By: Trizia Glae Tubungbanua (DMC Eximius Associate Editor)

We laugh together. Take examinations together. We study side by side and we even share stories to each other. We even go to each other’s houses to prepare for parties or whatever. These moments are spent with a good friend.

A good friend is someone who understands you for who you are and what you become. He stands beside you during hard times and sways when hearing happy tunes. A good friend never condemns without hearing truths. A good friend slaps you on the face but later on tells you what you’ve done. A good friend asks what’s wrong and doesn’t get mad without knowing your side. A good friend understands.

A good friend is not judgmental. A good friend is not hesitant to tell you if you did something wrong because a good friend corrects your mistakes. A good friend doesn’t count the cost of friendship because there is never a shop in the world where one can buy friendship. Friendship is abstract and can only be understood when you have found a friend.

When you have a friend, let them feel you care. Never be unfair and never be selfish. Don’t over react on things you never heard first hand because it can tear up a friendship. Listen to what your friend has to say. If you listen to what other people say and get furious because you don’t like what you’ve heard, think before you act. You don’t own the world. There are people who live in it so you cannot just shout and nag the whole thing.

Trust is necessary in every relationship. Love is the root of friendship. Just as the famous line of Cupid to Psyche says “Love cannot live when there is no trust.” Friendship requires trust and companionship. When two people decide to live their lives together, they create a bond that is strengthened by trust. However, some friendships end up broken and shattered because either of the other counts the cost and possibly doesn’t trust his friend.

A friend makes mistakes. No one has ever lived the world without committing a sin. But a friend repents and asks for forgiveness and forgets the lapses of his friend. A good friend humbles himself for the sake of his friend but doesn’t tolerate an insult.

If you have a friend, treasure him, if he has done something wrong against you, ask him why and listen to what he has to say. Never blame him for things he doesn’t have control. Don’t accuse him of wrong doings until you have proof and confirmation from him. Because you can never be a friend until you learn how to understand and consider his side.

Who knows, you might have the good friend but you lost him for the reason of nagging and hurting his feelings because you never listened to what he has to say.

Don’t let these things happen to you. It’s not too late to ask for forgiveness. Because when you have a good friend, no matter what you do, no matter how hurtful the things you’ve said to him, he will always extend his hand and give you another chance.

It’s not too late to say sorry and make the friendship last forever.