Take Me to Church

Chapter 3

"So, you hated each other?" Tanong ni Bea habang kumakain ng kanyang chicken inasal. Kalat kalat pa yung sauce sa bunganga niya. It made Den laugh.

"Yes we did. Pano kasi ang yabang yabang, bilib na bilib sa sarili. It took us a year bago nagkasundo. I was amazed with Ella, nakayanan niya yung cold treatment namin for a year" sabi ni Den. Bea noticed the beam in Dennise's eyes. She let out a genuine smile knowing that her new found friend is happy.

"What made you 'not hate her'?" Bea asks while raising her hand. She was asking for another cup of rice habang si Den nakatingin lang sa kanya. She was so amazed halos balat pa lang ng chicken barbeque ang nakain ni Bea pero nakaubos na siya ng isang rice.

"Told you. The best dito di ba?" Tanong ni Den. This time, she's looking at Bea and not on her plate.

"THE BEST!" sagot ni Bea "pero teka Ate, what made you 'not hate her' nga" dugtong pa ni Bea.

"What I saw isn't the sum of her parts. It was just... a part of her." Den said. Bea noticed her blushing.

"What do you mean, Ate?" Bea asked. Confused.

"Imagine a mountain view with dark skies, di ba nga you can't appreciate the view kasi walang sunlight? Pero once those dark skies goes away, it will be a beautiful view, a beautiful day. She's the sunshine after the rain." Sabi ni Den while smiling.

Bea's expression became more confused "okaaaay. I'll pretend na naintindihan ko yun. Hahaha" and Bea let out a laugh. "So, mind telling me how you fell for each other?" Bea asked eagerly.

"Who told you we did?" Tanong ni Den habang nakataas ang kilay.

"What!? You didn't!?" Bea's eyes went wide. She did not see that coming.

Kung kanina seryoso ang mukha ni Den, nakataas ang kilay, ngayon naman ay wala nang makitang mata si Bea. Den laughed so hard looking at Bea "I was kidding Bei. Hahaha" sabi ni Den.

Napaatras naman si Bea and pouted.

Flashback (Second Year College)

"Ako na magdadala niyan Besh" narinig ni Den na sabi ni Alyssa sa likod niya. Kakatapos lang nilang magpractice kasi UAAP Season na.

"No, it's okay Ly. I can manage" sabi ni Den while flashing her beautiful smile kay Ly.

"Ano ka ba. Parang di ka naman nasanay. Ako na magdadala" kinuha ni Alyssa yung duffel bag ni Den. It was on her right shoulder habang may backpack sa likod niya. Alyssa then intertwined her fingers with Den's as they walked towards their dorm.

"Oy ano yan ha?" Rinig ni Alyssa na sabi ni Gretchen sa likuran niya "Alam na ba ni Tito yan?" dagdag pa ni Gretch habang ngumingiti ngiti.

"Tssss malisyosa" sabi ni Alyssa while giving Gretchen a knowing look "Don't mind her, okay?" Alyssa said gently as she looked closely at Den. It seemed like a whisper. Den just noded.

They are like this. As clingy as this. Parang wala na lang sa kanila yung naghoholding hands sa public, yung dinadala ni Ly yung bag niya after the game. They were so used to it.

When they arrived at the dorm agad iniwan ni Ly yung backpack niya ang duffel bag ni Den sa floor. Ihing ihi na siya kaya tumakbo siya papunta sa CR.

Akala ko ba iihi lang yun? Bat ang tagal sa CR? takang tanong ni Den sa sarili. "Besh bat ang tagal mo? Gusto ko nang maligo! Ang baho baho ko na" sigaw ni Den sa labas ng CR. Pero she got no response.

Dahil naiinitan na si Den at ayaw niya matuyuan ng pawis, hinubad niya na yung top niya at humiga sa bed niya. Yes, sila ni Ly ang roommates, actually, kasama nila sa iisang kwarto si Ella before pero since may last minute recruit na humabol, Fille decided na si Aly at Den na lang ang matitira sa room para masamahan ni Ella yung recruit sa vacant room sa kabila.