minsan talaga kailangan mo lang malaman yung sagot sa mga tanong mo
"Hey, engineer! Wake up na po. You have to report early, diba? Sabi mo." Jessey said as she hug Alyssa who is soundly sleeping on the bed.
"Tito Ram can wait naman, I guess." Ly said and pulled Jessey closer to her and peppered her face with kisses habang kinikiliti pa.
"Oh my gosh, babe! Aaaah, stop na!" Jessey said. "Wag na kasiiii! Hahahaha!"
Alyssa stopped nung nakawala sa kanya si Jessey at bumaba sa kama.
"Aba, tinatakasan mo na ako ngayon, ah!" Ly said and chased Jessey inside the room. "I'm comin' for you, pretty engineer!" She said and nagpaikot-ikot sila sa loob ng kwarto.
"Oh my gosh, babe! Ang ingay natin, andiyan sila kuya sa labas!" Jessey said.
Bigla namang bumukas yung pinto ng kwarto ni Alyssa at pumasok si Nicko, Alyssa's older brother.
"Hala sila? Kaya pala ayaw ni mommy at daddy na pumapasok dito eh!" He said. He went inside Alyssa's CR and kinuha yung isang towel sa loob.
"Gagamitin ko yan, maliligo na nga ako eh!" Ly said.
"Yung isa na lang sayo. Malinis naman 'to, diba?" Nicko said.
"Oo! Tangina mo, uuwi ka dito tas mangunguha ka lang ng gamit ng may gamit. Bili din kasi!" Ly said.
"Tangina neto, yung mga shirt ko nga lagi mong ginagamit pag wala ako eh!" Sabi naman ni Nicko. "Tsaka, hayaan mo na. Andiyan naman si Jes eh. Siya na lang pantuyo mo. Hahaha." He said and looked at Jessey. "Jes, ah. Dry her properly." Sabi niya at lumabas na.
"Gago talaga." Naiiling na sabi ni Alyssa.
"Pareho lang kayo." Jessey said. "Halika na. Tito and tita are waiting for us na."
"Sunod ako. Hilamos lang ako." Ly said.
"Bilisan mo, ah." Sabi ni Jessey.
"Copy, boss engineer!" Ly said and kinidatan si Jessey. Jessey just smiled at her and went out. "Tangina, ang swerte mo, Alyssa Valdez!!!" She screamed which made Jessey smile on her way to the dining where Alyssa's family is waiting.
When Alyssa went down, masama ang tingin sa kanya ni Nicko.
"Inaano kita?" She asked at pinitik ang noo ng kuya niya.
"Aray ko!" Nicko said and binatukan naman siya. "Ngayon na lang ako umuwi, pinaghintay mo pa ako? Walang kwenta talaga."
"Sinabi ko bang umuwi ka?" Ly said and laughed.
"Kayong dalawa talaga. Asa harap ng pagkain, umayos nga kayo." Sabi ng mommy nila.
"Si Ly kasi!"
"Si kuya kasi!"
"You guys are 28 and 27, mahiya naman kayo kay Jes." Sabi ng daddy nila.
"Naku, tito, okay lang po. Sanay na. Hahaha." Jes said.
Ganito kasi talaga si Alyssa at ang kuya niya. Hindi naman sila nag-aaway. Ganito lang talaga sila mag-usap, magbiruan at maglambingan.
"Masanay ka na talaga 'cause you'll freakin' see this for the rest of your life pag asawa na kita." Ly said and smiled at her.
"Feeling! Pag nauntog yang si Jes, iiwan ka niyan! Matatauhan na yan!" Nicko said.
"Ikaw nga, hindi pa nauuntog si Carla, iniwan ka na eh! Hahaha." Banat naman ni Alyssa.
"Kayong dalawa ang pag-uuntugin ko pag hindi kayo tumigil." Sabi ng mommy nila.
Nicko and Alyssa looked at each other and they knew exactly what to do. They stood up and hugged their mother.
"Love you, ma!" Sabay nilang sabi. Alyssa being the sweeter child, even gave their mom a kiss on the cheek.
"Yan ang namana niyo sa daddy niyo, ang mang-uto at mangbola!" Sabi ng mommy nila.
"Parang, I will have to agree on that, tita." Jes joked.
"Grabe naman, hon. Pag pambobola, sakin talaga?" Their dad said. He held his wife's hand that's on top of the table and kissed it. "Hindi naman eh. Ang ganda-ganda mo kaya." That made all of them laugh.
"Hindi nga talaga." Sabi ng mommy nila.
After eating, they all did their thing para magsipasok na sa trabaho. Si Nicko lang yung maiiwan dito since he's a pilot and he has a 15-day break from work.
"Alis na po kami!" Ly said. "Kuya, drive mom sa check up niya, ah."
"Oo na! Lumayas ka na!" Nicko said.
"Wag mong kakainin yung chips ko sa kwarto!" Ly said habang palabas sila ni Jessey.
"Now that you said it, I will!" Nicko said back.
"Gago!" Sabi ni Alyssa.
"Tito, tita, alis na po kami!" Pagpapaalam ni Jes sa mga magulang ni Alyssa.
"Sige, nak. Ingat kayo ha." Ly's mom said.
"Opo. Kayo rin po. See you later." Jes said and bineso yung mga magulang ni Alyssa at yung kuya niya habang nag-aayos si Alyssa ng kotse.
"We'll go ahead, ma, pa." Ly said and niyakap ang mommy at daddy niya. "Bye, asungot!" She said and binatukan ang kuya niya bago nagtatakbo papasok ng kotse.
Jes shook her head at that, "Mauna na po kami." She said.
Alyssa drove them to the engineering company they're working at. Sa tito niya 'tong company na 'to. They have their own company naman but since she's an engineer and hindi naman engineering company yung kanila, dito siya nagtrabaho sa company ng tito niya. They arrived just in time for Alyssa's early meeting with her tito.
