A Girl Named Mingky and Some Thoughts About Leaving

with Jana

Val Calinawan ('Mingky' for those who know her from head to toe.)

No. She's not one of my latest acquaintances in Philippine showbizness. She's not someone I met from a bookstore. And definitely not the girl I recently courted. She's primarily my friend who recently went abroad. We were never that close until the last two meet ups with her and Jana made a big difference.

Above photos was taken in Shang two days before Mingky's migration to Long Beach.

She's carefree, a shock absorber by hundreds, a knock-out when it comes to lite or strong conversations, a good Samaritan, a true friend, a youthful soul with an adult heart, commonly mistaken as 14 years old, a music enthusiast, a secret keeper, a diligent student, a simple daughter and sister, and a Koko(name of her cutest puppy) lover. :) She may not be as interesting as it may sound to some, but a person could not deny the kindness and heart she has for the people she truly appreciates.

I don't know why I had a strong emotional attachment to someone who leaves. Probably because I experienced being left behind by those important in my life. My father dearest went to middle east in the eve of my pubescent years. From that day forward, almost everyone I know left this magnificent country or had planned to leave. A temporary goodbye here and there. A couple of type-written Hello's and Hi's afterward. And just last December, before Christmas, my mom and my brother went to the States. And then Neve, once been close to my heart, also went to the States with her family a few months later.

Leaving is not limited to distance. I mostly experienced some friends who left me without saying something. See? Leaving is also a way to get out from emotions or bonds.

A little history about Mingky and I: I met her years ago through Neve. Since then, we talked sensibly and humorously through Yahoo! Messenger. A few years after, she told me about her migration to another country. I didn't took it seriously. Maybe because it's inevitable or maybe I was busy fixing things. Busy chasing pavements.

I'm not regretting nor sad because she left. I was down because it become a constant reminder of me taking for granted the many times she was here. It was too late for me to know her more than just Neve's best bud. She could have been one of my closest kinships as well. I could have been her guitar teacher, right? Or second elder brother. The possibilities of having someone you could share your thoughts and interests with was unlimited as far as friendship was concerned: These were the things I would utter a deepest sigh everyday.

Today and for the rest of my age, I will do my utmost best to show my gratitude, love, appreciation, concern and happiness to the little most important people that surrounds me and will surround me for the next coming years.

I have no problems hearing goodbye's. The worst is saying temporary goodbye's and indirectly forget the people behind. Perhaps it's a prerequisite for having a new life in a new land.