Take Me to Church

Chapter 2

Den inhaled deeply. This is a good day sabi ni Den sa isip niya while appreciating the scenery.

"Ate Den? Are you even listening?" Sabi ni Bea sa tabi niya while waving her hand.

"Sorry. I was just caught up with the scene." Sabi ni Den while smiling. She was looking around. Maganda kasi ang pwesto ng simbahan. Nasa gitna ito ng tatlong streets, nasa corner talaga ito. You could see people walking around. They might be going to the Hospital, their school or sa mall. Dennise is just at awe seeing people around her.

"You were saying?" Tanong ni Dennise kay Bea while shifting her gaze from the streets to her.

Bea seemed so amazed. "You are really just like her Ate." Saad ni Bea. Smiling.

"Like who?" Tanong ni Den na nakakunot ang noo.

"Maddie. Once you are engrossed in something that you're doing di niyo na napapansin yung iba. Madalas nga akong di mapansin nun lalo na pag naglalaro siya ng NBA. Haha" Bea let out a genuine laugh.

Den smiled sweetly. "You are so inlove Bei." Sabi ni Den.

"I am. I still am." Bea looked down and let out a sad smile. Den was about to say something pero naunahan siya ni Bea. "But enough about me. Ikaw Ate? What's with the Soccer ball? Nakakaintriga naman yung reason mo kaya nagpursige ka sa Med School."

Den started to go down the stairs of the Church. Malaki kasi yung Church and you need to climb the stairs to get there. Nakasunod naman si Bea dito. They are talking while walking. "Oh that. It's bacause of Marlo." Sabi ni Den.

"Marlo? Boyfriend mo Ate Den?" Takang tanong ni Bea.

Den let out a chuckle. "No. Marlo is my brother." Sagot ni Den while looking to her left and then to her right. Bea did the same. They were about to cross the street.

"Your brother? What happened to him?" Sabi Bea habang tumatawid.

"He died. 8 years ago. Second year, Med School." Sabi ni Den while guiding Bea sa kainan na sinasabi niya.

"I'm sorry" maikling sabi ni Bea habang bakabuntot kay Den. Mga five minutes lang naman na lakaran yun when they reached their destination.

KAHIT SAAN (Barbeque House) yun yung unang bagay na nakaagaw ng atensiyon ni Bea. She let out a giggle. Napansin naman yun ni Den. "Catchy huh?" sabi ni Den while smiling at tumingala kay Bea.

"Very." dagdag ni Bea while holding her giggles.

"Ate Mary!" sigaw ni Den sa isang babae. Mga nasa late 40s na ito. Siya yung may ari ng kainan. Matagal tagal na rin si Den suki nito. Before Med School pa.

"Den!" sigaw naman ni Ate Mary. "Este, Doc Den!" pagtatama ni Ate Mary sa sarili at lumapit sa dalawa.

"Ano ka ba Ate. Den na lang. Ikaw naman parang wala tayong pinagsamahan. Haha" sabi ni Den while giving a hug kay Ate Mary.

"Ikaw talaga. Masyadong mapagpakumbaba. Haha! Oh. Ikaw lang ba? Sino ba kasama mo? Si Alyssa kasama mo na ba?" sabi ni Ate Mary habang tumitingin tingin sa likod niya animo hinahanap ang sinasabi niyang Alyssa.

Den let out a fake laugh. Expecting that Bea wouldn't mind what she heard. Alam niya naman narinig ni Bea yun. "Ahhh. Hindi po Ate. This is Bea. My friend. Nameet ko lang recently." Sabi ni Den while introducing Bea kay Ate Mary "Bei, this is Ate Mary. Ang barbeque queen ng buong mundo. Haha" dagdag pa ni Den habang tumatawa.

Bea waved her hand kay Ate Mary. "Hello po! Ganda ng name ng kainan niyo Ate ah. Ang unique. Haha! Nakakaagaw atensiyon." Sambit ni Bea while looking around. Napansin niya na simple lang yung kainan. Di ganon kagarbo. Semento lang ang floor, plastic chairs and plastic tables ang nandoon, may flat screen TV na di gaano kalaki pero sakto lang para sa place. Marami rami na ring kumakain kahit 10am pa lang.