"I'll see you later, babe. I love you." Ly said and kissed Jessey's forehead.
"I love you too." Jes said as she got Alyssa's bag, leaving only her laptop with her and dinala yon sa office niya.
∆∆∆∆∆
"Den, we have a meeting with RV Engineering Company today, ah. Be ready for that."
"Sure, sir. Where is it again? Pasig?"
"Yes. I'll call you na lang if aalis na tayo but be ready ha. Prepare your proposal so you can get this project. This is a big one and if ikaw ang naging architect nito, it will surely make your name known in the industry."
"Yes, sir. Thank you po."
"I'll go ahead. I'll call you." Den just nodded and smiled at her boss then he left na.
Pagkalabas ng boss niya, may bigla naman ulit pumasok sa office niya.
"What's with that smile, LA?" Den asked.
"LA? Who's LA?" He playfully asked.
"LA, ano ba?" Natatawang sabi ni Den.
"So, I'm just LA to you, now? Huh? Architect Den? I'm not love anymore?" He said and pouted.
"LA or love, does it matter? I love you anyways." Den said and smiled habang nakatingin sa laptop niya.
"If you do, leave that work and have lunch with me." Den said.
"I have a meeting in probably an hour and I have to prepare for it, but I don't think I can say no to you Mr. Revilla." Den said.
"Edi, tara na. Para busog ka sa meeting niyo later." LA said and held his girlfriend's hand and led the way to the cafeteria.
"Don't order a lot, ah. Baka matae ako sa meeting mamaya. Hahaha." Den said.
"Kadiri 'to!" LA said.
"Bakit, di ka tumatae???" Den said and they both laughed. "Pasta at kape lang."
"Wag ka na magkape. Softdrinks na lang. Or water?" LA said.
"Coffee." Den said.
"Kulit naman, love eh. Bawal sayo nga ang coffee." LA said.
"Fine. Milkshake?" Den said.
"Okay, got it!" LA said and smiled at her tas umalis na to get them food.
"Hoy, besh!" Ella, Den's bestfriend said.
"Oh ano?" Den asked.
"Grabe, namiss mo talaga ako, no? I can feel it in my bones." Ella sarcastically said.
Den laughed, "Bakit ba kasi? You seem so excited, anong meron?" She asked.
"Kasi, isasama daw ako ni Sir Alex sa meeting niyo mamaya." Ella said with a smile.
"Naks, ano namang gagawin mo dun?" Den said.
"Grabe siya sakin, oh. Pero di ko rin alam, girl. Basta sasama ako and I'm so excited to see Alyssa!" Ella said. "Tagal ko ng hindi nakikita yung sira ulong yon!"
"As if she's there?" Den said.
"And why not? Dun siya nagtatrabaho." Ella said. Den just shrugged her shoulders. "Luh? Di pa nakakamove on???"
"It's been five looooong years, Ella. I'm happy with LA." Den said.
"Ay, Ella! Andito ka pala. Sorry, bili ka na lang ng food mo, wala na akong pera eh." LA joked.
"Sus kailan ka ba nagkapera for me? Kahit naman nung highschool pa ganyan ka na sakin eh." Ella said and rolled her eyes.
"Tampo naman agad 'to. Eto na nga oh!" LA said and nilabas yung burger na tinago niya sa bulsa ng hoodie niya. "Yiiieee, ngingiti na yan!"
Ella smiled, "Yan ang sinasabi ko sayo, bata!" She said and kinuha yung burger. "Salamat, gilags!"
"Tangina, gilags?! Highschool lang?" LA said. "Si Alyssa talaga nagpasimuno niyan eh!"
"Well, it still suits you naman, love." Den said which made her and Ella laugh.
"Ah ganon?" LA said and kiniliti si Den.
"Ano ba, madaming tao oh." Saway ni Den sa kanya.
"Ay, may kalandiang taglay talaga." Ella said. "Diyan na nga kayo. Daanan mo ako sa office ko, besh ah. Thank you dito, gilags!"
"San kayo pupunta, love?" LA asked.
"RVEC. Dun yung meeting namin later eh isasama daw siya ni Sir Alex." Den answered. "Excited na raw makita si Ly." She chuckled.
"Baka ikaw excited rin?" LA asked.
"Well, what if I say, yes I am excited? What would you do?" Den asked back.
"I'll laugh 'cause I know you're joking." LA answered.
"Good answer, Mr. Revilla. You've earned my love with that." Den said.
"Oh, I thought I already did? Three years ago?" LA said.
"Earned more of it na lang. Haha." Den said.
∆∆∆∆∆
"Tito, can I skip later's meeting? I really don't feel good." Ly said.
"Sure. Pumasok ka pa kasi eh masama na pala pakiramdam mo. You should've told me na lang." Her tito Ram said.
"Okay naman po ako kanina eh. I don't know what happened." Ly said. "Sige po. I'll rest muna sa office. Tell me na lang po what I can do for that project. Sorry, tito." She said and stood up.
"It's fine, ano ka ba. Besides, sila ang makikipagdeal sa atin kaya wala naman masyadong gagawin but to listen to them." He said.
"Sige po. Sa office lang din naman po ako if you need me." Ly said. She went out of her tito's office and walked to hers. "Oh shit! Sorry, miss. I didn't mean it." She said habang pinupulot yung mga blue print na dala nung nabunggo niyang babae. "Here. I'm really sorry. I wasn't loo--Den.."
"Ly, hello." Den said and smiled tas niyakap si Alyssa, which surprised Alyssa but she managed to hug her back. "Long time no see."
"Hi. Oo nga eh. Kayo ba yung ka-meeting ni tito?" Ly asked.
"Yeah. Well, ako lang and yung boss ko na asa baba pa. Etong si Ella, alipin lang namin." Den said.
"Grabe ka, ah." Ella said. "Hi, Ly! I missed you." She said and hugged Alyssa.
"I missed you too, gago." Ly said and hugged Ella back.
