"So, have you two talked already? What's your plan? Kailan ang kasal?" Gretch asked.
Yes, magkasama sila ulit ngayon. Gretch invited Alyssa to watch the newest Star Wars series sa flat niya and gusto niya rin itong makausap tungkol sa planong ng dalawa.
"Pwede ba isa isa lang yung tanong?" reklamo ni Alyssa. "Daig mo pa mga magulang namin ah."
"Shut up." sabi na lang ni Gretch. "Now that you have mentioned it, paano mo ito sasabihin kila Tito?"
"Di ko pa alam...Do you think they'll believe me? us?" Alyssa asked.
"Well, that I don't know..." sagot ni Gretch "Paano kung tanungin ka nila how you two met? paano mo niligawan? at paano mo napa OO sa marriage proposal mo?"
"Edi I'll make up a story na lang tapos sasabihin ko na lang din yon kay Dennise para di kami mabuko." sagot nito. "And ligaw? uso pa ba yon? Pwede namang sabihin na lang na naging kami na agad after 2 or 3 dates diba? tapos yung kasal, napagdesisyonan na namin agad kasi bakit patatagalin pa eh dun naman ang bagsak?"
Gretch facepalmed in disbelief, "Ly, your parents know you so well, I don't think they'll take that easily... They know how fucking passionate and romantic you are when it comes to this. Sa plano mong yan parang di mo man lang pina effort-an si Dennise at napaka easy to get niya pa and they won't like her with that."
"They don't need to like her naman, remember? Pagkukunwari lang naman to, bakit pa ako magpapahirap." Alyssa casually said.
Umupo si Gretch nang maayos. No doubt, she's a little pissed with how Alyssa is acting right now.
"Acting or not, the marriage will still be real kaya you have to take this serioulsy too, Alyssa Dan!" ma-awtoridad na sabi ni Gretch kaya medyo nagulat naman si Alyssa, she knew her friend is getting mad nang tawaging ang pangalan niya ng buo. "Come to your senses, Alyssa, hindi tanga ang mga magulang mo. You have to make some proofs para mapaniwala mo silang mahal niyo ang isa't isa kung gusto mong makuha yung gusto mo... I'm here to help, you just have to cooperate."
Alyssa sighed. "Fine. What should I do?" tanong nito.
"First, you both need to spend time together and take a lot of photos na magkasama, magagamit nyo rin to kapag magaapply na si Den for her green card. You have to make it look like you're together for 4 months already. Kunwari you two met online tapos you courted her and months after kayo na. 3rd monthsary niyo yung pagdating ni Den dito para sakto sa 2nd month ni Den dito, which will be your 4th monthsary, magpopropose ka na sa kanya." sabi ni Gretch at kumunot naman yung noo ni Aly sa huling sinabi nito. "Second, yes, you'll propose to her, idiot. Sino sa tingin mo ang maniniwala sa inyong dalawa na ikakasal na ikakasal na kayo without you proposing to her, aber?"
"Wait, you want me to propose to her?" di makapaniwalang tanong ni Alyssa.
"Ah Yes?" sagot ni Gretch. "Bakit ba? Ikakasal kayo, Ly, malamang dapat kang magpropose! Don't even try to give me that look para rin to sa inyong dalawa para mas lalo niyo silang mapaniwala."
"Damn it." mahinang sabi ni Aly saka uminom. "Ano? Meron pa ba?"
"Hmm... I think last na to, you have to act like a couple kapag nasa labas na kayo. Dapat alam nang katrabaho nyo at kung sino man yung kaclose niyo dito na you guys are in a relationship." dagdag pa ni Gretch. "Sabihan mo na lang si Dennise about this when you get home, so you can start it tomorrow. Alam kong wala kang trabaho because of the renovation of the cafe kaya bawal kang tumanggi."
Wala namang nasabi si Alyssa at tumango na lang sa kaibigan kahit ayaw niya sa gusto nito. After they finished a couple of episodes, nagpaalam na rin si Aly sa kaibigan at umuwi na. Gaya ng sinabi ni Gretch, sinabi niya na rin kay Dennise yung tungkol sa napagusapan nila kanina na nasa girlfriends stage muna sila ngayon saka na sa next monthsary nila na sila magiging officially engaged na, which is next week na.
