Nakahiga na ngayon si Alyssa sa kanyang kama pero hindi siya makatulog ng maayos. Hindi niya pa rin maproseso nang maayos ang sinabi ng kaibagan. She decided to go to her go-to spot in the apartment which is the balcony. Again, she stayed there with a can of beer on her left hand and a stick of cigarette on her right hand. She's just looking at the city lights and the busy streets of New York City while still thinking about the conversation she had with Gretch a while ago. Hindi siya makapagisip nang maayos. Her mind is full of thoughts. She just closed her eyes and tried to absorb it all, one bye one, hoping that she'll get answers after.
Madaling araw na pero si Dennise hindi pa rin makatulog. Iniisip niya pa rin yung tungkol sa kasal na sinabi ni Gretch kagabi. Sa tingin niya, medyo may point naman ang kaibigan, madaling malulutas yung problema nila kaso nga lang mukhang malabong pumayag si Aly dito, halata naman sa reaksyon niya kagabi. Half of her wants to agree pero nahihiya siya kay Aly, baka isipin nito na sobrang desperada na niya at pati pagpapakasal sa taong hindi niya mahal ay papatulan niya na. Hindi siya mapakali sa kama niya kaya she decided to go out of her room and get some milk. She was about to enter the kitchen when she saw a shadow o the balcony. Patay kasi ang ilaw sa living room at sa balcony kaya hindi masyadong kita. Den got curious kaya nilapitan niya ito. She was a bit shocked of what she saw. A sleeping Alyssa on a chair with a can of beer on her hand. Nakita niya rin ang ashtray, box of cigarette at lighter sa table at napailing na lang siya rito. Nilapitan niya ito para kunin ang beer at ilagay ito sa table pero natigilan siyan nang makita niy ang mukhan nito sa mas malapitan. She can't help but admire her. Alyssa is handsomely beautiful but Den can still see the sadness painted all over her face.
"Who are you before I knew you?" she said silently while slightly caressing Alyssa's face.
Den went back to her room not to sleep but to get something saka bumalik ulit kung nasaan si Alyssa na may dala kumot. Takot kasi siyang gisingin ito at di niya rin naman kayang buhatin ito kaya dinalhan niya na lang ng kumot. She covered her and made sure na hindi yon maalis dahil sobrang lamig na ngayon sa labas, baka magkasakit pa ito. She smiled when she saw Alyssa's face up close again. Hindi niya mapaliwanag yung nararamdaman niya. It's a strange feeling yet a familiar one. Den took a deep sigh and shrugged it off saka bumalik na rin sa kwarto niya para matulog.
Kinaumagahan, naalimpungatan si Alyssa dahil sa sinag ng araw at ingay mulua sa mga sasakyan. She moved a little saka kinusot ang mga mata. Kumunot naman agad ang kanyang noo nang may maramdamang may telang nakaibabaw sa kanya, kinapa niya ito saka minulat ang mga mata. Ang pagkakatanda niya, lumabas siya rito na tanging beer at sigarilyo lang ang dala at walang bitbit kumot dahil hindi niya naman alam na dito siya makakatulog. She then realized that the sheet isn't hers. Kilala niya ang mg a gamit niya at alam niyang hindi sa kanya ang kumot na hawak niya ngayon. Isa lang naman ang naisipan niyang pwedeng gawin iyon eh, malamang yung kasama niya sa bahay. Hindi niya namalayan na nakangiti na siya ngayon. She stood up to take a bath and finally prepare some breakfast.
It's 8am already and Alyssa is now at her kitchen cooking some pancakes and bacons. She prepared a breakfast for two because she thinks Den would be up too any minute from now. Limang minuto na ang nakalipas, hindi pa rin lumalabas si Dennise at hanngang natapos siyang kumain, walang Dennise na lumalabas mula sa kuwarto nito. Binalewala niya na lang at itinabi na lang ang mga pagkain. After cleaning the kitchen, Kinuha naman niya lahat ng nagamit niyang damit for the past para dalhin sa laundry shop. 2 hours later, nakabalik na rin siya sa apartment. She checked the food she left kung nakain na ba ni Dennise at medyo nagtaka nang makita niyang naroon pa ring ang mga ito. Usually kasi, si Dennise lagi yung unang nagigisiing sa kanilang dalawa. She decided to check on Dennise kahit nahihiiya siya, mahirap na at baka kung ano na ang nangyari dito. Nasa harap na siya ngayon ng pinto ni Dennise at agad nang kumatok. Hindi ito sumasagot after knocking 3x. She held the doorknob and was a bit surprised that it's not locked. Dahan dahan niya itong binuksan at tuluyan na ring pumasok sa loob. Agad naman bumungad sa kanya ang Dennise na payapang natutulog. Napanatag ang loob niya ng makita niyang maayos naman ito. Lalabas na sana siya but something is like pushing her to walk closer to Dennise, something like a gravity. She absentmindedly found herself kneeling right in front of a sleeping Dennise. She kinda look a bit messy but she's still undeniably beautiful. Alyssa finally decided to go out of the room and just let her sleep.
