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Alyssa's POV

I tried calling Ella numerous times pero hindi na ito sumasagot.

I just need to know to which hospital she was brought to. Please someone help me. I need to see her. It doesn't matter if her boyfriend would see me or anything, I can be there for her as her old pal, her best friend. Even before getting in to a relationship, we've always been the best of friends, and all this time naman people only saw us that way kaya kahit ngayong ganito na ang sitwasyon namin, they still think na walang nagbago - and l'd use that to my advantage, para makalapit sa kaniya. I just need to know what happened to Dennise, I heard the other person talking about Dennise's wrist and a clean cloth. I don't like the idea I am having on my mind. Ella must be hiding something.

I phoned one of our best friends.

After attempting 3 times, she finally picked her phone up.

"This better be important, anong oras na Alyssa oh."

"Bea, you need to tell me where Dennise's condo is. Right now!"

"Hey, chill. What's happening? That's one thing I can't let you know, Alyssa. You know she'd hate me if I'd tell you. I'm so sorry, Ly."

"Damn it, Bea! Something bad happened to her! I need to see her!"

"Alyssa, baka nakakalimutan mo, wala na kayo ni Dennise, matagal nang panahon. She's got LA now, hindi man alam ni LA yun, but Dennise knows."

"Bei, I'm begging you. I just need to know what happened to her please!", pagsusumamo ko kay Bea Tan.

"Dang you, Ly. Matagal ka nang binitiwan ni Den. She's also getting married in a few weeks now. I know you were best friends before, but you were also lovers. Matagal nang tinapos ni Dennise lahat between you two. Hindi mo na responsibility na malaman what happened, do you think she'd appreciate it kung pupunta ka pa roon? I don't think so. So please. Tama na ito."

"I don't give a fuck, Bea! Just give me her fucking address!",

"Alyssa, I don't want to be losing you both after this. But fine, I'll send you the address. Just make sure not to make a scene or whatever for pete's sake, Alyssa!"

"I'm sorry for screaming at you, Bei. I owe you one."

Tapos ibinaba ko na ang telepono.

*1 message received*

From: Bea

"Here. Just please, Alyssa. Don't make things worse, always remember your place in her life now."

After receiving Dennise's condo's address, agad ko rin namang pinaandar ang aking sasakyan.

-

"Hi, I'm Dennise's friend. I need to know kung saan siyang hospital dinala.", I asked the condo's receptionists.

"Good evening miss Valdez, actually hindi po namin sigurado kung saang hospital dinala si Miss Lazaro.", sagot ng isa sa mga tao sa reception area.

"Come on, you gotta have atleast the information of those people na sumundo sa kaniya rito."

"I'm really sorry miss Valdez, we might still have to communicate with the security team for further details on that. Let me call the team leader of the security team po muna, please have a seat for a moment miss."

"No need for that, Nikki. Ako na ang bahala kay Miss Valdez."

Napalingon ako sa taong sumingit sa usapan namin ng receptionist.

"Doc?"

"Hey, Ly."

It was Doc Therese. She's our family doctor, also my older cousin on Nanay's part of the family. I didn't expect to see her here.

"Wha- what are you doing here, Doc?"

"We'll catch up later on, you need to see Dennise, 'di ba? I aided to her earlier."

"Yes yes, Doc. Saan niyo siya pinadala?"

"Papunta na rin ako roon, I also need to check on her. Come on, let's go together."

"Please, doc. Thank you."

At sumakay na kami sa sasakyan ko. Sabi ko sa kaniya ay ako na lamang ang magmamaneho para sa amin.

After mga 20 mins., nakarating na rin kami agad dito sa Olivarez General Hospital.

We rushed into the emergency room, I saw Ella sitting outside the ER.

"Ella! Where is she?!"

Tila gulat namang napatingin si Ella sa akin.

"Alyssa?! What the hell?!", she then looked at the person who came in with me.

"Doc Therese?! Why are you with Alyssa?"

"Ella, dang it! What happened to her?! Where is she?!", sigaw kong muli kay Ella.

Naramdaman ko namang may kamay na humawak sa braso ko, si Doc.

