Parallels

lahat ng bukas

Lahat ng Bukas - Cup of Joe

Part 2 of 2. 

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Dennise didn't see Alyssa after that, or a week after, or a month later.

She sometimes questions herself kung totoo bang bumalik na si Alyssa or she was just hallucinating for 2 months of seeing Alyssa sa kindergarten nila Caleb, or when Alyssa visited their cafe.

Wala na rin naman siyang rason para makita si Alyssa. As far as she knows, Zion will enroll in a different gradeschool. Hindi na rin naman pumunta si Alyssa sa cafe niya.

Jia visited twice, but with her friends.

"Busy e," she recalled Jia said when Jia visited the last time.

Dennise laughed at Jia and told her that she's not looking for Alyssa. Jia only nodded.

"Nakasimangot ka na naman," Ella says as she enters their office at the back of the cafe.

"Di mo kasama si Caleb?" Dennise asks.

"Nandyan, nauna lang ako," Ella answers.

"Huh? Sinong kasama–"

"Hi mommy Den!" Caleb enters the office, holding a woman's hand.

Dennise's eyes widened as she she stood up, "kailan ka pa umuwi?!"

"Kanina lang," the woman laughs.

"Welcome back, Jema!" Den says and hugs Jema.

"Ouch, mommy naiipit ako," Caleb suddenly says, napahiwalay ng yakap si Den kay Jema and laughs at Caleb.

"Sorry, Cal," Den apologized to the kid, "are you happy, your mommy Jema is back?"

"Yes mommy Den! Me and Mama Ella cried earlier."

Den laughs, "ang cute mo talaga hays."

"Thanks, Den, sa pagsundo kay Cal pag busy si Ells," Jema says, "balita ko ano ah?"

"Wow, ang bilis talaga ng chismis, 'no?"

Ella and Jema laughs, "syempre ichichismis ko sa asawa ko!" Ella says.

Den shakes her head, "hay nako, magiging insufferable na naman kayo."

"Mainggit ka na lang besh," Ella says, "di pa rin ba nagpaparamdam?"

Den shakes her head, "wala rin naman kaming means of communication in the first place, besh."

"Di mo kinuha number, Den?" Jema asks.

"Never got the chance."

"Sabihin mo, duwag ka," Ella says.

"Whatever you say," Dennise rolls her eyes, "alam mo ba 'yang asawa mo, pinalabas na anak ko si Caleb?" Den turns to Jema.

Jema laughs, "oo. And Alyssa assumed na kayo ni Luis?"

Den sighs, "we think so. Nakita kasi namin si Luis sa parking so we chatted while papasok ng kindergarten nila Caleb. Hindi na niya nakita when Luis went to his wife and daughter."

Jema and Ella laughs, "para kayong baliw dalawa 'no?" Jema comments.

"Sinabi mo pa, love," Ella agrees.

Den sighs again.

"Pero question, Den."

"Ano 'yun?"

"Si Alyssa pa rin talaga? Even after all these years?"

Dennise looks at her two friends, si Caleb naglalaro lang sa ipad nito.