The next day, it's 5:15pm already at kakatapos lang magayos ni Aly. She's just wearing her not-so-usual get up na naka black pants & turtle neck longsleeves covered with a gray long coat, adn a pair of Dr. Martens boots. She started walking at dumaan muna sa isang flower shop. Bumili lang siya ng simpleng Tulip boquet saka nagpatuloy sa pupuntahan niya. Pumasok siya sa isang bakeshop at umupo. After five minutes, may biglang lumapit sa kanya.
"Hi, ma'am! May I take your order?" sabi sa kanya nung babaeng nasa harapan niya, malamang isa ito sa mga nagtatrabaho dito, di nga lang nakauniporme, "Ma'am?"
"Ah no. I mean, I'm just waiting for someone... Can I ask a question?" sabi ni Alyssa at tumango naman ang babae. "Do you know any Dennise working here?"
"Dennise? Dennise Lopez?" tanong ulit ng babae.
"Yeah"
"Yes! She's still inside but I guess she'll be out already any minute from now." sagot naman nito. "Oh! You're waiting for her, am I right?"
"Kind of..." nahihiyang sagot ni Alyssa.
"Wait here, I'll call her." sabi ulit ng babae, pipigilan na sana siya ni Aly pero nagsalita ulit ito, "There she is! Dennise, over here!" tawag nito kay Den at nagmadali namang lumapit si Den sa kaniya.
Di agad nakita ni Den si Alyssa dahil patalikod ang upo nito. Medyo nagtataka naman si Den pero nilapitan niya pa rin niya ang mga ito.
"What is it, Mrs. Borabo?" tanong ni Den sa tumawag sa kanya, oo, boss niya ito kaya pala hindi naka uniporme tulad ng ibang manggagawa dito.
Alyssa mentally facepalmed herself. Hindi niya agad narealize na maaring may-ari pala ng bakeshop ang kausap niya. Hindi pa nakakapag salita si Mrs. Borabo, tumayo na agad si Alyssa, mukha kasing hindi pa rin siya napansin ni Dennise. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Dennise nang humarap sa kanya yung taong kanina pa nakaupo sa harap ng boss niya.
"Alyssa?" di makapaniwalang sabi nito. "What--"
"She's been waiting for you... about 15minutes already, i think" sabi ni Mrs. Borabo at napatingin naman ito sa kamay ni Alyssa at bahagyang ngumiti. "Waited for a girl to finish her work with a flower... hmm..." she silenntly added.
"Ahh, Alyssa, this is Mrs. Borabo, the manager and the owner of this bakeshop... and Mrs. Borabo, this is Alyssa, my... my..." hindi alam ni Den kung ano ang sasabihin niya, nagdadalawang isip siya kung sasabihin niya ba o hindi.
"her Girlfriend. I'm Den's girlfriend, Mrs. Borabo." dugtong ni Aly at napatingin naman sa kanya si Dennise. "Nice to meet you, by the way."
"Oh, I knew it!" nakangiting sabi ni Mrs. Borabo. "Dennise, you didn't tell us about this huh? but anyways, you two look good together! I'm happy for you!"
Ngumiti na lang si Dennise kahit medyo kinahabahan siya sa ganitong usapan. Hindi siya handa sa ganitong pangyayari.
"I guess I will have to excuse myself from you two cause it seems like you guys still have a date." nakangiting sabi ni Mrs. Borabo, "Bye! Enjoy the rest of the night, love birds!!"
Umalis na agad si Mrs. Borabo pagkatapos niyang magpaalam. Hindi naman makapagsalita agad si Dennise dahil nasorpresa talaga siya sa biglaang pagsulpot ni Aly dito sa bakeshop. She gave her a questioning look instead.
"Hi!" nakangiting sabi ni Alyssa na may hawak pang mga bulakbulak. "Tulips?"
Nagtataka pa rin si Dennise pero tinanggap niya naman ito. "What are these for?"
"Remember what I told you last night?" sabi ni Aly.
Dennise sighed. Oo nga pala, ngayon na nga pala sila magsisimula sa pagpapanggap.
"Right... I almost forgot about it, I'm sorry." sabi ni Den.
"So, dinner?" aya ni Aly.
Kumulog naman bigla ang tiyan ni Den, "Yeah, I'm actually starving." natatawang tugon ni Den.
"Old John's?" tanong ni Aly.
"Definitely a YES to that."
Alyssa told Den na hindi niya dala sasakyan niya but the latter said it's fine kasi Di naman gaano kalayo ang Old John's kaya naglakad na lang sila and walking is probably one of the best things to do when you're in New York kaya di rin naman nagreklamo si Den. Pagkarating nila ay agad namang silang nagorder and good thing, mabilis naman itong naserve. Inutusan naman nila yung waiter para kuhanan sila ng picture kasi yun naman talaga ang dahilan bakit sila nandito.