"Alyssa. You need to lower your voice. You're in a hospital. Talk to Ella outside. I'll go check up on Den. Okay?"

"But Doc, I have to see her!"

"You will, but for now you let her doctors do their job. Go on now."

Hinila naman ako ni Ella palabas ng ER.

As soon as we got outside the ER, I swatted Ella's hand.

"Ly! What the actual fuck?! How the hell did you end up here?!"

"Damn you, Jorella! You should have told me what happened and kung saan niyo siya dinala!"

"Alyssa! You barged into the ER and shouted there like some crazy-ass bitch, now tell me bakit ko hahayaang malaman mo kung anong nangyari sa kaniya? At kung saan siya dinala?"

"Besh, you don't understand. Halos mamatay na ako sa kaba when you accidentally called my number, imagine the horror of hearing your distressed voice seeking for help! Ella, si Dennise itong pinag uusapan natin!"

"Alyssa, alam kong si Dennise yun. Pero can you imagine how she'd react kung pag gising niya, makita niya na nandiyan yung ex niya? Yung taong sinabihan niya na after all these years, mahal na mahal pa rin niya, pero anong ginawa ng taong yun? Ipinagdiinan pa nitong tapos na sila, matagal na panahon na.  Tapos makikita mo siya sa ganyang sitwasyon? She won't like it, Alyssa. She'd hate me for letting you see her in that state."

"I don't understand. Bakit ba tingin niyo she wouldn't want to see me? I know, sinabi kong tapos na kami. Ano bang iniexpect mo sa akin? Aminin na mahal na mahal ko pa rin siya? Ask her to not marry her fiancé? Like why would I do that? If LA's the one she wants to marry, sino ba ako para pigilan yun? Hindi ko sila papakialaman, hindi ko siya pipigilan. Pero kahit bilang kaibigan man lang ba hindi ako pwedeng mag alala sa kaniya? I just wanna make sure magiging maayos ang sitwasyon niya. You said it might be due to overfatigue? Or baka something else? I just need to be here."

"You barged in there like that na parang ikaw ang fiancé."

"It was not my intention."

"But it surely looked like it. Baka nakakalimutan mo, sa mata ng lahat kasama na rin si Dennise, may boyfriend ka. Ganon rin si Dennise, ikakasal na siya."

"Besh, wala akong intensiyon na kahit ano. I just need to know what happened and to make sure she'll be okay. After those, aalis na ako. Hindi ko na rin hahayaang makita niya ako rito."

"Tama lang, you wouldn't want to give her mixed signals. Lalo na kung hindi mo naman kayang panindigan."

"Ella, please. Just let me see her. I know something's not right. Did she- uhm, I don't even want to think about it but based on your conversation with Doc Therese, did she h-hurt herself?",  I can't even ask Ella about it, I'm choking as I'm trying to stop myself from thinking na it might be the case.

"I honestly don't have any idea what happened. We'll have to see pa later on, Ly."

"How bad was it?"

Ella looked at me, nangingilid ang mga luha nito.

"Ly, please, it's better for you not to know."

"Tell me Ella, how bad?"

At tumulo nga ang mga luha niya na kanina pa nais kumawala.

"Ly, she cu-cut h-her wrist.", at mas lalo pang lumakas ang iyak nito.

"She wha- what? Ella?", I asked again, praying I heard it wrong.

"When I found her - she's lying on the floor, bathing on her own blood, looking so lifeless, Ly."

After hearing those words, all the sanity that I still have left, escaped.

I lost it.

Without any hesitations, I punched the wall I was leaning on earlier hard, multiple times while screaming on top of my lungs.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! No she didn't!"

"Alyssa, please. Stop it already!"

"Fuck! What happened to you, Dennise?! What happened to you?"

"Alyssa! Oh my gosh! Please, stop hurting yourself too!", Ella pleaded while trying to pull me away from the wall.

"Besh! Maawa ka, I can't take it anymore kung pati sayo may mangyari ring masama!"

"Ella, I should have just said I love her still. What if I lose her completely this time? Ella, besh, please I want to see her."

