Carabao and Tamaraw’s Friendship

Carabao and Tamaraw both live in a same village and is also a neighbors. They
were childhood bestfriend’s and an inseparable one. They share each others things, help
each others in school lessons and they were known as kind, helpful, caring and loving
young mans. One day when they’re on their way home from school, they bumped into their
aunt so they immediately asks for her blessing. “Hmmm, classes done? Tamaraw remind
your mom about her debt, it’s almost two weeks already yet she always says tomorrow. Well
tomorrow never ends, when will she pay me?” Aunt Catie said. Tamaraw only smiles while
saying “Aunt Cat on behalf of my mom, we’re very sorry about the so much delay but I
guarantee that we’ll pay it. It’s just that my sister is still on recovery and we need money to
buy her medicines. Please?” Aunt Catie agrees and then left on her own while the two also
continue their way home.

When Carabao got home, he heard his mom and dad arguing. “Look, look at your
feet. It’s swelling and It’s scary! I told you to respect the elementals and always practice
saying ‘tabi tabi po’ wherever you go! specially the places that you’re not familiar with!”
Mom said. “I didn’t expect it alright? I’m so tired so I just immediately take a rest on the tree. I
forgot it!“ Dad replied. Mom look sharply at Dad while saying “forgot again? This is your
third time. Now go to ‘albularyo’ and treat it as early as possible” before walking out.
Carabao saw his mom walking out and ask’s her blessing before he head to his father and
do the same. Carabao went to his room after greeting his family. He change his clothes and
get his phone to play mobile legend.

On the next day, Tamaraw and Carabao was told to meet their coach in Arnis
together with other players. They gather at a wide room and is ready to start the meeting.
“I call all of you here today to announce that there will be an incoming tournament and so
that, I need to find out who will be the ace here. In other words, I want you to fight by two’s
until there will be only one left. Now prepare, wear your uniforms, wear your shields and get
your weapons. Show me what you’ve got so think this as a day of tournament.” Coach Aspeyn
declares.
 There will be five pairs to fight first and for those who was defeated by their
pairs will be out and the new one will come. So as the selection nearing it’s end, coincidence
happened. Tamaraw and Carabao were now the only one facing each other as opponents.

Carabao knows how good Tamaraw is on playing arnis so in the middle of their exchange,
Carabao finally decided to cheat. Carabao slips his way to the side and form a stance but
change it abruptly after he throw something secretly on Tamaraw’s sleeves. Tamaraw got
distracted and feels itchy on his neck so Carabao use the chance and form a final stance, the
crown stance. Carabao’s stick will almost hit Tamaraw’s head until a stick stop it easily. “Do
you really think I didn’t saw it Mr. Bao?” Coach Aspeyn’s cold voice was heard. Tamaraw saw
a cockroach on his neck and looks at Coach Aspeyn apologetically before turning his head
to Carabao. “Why?” He asks. Carabao smiled and said “were best friends I can’t just allow
myself to lose while you will have everyone’s attention. Am I?” As Coach Aspeyn’s final
decision, Carabao is disqualified while Tamaraw is the ace and the final player. Everything
for tournament are finally solved.

For two consecutive weeks, Carabao haven’t seen even a shadow of Tamaraw so
he asks the coach about the situation. He realize that the coach and Tamaraw’s family has
been silent about Tamaraw’s location. After few days, he receive news that an infectious
diseases named Covid-19 spread throughout the countries. After hearing the news, he went
straight to Tamaraw’s house but instead of receiving an answers, he receive a letter. A
letter from Tamaraw that says “You’re my best friend so I can’t allow myself to get near you
incase you will be affected. Take good care of yourself”.