"Still curses the most in the class, huh?" Den said.
"That's my thing, ma'am. I mean, architect." Ly said and wiggled her eyebrows up and down. "Yiiihiiieee! Libre naman diyan, mga architect na kayo eh! Pati si LA, right?"
"Ikaw nga engineer tas tito mo pa may ari nito!" Ella said.
"That doesn't make any sense, Ella." Ly said. "How's LA pala?"
"Okay naman. Kasama din namin sa work. Ayun, naiwan sa office. Busy eh." Den answered.
"I see, I see." Ly said while slowly nodding her head.
"Babe!" They all looked at the hallway. "I thought you have a meeting?" Jessey asked. "Hello." Bati niya sa dalawa kahit hindi niya kilala.
"Ay si Jessey, girlfriend ko." Ly said. "Babe, si Den at si Ella, friends ko. Sila yung ka-meeting ni tito."
"Oh, hi! Nice to finally meet the two of you. Lagi kayong kinukuwento nito sakin eh. And yung isa, who's that guy again, babe?" Jessey said.
"Si LA, babe. He's actually Den's boyfriend." Ly answered.
"Oh, nice! I hope to meet him too." Jessey said.
"Busy sa office eh. Hindi nakasama." Den said.
Sir Alex came and isinama na si Den at Ella sa loob ng office ng tito ni Alyssa.
"Sige. See you later." Ly said and smiled at them.
"Akala ko kasama ka dun?" Jessey asked.
"Masakit ulo ko eh. Nagpaalam na rin naman ako kay tito." Ly said. "I think I need engineer Jessey's magic hilot para mawala sakit ng ulo ko. What do you think?" She said and smiled.
"Ay, tigilan mo ko, Alyssa. May tatapusin pa ako for the project in Makati. Matulog ka na lang dun sa office mo." Jessey said.
"Grabe, wala bang babe time?" Ly asked.
Jessey chuckled, "Wala. Maging si Gerald Anderson ka muna!" She said and turned her back to Alyssa and walked to her office.
"Tandaan mo 'tong araw na 'to, Jessey Laine de Leon! Magsisisi ka!" Ly said in the middle of the hallway. Buti, sila lang ang tao dun.
"Kwento mo sa pagong, Alyssa!" Natatawang sabi ni Jessey. "Go sleep and I'll see you later!"
After almost 2 hours, natapos din yung meeting. Den closed the deal and siya na ang kinuhang architect for the next big project na gagawin ng RVEC. LA told Den na he'll pick them up and so, naghihintay na siya sa baba when Den and Ella came. They left their boss kasi makikipag-usap pa daw sa tito ni Alyssa.
"How was it?" LA asked and kissed Den's forehead.
"I'm this company's next architect, love! I closed it!" Den happily said.
"It wasn't a surprise that you did." LA said. "Proud of you, always."
"Thanks, love. I love you." Den said.
"I love you too, my super pretty architect." He said.
Before Den could go inside LA's car, napatingin siya sa RVEC and saw Alyssa looking down at them from the glass wall of the building. They smiled at each other before Den left with LA and Ella.
∆∆∆∆∆
"Where's Jessey?" Alyssa's mom asked when she came home alone.
"Sa kanila muna daw uuwi, ma. Miss na ata nila tita." Ly answered. "Taas po muna ako."
She went to her room and took a shower then nahiga sa kama niya since medyo masakit pa rin ang ulo niya. She got her phone and was surprised to see an Instagram dm from Den.
denniselazaro:
It was nice seeing you kanina. :)
alyssa_valdez2:
Same here. Five years na rin since we last saw each other, no?
So, tito said na you closed the deal with him. I guess, I'll see you more often, then?
denniselazaro:
Yes, I did. I guess, ganun na nga. More of your face. Idrk if it's a good thing
alyssa_valdez2:
Idk either. HAHAHA!
How's tito and tita pala? And sila Jus and Mosh?
Den smiled at that. She still has that care for her family.
denniselazaro:
They're fine. Di rin ako nakakauwi madalas eh. I stay with LA kasi. But, okay naman sila. All doing good. Sila tita?
alyssa_valdez2:
Okay lang din naman. Parati pa ring sweet sa isa't-isa. Haha
Si kuya, ayun. Gago pa rin. 🤦🏻♀️
denniselazaro:
Grabe ka kay Kuya Nicko! 🤣 Si Jessey, she's an engineer also?
alyssa_valdez2:
Yes. She works with us sa RVEC. :)
Nabanggit pala sayo ni Kief yung opening nung restau nila ni Yeye sa Saturday?
denniselazaro:
Yeah. I think he did, last week. Sa Maginhawa, right?
alyssa_valdez2:
Yep. Punta ka?
denniselazaro:
Yes. Sabihin ko rin kay LA. 😊
alyssa_valdez2:
Yon! See you! :)
"Ly, kakain na!" Nicko called from outside her room. "Hoy!" He said and went in. "Pucha, kilig na kilig ka na naman kay Jessey!"
"Hindi si Jessey kausap ko, tanga!" Ly said and binato ng unan ang kuya niya.
"Ulol mo! Kay Jessey at kay Den ka lang kini--what the fuck, Ly?! You're cheating on Jessey?" Nicko said. "Ma, pa! Si Ly oh!"
"Gago??? Why would I cheat on her?" Ly said. "Halika na. Wag kang patanga-tanga diyan." She said and nauna ng lumabas.
"Di nga, Ly? Si Den kausap mo?" Nicko asked habang pababa sila sa dining.
"Oo. Nagkita kasi kami kanina sa office. They had a meeting with tito." Ly answered.
"So, comeback na?" Nicko playfully asked as they take their seats in the dining area.
"Comeback. We're too old for that." Ly chuckled.
"Aren't you too old to play around also?" Nicko asked.
"Hindi ako naglalaro, Nicko Lorenzo. Seryoso ako kay Jessey." Ly said.