Ngayon ay yakap yakap ako ni Ella to stop me from punching the wall, yumuko ako at ipinatong ang aking ulo sa balikat nya while still crying.

"Besh, okay okay. We'll check up on her okay? Please, please calm down. Shit, Ly! Your hand is bleeding too much! Let's get you inside, please."

"No, Ella. People can't see me like this."

"Ly, please sobrang dami ng dugo. Shit shit shit. Let's go, I'll get doc Therese."

And we went inside the emergency room, Ella asked the staff to use the curtain for my privacy while she tried getting doc Therese.

"Ly! What the heck happened?", gulat na tanong ni doc Therese and immediately wore her gloves to check on my hand.

Ella said it was bleeding bad, pero wala akong maramdaman at wala akong pakialam.

After hearing that Dennise tried to hurt herself, parang gusto ko nalang mawala. Gusto ko ring magwala. Anong nangyayari sa kaniya that it led her to that decision? Never in a million years, that Dennise, atleast my Dennise, would even think about it.

Something really really bad might have happened to her that she thought by doing that she can somehow escape. I've known her for all my life, and kahit matagal nang natapos kung ano mang mayroon kami noon ay alam ko, hindi niya kaya itong gawin.

Something must have pushed her to the limit. And that's one thing I will find out.

"Nurse, we'll be needing to do some xray on her right arm and some other tests. I'll give the order later."

"Noted doc, I'll take care of it doc."

At lumabas na ang nurse after malagyan ng dressing ang kanang kamay ko.

"Ly, do you feel pain anywhere else? I already administered medications para hindi na kumirot iyang kamay mo. You'll stay here until magawa lahat ng procedures na ipagagawa ko."

"As your doctor, I won't say anything else, I won't ask. But as your cousin, as your older cousin at that, I'll have a lot of things to say and ask pero ngayon, rest.", pagpapatuloy niya.

Napatingin naman si Ella sa kaniya na tila naghahanap ng sagot. Tumango lamang ito bilang tugon at lumabas na rin kasunod ng naunang nurse.

"Doc Therese is your cousin?? And she lives next door to Dennise?"

"Hmm.", yan lamang ang naging sagot ko.

"How's your hand?"

"I'm fine, besh. Thank you. And I'm sorry for worrying you."

"You, Dennise, ever since we've known each other lagi niyo naman akong pinag aalala.", at tumawa ito ng bahagya.

"You haven't rested simula kanina pa, besh. Take a seat na muna. I can't carry you if mahimatay ka dyan, but I surely can drag you using my other arm.", I said jokingly. Trying to light up the mood for Ella. I feel guilty, I mean I can't stop myself for reacting like that but now looking back at it, ni hindi ko na naisip kung anong naramdam ni Ella seeing her best friend - in that situation. And now, daragdag pa ako.

"I'll be fine. Ikaw ang magpahinga. You scared the hell out of me, Ly.", she said while holding out to her chest.

"I'm sorry, besh. You must be terrified to find her - to find Dennise in that situation.", sabi ko while trying my best not to crack and start crying again.

"It was. I don't even know how I was able to bring her here. I mean, if not for doc Therese of course and her partner."

"Come here.", I asked her while I gesture for a hug. "Thank you Ella, thank you for being there for her. For always being there for us even after we broke up."

She then breaks the hug.

"Because I love the two of you. You're my best friends, plus Kiwi and Bea, I will be there for the two of you until my last breath. But, I feel like it was my fault for coming in late, dapat mas binilisan ko ang pagmamaneho para hindi na nangyari lahat ito."

At nagsimula na naman itong umiyak.

"Besh, don't say that. You came in at the right time and you saved her because of that. Thank you, besh. You saved us, always remember that."

"I promise to be there for her always. Hangga't maaari hindi na ako aalis sa tabi niya."

"Besh, you being in our lives means so much already. We couldn't thank you enough, so don't feel pressured about it. But, thank you. Thank you for being there for her."

Tumango naman ito habang pinupunasan ang mga luha niya.

"But Ella, we haven't got a word from her doctors. Can we please check up on her now?"

"You still got examinations to do, Ly."

