Parallels

241

241 - Rivermaya

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If there's one thing that Alyssa hates, it's regretting something. She learned, at an early age, that if you want to achieve or obtain something, you must take the risk. No matter what the consequences are, no matter what it takes-- take the risk, so in the end, you can say to yourself, at least I tried.

She grew up being resilient, of being agile in an ever-changing environment. Eyes on the goal, one must say.

Yet, the biggest risk is right in front of her.

Dennise.

Alyssa sighed as she looked away, Dennise smiling is too much for her heart. For the past years, it's something she's trying so hard to push aside. Because she knew once she acknowledged it, it would come true.

"Ly, hey!" Dennise called her. Alyssa looked at Dennise, and as if Dennise brought the sun with her, she illuminated inside the bar where one can barely see their surroundings.

Alyssa hates it, on how Dennise can bring so much light, enough to melt Alyssa's unwillingness to admit how bad it is for her.

"Why?!" Alyssa asked, shouting.

Dennise excused herself from their other friends and went near Alyssa, "nagpaalam na ako! Leave with me?" Dennise asked.

"It's still early ah?" Alyssa asked back.

"Pagod na," Dennise answered, smiling, "but if you would like to stay, okay lang!"

"No, no," Alyssa said, putting down the glass of vodka, "it's getting tiring na rin. I'll just say goodbye," Alyssa told Dennise.

Dennise nodded, "will wait for you outside."

Alyssa bid goodbye to their friends, pinilit pa siya ng iba to stay but Alyssa declined and hurriedly went outside, finding Dennise leaning on her car. Alyssa sighed.

It's always a constant battle between her mind and heart when it comes to Dennise. Of being aware of that thin line between love and friendship. Na baka may pag-asa.

That maybe their hearts are dancing in the same beat.

"Are you tired na and wants to go home or maybe we can still get coffee?" Dennise asked.

"Gusto mo talaga yung masasakit sa tiyan 'no?" Alyssa asked and earned a laugh from Dennise, "saan mo gusto?"

"Sa dati," Dennise answered, Alyssa smiled and nodded.

"Okay, ma'am, ikaw pa ba," Alyssa said and started driving.

Dennise hummed along with the song inside the car while looking outside. Alyssa simply looked at the lady at her passenger's seat, as if taking her back to when they were in college and Dennise would always occupy the same seat. Humming to the songs she first said she didn't like.

"Ly," Dennise called her. Alyssa only hummed, waiting for what Dennise is going to say next, "at some point in our lives, did you envision your life without me in it?" Dennise asked.

Saglit na sumulyap si Alyssa kay Dennise only to find her looking at her, "no."

"No?" Dennise asked.

"No," Alyssa repeated, "I think you've been in my life for such a long time na hindi na possibility yung wala ka, kahit sa ibang universe pa 'yan."

Dennise chuckled, "but what if, in just one universe, wala ako dun?"

"Then life's not worth living," Alyssa answered.

"Ang corny," Dennise said with a laugh, "pero same. I can't think of a life na wala ka, Ly."

"Dapat lang?"