chelle, her being my friend for the longest time, it'll be like I'm being punished also, when in the first place, I'm also a victim of her lying. If I choose Jenny and the others, I'll be turning my back from Chelle, which I do not want to do. As much as I hate what she did, she's my friend and I love her. A friend loves at all times.

So where does that leave me? Where do I truly belong?

There are actually two good things that I earned from this experience:

1. I learned how ignorant I can be and promise not to be like that anymore.
2. I learned that I can forgive easily, but I won't be able to forget in a snap.

As for Chelle, well am still unsure if I'd still vote her. I know for a fact that the other English Majors won't. The miting de abanse held earlier was great. I got a lot from the candidates. But I still have to think it through...

Sigh. I got too excited in writing this, I haven't even done the researches I was supposed to do and now I got to go home. Would be riding the jeep today. Austerity measures. Oh well. There's always tomorrow.