—
Kanina pa nagring ang cellphone ni Den, rinig niya naman ito pero antok pa talaga siya. Ring pa rin ito nang ring kaya wala naman siyang magawa kung hindi sagutin ito. She lazily reach her for and answered it without even looking at the caller's ID.
"WHAT?" she said with a little bit of annoyance on her voice.
"Anong what ka diyan?! Wait... Did you just woke up?!" di makapaniwalang tanong nang nasa kabilang linya. "Hoy Dennise, it's freaking 12pm already! GET UP AND OPEN THIS DOOR KUNG AYAW MONG SIRAIN KO TO!"
Den hissed. Kakagisiing niya lang ganito na agad ang bungad sa kanya. Kahit ayaw niya, bumangon pa rin ito dahil kanina pa hindi tumitigil ang tunog ng doorbell nila.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she annoyingly said as soon as she open the door.
"Wow ha, I feel so welcome."
"Shut up, Gretch." Den said then rolled her eyes. "Come in, idiot."
Gretch went inside at dumeretso ring umupo sa sala.
"Bakit ba ako tinawagan mo eh pwede namang si Aly?" Den asked, she's obviously pissed kasi naistorbo tulog niya.
"FYI, I called Aly too kaso she's at the supermarket daw kaya ikaw na lang tinawagan ko." sagot ni Gretch. "Teka nga, bakit ba ang sungit mo? Meron ka ba? You look like a mess."
"Gaga, wala." Den answered. "Puyat lang siguro, late na ako nakatulog eh."
"What time?"
"2."
"Totoo?"
"Fine. Around 6am, I guess." Den answered without looking at her friend.
"Dennise—"
"I'm fine, Gretch... It's not what you think it is, okay?" Den calmly said.
Alam ni Den kung ano ang iisipin ng kaibigan niya kapag sinabi niyang late na naman siyang nakatulog. Iisipin nito na baka bumalik na naman siya sa dati, na baka bumalik na naman ang frequent anxiety attacks niya and of course she doesn't want to make her friend worry kaya sinabi niya na mali ang iniisip niya.
"It's about what you said last night." Den added.
"And?"
"You have a point and to be honest, I kinda want to agree with your proposal kaso naisip ko si Aly... I mean, we both saw how she reacted last night and from that I am hella sure that she won't agree with you plan." paliwanag ni Den. "I think it's better for us to forget about it na lang... baka palayasin pa ako ni Aly pag nalaman niyang I agree with you, nakakapagod magpalipat lipat ng tinutulaya!"
Gretch chuckled with Den's last statement.
"Siraulo, daming sinasabi tapos babalik din pala sa Paris ang ending." Gretch said
"You can stay." a voice said.
Parang nanigas ang buong katawan ni Dennise upon hearing that voice at ganun din si Gretch. Of course they know that voice, and of course it's Alyssa, siya na lang hindi nila kasama eh.
Dennise mentally facepalmed. How the hell did they not notice her coming in, she thought.
Alyssa went straight to the kitchen para ibaba ang mga pinapili niya. The two didn't talk. Nagkatingina lang sila as if they're having a conversation mentally. Alyssa came back and sat across them. Magsasalita na sana si Gretch pero pinigilan siya ni Alyssa.
"Let me talk first, alright?" sabi niya sa dalawa at tumango naman ang mga ito. "First of all, Gretch, your plan is crazy, alam mo ba yon? MAN TWAS DAMN CRAZY!" she whined. "But then, I realized you were right. It's a win-win situation not just for me & Den but also for you kasi mababawasan na rin yung stress mo sa aming dalawa..."
"So you mean???" Gretch asked.
"Yeah, I'll go with it... as long as okay kay Den." Alyssa answered at bahagyang tumingin kay Den.