"Wow, di naman obvious na gutom ka ah." sabi ni Den nang makita niyang nakafocus si Alyssa sa pagkain.
"Shut up, I'm hungry." mataray na sagot ni Aly, medyo natawa naman si Den dito. "I haven't ate lunch."
"What?! eh you're at home the whole day pero you did not eat?" tanong naman ni Den.
"Tinamad ako magluto, bakit ba?" sagot nito, magsasalita na sana si Den pero nagsalita siya ulit. "Ayoko rin magpadeliver. Tinatamad ako bumangon, that's just it."
"Tinopak na naman." mahinang sabi ni Dennise.
"What?" tanong ni Aly, di niya msyadong narinig yung sinabi ni Den eh.
"Nothing. Just eat up." medyo natatawang sagot nito.
They continued eating without having a conversation. Hindi naman sa nahihiya sila sa isa't isa pero wala lang talaga silang maisip na paguusapan.
"Remember our Rule #5?" tanong ni Den
"About minding our own personal life? Yeah, why?" sagot ni Aly
"Can we set that aside muna? I mean, just for now. Gretch told me kasi na dapat daw natin kilalanin yung isa't isa, for future purposes... alam mo na." nahihiyang sabi ni Den. "Kahit yung basic lang, no need go further..."
"Okay, okay! I get it. Sinabi rin sa akin yan ng singkit na yon!" Alyssa said saka huminga nang malalim, "So ano? Paano ba?"⁷
"Search tayo sa google?" natatawang sabi ni Den.
Tumango naman si Aly sabay tawa, "Mabuti pa nga."
Kanya kanya sila naghanap sa google ng pwedeng itanong o dapat malaman sa isa't isa.
"Oh meron na ako. Pwede na siguro to." Aly said.
"Yeah, I have mine na rin." Den said. "Aight, I'll go first, simple lang naman mga to eh... First is our full name."
"Alyssa Danrae Caymo Velez at your service, ma'am!" nakangiting sabi ni Alyssa at nilahad pa ang kamay. "Pwede ko bang malaman ang iyong pangalan, binibini?"
Nakipagkamay naman si Dennise at tumawa, "Sira ulo! Anyways, I'm Dennise Leigh Garcia Lopez."
"Pretty name." Aly said.
"Cause I'm pretty."
"Parang biglang lumakas yung hangin dito sa loob, ano?" asar ni Alyssa.
"Yabang mo." Den said. "Sige na, your turn na! Daming satsat."
"Sungit!" sabi ni Aly saka tumingin sa phone niya. "Next... birthdays & birthplace"
"December 6, 1995... Paris, France." Den answered. "You?"
"It's on January 7, 1996 here in America but in Illinois." Alyssa said. "Have you ever been in the Philippines?"
"It's my turn na, daya mo!" bulyaw ni Dennise. "Fave color & food? Akin Blue and anything pasta."
"Orange and probably burgers." Alyssa answered.
"Burgers? Aly, fave food as in real food!" reklamo ni Den.
"What? It's a real food, Dennise!" Alyssa answered back.
"It isn't!"
"It is, Dennise."
"It is!! Ugh whatever you say!"
Natawa naman ulit si Alyssa, gets niya naman kung ano ibig sabihin ni Dennise pero gusto niya lang ito asarin.
"Next na... Other likes like fave activity, sports you know... Gets mo na yan, sige na sagot na." Aly said.
"I'm really not into sports but I play volleyball a little when I was in highschool. Di ako marunong magluto but I love baking..." sabi ni Den at pagtingin niya kay Aly medyo nangaasar na naman yung mukha nito. "Don't judge me those are two different things!"
"What? I'm not even saying anything!" natatawang sabi nito. "Ikaw ata judgemental eh."
"Alam mo, bwisit ka rin talaga minsan." Dennise said and rolls her eyes. "Oh ikaw na!"
"Wait lang, bakit parang ang init ng ulo mo today?" tanong ni Aly.
"Wala." Umayos naman si Den, napatingin siya kay Aly na ngayon ay medyo seryoso na ang mukha, bigla naman siya nahiya. "Sorry... Let's continue this getting to know thing na lang next time siguro."
