Parallels

atacy outtake #3

{on the early days of Alyssa and Dennise during their café hunting. before Alyssa spent Christmas at the Lazaros}

Alyssa pretended to read her notes, pero alam niyang niloloko na lang niya ang sarili niya. Her mind is already anticipating Dennise's arrival. Bea was the one who told her na nakita siya sa library. Bea told her na tumatawag daw si Dennise sa kanya but Alyssa's not answering kaya nakisuyo ito na if she sees Alyssa, tell her that Dennise is coming.

Truth be told, when she checked her phone na naka-DND mode, may tatlong missed calls si Dennise sa kanya and a message asking where she is. She still replied, although late, telling Dennise that she's at the library. Dennise's like emoji was sent 20 minutes ago. She wasn't able to focus on anything after that apart from staring at the library's entrance. At sa wakas, dumating na rin ang hinihintay niya.

Alyssa sat up straight, pretending to not know that Dennise is walking towards her.

"Hello," Dennise whispered, sitting across her.

"Did you run?" Alyssa asked when she noticed that Dennise is catching her breath. Dennise nodded, Alyssa asked again, "bakit?"

"Econ building. BEG. Library," Dennise answered.

Alyssa chuckled, "nagcocomplete ka ba ng 20k steps?"

Dennise rolled her eyes, she sighed before answering Alyssa, "forgot something sa gym lang."

Alyssa nodded, "anong meron?"

Dennise smirked, "coffee?"

"Wala kayong training mamayang gabi?" Alyssa asked.

"Cancelled e," Dennise answered, "but if you're busy, okay lang—"

Alyssa closed her book, "saan?"

Dennise chuckled, "sa Marikina actually, para malapit na lang din sayo."

"Wow, thoughtful," Alyssa commented and laughed when Dennise rolled her eyes, "okay. Kasama ba si Ella?"

Dennise shook her head, "already declined. Matutulog daw siya. Are you fine walking pa-dorm to get Midknight?"

Alyssa nodded, "simula nung nakilala kita, nasanay na lang din ako."

"Ha? Saan? Sa paglalakad???" Dennise asked.

"Oo, di ko naman usually nililibot ang campus," Alyssa answered, "building namin, library, uwi lang."

"Boriiiing," Dennise joked.

Alyssa laughed, "so thanks, got to see the other parts of the campus because of you."

"Si OA yan siya! Let's do a walkthrough next time, I want to know alin pa ang hindi mo alam sa campus na 'to," Dennise said.

"Uy, may next time," Alyssa teased.

"Nevermind," Dennise responded.

"Hindi naman mabiro!" Alyssa said while laughing, "halika na, para ma-complete ko na rin yung 20k steps ko," Alyssa said and stood up.

Dennise rolled her eyes and followed Alyssa.

Alyssa, on the other hand, bit her lip to stop herself from smiling. When she saw Dennise walking beside her, may sinasabi ito pero hindi na niya masyadong maintindihan.

All she knows is, she was not really a fan of coffee.

But maybe, it all depends on who you share it with.

--