"Hindi ko naman sinabing hindi ka seryoso. Baka lang hindi ka pa buo." Nicko said.
"Okay! Dinner, dinner!" Ruel said. "Favorite niyo 'to!" He said and binaba sa dining table yung niluto nilang binagoongan.
Nicko and Alyssa had a mini staring contest before they all started eating. Nicko didn't intend to do or say that naman. It's just that, he knows his sister so well. He knows how much she and Den loved? Love? Whatever it is. Each other.
After their dinner, Nicko volunteered to wash the plates. He knows Alyssa will not talk to him again about what they talked about earlier so he told their parents na tutulungan siya ni Alyssa.
"You know I won't talk to you about it, right?" Alyssa said habang nagpupunas ng mga platong nahugasan na ni Nicko.
"And you know that I won't let you get away with it, right?" Nicko said. Ly just sighed. "Alam mo, Ly, hindi naman kita papakialaman eh. Kung san ka masaya, sige. Andito lang ako as your kuya. To guide you and help you na wala kang masaktang tao. Kasi from how I saw you kanina, it seems like you're talking to Den, your girlfriend and not to Den, your ex. In that short moment, I saw the Alyssa I last saw five years ago. And I'm afraid na umabot sa point na si Jessey na ang makakita nun."
"Kuya, I'm not gonna hurt Jessey. I promised that sa inyo nila mommy at daddy. Sa family niya at sa kanya mismo. I don't break promises, you know that." Ly said.
"I know. And that means, your promise to Den that you will love her for the rest of your life is still alive." Nicko said which made Alyssa stop from what she's doing. "Tapusin mo na yan. NBA tayo sa taas." He said and tapped her shoulder. "Sunod ka ha!" Tumango lang si Alyssa sa kanya without even throwing him a look.
∆∆∆∆∆
Saturday came. That means, ngayon na yung opening ng restau nila Kief and Mika. Kief, Mika, LA, Den, Ella and Ly are all highschool buddies. They all went to Ateneo in college, except for LA and Mika who went to La Salle. But even with that, they all remained as friends.
Even Alyssa and Den who, if you still don't get, are ex-lovers. They were together for four years. Naging sila nung 1st year college sila then they broke up after graduation. Den has to leave for the states but that isn't the sole reason why they ended things between them. Both of them knows that somewhere along the way, something shifted pero hindi nila alam kung ano yun at kung kailan nangyari.
"Yo, what's up? What's up?" Ly said sa mga batchmates at friends na nakikita niya. "Ay, this is Jessey. Girlfriend ko." She said when she saw Rex, barkada din nila.
"Wow, iba ka talaga!" Rex said. "Hi, Jessey! Alam mo bang campus crush 'to nung highschool?"
"Sus. Sisiraan na naman ako eh." Ly said. "Kumain ka na lang oh." She said and sinubuan si Rex ng fries na asa harap nila. "Oh ayan. Enjoy ah! Gago ka talaga." She said and chuckled. She dragged Jessey para mag-ikot sa restau. "Ano gusto mo?"
Jessey shook her head, "Wala. Later na lang." She answered.
"Bahala ka, bukas hindi na 'to libre." Ly said and kumuha ng pagkain sa harap niya. Marami kasing table na may mga lamang pagkain at bahala ka na kung ano gusto mong kainin. "Sige na. Eto oh, try this." She said and pilit sinubuan si Jessey ng chicken fillet. "Oh yan, favorite mo yan, diba? Hahaha."
"Bastos mo!" Jessey said and hinampas siya sa braso.
"You love this bastos." Ly whispered to her and kissed her cheek. "Ah, aray!" She said kasi kinurot siya ni Jessey sa tagiliran.
"Oy, Alyssa Marie!" LA said.
"Oy, gilags!" Ly said and nag-apir sila.
"Tangina, sampung taon na akong gilags eh!" Kakamot-kamot na sabi ni LA.
"We all know, it should've been longer kung classmates na tayo ng gradeschool." Ly said which made all of them laugh. "Girlfriend ko pala, si Jessey." She said.
"Hello! Nice to meet you!" Jessey said and nakipagkamay sa mga kaibigan ni Alyssa tas bineso si Den at Ella.
"Tara dito! Mas marami yung foods dito." Kief said. They all went to the other part of the restau and dun kumain.
"Tol, libre ba 'tong wings?" LA asked.
"Oo naman, tol. Kuha lang kayo ng gusto niyo." Kief answered.
"Kuha ka lang, LA. Ako bahala sayo." Ly said.
"Ay talaga? Sagot mo ah?" LA asked.
"Oo, sus. Ako na yan. Kuha lang ng kuha." Ly said and they both laughed.
"Tangina mo, tarantado ka pa rin talaga hanggang ngayon, eh no!" LA said.
"Hoy, hindi ah. Matino na ako ngayon. Diba, babe?" Ly said and wiggled her eyebrows up and down kay Jessey.
"Matino? Sige, for tonight, yes. Para hindi ka mapahiya sa kanila." Jessey jokingly answered.
"Grabe naman!" Ly said. "Matino na talaga ako. Nahihiya lang yan aminin nito." She said and pinched Jessey's cheek.
"Sige, ipilit mo pa yan." Natatawang sabi ni Den. Ly just shrugged her shoulders and kumain ng isaw. "You haven't changed, woman! Isaw pa rin, trip mo."
"You know it, ma'am!" Ly said and they both laughed. "Ay, wait lang, babe. Nakita ko nga pala si Ysay dun kanina at sabi may io-offer daw sakin. Puntahan ko lang, ah? Balik agad ako. Promise."
"Sige lang, sige lang. Dito lang ako." Jessey said.
"Wait lang, Ly! Sinabihan din ako ng gagong yon eh. Sabay na tayo. Oh, yung mga na-sales talk rin ni Ysay diyan, tara na. Sabay-sabay na tayong magpa-uto. Tara!" Rex said.
