Parallels

33 ;)

"33, God," Dennise said and smiled at herself when she looked at the mirror. She's at the bathroom after she excused herself to pee. Medyo hilo na siya with all the booze she's taken, Ella hosted a party for her in a bar somewhere in BGC, where her bestfriend rented a private room for the team and some of Dennise's friends.

Tsaka niya lang napansin na hindi pala niya naalis ang headband na sinuot sa kanya ni Pangs where there's a number 33 on top. Dennise chuckled, she blames the alcohol, but she suddenly felt funny while removing the headband.

"33," she muttered, she smiled at herself once again before leaving the CR. Only to find Alyssa outside, waiting for her while her arms are across her chest.

"Love," Dennise said and she put a hand on Alyssa's shoulder.

Alyssa immediately smiled and put her arm around Dennise's waist, "akala ko nakatulog ka na sa loob e."

"Hoy, hindi naman ako lasing," Dennise responded, "teka, were you waiting?"

Alyssa nodded, "you're not walking straight na kanina, kaya sinundan kita."

"Okay baby," Dennise said, walking beside Alyssa, "you're not drinking?"

"No, I'll drive later pa. Babe?"

"Hmm?"

"Lakad muna tayo sa labas? I'll message Ella para hindi sila maghanap," Alyssa asked her.

Dennise chuckled, "hindi nga ako lasing. But okay, baby."

Alyssa kissed her head before getting her phone inside her pocket and sent a message to Ella. She slid down her hand after to hold Dennise's hand as they exit the bar.

"How are you, love? Enjoying the day so far?" Alyssa asked her, nakita niyang tumingin ito sa orasan niya, "30 minutes before your day ends!"

Dennise giggled, watching Alyssa who looked so excited, "I may agree with you, I don't look like 33."

She saw Alyssa laugh, "you stopped ageing after 18, actually," Alyssa told her and looked at her.

Dennise tightens her grip on Alyssa's hand, "it kind of brings you a little sappy feeling, though," she said and looked away, "I feel old pero minsan, I still question myself if nasa tamang lugar ba ako. Thought my life crisis will end when I turn 30, but no," she chuckled, "I'm very much grateful, babe, don't get me wrong. I'm in the best team, I have you, kung tutuusin I should not be asking this. But yeah. Birthday blues, I guess."

"It's okay, babe. Well, the truth is, I don't think our age should determine where we should be at in life. If you're lost at 33, ano naman? You still have a lot of years ahead of you to figure things out. And I hope it helps that I am still figuring out this life, too. Kung maliligaw ka man, kasama mo naman ako," Alyssa told Dennise. Dennise smiled at Alyssa and kissed her on the cheek.

"Alam mo..." Dennise said and Alyssa waited for what she's going to say next, "thank you babe. I think the person who you are with in figuring things out plays an important role din. You make everything bearable baby. How about a promise?"

"Oo na agad, promise na agad," Alyssa answered, she received a playful push from Dennise.

"Wala pa nga," Dennise said, "how about you promise me na kahit saan man tayo dalhin ng mundo, we'll stick with each other?"

"Ay sus! Consider it done, the 80-year old Alyssa would laugh at you, ang dali-dali niyan!"

Dennise laughed at her girlfriend, "you really know how to make me laugh."

"Syempre," Alyssa said and winked at Dennise, "I think you should know, love, i-establish natin okay? If, reality speaking, we have to navigate this life without each other, you don't have to worry kasi I may not be physically there but I will always be with you in spirit. BUT, trust me when I say that as long as I can and there would be no Godly intervention, mananatili ako sa tabi mo, mahal.

All roads lead to you, Dennise. Why do you think that after all this time, sayo pa rin ako umuwi? Sabi nga ni Ebe, ang bawat daan ko ay patungo pabalik sayo. Naligaw man, iniba man ang tinahak kong direksyon ng pansamantala, ikaw pa rin naman ang dulo," Alyssa said while looking at Dennise straight in the eyes.

Dennise pouted at Alyssa as her eyes are getting teary, she hugged Alyssa and buried her face on Alyssa's chest, "the 82 year-old Dennise says she loves you so much," she felt Alyssa laugh.

Dennise closed her eyes, as much as she doesn't want to display public affection in the streets of BGC, Alyssa telling her those words made her forget the world around them.

Although Dennise would not say it, she knew Alyssa sensed her sadness since earlier morning, nang sunduin siya nito for their game. Throughout the years of being friends and partners, Alyssa already knows her too well, but that's the thing about her girlfriend, hinahayaan lang siya nito unless there's a need to intervene.

She needed the walk, actually.

As they walk back to the bar, hand in hand, Dennise sighed loudly, catching Alyssa's attention, "33, God!" she said, laughing, she looked at Alyssa at nakangiti lang ito, "33," she mumbled.

"33," Alyssa repeated with her, and the two ended up laughing together.