"Those can wait, Dennise needs us - I mean you, to be there."

"Besh. You're being so stubborn. And besides, her parents are on their way here."

"They'd be here? How about -",

"I haven't contacted LA yet, best if her parents would be there first for her."

"Wouldn't she want her fiancé to be there by her side the most?"

Ella gave me a weak smile. So my eyebrows automatically furrowed.

"Of course, but, you know Dennise, she'd want her family to be there first more than anyone else."

I nodded slowly as I was not convinced with Ella's answer. Knowing Dennise, oh right, my Dennise, before she'd be looking for me if anything comes up, if anything good or bad happens to her she'd throw a fit if she won't be able to tell me first like during that one time in college, she suffered a knee injury  while playing against the De La Salle lady spikers. Of course I attended to her during and after the game pero when she woke up in the hospital na wala ako sa tabi niya because well actually kakaalis ko lang noong nagising siya to get some food for her family na kararating lang, they said she was crying and throwing a fit kahit inexplain na nila na I was with her the whole time. Tumahan lamang ito noong nakabalik na ako from getting us something to eat.

She's always been like that but yeah, maybe a lot of things have changed after our time.

She's such a jolly person before, but nowadays I'd see her smiling a lot but it never reaches her eyes. I thought she was just tired or stressed, but now I just confirmed that something's up. Again, I'd do everything to figure it out. I know, it's shouldn't be of my concern anymore but what can I do? I love her still at hindi ako mapapakali not until I know she'd be okay, she'd be safe.

I was out of my bubble when Ella started snapping her fingers in front of me.

"You okay? Tita Arlene's calling me already. Do you uhm, wanna see them?"

"Do you think they'd wanna see me? That's the real question we should be asking, don't you think?"

"Hey, why wouldn't they wanna see you? You've done nothing wrong, Ly."

"Well, you can say that. But wouldn't it be awkward? I am their daughter's ex lover and I haven't talked to them for who knows how long."

"But you were also her best friend before anything else. Not unless..."

"What?"

"You're afraid to meet with them?"

I scoffed at Ella's thought.

"Bakit naman Ella, just like you said wala akong ginawang masama. And honestly, I miss them already."

"Alright then. Can you walk?"

"Ella, hindi ako pilay."

"Just making sure."

"Whatever. Can we please go to Dennise now?"

"Okay, Ly. Come on. I'm so dead with your doctor."

-We went to the nurses' station.

"Hi nurse, we are Dennise Lazaro's friends. I was the one with her earlier. Is she out of the operating room?"

"Hi miss De Jesus, yes she is but she's still in the ICU under observation."

"What?! Why is she in the ICU?! Hasn't she waken up yet?! What happened?! Did something went wrong during the operation?!"

"Ly, shut it.", suway ng kasama ko.

The nurse smiled, "The operation was a success but yes she hasn't waken up yet and that's normal since she was put under for her surgery."

"But, she's okay? Right?", Ella asked.

"For now, just like I sai-"

"What do you mean for now?! You have to tell us if she is or she isn't okay! Please nurse, may I speak with her doctor? I need to know when she's waking up!"

"Alyssa.", suway muli ni Ella. "People are starting to look at us. You need to shut it down or I'll call your doctor right now.", pabulong na pagpapatuloy nito.

As I looked around, Ella's right. People are starting to look curious. And we don't want anyone's attention. People know us really well.

"Fine but get me to her doctor, right now!", pabulong ko ring naging tugon rito.

"Sorry 'bout that nurse. May we speak with her doctor? Her family would also be here any minute now."

"Of course miss. I'll see you to doc's office."

-

Nang makarating sa opisina ng doctor ay sakto rin namang tumawag ang mga magulang ni Dennise. Kaya bago makipag usap ay sinundo muna ni Ella ang mga ito.

After waiting for about 5 minutes sa hallway outside the doctor's office, nakabalik na muli si Ella kasama ang mga magulang ni Dennise.

Nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa mukha nilang dalawa as they approached my direction.

Kinakabahan ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, pero I tried to play it cool.

"Hi, da- oh shoot I mean tito Mike, tita Arlene."

