" you're the light in my dark life, Dennise. "
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Umaga palang andito na kami ng aso ko sa park kung saan kami lumalagi tuwing umaga. Nakagawian na naming pumunta dito dahil nga malapit lang 'to sa kung saan ako nakatira. Nasa lap ko ang aso kong si Ginger habang hinihimas ang malambot at maitim nyang balahibo sa huli kong pagkakatanda, natigil iyon ng may naramdaman akong presensya sa kanan ko.
"Can I sit here?" Narinig kong tanong ng assume kong isang babae dahil sa feminine na boses nya.
Tumango nalang ako at tinuloy ang ginagawa ko kanina. Umupo na yung babae kanina at nagulat na lamang ako dahil hindi ako nakarinig ng tahol sa aso kong si Ginger. The girl beside me is definitely a stranger and I remind him that if he feels uncomfortable, he can bark so we can leave the place immediately but this time he's not making any sounds.
"Hi, what's this cute dog name?" while patting my dog's head. I flinched when her hand slightly brushes mine. Nag-sorry naman sya agad.
"It's Ginger." I answered the girl. Ginger still not making any sound, I bet he is comfortable with this stranger.
"I'm sorry but we need to go already, excuse us." Kinarga ko si Ginger, baka magpaalam pa kasi itong estranghero na nasa harapan ko.
"You're so cute, Ginger. Until next time. Ingat kayo." And she patted Ginger's head again and he wiggles his tails and bark, like it's his answer. I just nodded and binaba ko na si Ginger para lumakad.
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Tumunog yung bell sa door ng coffee shop that Ginger and I usually stays in afternoon.
Naramdaman ko namang lumapit sakin ang barista at tinanong ang order ko.
"Hi, Alyssa. The usual?" I nodded and binigay ang bayad ko.
Pumunta na kami sa lagi naming tambayan sa coffee shop na 'to and hinintay na matapos ang inorder ko na Iced Caramel Macchiato.
Naisip ko yung babaeng nameet namin ni Ginger 3 weeks ago. Well, nameet uli namin sya kinabukasan nung patawid kami sa daan.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.
"Ginger! Alyssa!" The same girl we met 3 weeks ago.
"Hi ginger!.... Can I carry him, Alyssa?" She asked my permission first and when I nodded, she immediately carry him. Ginger just barks, enjoying her touch.
"I'm sorry but we need——" she cut off my sentence and pleaded to stay a little longer.
"Alyssa, please? Can you stay longer? Lagi ka nalang nagpapaalam na umalis tuwing andito ako." She pleaded.
"Honestly, I always feel uncomfortable with strangers and I don't know you, you know. So basically you're stranger to me." I answered.
"You know my name, I know your name. So basically, I am no longer a stranger. Just stay longer, Alyssa, I know you have nothing to do today."
I don't have any choice and she's right, after this I have nothing to do anymore. I decided to stay longer.
Nagkwento naman si Dennise about sakanya like panganay sya sa tatlong magkakapatid and her parents are both doctors in their own hospital. I learned that she's working as a teacher that explain why we didn't seen her a couple of weeks. She just moved from her parent's house in Makati and now she's staying in her condominium somewhere here in Q.C. I asked her also bakit nya kami nilalapitan or ina-approach, sabi nya wala pa syang friends dito and kami palang. I didn't know na tinuturing nya pala kaming kaibigan, so, tinuring ko na din sya. Hindi ako nagkwento about sakin pero I feel comfortable narin around her.