Sumama naman sa kanila halos lahat ng barkada kasi lahat sila, pagkarating pa langa ay hinarang na ni Ysay kasi may binebenta daw siyang bagong product. Naiwan lang si LA at Mika since hindi naman nila masyadong kilala si Ysay kasi sa Ateneo naman yun nakilala nila Alyssa.
"Okay pala dito, Ye eh. Puntahin ng tao kasi malapit sa mga schools tsaka kitang-kita agad." LA said.
"Yeah. Etong si Jessey nag-suggest samin nito eh." Mika said and smiled. "Magaling 'to eh. Mas magaling pa kay Ly." She chuckled.
"Uy, hindi naman. I actually learn a lot from her." Jessey said.
"Sus, pa-humble!" Mika said.
"Ma'am Mika, tawag po kayo ni Sir Kief." Sabi nung isang waiter nila.
"Ay, sige. Check ko lang muna dun ah." Mika said. "Dito muna kayo."
"Sige lang. Go, go." LA said.
"Sige lang, Mika. Hintayin na lang namin sila dito." Jessey said and Mika left.
"You work with Alyssa, right?" LA asked.
"Yeah sa RVEC." Jessey answered. "Ikaw din with Den, right?"
"Yep." LA answered. "I was just thinking, baka you want to be part of my next project? I know you have loads of work to do dahil dun sa project niyo nila Den in Makati but baka lang may konting time ka pa para maisingit 'to sa schedule mo. In need din talaga kasi kami of an engineer eh. Tas they gave the project to me alone. Baka lang, baka lang. Pero, okay lang naman kasi I know na busy ka rin nga."
"I think, I still have time for that." Jessey said and smiled.
"Really?" LA exclaimed. "Sorry sorry. Halos two weeks na kasi ako naghahanap ng engineer eh wala akong makita. Grabe blessing ka, Jessey, alam mo ba yon?"
Jessey chuckled, "Grabe naman. I'm sure, madami pa namang iba diyan. Baka we're just meant to work together ngayon. Tell me the details na lang. Ipapasend ko na lang kay Ly sayo yung email ko." She said.
"Yon yon! Thank you so much!" LA said and high-fived Jessey.
"Saya mo ata, gilags?" Den said and handed Jessey and LA bottle of beers.
"Uy, thank you!" Jessey said.
"Paano naman akong hindi sasaya eh nahanap ko na ang matagal kong hinahanap!" LA said. "Engineer ko na si Jessey, love!"
"Oh my God, really?" Den said. "Pumayag ka dito? Naku, lagot ka!"
"Grabe, love. Wag mo na akong siraan. Tagal ko na nga bago nahanap eh." LA said.
"Pwede ko naman siya isumbong kay Ly pag hindi umayos." Jessey joked.
"Anong isusumbong sakin?" Sabi ng kakabalik lang na si Alyssa.
"Etong si LA. Isusumbong ko sayo pag hindi umayos sa project namin." Jessey answered.
"Aba, ten minutes lang ako nawala, may project na agad kayo?" Ly asked.
"Mabilis tayo dito, Ly." LA chuckled. "Tinanong ko kasi si Jessey kung pwede siya sa isa pang project. Eh pwede daw so boom! May engineer na ako sa project ko next next week!" He said and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Ayusin mo yan LA, ah." Ly said and playfully pointed her eyes then pointed to LA as if saying, 'I'm watching you'. Lol.
"OA naman 'to." Jessey said.
"Ay naku, babe. Hindi mo kilala yang si LA." Ly said.
"Grabe, wag mo namang takutin, brad. Baka magback out pa eh pahirapan na nga makuha yan." LA said.
"Don't worry, LA. I won't. Sure na yon." Jessey said and smiled.
"Magaling yan. Pakita mo nga mga works mo nung asa Cali ka." Ly said, sounding so proud of her girlfriend.
"Oh, you went to Cali?" Den asked.
"Kakasabi nga lang besh, diba? Ulit pa?" Ella said.
"Whatever, besh." Den said. "When was that?" She faced Jessey and asked.
"Well, three years ago pa. Before I met Ly." Jessey answered.
"Sige na, babe. Pakita mo na diba meron ka sa phone mo nun?" Ly said.
"Wag na, babe. Nakakahiya." Jessey said.
"Buti di ka nahawa sa kayabangan nitong si Ly, no?" Kiefer said.
"Hoy! Hindi ako mayabang, no. Nagsasabi lang ng totoo." Ly said.
"Totoo? Yung sinabi mong, ako magtatayo ng pinakaunang building sa tapat ng NHS." Rex said.
"Oh, totoo naman ah? I was part of that building." Ly said.
"As an intern, yes." Den said and chuckled.
"Part pa rin ako nun!" Ly said. "Sige na kasi, babe. Pakita mo na para malaman din ni LA kung gaano kagaling yung makakatrabaho niyang engineer." She said.
Jessey fished her phone out and showed the gang different photos nung mga naging project niya while she was in Cali. After kasi ng graduation, 2 years siya dun at nagtrabaho saka bumalik dito para dito na lang magstay. She was supposed to go back pa but Alyssa Valdez happened and the rest is history.
"Ano? Baka hindi mo 'to kayanin, boi? Mahal fee nitong bata kong 'to." Ly playfully said and inakbayan si Jessey. "Ngayon pa lang sabihin mo na kung kaya mo."
Binatukan naman siya ni Jessey, "Babe, parang baliw." She said and pinanlakihan ng mata si Alyssa. "Don't listen to her LA." She shyly said.
"Kakayanin, boi. Pinaghandaan naman namin 'tong project na 'to eh." LA said.
The night just went on and everyone enjoyed it. As a last hirit for tonight, Kiefer and Mika hired a singer for this opening.
"So, ayun. We just wanna thak everyone who went here to join and support me and Mika in this new venture. Thank you guys for being here sa opening ng Ballers! Salamat, salamat!" Kief said.
"As part of this event, here's a song for you guys! Hope you enjoy!" Mika said.
