Alyssa was sitting on her bed, reading a book when Dennise finally woke up from her slumber. Bea and Jia had left a couple of hours ago and she could see how Dennise felt sad on missing out their get together last night.
Somehow, more than that, Dennise looked miserable for something else. Alyssa intended to find out.
"Good afternoon, Den. Do you want to eat na?"
Dennise shook her head as she moved to sit beside her on her bed, on the space already reserved for Dennise. Dennise has been sleeping beside her except when she came from a long duty or surgery to give both of them enough space and time to rest well.
"I heard you and Bea got into a fight," Dennise started, looking at her wearily.
"I wouldn't call it a fight. And we're fine now," she answered with a smile.
To be perfectly honest, she wasn't holding a grudge against Bea. If anything, she was really happy for her and Jia. She tried hard not to be jealous of what they had.
"Ly," Dennise whispered and looked away. "Why did you choose me?"
Alyssa was taken aback. They had never had this conversation.
Dennise didn't ask after that faithful event in December. She didn't know why Dennise would ask now.
"What do you mean, Den?" she asked, wanting to know the whole picture.
Dennise looked at her with determination.
"Why did you choose me over Mika? I know she's the one you want."
When the tears stared to fall from Dennise's eyes, it broke her. Somehow, she's still hurting Dennise even though that was the last thing she wanted.
She sat up properly and faced Dennise, moving to caress her face with her left hand and wiped her tears away.
"Den, naaalala mo ba 'yung dugyuting batang babae na nakilala mo sa Palarong Pambansa?" Puberty hit her quite well but before then, she really looked dugyutin. "She was so jealous of how pretty you were even after a game. But more than that, she was amazed at how a pretty girl like you wanted to be friends with her."
Dennise looked confused at where she was going with what she was saying. She moved both her hands to capture Dennise's small but soft hand between hers, caressing it comfortingly instead.
"Do you remember that scrawny girl who couldn't play alongside you on her first year because she had to serve her residency? She couldn't believe you really became her closest friend and she was really happy she got to train with you. She was the happiest when she was able to spend time with you."
Alyssa smiled, all the fond memories she had with Dennise entered her mind. Dennise was still confused but she was beginning to remisce the things Alyssa was saying and it made her smile as well.
"How about that girl who people started to call Phenom even though she didn't really feel like she was? She didn't think she was special, you know? But you made her feel that way. You made her feel like she was the most special person in the world when she fell in love with you and you loved her right back. You fell in love with her and she couldn't figure out why and how but she was thankful and she cherished that."
Alyssa felt Dennise intertwine their fingers and gave her hand a squeeze.
"You broke her heart and she broke yours. Bata pa kayo, eh. Hindi niyo pa kayang ipaglaban ang isa't isa noon. You both accepted that you can't be anything more than friends. She accepted that she would have to see you be happy with someone else. And it was fine; at least, she got to keep you by her side."