"Alyssa, iha!", sabay yapos sa akin ng mga magulang ni Dennise.

"We didn't expect to see you here. What happened to your hand?"

"Ah wala po ito, tito."

"When did that even changed, anak? Tito? Tita?", Dennise's mom asked.

"Anak, kayo ni Dennise ang naghiwalay.", ani naman ng ama ni Dennise.

"I haven't talked to you for years, I didn't know how to call you."

"Just like the old times, Alyssa anak."

"Yeah, your mom's right. Just like how it was before, anak."

Halos mapaiyak naman ako sa mga narinig ko sa magulang ni Dennise.

"Thank you, mom and dad. I've missed you so much.", sabay yakap sa kanilang dalawa.

Niyapos naman nila ako pabalik at tinapik tapik ang aking likod.

Nakita ko naman si Ella na nangingilid na naman ang luha.

After our hug, they immediately asked where their daughter is and what happened.

"Mom, we're just about to find out with her doctor. Let's go inside."

At pumasok na kami sa loob ng opisina ng doktor.

-

"What I can assure you is that, Dennise is already out of the woods. But of course, a lot of observations will still be conducted. We'll make sure she will get the therapy she'd need for her left arm and the psychological assistance as well, most importantly."

Mommy Arlene is now being embraced tightly by her husband - daddy Mike, as she cries out loud for her precious child, Dennise.

Ella is also crying, but me on the other hand won't let a single tear drop. I don't want her parents to see me feeling all weak because of what's happening, ayoko nang makadagdag sa kung ano mang sakit ang nararamdaman nila ngayon. Besides, they don't even know that after all these years I still love their daughter.

"Doc, when can I see my baby?", mommy Arlene asked.

"You may see her from the ICU's window for now. But once we move her out from there, pwede na ninyo siya makasama."

"Thank you doc.", "Thanks a lot doc." - Ella and I said in sync.

"Please continue caring for my child, doc.", dad pleaded.

"We'll do the best we can. If you'll excuse me, I have to go check up on my other patients, later I'll go check up on Dennise as well."

At lumabas na ang doctor from his office.

After a couple of minutes ay lumabas na rin kami at nagtungo sa may ICU.

Nang makarating ay pinayagan kaming makapasok sa tapat ng ICU kung saan makikita si Dennise from a short distance.

Halos mahimatay naman ang ina ni Dennise nang makita ang kaniyang panganay na anak, agad naman siyang inalalayan ni daddy Mike at Ella.

Hindi ko naman napigilan mapahawak sa salamin na nakaharang sa aming dalawa ni Dennise habang patuloy lang na tumutulo ang aking mga luha.

"Dennise.", ito na lamang ang aking nasambit. Nanghihina ang buong katawan ko, gusto na rin bumigay ng aking mga tuhod.

Sobrang sakit sa puso makita siyang nakaratay sa kamay. Walang lakas, walang malay, walang ngiti sa mga labi. Maraming mga aparato ang nakakabit pa rito.

"Sana ako nalang. Sana akin nalang lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman mo.", bulong kong muli sa hangin habang nakatingin pa rin sa kaniya.

Maya maya pa ay may naramdaman akong kamay sa kanang balikat ko, at nakayapos na mga braso naman sa kaliwang braso ko.

Her parents.

"Anak, I don't know what happened to you. I'm sorry mommy wasn't there when you needed me the most."

"Dennise, iha, daddy's here with mom. Ella and Alyssa are here too. Please come back safely. Your siblings are both waiting for you at home."

We're all just looking at her through the window, having the same prayer in our hearts. For her to come back to us, safely.

After spending an hour in front of the ICU, Dennise's parents decided to talk to us ni Ella.

"Ella, iha. Thank you for bringing her here in the hospital. If it wasn't for you, baka- baka nawala na nang tuluyan sa atin si Dennise.", sabay muling paghagulgol ng mommy ni Dennise.

"Tama ang tita mo, Ella. Thank you for being there whenever she needs someone. Salamat anak.", dugtong naman ni daddy Mike.