Dennise did't say a word. She seems to be lost at the moment. Her heart is beating fast at hindi niya alam kung ano ang dahilan, isabay mo pa yung sakit ng ulo niya.
"Den?" pukaw ni Gretch sa kanya saka kumaway sa harap niya. "Earth to Dennise! earth to Dennise!"
"O-oh I-i'm s-sorry." Den said when she came back to her senses. "What was it again?"
"Ayan, matulog ka pa ulit ng 6am para tuluyan ka nang maging sabaw." bulyaw ni Gretch, Den just rolled her eyes on her friend. "Alyssa said she'll go with my plan as long as you'll go with it too? So?"
"What? Are you really sure about this, Alyssa?" Den asked, di siya makapaniwala eh. "Look, if you're just doing this because you heard me a while ago--"
"Yes, Dennise, I am sure about this." Alyssa answered then give her a reassuring smile.
"Alright! So, it's settled then? Oh my God! My bestfriends are going to marry each other! I can't believe this!" sabi ni Gretch at bahagyang natawa naman ang dalawa sa kanya.
Binatukan siya ni Alyssa, "Ulol! Kala mo naman hindi mo plano to." sabi pa niya.
"Pumayag ka naman, tanga!" sabi ni Gretch
Natawa naman si Den sa inasal ng dalawa. Parang mga batang nagaaway lang sa park kung umasta.
"Alright, I'm gonna leave you two here na so that you can talk about your wedding and all, may pupuntahan pa kasi ako so yeah." paalam ni Gretch. Hinatid na nila ito papalabas, "Balitaan nyo ako kung ano man mapapagusapan nyo. I'm just a text or call away, my dear friends. Adios!"
They went back inside right after they hid their goodbyes to Gretch. Nasa loob na sila ngayon when Den almost fell to the floor all of a sudden. Buti na lang nasa likuran niya si Aly at mabilis siyang sinalo nito.
"DENNISE!" Alyssa shouted nang masalo niya ito. Agad niyang tinapik ang pisngi nito para subukang gisingin. "Den? Dennise?! Hey, come on!!!"
Alyssa is panicking as hell right now, di niya alam anong gagawin. Kinuha niya ang kamay nito para icheck ang pulso at pati na rin sa leeg. Medyo napanatag naman ito when she felt Den's pulse. She took a deep breath to make herself calm at nang maging kalmado na, binuhat na niya si Den at dinala na sa kwarto nito. Maayos niyang hiniga si Den sa kama nito saka nilagyan ng kumot.
30 minutes after, Dennise finally woke up. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at napabangon bigla.
"Was it just a dream?" tanong nito sa sarili. "But it felt so real." naguguluhan siya kung totoo ba ang nangyaring usapan nila nina Alyssa at Gretch. Pakiramdam niya totoo ito pero bakit nasa kwarto niya pa rin siya at parang kakagising lang din niya? Naputol naman ang pagtatalo niya sa sarili niya nang may biglang pumasok.
"Ohh! Thank God you're awake na! I'm sorry for barging in, I just wanna check you up." Alyssa said, she noticed Den na nakatitig lang sa kanya na parang wala pa rin sa sarili. "Wait, are you alright na ba? You look so pale."
"A-aly, did something happened?" nahihiyang tanong niya.
"You don't remember?" Aly asked at tiningnan lang muna siya ni Den bago tumango. "You passed out kanina when we came back... Di ko alam anong gagawin kaya dinala na lang muna kita dito sa kwarto mo."
"Ohh... Thank you." Den said.
"Don't mention it." Aly answered. "Fix yourself so you can eat... I cooked, sabay na tayo kumain... and we will talk things out na rin." she added saka lumabas.
"It was real." sabi niya after absorbing what the hell just happened. "Holy mother of cheeseballs, I am getting married."
Dennise freshen up saka lumabas, ayaw niya rin namang paghintayin si Aly. Kumakain sila ngayon when Alyssa suddenly paused.
"Den? Kailan ba mageexpire yung visa mo?" tanong ni Aly.
"In 4months." Den answered. "Why?"
"So we can schedule the wedding." sagot naman ni Alyssa at biglang nasamid si Den. "Hey, you alright?"
"Y-yeah. Sorry about that." paumanhin ni Den. "Ahm... kaya naman na siguro next month? Or ikaw, ano pa ba plano mo? I'll just go whatever it is na lang."