🎶I met you on the corner of the street
I smiled before I even heard you speak
I can accept we're growing older but I guess that's just the way it has to be
I wondered how you still remembered me
I heard you settled down and that you married happily
Oh, do you remember when I told you that I'd love you to the bottom of the sea?
Yeah I know, I know it's over but I guess that's just the way it has to be🎶
Alyssa and Den are both fighting the urge to look at each other. Alam kasi nila na once they do, something will shift between them again. They just silently stood beside each other and listened to the song.
🎶Some time in the future maybe we can get together
Maybe share a drink and talk awhile
And reminisce about the days when we were still together
Maybe somewhere further down the line
And I will meet you there
Some time in the future we can share our stories
When we won't care about all of our mistakes
Our failures, and our glories
But until that day comes along I'll keep on moving on
I'll keep on moving on🎶
As the song goes on, Jessey has her head leaned on Alyssa's shoulder and Den was just holding LA's hand. Alyssa and Den are standing side-by-side and Den definitely felt it when Alyssa made their fingers touch.
∆∆∆∆∆
Alyssa was looking for a good book to get for Jessey since her birthday is coming. Halos isang oras nas siya dito pero wala siyang mahanap na magandang libro.
"Oh, shit. Sorry." She said when she bumped into someone.
"Seriously? Kailangan ba talaga lagi mo akong bungguin pag magkikita tayo?" Alyssa looked at the woman but even if she didn't, she knows it's Den. "Nagbabasa ka na pala?"
"No, hindi pa rin. I'm looking for a book for Jessey. Birthday niya next week eh." Ly answered. "Ikaw, nagbabasa ka pa rin pala?"
"Yeah. I never really stopped naman. It's just part of who I am, I guess." Den answered.
"Book nerd." Ly said and they both chuckled.
"Always have and always will." Den answered. "Where's the book for Jessey?"
"Yun na nga eh. Wala pa akong mahanap." Ly said and scratched her nape.
Den looked on the stack of books infront of them and saw one that she knows Jessey would like.
"Here. She told me dun sa opening that she likes romantic movies and books." Den said and gave the book to Alyssa.
Love Should Save Us From Life. The book title said.
Ly slowly nodded her head, "It definitely should." She told Den. "Ikaw, get what you want. Pati si LA na rin, ikuha mo. Gift na namin ni Jessey sa inyo since we were all able to finish good projects together." She smiled. "Go lang."
"Here. Yang dalawang yan na lang." Den said and smiled.
"Lang? 800 isa, 650 isa tas lang?" Ly joked.
"Kuripot ka pa rin talaga." Den said and shook her head.
"Hahaha. Hindi, biro lang. Sige tara, kunin na natin 'to." Ly said.
"Thanks!" Sabi naman ni Den.
After Ly paid, they went out of the bookstore together.
"Uhm, dinner, Den? 8pm na rin. Baka lang gusto mo." Ly offered.
"Pwede naman." Den said.
"Game, tara." Ly said.
They settled to a nearby restaurant kasi medyo gabi na rin and they both want to go home agad kasi they both need rest. But even with that fact, they still pushed this impromptu dinner through.
"So, bakit hindi mo kasama si LA?" Ly asked habang kumakain sila.
"He went home to their house eh. May ipapaayos ata si tita sa bahay eh diba, wala naman si tito dito so siya talaga tinatawagan if may mga kailangan i-repair sa kanila." Den answered. "Ikaw, why aren't you with Jessey?"
"I'll buy a gift for her tas isasama ko?" Ly said. "She actually wants to come with me pero sabi ko wag na. Tsaka, busy din sila ni mommy eh. Dine-design yung room ni mommy and daddy. Gusto daw kasi nila ng new at fresh na look." They chuckled. "Diba, akala mo teenagers eh."
"There's nothing wrong with that naman. New look ng room para sa bagong outlook in life, diba." Den said.
After they ate, Alyssa insisted to bring Den home kasi nga gabi na rin and she won't let her go home alone naman, since wala rin siyang dalang sasakyan. 5 minutes na silang andito sa harap ng condo pero hindi pa rin bumababa si Den. Tahimik lang sila parehas. Parehong may gustong sabihin pero pareho ding ayaw magsalita. Ly was the one who broke the silence.
"Akala ko hindi ka na dito nakatira." She said.
"Well, LA wanted this place so bad kasi malapit lang din sa work. So ayun, when we found out na okay pa, dito na lang kami nagstay. Sorry, di ko na nasabi sayo." Den answered. Well, this unit used to be their unit.
"No, it's okay. I got what I have to get from there naman." Ly said.
"Uhm, yeah." Den said. "Sige, I have to go, Ly. Maaga pa bukas eh. Thank you ulit dito sa books at sa dinner." She said and hopped off the car.
But when she went out of the car, bumaba din si Alyssa.
"Den!" She called, so Den stopped on her tracks. Alyssa took a deep breath before speaking again. "What happened to us?"
Den let out a bitter chuckle, "Seriously, Ly? Five years have passed. Why'd you ask about it, now?" She said.
"I know. But seriously, ano ba talagang nangyari satin?" Ly asked, almost a whisper.
"We--it just wasn't us anymore." Den answered and turned her back on Alyssa.
Ly walked infront of Den and chuckled sarcastically, "Seryoso ba? After five long years of waiting for answers, this is all I'll get? It just wasn't us anymore?! What the hell, Dennise!" She exclaimed. Frustration and disappointment evident in her voice and on her face.
"Bakit? Ikaw nagsabi na it stopped working for us, diba!" Den said. She's now crying.
"I said that because that's what you made me feel when you left! I knew somewhere along the way, something shifted between us but I held on to our promises, Den. I held on to all of that." Ly said, tears escaping from her eyes as well.
"Ly, can we just leave everything behind? We both have our own lives, now! Mag-move on naman tayo, please!" Den said.