"I should have been there earlier tito, tita. E 'di sana walang nangyaring masama sa kaniya.", pa iyak na sagot rin naman ni Ella.

I pulled her in for a hug to give her some comfort. Alam ko nagpapakatatag lang ito pero she's been struggling so much, she's in pain just like we all are.

"Shh, Ells. Nag usap na tayo about diyan. You were there for her when we aren't. You saved Dennise."

"Yes, Ella. You saved our daughter. Thank you so much anak.", mommy Arlene said.

At nagyakapan na nga kaming apat.

After we break from the hug, I think it's only normal for one of her parents to ask.

"Ella? Have you contacted LA? Why isn't he here?", Dennise's mom asked.

Bahagyang tumingin sa akin si Ella bago niya ito sinagot.

"Uhm, about that tita, my mind was just so occupied and parang automatic na kayo ni tito ang tinawagan ko kaya no, hindi ko pa po siya nasasabihan about what happened."

"It's okay, Ella. We don't even know what happened. We don't know why my daughter even thought about doing that, and actually doing it. I will tell LA myself later. Ako na ang bahala. For now, you girls, take a rest. Alyssa, it's so nice seeing you anak. Come visit us kapag kaya ng schedule mo. Jus and Mosh miss their ate Alyssa a lot. Of course kami rin ng mommy mo. I'm happy to see you enjoying yourself with Kiefer, I hope he's treating you right. If not, you tell me, okay? Malilintikan sa akin yun."

Bigla namang may kumurot sa puso ko, not even them know the truth about Kiefer and I, even sila nanay and tatay. I feel so guilty about it, but what's done is done.

"Ikaw naman hon, tingin ko mabait na bata naman si Kiefer. Pero iha, narito lang kami parati ng dad mo ha. Hindi ko alam kung pumunta ka rito for Dennise or it was just a coincidence dahil mukhang may inasikaso ka rin sa sarili mo, but thank you for being here now. For letting us see you here.", sabay yakap ni mommy Arlene sa akin at tapik sa balikat naman ang ibinigay ni daddy Mike.

"I'm sorry mom, dad, for not paying you guys a visit. I didn't think you'd still wanna see me that's why. But I will do my best moving forward to make it up to you and sa dalawang bata po."

"O siya, aalis na muna kami ng mommy mo, Alyssa ha. Ella, magpahinga ka na rin muna. Mamaya ay babalik kami kasama sina Jus para makapag bantay rito. Alam ko mag pupumilit ka kaya let's just do turns sa pagbabantay. LA would probably join us, of course he must. Fiancé niya iyang nakaratay sa kama, so we'll have a lot of hands na sa mga susunod. Mag pahinga ka na rin Ly ha. We'll visit you sa room mo later on. Huwag pahirapan ang mga nurse at si Ella ha, you listen to them."

Tumango at ngumiti na lamang ako bilang tugon at may mahina namang tawa ang nanggaling kay Ella.

Pagkatapos magpaalaman ay umalis na nga ang mag asawang Lazaro.

Sa huling pagkakataon ay lumingon ako sa bintana upang silayan si Dennise.

"Please come back to me, my Dennise.", mahina kong bulong at inaya na si Ella upang pumunta sa aking kwarto dahil sabi ni Ella ay nakuhaan na raw ako ni doc Therese ng private room.

-"Ly, kailangan ko pa bang isubo sa'yo 'yang pagkain mo? Hindi papasok nang kusa 'yan sa bibig mo kung tititigan mo lang.", another earful from Jorella Marie.

Narito na nga kami sa private room ko and nakapag undergo na rin ako ng mga examinations na ipinagawa ni doc Therese. Ella bought food for the two of us at sabi niya ay kailangan  niyang i-regain yung lakas niya dahil dala-dalawa raw ang kaniyang mga pasyente.

"You can use your left hand to eat. Or if di mo kaya susubuan talaga kita.", pagpapatuloy nito.

"Besh, I can eat. Okay? I just don't have an appetite to do so. You should finish your food before it gets cold. Hayaan mo muna ako."

Umiling ito at saka umupo sa couch adjacent to my bed's location.

