Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 53

Jordyn arrived at Mich's condo just a few minutes after Allianah went outside. She pulled over and rolled the window down, only to get concerned once she saw the older crying.

"Iya? What happened?" Jordyn immediately asked as she opened the door for her.

Allianah shook her head, not wanting to answer the younger's question while they're still around the area.

Jordyn, getting the message, let Allianah sit down on the passenger seat, waiting for the older to be settled down before driving off away from the Mich's condo.

Jordyn drove in silence, her eyes occasionally glancing at Allianah, who was staring out the window while wiping away her tears. She knew better than to push her for answers, especially when Allianah was this upset.

Allianah soon fell asleep, feeling a tired and exhausted after crying, especially since she just had a rest after putting up an all-nighter the whole week to study for the exams.

---

After a few minutes of driving, Jordyn pulled into a quiet parking lot by a park with playground, where they could talk privately. She turned off the engine and shifted her gaze towards Allianah, tapping the girl's cheek lightly to wake her up.

"Jordy? W-what are we doing here..?" The older questioned as she looked out the window, wiping her eyes.

"Figured out that you might wanna unwind for a while." Jordyn gave her a gentle smile. "Sige na, baba muna tayo."

Allianah took a deep breath, nodding slowly as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice still thick from crying. She followed Jordyn out of the car, the cool evening breeze hitting her face.

The two walked in silence toward the playground, the sound of their footsteps barely audible on the grass path.

As they approached the swings, Allianah remembered the memories of their first meeting flooding back to her. It was at this very playground, years ago, when she first stumbled upon Jordyn, a bright-eyed kid who was too shy to ask anyone to play with her. Allianah had been the one to approach her, offering to push her on the swings. That simple gesture had sparked a friendship that endured despite the ups and downs. And now, they've become inseparable ever since.

Jordyn gestured to the swing set, a small smile playing on her lips. "Naalala mo pa ba 'to?" she asked softly, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia.

Allianah nodded, a small, bittersweet smile appearing on her face. "How could I forget? This is where we've met."

The younger laughed. "OA sa met. Schoolmates tayo nung elem, naging close lang din tayo because of this same playground. Remember that you're two years ahead of me kaya higher year ka sa'kin. There's no way we would actually be this close if we're just seeing each other at school."

Jordyn sat down on one of the swings, gently swaying back and forth. "By the way... gusto mong magkwento kung anong nangyari kanina? Or gusto mo lang ng tahimik na kasama? I can be quiet naman for you, Iya."

Allianah remained standing, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked down at the ground. "I just... I said something earlier to Mich that I wasn't supposed to."

"What happened ba?"

"I'm meddling too much with Mich's life. I was too afraid to see someone losing their own self over a person who doesn't seem to care as much as she does. I almost did when Jeremy broke up with me back then, you know?"

"I know." Jordyn sighed. "I know it all too well."

"But I kept dwelling on it too much that I've crossed the line. Seeing no one trying to help Mich realize and understand the painful truth, I bursted out and accidentally told her that she's losing everyone and herself trying to keep Jaz."