Alyssa was a bit surprised by Den's sundden change of mood. Parang kanina pa paiba iba ang mood nito.
"You sure? Why?" tanong ni Aly.
"Yeah, I'm sure." Den answered.
They finish their food and left the restaurant. Naglakad na sila pabalik ng apartment at si Alyssa naman kanina pa di mapakali. Dennise is awfully quiet kaya di niya mapigilan mapatingin dito.
"Hey... are you alright?" Alyssa asked as they arrived in front of their apartment.
Den look at her and smiled. "Yeah. I'm fine... sumakit lang ulo ko, sorry."
They went inside the apartment at agad ding pumasok sa kani-kanilang kwarto without saying anything.
The next morning, Alyssa woke up earlier than Den again. She is at the kitchen making her coffee.
"You're up early again."
Agad naman napatingin si Alyssa dito.
"Ohh... good morning!" bati niya rin dito. "yeah, i had a good sleep, i guess."
"you're not sure?" Den said which made the two of them chuckled. "Anyways, good morning... You want some cookies?"
"Cookies for breakfast?" nangaasar na tanong ni Aly kaya tiningnan siya ng masama ni Den. "Of course, yes."
"Daming sinasabi gusto rin pala." Den whispered but enough for Alyssa to hear it natawa naman ito.
Kinuha na ni Den yung dough na ginawa niya kagabi pa at nilagay na sa oven. They waited for about 12minutes saka ito naluto.
"Ohh these smell good." sabi ni Aly nang mailagay ni Den ang cookies sa table. "S'mores cookies huh?"
"Yep!" Den answered and sat down. "Sorry, yan lang maioffer ko sayo for breakfast. I don't know how to cook eh... I mean I know, but I'm not good at it."
"Ano ka ba? It's fine with me, in fact, these are the best cookies I've ever tasted." Alyssa said.
"Luh grabeng pampalubag loob naman yan, parang di na ako maniniwala!" sabi ni Den.
"Hindi ah! It's true!" sabi ni Alyssa at kumuha ulit ng isang piraso. "The best to, Den, totoo! How'd you know how to bake?"
"Sige na, maniniwala na!" Den said. "From my Mom... She's a pastry chef. A good one. She even owned a bakeshop in Paris before."
"What happen to the bakeshop? Sarado na?" Aly asked.
"Nope. Bukas pa rin naman pero yung asawa ng kapatid niya na ang nagmamanage at maayos naman pagpapatakbo nila." Den answered. "They wanted me to handle it but I don't think i can."
"What? Why? You're good naman ah!" Alyssa said at ngumiti naman si Den.
"But not good enough, I guess." Den answered again. Kukuha na sana ulit siya ng cookie kaso wala na. "Wala na?? I baked 12 pieces at dalawa lang nakain ko?"
"Don't look at me like that, Dennise, I told you it's fcking delicious!" Alyssa said at natawa naman si Dennise sa inasal nito.
"I didn't know you're a cookie monster!" natatawang sabi ni Dennise, maaasar na sana si Aly pero totoo naman sinabi nito eh, she's really a sucker for cookies kaya nakitawa na lang din siya.
"You know, I wanted to be a pastry chef too." Alyssa said. "Hanggang ngayon gusto ko pa rin."
"What's stopping you?" Dennise asked, Alyssa shrugs. "Daya mo, ayaw sumagot pag ako nagtatanong."
"I'll tell you, Den, but not now." Alyssa said. "First, you must teach me your recipe of these wonderful cookies!"
"Sira ulo talaga. Mamaya na pagkauwi ko." Den said at napakunot naman ng noo si Alyssa.
"Where are you going?" Alyssa asked.
"It's Saturday, I'm going to Iyah." Den answered.
"Ay oo nga pala." Aly said. "Sige na, ako na bahala dito. Magready ka na."
"Sure ka?"
"Oo nga. Go na."
Bumalik na nga si Den sa kwarto niya para maligo at magbihis. After a while, lumabas rin siya agad. Nakita niya namang nakaupo si Aly sa couch at nakabihis na rin ito. Dennise did not bother to ask if she's going out too kasi halata naman.
"Aly, una na ako." paalam niya rito saka naglakad na papuntang pintuan.
"Huy wait!" sigaw ni Aly at huminto naman si Den saka siya nilingon
"What?"
"Hatid na kita. Tara." sabi nito saka lumabas.
Agad din sumunod sa kanya si Den. "Alyssa, I'm good. You can go na sa lakad mo."