"This is what Den's mom was talking about. Huwag mo raw akong pahirapan but you're doing the exact opposite Ly, you also need your strength back. So please, try to eat somethin'. Paano mo maisha-share yung lakas mo kay besh if you've got nothing to spare?"

I sighed in defeat.

"Fine. Ilang subo lang and I'm done, okay?"

She smiled and nodded before eating her own food.

After tatlong subo ay wala na talaga akong gana pang kumain. Itinabi ko naman ang natira kong food sa side table at nilinis rin naman agad ni Ella ang aming mga pinagkainan.

After niya mag imis imis sa paligid ay umupo siya sa may dulo ng bed ko at tumingin sa akin.

"Hey. Feeling any better?", she asked.

"I should be asking you that. You keeping up?", I asked her back.

She smiled sadly.

"I just pray she wakes up already. That's all that I could ever think of."

"Hmm. She will wake up besh. We gotta keep our faith. Also, we have to trust her.", I smiled as I try to reassure Ella that her best friend, my ex lover and still, the love of my life, will wake up and come back safe and sound.

"But Ells, I know there's something wrong. This is not her. We've both known her for so long, we know she's a fighter. She looks at life so positively even at her lowest. She cherishes every bit of goodness of people. She literally loves life kaya nga after graduating she even pursued her dream of becoming a doctor 'di ba? Because she wants to help healing those who are sick, she wants to help them get through the dark and cold alley of their sickness. What the hell on earth happened to her all these years, Ella? You must know something, I know you know something."

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Maybe there are things that aren't even supposed to be told, maybe there are things that are just waiting all this time to be heard but we're all just so afraid that if it gets unveiled - the one and only thing you've ever cared about all these years will still be harmed by the truth."

"Ella, this is getting even scarier. I don't have a single-fucking-idea what you are talking about."

"Maybe not knowing is really the best thing. Let's keep it that way, Ly."

"So you DO know something.", pagpupumilit ko rito.

She just shrugged her shoulders as an answer.

"Ella, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan mong itago. Look Ells,  whatever that thing is - baka may kinalaman yun sa nangyari kay Dennise and if so, tingin ko this ain't the time to keep that to yourself."

"Alyssa just like what I have told you before, wala ako sa posisyon para pangunahan si Dennise. Besides, we both don't know what really pushed her to do that. So please Ly, stop asking me about it. You won't get anything from me. I'm sorry, besh."

"Then maybe you can start from the beginning. All these years you've been by her side kahit after namin maghiwalay. Ella you're her best friend! You are OUR best friend. She must have told you something, anything about our break up. Before hindi kita pinilit dahil I don't want to pressure you kung wala naman talaga siyang sinasabi pero now it looks like you must know a lot of things. Pinalampas ko lahat before Ella, damn I even got into this fake relationship para lang mag mukhang ayos na ako. Alam ko ikakasal na siya pero, there's something off about this whole thing. Besh, even from afar I can tell she was not happy. She may smile from time to time but that's not her genuine smile. When I've met with her, I can see sadness and fear in her eyes. I didn't dare to ask, because I am in no position to do so. Pero ngayon Ells, with her lying in that bed, it hit me fucking hard! Fire's burning in my chest and I want to know what has happened. No matter what it takes, I will get to the bottom of this."

After hearing these, Ella covered her face with both of her hands while shaking her head.

I can see how frustrated she is. But what more can I do? I still love the woman. And now all I can think of is her, and her well-being. I'll dig deeper.

I will search for answers.

Dennise, it might be too late for the two of us to get back together, it might be too late for me to find out what happened when you decided to turn your back on me, on us. But one thing is for sure ...

... I'll give my all to find out the truth.

---Author's note:

Yo! Huhu so sad CCS lost on the PVL's Finals Game 1. I hope makabawi pa sila sa Game 2 and makapag champion ulit! 🤞🏻

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this 3rd chapter!

How will Alyssa find out what really happened? Would Ella stop her from doing so?

What will happen after Dennise wakes up?

Marami pang kaganapan ang dapat ninyong abangan!

See you in chapter 4, 🍋s.

#alyden#nevershallwesink#foryoulemons🍋#ad