"Wow! Ganun lang ba kadali yun? Den, that was four years of love, care, understanding! Everything!" Ly is shouting here and kulang na lang lapitan sila ng guard ng condo. Pinagtitinginan na rin sila but she didn't care at all. "That was four years of us, Dennise! And you threw it all away just because, it wasn't us anymore?! Bullshit!" She said and kicked the bumper of her car. "You never even tried to fix it!"
"And you think you did?!" Den said. "You let me go when I said na ayoko na. When I told you it's over, may ginawa ka ba to stop me from leaving? Wala, diba? 'Cause for you, it fucking stopped working!"
"I messaged you, I called you pero di ka nagreply. Bakit? Galit ka sakin?" Ly asked.
"Oo! Can you just go home? I know you don't wanna keep Jessey waiting. Thanks for these again." Den said and walked away from Alyssa. But di pa man siya nakakalayo, nagsalita ulit si Alyssa.
"I went to the states, Den." Ly said and Den turned to look at her again. Shock was evident on her face. Alyssa slowly nodded her head. "I did, Den. I did and I saw you very happy. Sino ako para sirain yun, diba? Para kunin sayo yung saya na ni hindi ko nga naibigay. Pero pasensya na, ha. I just really want to know, that's why I asked. I need answers. Sorry for holding on to our promises but not really fulfilling it. Sorry, Den." She said.
"I'm sorry, you had to experience all of that, Alyssa." Den said. She slowly shook her head as they look straight on each other's eyes, both filled with tears. "Go home 'cause this is non-sense." She said and again walked going to her condo.
"Diyan ka naman talaga magaling diba. Running away from your troubles. I'm clearly one of it so you're running away from me again. I love the consistency, Den. Keep working on it." Alyssa sarcastically said before going inside her car, making sure she made a loud noise as she drove away from the condo.
∆∆∆∆∆
Days have passed and Den and Alyssa haven't talked to each other. I mean, there's actually no reason for them to talk. Today is Ella's birthday and she invited all of them sa bahay nila to celebrate with her.
"LA, pwede ba? Umayos ka nga." Den whispered to LA.
"Ikaw ang umayos, Den." LA whispered back.
Sakto namang dumaan si Alyssa sa tabi nila kaya she accidentally heard their conversation. She just threw them a look and walked past them, going to her girlfriend.
"Happy birthday, Ella!" Ly said and gave their gift for her. "Gift namin sayo pero si Jessey talaga gumawa niyan."
Ella opened the paper bag and saw a miniature model of NHS, their school in highschool and may mga mini models ng buong barkada din.
"Omg, thank you so much! Iba talaga pag ikaw nagpasabog, Alyssa Marie!" Ella said and hugged her. "Thank you din, Jessey! Sobrang ganda nito! Mas magaling ka nga talaga kay Ly." She said and they laughed.
"You're welcome, Ella. Mini gift lang namin sayo. Literal na mini. Hahaha. Happy birthday!" Jessey said and hugged Ella.
Later that night when everyone was having fun, Alyssa was about to get drinks for her and Jessey when she saw LA and Den na parang nag-aaway sa may labas ng bahay nila Ella. Dun sa wala masyadong tao.
"Ano ba, LA?! Anong problema mo?" Den asked.
"Bat di mo yan itanong sa sarili mo?" LA said and smirked. "Anong problema mo, Den?"
"Wala akong problema. Pwede bang kausapin mo ako nang maayos?" Den said. LA didn't speak and just looked down. "LA, please. Magsalita ka naman oh. Sabihin mo para maintindihan ko."
"Wala naman akong sasabihin, Den. Di ko na kailangang magsalita. Kasi, nararamdaman ko naman." LA said.
"Ang alin? LA, ano bang sinasabi mo?" Den asked.
"Gusto mong malaman o gusto mong tawagin ko si Alyssa para siya magsabi sayo?" LA asked and smirked again.
"LA, pwede ba?" Den said.
"Den, hindi naman ako tanga!" LA said and walked away, leaving Den crying.
"Hey.." Den looked behind and saw Alyssa behind her. Without saying anything, Den crossed the gap between them and hugged Alyssa. "Shh. Everything will be fine. Stop crying." Funny, she said things will be fine for Den and LA when she wasn't able to make things fine for the two of them.
"Sorry, Ly." Den said. They're noe here in the rooftop of Ella's house. Alyssa wasn't even able to comeback to Jessey. "I'm sorry for what happened last week." And again, she's crying. Because of LA or because of Alyssa, she don't even know.
"Y-you, don't have to be sorry, Den." Ly said as she wipe her tears too. "It, it was something that we both needed. No matter how much we deny, we needed that, Den. Don't be sorry."
"Kahit ngayon man lang, tama yung magawa ko." Den said. "Ly, we were happy, right?" Alyssa looked down and clutched onto her handkerchief. "We shared something special in the past and we both know that those moments were one of the best moments of our lives. Masaya tayo eh. We were inlove But, it's just so hard to stay on that course. Along the way, we'll see more and more of each other and we'll eventually find out that we weren't really meant for each other. That we met only to teach each other some valuable lessons but not to actually learn and grow together from those lessons." She said and wiped her tears. "I know deep in my heart that whatever happens, you'll hold a special place here. Wala ng point para i-deny ko yun."
Alyssa slowly shook her head while crying and looking at Den, "It was a hell of a good time, Den." She said which made both of them cry even more.
They both stood up to leave and they were also both surprised to see Jessey behind them.
"Babe.." Ly said and tried to walk closer to her but Jessey shook her head as tears flow from her eyes. "Babe, wait! Please!" She said and chased for her girlfriend.
"Alyssa!" Den called. Ly looked at her, a little confused, now. "I'm sorry." Hindi siya pinansin ni Alyssa at sinundan lang si Jessey.
∆∆∆∆∆
"Anak, si Jessey? Bakit hindi na nagpupunta dito?" Lita asked her daughter. Alyssa's dad and brother looked at her, waiting for her answer. "Ano? Magkaaway ba kayo?"