"Wala naman akong lakad, I'm just gonna drive you to Iyah's house." Alyssa said.
"You don't have to, sige na I'll go na, ayan na taxi oh." paalam ulit ni Den, papara na sana siya ng taxi pero pinigilan siya ni Alyssa.
"Sakay ka na." Alyssa commanded.
So ayon na nga, sumunod din si Den sa utos ni Alyssa. Wala eh, mapilit talaga. Pero at some point, napaisip din si Den na mabuti na rin at hinatid siya nito dahil makakatipid din siya sa pamasahe.
Malapit na sila sa bahay nila Iyah at kita niya rin na saktong nasa labas din ang alaga niya with her parents, hinihintay na rin siguro siya ng mga ito.
"Thanks for the ride, Alyssa." Den said when they arrived. "Halika muna, papakilala kita kay Iyah."
"Wag na, Den. Nakakahiya, ayan sina Mrs. Borabo oh" sabi ni Aly.
"Luh, arte mo. Sige ka di ako bababa dito." Den said. "Daya mo talaga pag ako--"
"Oo na, oo na! Bababa na!" Alyssa cut her off.
Bumaba na si Den saka lumapit sa pamilyang Borabo. Yumakap naman agad si Iyah pagkalapit ni Den sa kanya.
"I missed you, Mimi!" Iyah said while hugging Dennise.
"I missed you too, baby." sabi naman ni Den.
"Dennise, is that Alyssa?" Mrs. Borabo asked, she saw Alyssa walking towards their direction.
"Who is she?" the man beside Mrs. Borabo asked.
"Den's girlfriend." Mrs. Borabo whispered with a smile on her face.
"Ahm... Mr. Borabo, this is Alyssa. Alyssa, this is Mr. Borabo." sabi ni Dennise.
"Glad to meet you, sir." bati naman ni Alyssa sa lalaki.
"Glad to meet you too, young lady." Mr. Borabo said. "So you're Dennise's girlfriend, huh?"
"Yes, sir." Alyssa answered.
"You are Mimi's girlfriend?" napatingin naman sila agad sa nagsalita, di nila alam na nakikinig pala sa usapan nila.
"Yes, baby, I'm your Mimi's girlfriend." Alyssa answered at pinandilatan naman siya ni Dennise.
"What's girlfriend anyway?" tanong ulit nito at natawa naman sila.
"You wouldn't understand, baby. It's an adult thing." Mrs. Borabo said.
"Okayyy... Mimi, is she going to stay with us today?" Iyah asked excitedly.
"Oh no, baby. Alyssa just drove me here and she'll go back at home." Dennise answered.
"Don't worry baby, next time I'll be staying with you two." sabi naman ni Alyssa kaya napatingin sa kanya si Den. "But only if you want to and if your parents allow me to."
"Mom, Dad? Can she stay with us next time?" pagmamakaawa ng bata.
"Of course, baby." the couple said in unison.
"Yehey!"
"Alright, we have to go already... We'll be leaving you here, okay?" Mr. Borabo said saka sumakay na ng sasakyan.
"Baby, please behave here, okay?" Mrs. Borabo said and Iyah nods, "And Den, call us if you need anything."
"Yes, Mrs. Borabo." Den said.
Umalis na rin ang mag-asawa pagkatapos nilang magpaalam sa isa't isa. Si Iyah naman naglalaro lang sa may garden nila, not minding Aly and Den. Den is about to talk pero biglang nagring ang phone niya kaya nagpaalam muna siya kay Aly to take the at lumayo ng konte rito.
"Hi, Alyssa!" Iyah cheerfully said. "You said you are my Mimi's girlfriend, what does it mean?"
Alyssa chuckles and bends down para magkapantay sila kay Iyah, "Me and your Mimi is a couple like your Mom & Dad but we're not married yet that's why I call her my girlfriend not my wife, it's just it, Iyah."
"Ohhh I get it... so does it mean that you two will get married soon like my Mom & Dad?" Iyah asked again.
"You are such a curious cat." Aly said while pinching Iyah's nose. "But to answer your question, yes, we will get married soon."
"Really??" Iyah asked, Alyssa nods, "So can I call you Baba from now on?"
Alyssa was caught off guard. She's obviously not ready for that kaya di siya nakasagot agad.
"Seems like you two are getting along, huh?" Den said, kakabalik niya lang from taking that call. "What are you guys talking about?"
"I'm just asking her about you guys and if can I call her Baba." Iyah answered.
