Parallels

take care

"How does it feel?" Ella asked Dennise who's sitting at the bleachers. Their training just ended, and on a normal day, everyone should be picking up balls, tidying up their things, and couldn't wait to go home, but tonight is different.

"Nilapitan mo talaga ako to ask that?" Dennise asked and chuckled.

"Sorry, out of line ba, besh?"

"No, hindi naman," Dennise answered, "I thought lang you wouldn't bring it up."

Ella shrugged, "this is the 22 year-old Ella you are talking to."

Dennise laughed, she turned her head and looked at Alyssa awkwardly smiling while the rest of her team is teasing her. She finally introduced Ian to the team.

"The 33 year-old Dennise is happy for her, Ells," Dennise said and smiled at Ella.

Ella nods, "you feel it din ba? Na ito na 'yun?"

"To be honest, yes," Dennise answered, "when Alyssa introduced him to us, I kinda knew this might be really it."

"I hope you stop feeling guilt na rin, Den," Dennise looked at Ella, surprised. She didn't say a thing but Ella understood it. Her bestfriend smiled at her, "she just took her time," Ella added and Dennise only smiled.

Alyssa looked at them and signaled them to come and rescue her. Both laughed and stood up, not to help Alyssa but join the chaos.

All Alyssa could say was, "sumali pa talaga kayo!"

"I have something to say..." Alyssa suddenly said that made the dining table quiet. In the said table, there was Dennise, Ella, Jema, Michele, and BDL.

"Are you getting married?" Bea asked.

"Anong married? Wala ngang pinapakilalang boyfriend," Ella answered.

"E kung pinagsasalita niyo ako?" Alyssa butted in.

"MAY BOYFRIEND KA NA?" all of them asked.

Alyssa rolled her eyes, "last year, I met someone through a friend. And bago kayo magtampo that I didn't tell anyone anything, I wanted to feel things on my own muna. I wanted to figure it out alone, without anyone shadowing over me, listing pros and cons ganun. I... we're not official yet, but I want you to meet him. He's on his way. Please be nice!"

Everyone fell silent. Kinakabahang tinignan ni Alyssa isa-isa ang mga kaibigan niya.

It was Michele that broke the silence, "dalaga ka na, anak!!!" Michele said, stood up and hugged Alyssa.

Alyssa laughed, "ang OA!"

"Nasaan na ba yung kahoy na pwedeng ipasibak?" Ella said.

"Ella!!" reklamo ni Alyssa.

Dennise laughed, "marunong bang mag-igib yan, Ly?"

"Pati ba naman ikaw, Den???"

"On the way na yung mga manok na kailangan hulihin," Bea said.

"My God," Alyssa could only react.

Dennise bid her goodbye to her teammates as they separate ways in the parking lot. Pagkasakay niya ng sasakyan, she saw Alyssa and Ian going to their ride, 2 cars away from hers. Dennise honked and rolled down her window.

"Thanks ulit sa halo-halo, Ian!" Dennise shouted.

Ian smiled at her and nodded, while Alyssa laughed.

"Ingat ka, Den!" Alyssa said.

"You too! See you toms, lover girl!" Dennise teased, and laughed out loud when Alyssa scratched her head. She waved them goodbye before closing up the window.

Dennise took a moment and watched Alyssa get inside the car while Ian waited for Alyssa to got in. Kahit madilim na, Dennise saw a glimpse of Alyssa's smile before the door closed. Saglit pang kumaway si Ian sa kanya before jumping in the driver seat. As the car moved, she saw the window rolled down and Alyssa was waving at her, Dennise waved back, and watched the car leave.

"Are you happy, Den?" Alyssa asked her, the night when Dennise announced her engagement.

"Very, Ly," Dennise answered.

Alyssa smiled at her, "you deserve it."

"You deserve it, too, alam mo naman 'yun di ba?" Dennise asked her.

Alyssa nodded at her, smiling, but Alyssa's eyes said otherwise.

"We let it slide, didn't we?" Dennise asked after a long silence.

Alyssa smiled, "I'm afraid we did."

Dennise nodded, "someday, maybe?"

"Maybe," Alyssa answered, "I'm going to miss you."

"Me, too," Dennise said and hugged Alyssa tight, as she clutches on Alyssa's Season 77 championship tshirt.

"I love you, Dennise."

"I love you more, Ly," 23-year-old Dennise said. 

There was a smile in Dennise's face the whole time. Alyssa's happiness was contagious that it reached her.

She left the place soon after.

And finally, Dennise heaved a sigh of relief. 

For a love so rare
So you take care