Parallels

magnets

Magnets by NIKI

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It's the way Dennise would always look for Alyssa in a sea of people. No matter how busy her mind can get, it always ends up reminding her to look around and find where Alyssa is.

And maybe that's the reason why in every picture, it's either she's in front of Alyssa or beside her. As if a magnetic force, in ways Alyssa doesn't even know, Alyssa always pulls her closer.

With a frown on her face, Dennise sat in one of the benches inside the airport, her baggage weighed more than what's allowed so she had to re-arrange her clothes and wear the heavy ones that added 5 kilos to her weight.

Michele laughed beside her, "ang dami kasing binili!"

"Your fault! I was asking you kaya anong mas magaganda but you answered buy ko lahat," Dennise said.

Michele laughed even more, "ako pa talaga nasisi mo, you were looking for validation lang kaya you asked me e."

Dennise chuckled, "agreed. Okay naman na. I feel like I'm wearing weights lang," Dennise said.

"Pag-uwi nating Pinas, pagsisisihan mo 'yan," Michele said.

Dennise only frowned, ngayon pa lang na nasa airport pa lang siya, she finds it hard to move, what more when landing in the Philippines. Sa layo ng nilalakad from immigration to exit, plus wearing these heavy clothes, Dennise can already feel how grumpy she would get.

But then, when she set aside those thoughts, she finds herself looking around, and finding the person she's looking for, 2 rows behind her, quietly sitting with her arms across her chest. Dennise quickly scanned where her teammates are, stands up and made her way to Alyssa.

She quietly sat beside her, leaving enough space to not bother Alyssa, thinking the latter's sleeping. But no matter how silent Dennise would like it to be, the weight of her clothes betrayed her as the bench made a sound when she moved.

Alyssa opened her eyes and looked at Dennise, she smiled seeing Dennise frowning, "do you want to switch jackets with me?"

"Huh?" Dennise asked and looked at Alyssa, "oh, sorry, nagising kita? Ang ingay kasi nitong upuan!"

Alyssa laughed, "I'm not sleeping, Den. Palit tayong jacket," Alyssa said and removed her jacket.

"No, Ly, okay lang," Dennise said, stopping Alyssa.

"Dali na," Alyssa said while handing her jacket to Dennise.

Dennise pouted, she removed her jacket and exchanged with Alyssa's.

"Oh, you're still using it?" Alyssa asked.

"What?"

"Yung perfume," Alyssa answered, "I can smell it."

"Ahhh, yes," Dennise answered while nodding, "eversince you gifted me one, it has become a staple."

Alyssa nodded, she looked at her watch and saw that there's still an hour before they board, "Den?"

"Yeah?" Dennise asked.

"Bakit ang layo mo?" Alyssa asked while smiling, she closed the gap between them, brushing her shoulder against Dennise's.

Dennise stiffened. As if it's their first time, after years of friendship, being this close with each other.

"You're warmer than this jacket," Alyssa mumbled when she leaned her head on Dennise's shoulder.

Dennise, although her heart is loudly beating, adjusted so Alyssa will be comfortable, "mainit talaga 'yang jacket na 'yan, Ly," she said.

"Hindi e, malamig pa rin kanina when I wore it, ngayon hindi na."

"Siraulo," Dennise said and heard Alyssa laugh at her remark, "inaantok ka?"

"A bit," Alyssa answered and closed her eyes, she deeply sighed.

"I'll wake you up pag boarding na," Dennise said. Alyssa only nodded and tilted her body forward to Dennise. Leaving Dennise no choice but to wrap her arm around Alyssa.

Dennise gently stroked Alyssa's back while her eyes are closed. Not trying to mind the giggles she's hearing from their teammates and Ella's remark hindi makahinga pag hindi magkatabi!

When Dennise opened her eyes again, she found herself nuzzling against Alyssa's neck. Dennise quickly moved away, looking at Alyssa who's laughing at her.

"What the hell?" Dennise asked.

Alyssa chuckled and stretched her back, "just in time, ah?"

"You were the one sleeping kanina," Dennise stated, confused on how she ended up hugging Alyssa while her face was against Alyssa's neck.

"Your head was falling kanina e, inayos ko lang," Alyssa answered, "boarding na, Den, tara na."

Dennise felt her face heat up, so she looked away from Alyssa and stood up. Alyssa only smiled and walked behind Dennise. When they got inside the plane, Dennise furrowed her brows when Alyssa sat beside her.

"I asked Mich to switch seats with me," Alyssa said, "Den?"

Dennise raised her brows while she looked directly at Alyssa.

"I think we should talk pagkabalik natin," Alyssa said, Dennise was about to ask why when Alyssa continued, "cause lately, I find myself wanting your presence more than a friend should. And as much as I try to put a clear distance between us, it's either I intentionally get close to you, or you absentmindedly are always near me."

Dennise chuckled, "it's intentional, too," Dennise said, "totoo sinabi ni Ella, hindi ako makahinga pag hindi kita katabi."

Alyssa let out a laugh, "narinig mo 'yun?"

Dennise nodded. Alyssa giggled.

"Let's talk once we got back," Dennise said, "for now, can I just..." Dennise whispered and gently held Alyssa's hand, slowly intertwining it with hers.

Alyssa watched with a smile on her face, holding Dennise's hand back, feeling an explosion inside her, as if a eureka moment.

For Dennise, it felt like a sigh of relief, after holding back for so long, after keeping Alyssa only at an arm's length.

Of finally allowing themselves to quit acting like they're not two magnets.

--

Merry Christmas! :">