Like Alyssa, Dennise was a bit shock too. Di niya inaasahan na maiisip yon ni Iyah. She mentally facepalmed kasi nahihiya rin siya kay Aly.
"What? Where did you get that idea?" Den asked,
"My arab friend at school calls his dad "Baba", that's it." Iyah answered. "I call you Mimi cause you're like my second Mom, and she told me you are going to be married soon so I think I should to call her Baba... but it's fine if she doesn't want to... I'm gonna go inside. Bye Alyssa!"
Medyo nagulat sila sa sagot ni Iyah. She's still a kindergarten pero ang talino magisip. Akala nila ay gawa gawa lang ni Iyah ang salitang Baba pero hindi pala.
Bumaling naman si Den kay Alyssa. "Alyssa pasensya ka na, may pagkamakulit din talaga to minsan eh. You know you can go naman na, we're good here."
"She's cute." nakangiting sabi ni Alyssa.
"What did you tell her ba? Bat naisip niya yon?" Den asked.
Imbis na sumagot, nag kibit balikat lang si Alyssa. They bid their goodbyes na rin kasi sabi ni Aly, pinapapunta siya ng boss niya sa cafe. Si Den naman kailangan niya na ring pumasok sa bahay kasi si Iyah lang nasa loob baka kung ano pa ang gawin.
Sakto 7pm nakauwi na ang mag asawang Borabo. Hindi na rin magtatagal si Dennise sa bahay nila kaya nagpaalam na siya sa mga ito.
"Mimi, can I say bye to Alyssa?" tanong ni Iyah.
"She's not here, Iyah, how would that be possible?" medyo natatawang sabi ni Den.
"She is." sabi naman ni Iyah. "Look outside... I think she's waiting for you."
Kumunot ang noo ni Den saka sumilip agad sa bintana. Iyah's right. Nasa labas nga si Alyssa.
"That's sweet. I like her for you, Dennise." nakangiting sabi ni Mrs. Borabo.
Di naman niya alam ano sasabihin niya kaya she just smiled.
"Mimi please?" pangungulit ni Iyah.
Napatingin si Den kay Mrs. Borabo as if she's asking for her permission as well at tinanguan naman siya nito bilang tugon.
"Alright. Let's go?" sabi ni Den saka kinuha ang kamay ni Iyah at naglakad na palabas.
"Hi, cookie monster!" bati ni Iyah kay Alyssa.
Nanlaki naman ang mga ni Dennise sa sinabi ng bata at pagkatingin niya kay Aly medyo nakakunot ang noo nito.
"What did you call me?" Alyssa asked.
"Cookie Monster. Mimi said you love to eat cookies so you're a cookie monster." Iyah answered innocently.
Hindi makapagsalita si Den dahil medyo natatakot siya sa magiging reaksyon ni Alyssa pero nawala naman yon nang makita niyang ngumiti ito and pokes Iyah's nose.
"Such a smart kid." Alyssa said. "I don't really like cookies in general, just the ones your Mimi baked."
Den blush because of what she heard. Alam naman niya na Alyssa is acting pero pakiramdam niya sasabog na ang puso niya dahil lang sa sinabi nito.
"Ahm Iyah, say bye to her and then I'll walk you back to the house." sabi ni Den sa bata
"I just really want to tell you to take care of my Mimi, okay? And I hope you'll stay with us next weekend..." Iyah said. "Good bye and good night as well!"
Ngumiti naman si Den dahil sa narinig niyang sinabi ng bata. Parang maiiyak tuloy siya. Napalapit na talaga siya rito at ganoon din naman ito sa kanya.
"Yes, maam. I will." Alyssa responded with a smile. "Good night, Iyah."
Den walk her back inside the house and then bid her goodbye to the kid.
She's now inside Alyssa's car and theyre heading home already.
"How's your day, cookie monster?" Den asked.
"Ikaw ha, mga tinuturo mo sa bata." Alyssa said.
Den chuckled, "I did not taught her that kaya! Sinabi ko lang na you liked the cookies that I baked kaninang umaga ah."
"Sus!!" bulyaw ni Alyssa.
"Whatever."
Alyssa parked the car as they finally arrived in front of their apartment. Papasok na sana sila sa loob but someone called her from behind.
"Alyssa." tawag sa kanya nang kung sino man.
Napahinto silang dalawa at sabay nilingon kung sino ito.
"Kuya?" di makapaniwalang sabi ni Alyssa.