Parallels

the apartment we won't share

The Apartment We Won't Share - NIKI

ang update na ito ay box box

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Contrary to everyone's belief, or shall we say, expectations, the last to greet Dennise's transfer to Creamline was Alyssa.

Dennise found it odd, sure, but she chose to give the benefit of the doubt to her long-time bestfriend, 13 years to be exact. Because first and foremost, Alyssa was not there on their 1st day of training. For some reasons, masama daw ang pakiramdam nito.

2nd day of training came, Alyssa finally showed up. She was surprised to be greeted with a timid smile and a foul mood from Alyssa.

Dennise didn't try to pry, though, if there's one thing those 13 years of friendship taught her, it is to let Alyssa be when she's not in the mood. Usually, makikiramdam muna si Den to know on when not to push Alyssa's buttons or if Alyssa needs someone to knock her out of her senses.

3rd day of training, Alyssa's still not talking to her. Dennise couldn't lie, it's starting to bother her. She tried to talk to Alyssa pero ngumiti lang ito sa kanya, forced one to be exact, and told her that she's still not in the mood to talk. Den let it slide.

She let it slide for a whole week.

Ella even assured her na Alyssa will come around. Na baka nasakto lang na maybe Alyssa's in PMS.

She wanted to hold on to those words.

But seeing Alyssa, ironically, now that they're in the same team together, being so far away from her, may it not be literally since technically, they are in the same space.

Dennise feels unwelcomed.

So, she decided that it's finally time to push Alyssa's buttons.

Dennise's sitting on one of the bleachers, waiting for Alyssa to come out of the shower room.

Ella warned her to not do it but Dennise insisted. Now that they are in the same team, whatever's Alyssa's problem with her must be faced or else it will definitely affect the whole team.

Dennise can clearly see the shock on Alyssa's face upon seeing her. Alyssa looked around to look for their other teammates but only Dennise is there.

Alyssa sighed. She quietly goes to where Dennise is and sits inches away from her.

"Alam mo, mas marami pa atang beses na nakausap kita when I transferred to Choco Mucho than when I transferred to be your teammate," it's evident to Dennise's voice her disappointment, "I'm sorry for not asking how you are doing, kasi it's clear to me that you're doing fine with everyone else but me. Have I done something wrong?" Dennise looks at Alyssa, she sees Alyssa gulps and closes her eyes then opens it again.

"I'm sorry," Alyssa starts. Dennise looks away, "I know it's... jerk of me to treat you like that. Sorry, Den. I have no excuse on what I acted."

"Ano bang problema, Alyssa?"

"Ako," Alyssa answered, almost a whisper, "ako 'yung problema, Den. When I got the news of us being teammates again, trust me, I was so happy, kasi finally, we'll be together in the same side of the court again. Ang tagal kong hinintay 'yun, ang tagal nating hinintay. But then, I was reminded of things that we couldn't be."

Dennise turns her head to Alyssa who sadly smiled at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I lied when I said I didn't feel anything, Den. When you asked me before our graduation kung at some point ba what I felt for you was for more than a friend. Nagsinungaling ako."

"Ly..."

"That time, I was not sure of it yet, I was confused, but the moment I answered I only saw you as my bestfriend and nothing else, alam ko na sa sarili kong mali ako. And it's also my fault for letting time pass by without doing anything.

I know it's already the end of what we could have been when I saw you smiling at me, no'ng birthday ni Ella 7 years ago. I know it's already gone, whatever your feelings for me were, when you looked at me just like how you look at everyone else.

Alam kong wala na, Den. And I accepted the fact that I let it just pass."

Dennise is just there, hearing what Alyssa is saying.

"Grabe, ang tagal na pala, pero nandito pa rin ako," Alyssa scoffs, "the idea of being in a team with you suddenly scared me, what more of it being a reality. Kaya umiwas ako, hoping I'd get used to seeing you around again, and then maybe, I will finally be okay, or maybe pretend that I am.

Pretend that even after all these years, ikaw pa rin. I'm sorry," Alyssa says and sighs.

Dennise looks at Alyssa, wishing her smile can apologize for her. Alyssa smiles back, understanding what Dennise is not saying.

"Do you need more time?" Dennise asks, breaking the silence.

Alyssa nods, "I'm sorry..."

Dennise shakes her head, "it's okay, Ly. Naiintindihan ko."

Alyssa stands up, "mauna na ako, Den."

Dennise nods, "ingat, Ly."

"Thank you, Den," Alyssa smiles at her.

Dennise would be lying if she'd say she's not hurt. If she was the Dennise 8 years ago, she'd be happy hearing those words from Alyssa.

She waited for it her whole college life. To be loved back by the person she considers her first love.

But hearing those words now, when it's clearly too late, brings her pain upon thinking that all this time, Alyssa was stuck while she was able to move forward, no matter how it may have hurt back then.

It brings her pain that she couldn't help Alyssa in this.

"Den," Alyssa turns around and looks at Dennise. Dennise nods and asks her why, "why did you ask it? Of my feelings towards you?"

Dennise smiles, "I don't think makakatulong pa kung bakit, Ly."

"Maybe I need to know so I can finally move on," Ly answers.

Dennise inhales, "you were my life back then, Ly," Dennise smiles at Alyssa, "I told myself I won't be with anyone else but you. I loved you, Ly."

Alyssa bites her lower lip and nods, "I'm sorry."

Dennise shakes her head, "okay lang, Ly. S-sorry rin."

Alyssa chuckles, "wag kang mag-sorry, you loved me, I had my chance, I let it slip away."

"Ly..."

Alyssa sighs heavily and wipes her tears, "thank you."

"Para saan?"

"For still choosing to be my friend kahit unaware ako how much I've hurt you."

"Well, we're even?" Dennise jokes and they both laugh.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Den."

Dennise nods, "see you tomorrow, Ly."

Alyssa waves her hand at Dennise then turns her back, "Den!"

Dennise looks at Alyssa who shouted her name.

"Wag kang mag-alala, makaka-graduate din ako sayo," Alyssa shouts.

Dennise and Alyssa both laugh.

"Welcome to the team!" Alyssa says lastly.

Dennise just watched Alyssa disappear from her sight.

Dennise looks at her left hand, where there's a ring on her fourth finger.

She smiles.