Alyssa slowly shook her head and smiled bitterly, "She saw the Alyssa from five years ago." She said and her tears immediately fell so her mom and dad hugged her. "I hurt her, mom. I hurt the only person who was there for me when I was at my lowest. Wala eh, tanga anak niyo. Sorry."
"Hindi mo naman matuturuan yang puso mo, anak. Gugustuhin at hahanapin niyan kung sino ang gusto niyan." Ruel said. "Nagmahal ka lang naman."
"Make sure na by tomorrow, gagawin mo kung ano ang tama." Nicko said and went to his room.
∆∆∆∆∆
"Love, alam mo ba when I first daw you nung first year highschool, crush na kita nun." LA confessed.
"Wow. Bakit mo naman yan sinsabi sakin ngayon?" Den asked.
"Wala lang." LA answered. "So ayun nga, crush na kita. Mga third year siguro when I felt that I love you already. Pero, I found out n si Alyssa pala yung gusto mo, so I backed-off. Kahit na nakikita ko na nasasaktan ka kasi nung una, tanga naman talaga yun eh. Manhid. Andiyan ka na sa harap niya, hindi ka pa rin nakikita. Hanggang sa yun nga, nag-Ateneo kayo at naging kayo na so I never really had the chance to confess kasi natauhan na si Alyssa eh." He said and they both chuckled.
"Ano bang meron?" Natatawang tanong ni Den.
"Wala nga. Gusto ko lang sabihin sayo kasi baka hindi na ako magkaroon ng chance na sabihin lahat ng 'to sayo." LA said. "Alam ko namang si Alyssa first love mo eh. First heart break din kaya I know that no matter what happens, she'll always have a special place in your heart."
"Love.." Den said.
"Gets ko naman yun. And that's fine. It's always fine naman to me, basta ikaw." LA said. "I just hope na in this next and kind of new chapter of your life, maging masaya ka pa rin. Kasi, after all, that's what matters to me the most."
∆∆∆∆∆
"FOR THE NEWLY WEDS!!!" Ella said as they all shared a toast.
"Oh my God, who would've thought that this time would come, diba? After all your dramas, andito na kayo!" Mika said.
"Arte-arte pa, kayo rin naman pala magkakatuluyan!" Sabi naman ni Rex which made all of them laugh.
"Ganun talaga, boi. It's going to happen if it's meant to happen. Tsaka--"
"Sorry, tagal namin nakahanap ng parking. Dami niyong bisita, gago!"
"Hanggang dito ba naman, mang-aagaw ka ng eksena? Kasal ko 'to, boi!" LA said at binatukan si Alyssa.
"Gago ka ba? Sana sinabi mong wala kang pang rent sa lugar na may malaking parking, ako na sana nagbayad ng venue for you!" Ly said and binatukan din si LA.
"Kasal namin 'to so wag kang magyabang, Alyssa, please. Next month ka na magyabang sa kasal niyo ni Jessey." Den said.
"Wala namang ipagyayabang eh. Baka hindi ko na rin ituloy yung kasal." Jessey jokingly said.
"Tahimik na lang ako. Alam ko namang nagpipigil lang yan eh." Ly said which earned laughters from their friends and a smack on the head from Jessey.
"Okay, cheers! For the newly weds!!!" Kief said and so, they shared another toast, this time, with Alyssa and Jessey.
∆∆∆∆∆
Alyssa and Dennise are now here in Ateneo. May ipapagawa kasing building dito and sila yung kinuhang architect at engineer.
"This place brings back so much memories, for real." Den said habang naglalakad sila sa may Zen Garden.
"Anong memories yan, ha?" Ly playfully asked. "I'm pretty sure that will trigger LA again. Kung nung last time na na-trigger siya, nagpropose, baka this time--oh my God! Gusto mo ba? Gusto mo bang i-trigger natin para malaman natin anong gagawin niya?" She said and laughed.
"Sira." Den said. "Puro ka talaga kagaguhan."
"You loved this walking gago." Ly said. "For real."
"And we're for real married already, Alyssa. For Pete's sake, stop flirting with me!" Den said.
"Oh wow! I am flirting with you???" Ly asked and they both laughed. "You very well know that this isn't how I flirt. You know that, Dennise."
"I know. Hindi ka naman kasi marunong nun. Weakshit." Den said and smirked.
"I know you just want to try me but, no no no, Mrs. Revilla. I'm loyal to my wife." Ly said.
"And I am too, to my husband." Den said.
Silence enveloped them after that as they settle themselves in one of the benches in Zen Garden.
"I'm so happy right now, Ly. This is the life that I want, the life that I deserve." Den said.
"Same here, Den. I can't be any more happier than this." Ly said.
"Good thing, we let each other go." Den said and chuckled.
"You mean, great thing?" Ly said and chuckled as well. "We learned our fucking lessons with each other and I can't be more thankful to you now. I freakin' love you, Den."
"And I do too. Lalo na if you'll stop cursing." Den said.
"Oh, do you fucking mean it? Mas love mo ako if I'll fucking stop cursing the hell out of everything I freakin' say???" Ly said and they both laughed.
"And that's exactly why, Ly." Den said.
They fell silent again and just looked at the students walking around.
"It just wasn't us anymore." They said in unison and high-fived each other.
Sometimes, you're really better off as friends, and from there, you'll find true happiness.
~
Finally came up with a freakin update 'cause I just watched Tayo sa Huling Buwan ng Taon, the other night. 😭 Idk tho if this came out the way I wanted it to be, but basta. That movie is the inspiration for this update. Hahaha. Also, I got some lines from the movie mismo. Bear with me if the last few updates are all inspired from a movie, a YouTube video or another story. I really get ideas and inspiration kasi from those. So ayun. Hehe. And also, this is so long idk if pasado pa 'to as one shot. Lol. Ayun. Ingat kayo lagi. :)