"Next month? Hmm, pwede na..." sabi naman ni Aly. "What do you think about having rules? You know, para alam natin yung limitations natin."
"Sounds good to me." pagsasangayon ni Den. "We'll just make it as one para fair... you start."
"Aight. Rule #1: No one should know about our hidden agendas, well, except for Gretch." Aly said.
"Okay. Rule #2: We'll stay in our respective rooms even after the wedding."
"Rule #3: Kanya kanyang gastos pa rin tayo dito sa bahay."
"Kuripot." Den whispered."Rule #4: Do not dare to date other people. It's still cheating at baka mabuko pa tayo. Saka na after divorce."
"No worries, Den. I don't do dating anymore. I already made a promise to someone and to myself." Alyssa said kaya parang nabigla naman si Den. "Rule #5... what else? hmm... Do not meddle with each others' personal life issues or whatever you call it basta personal."
"Ohh... okay." sabi na lang ni Den, wala naman siyang magagawa eh. "How many months we'll stay as a married couple ba?"
Nagkibit balikat si Alyssa, "I don't know. Maybe after you get your Green Card? Yeah right after that."
"Alyssa, thank you ulit ah. From the very first day that we met, tinulungan mo na ako. Tapos you let me stay here pa and then this... It may not be that big deal for you but for me it is." nakangiting sabi ni Den.
"Dennise, nakailang pasalamat ka na ah, I told you not to mention it." sagot naman nito at ngumiti rin.
"Okay okay!" sabi ni Den. "Anyways, just leave your plates na lang if your finish na, ako na bahala maglinis dito."
"Nope. You leave your plates, and go back to your room so that you can rest. Den, you're small but you're heavy too kaya go na take some rest baka di na kita kaya buhatin pag mahimatay ka ulit." medyo natatawang sabi ni Aly, Den is about to protest but Alyssa spoke again. "No buts."😆😃😶🤗😇
Wala namang nagawa si Dennise kung di sumunod na lang sa sinabi ni Alyssa. Medyo padabog siyang umupo kasi naasar siya kay Aly, slight lang naman.
"Siraulong yon, akala ko concern tapos mangaasar lang pala." sabi niya saka tuluyan nang humiga at natulog.
Den woke up at 6:30pm. She stayed on her bed for a while. She's too bored kaya naisipan niyang gumala ngayong gabi. She fixed herself saka lumabas ng kwarto and she saw Aly sitting at the couch while watching tv. Nilapitan niya ito para magpaalam.
"Aly?" tawag nitonkay Aly at napatingin naman ito sa kanya, "Labas lang ako saglit, i'll be back after."
"Where are you going?" Aly asked.
"Ahm... Just going walk around the city, i think i need a breather." Den answered.
"It's late, Den." Aly casually answered. She stood up saka naglakad papuntang kwarto niya. "Wait lang."
Den was left dumbfounded in front of their main door. Gusto niya na sanang umalis pero hinintay niya na lang si Aly, baka may ipapabili. Aly went out from her room na nakajacket and beanie na rin. Nakatitig lang si Den sa kanya habang papalapit na ito sa kanya.
"What?" Aly asked when she caught Dennise staring at her.
"You're going out too? Why did you make me wait pa?" Den asked, medyo naiinis din siya kasi pinaghintay pa siya nito eh may lakad din pala. "Aly, if you're gonna offer me a ride, thank you but I'm good, I told you I'm going to walk."
"Who told you I'm going to offer you a ride?" Aly asked, medyo nahiya naman si Den doon. "We, Den. We are going to walk. Sasamahan kita. I told you it's not safe here in our area kapag ganitong season."
"You're being paranoid, Alyssa." Den said pero nauna na naglakad si Alyssa sa kanya palabas at sumunod na lamang siya. "May magagawa pa ba ako?"
"Wala, kaya tara na, dami mong sinasabi eh." Alyssa said na medyo natatawa kaya natawa na rin si Den.
They started walking hanggang sa makarating sila sa city proper. Den is busy taking photos habang si Aly naman wala lang, parang body guard lang ni Den. Minsan inuutusan siya ni Den na kuhanan ito ng picture, wala naman siyang magawa kasi ginusto naman niyang sumama dito eh. LOL. They went to a night market din para bumili ng food kasi di pa sila nakapag dinner. So far, hindi naman sila nabobore sa isa't isa, in fact, they are reallt enjoying each others' vibes pa nga.
"Where do you wanna go next ba?" tanong ni Aly habang kumakain.
"Hmm... Timesquare, perhaps? I don't know, my plan was really just to walk around or until where my feet would take me." Den answered.
"Are you really like that? You know, spontanuous?" takang tanong ni Alyssa.
"You can say that." Den answered. "But i used to be someone who loves to plan things out pero nakakapagod din yung ganon, nakakapagod madisappoint so yeah... ano? Tara na?"
Without waiting for Alyssa to answer, Den stated walking already kaya walang nagawa si Aly but to follow her na lang.
"Hoy wait lang!" sabi ni Aly nang makalapit na siya kay Den. "Ang liit liit pero ambilis maglakad." bulong nito pero narinig pa rin ni Den.
"I can hear you!" mataray na sabi ni Den habang naglalakad at natawa naman si Aly. "Bagal bagal kasi eh!"
"OMG, look oh street performer! Tara nood tayo!" Den cheerfully said, napailing na lang si Aly sa biglang pagbabago ng mood nito.
Den is now in front of the performers waiting for them to start singing. Si Alyssa ganoon pa rin, nasa likuran lang ni Den pero sa bandang right lang.
All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago
Is green eyes and freckles and your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel like
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
And all my walls stood tall painted blue
And I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you
And all I feel in my stomach is butterflies
The beautiful kind, making up for lost time
Taking flight, making me feel right
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
Alyssa couldn't stop herself from looking at Den who is now happily singing along pati na rin yung ibang nanonood, I mean what do you expect? It's Taylor & Ed's song kaya maraming nakakaalam. Den is obviously enjoying the show while Alyssa is enjoying the view naman. Nakatingin lang siya kay Den eh.
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
And you'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Come back and tell me why
I'm feeling like I've missed you all this time
Oh, oh, oh
And meet me there tonight
And let me know that it's not all in my mind
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
All I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
All I know is we said, "Hello"
So dust off your highest hopes
All I know is pouring rain and everything has changed
All I know is a new found grace
All my days I'll know your face
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Dennise immediately look at Alyssa right after the song. Medyo nagulat siya nang maabutan itong nakatingin din sa kanya pero binalewala niya. She smiled at Aly and the latter smiled back as well.
"You know you should smile a little more often." Den said.
"And why is that so?" Alyssa asked.
"Cause it suits you so well." Den answered.
"Are you crushing on me?" Aly said, she's kind of like teasing Den.
"Oh you wish!" Den answered and that made the two of them chuckle.
"What? I was just asking!" sabi pa ni Aly habang natatawa, she's obviously teasing Den more.
Den rolled her eyes "Let's go home! Dami mo nang sinasabi diyan, antok ka na ata eh!" sabi niya at nagsimula nang maglakad.
Mas lalo pang napatawa si Aly sa huling sinabi nito at saka hinabol si Den.
They are now in front of their apartment. Aly is looking for the key at si Den naman nakatitig lang sa kanya
"Taylor and Ed were right." she absentmindedly said which made Alyssa look at her.
"What?" takang tanong nito.
Den smiled. "Wala. Sabi ko, tara na sa loob." sabi niya pa saka pumasok at iniwan na naman si Alyssa sa may pintuan.
"Hey! You always have this thing of leaving me behind after talking!" reklamo ni Aly nang maabutan si Den na papasok na sa kwarto niya.
"Not my fault, you're a sloth." natatawang sagot ni Den. "Sige na, I'll get inside na and you should too, I know you're tired."
Papasok na sana si Den sa kwarto niya pero natandaan niyang di pa siya nakakapagpasalamat kay Aly sa pagsama sa kanya ngayong gabi. Not that she needed to kasi di rin naman niya ito inimbita but she felt like she has to.
"Nga pala Aly, i almost forgot to thank you." Den said, napalingon naman si Aly.
"For what?" takang tanong nito.
"For tonight? Gotta admit, I enjoyed your company. I think it wouldn't be that wonderful if you weren't with me." Den answered.
"That makes the two of us then." Alyssa answered and smiled. "Thanks to you too."
"Friends?" Den asked.
"Friends." Alyssa responded happily.
Dennise entered her room with a smile plastered on her face.
"Taylor and Ed were indeed right cause all I know since yesterday is everything has changed." she whispered.
--
Meh. 🥴