Elora's POV

STILL in a daze, I just kept staring at Elrond and Eli who were both right in front of me, talking while getting along with each other. They were like twins. Aside from the style of their hair and the clothes they were wearing, they looked exactly alike.

It should be a normal thing for identical twins, and I've encountered such interesting people. But since I knew they weren't twins at all, I couldn't help but be amazed. Dahil parehas na silang nasa harapan ko, doon lamang talaga nag-sink-in sa akin na totoong mayroong parallel worlds. Hindi ako nananaginip o nahihibang lamang.

"Ayos na siguro 'to?" tanong ni Elrond kay Eli. "Sobrang higpit na ng pagkakatali natin. 'Di na 'yan makaaalis diyan."

When Elrond untied us earlier, he told me that Eli knocked him out of consciousness. Silang dalawa ang nagtali sa walang malay na Sanjay sa isang poste sa loob ng abandonadong gusali. Sinigurado nilang walang laman ang mga bulsa nito na maaaring magamit upang matanggal ang tali.

"Okay. I'll call the police and inform them about this." Eli pulled the phone out of his pocket and walked away.

Nang ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Elrond ay naabutan ko siyang papalapit sa akin. Napangiti siya at ibinuka ang bibig upang sana'y magsalita, ngunit nalipat ang kanyang mga mata sa aking likuran nang may makaagaw ng kanyang pansin.

Out of curiosity, I also turned around to follow his sight. There I found Coops―and beside him was a woman wearing a very stylish outfit. With a pair of tattered denim jeans and a red sleeveless crop top, she was emitting a very strong aura of a fierce woman. However, when my eyes went back to her face, her expression was the complete opposite.

"Nakalimutan ko pa lang sabihin sa 'yo, Elora..." Elrond whispered behind me. "Kasama namin si Elise."

Her angelic face―looking exactly like me―tugged my heart so hard that it hurt a bit. Her eyes were fixed on me as she slowly approached with baby steps. Her lips trembled when it parted. And all of sudden, tears started streaming down her face.

"Elora..." She cried as she pulled me into a tight embrace and buried her face in my face. I froze while she held me in her arms. "I missed you so much... I missed you. I missed you..." she repeated those words over and over again.

Although she was a stranger to me, I didn't know why it suddenly hurt so much. Heat stung the corners of my eyes when it started collecting tears.

I recalled what my parents told me about my lost twin. I never had a chance to know her, that meeting Elise made it somehow possible. And so, grabbing the opportunity that I had to do it, I slowly wrapped my arms around her and gently patted her back to console her.

Kaysa tumahan ay mas lalo siyang naiyak. Ang kanyang yakap sa akin ay mas lalong humigpit na para bang wala na siyang balak akong pakawalan.

"I thought I would never see you again..." she said so hard that it felt like my heart was being clenched. "I'm sorry for not being there when you need me the most. I'm sorry for being a very bad twin. Ever since you left us, I didn't know what to do... I was lost, Elora... I was so lost... I felt like my life lost its direction without you..."

"It's okay, Elise..." I whispered softly. "I'm here. I'm alive and well. You don't have to live that way, okay? Think about our parents and the people who love you."

Elise didn't say anything and just renewed the way she hugged me. She made herself even more comfortable in my arms. We stayed that way for almost a minute more until we heard someone clear his throat.

Humiwalay kaming dalawa ni Elise sa isa't isa at sabay na nilingon si Eli na katatapos lamang tumawag sa pulis. "I'm sorry to interrupt this special moment, but I just want to inform everyone that the police will arrive soon."

"Oh, ayos!" Tuwang-tuwa si Elrond at nilingon si Coops upang mag-apir silang dalawa.

"But Elora and Cooper still need to testify," pagpapatuloy niya. "May mga tanong ang mga pulis na kailangan nilang sagutin. They might also get checked for possible injuries."

"Pero tumatakbo na ang oras ng dalawang Janus," singit ni Coops. "We might not have enough time to proceed with our original plan."

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Elrond. Nag-iwas din siya agad ng tingin sa akin. His shoulders fell while I bit my lip in disappointment.

I knew no one wanted this unexpected, life-threatening event to happen, but I just couldn't help but feel upset. We planned to spend the day of Elrond's arrival in our world, making the most out of the limited time we had. Twenty four hours isn't a long time but we got even less than what we should have because of Sanjay's evil intentions. At mas lalo lamang mababawasan pa ang oras na natitira sa amin dahil sa mga kailangang gawin.

"What's the original plan?" Elise asked, clueless about our plans.

"Aalis sana sina Elrond at Elora para ituloy ang naudlot nilang date noong―"

Natigil si Coops sa pagsasalita nang tinakpan ni Elrond ang kanyang bibig. Heat also went up to my cheeks because of embarrassment. Napailing na lamang si Eli at saka sumandal sa pader, nakahalukipkip habang pinanonood kami.

"So, you're going to have a date with my twin?" Elise didn't sound pleased when she asked that.

"Friendly date lang naman. Huwag mo ulit akong sasapakin, ah?" Hilaw na tumawa si Elrond. Binigyan niya ng mahinang pagsiko si Coops sa sikmura at saka mariing bumulong sa kaibigan. "Ang ingay mo kasi, gago!"

I covered my mouth when I couldn't keep myself from chuckling. Elrond is way funnier in person. His facial expression would easily make you laugh. He didn't even have to try at all.

"Hmm..." Nilingon ko ulit si Elise. Nakataas ang kanyang kilay habang nakatingin kay Elrond. "Since you can make Elora laugh, I guess I'll spare your life for now and I'll let you go with her on a friendly date."

Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni Elise. She's a cool twin. Kung buhay pa siguro siya rito sa aking mundo, sa tingin ko ay magkakasundo kaming dalawa.

"Elora." Elise turned to me with a determined expression. "Are you hurt somewhere? Masama ba ang pakiramdam mo?"

Slightly confused with her sudden question, I hesitantly shook my head.

"If that's the case, then I'll be the one to come with you and you to the police station," she said while pointing at Eli and Cooper. "That way, Elrond and Elora can go on with their plan."

My eyes slightly widened. "A-are you sure?" I asked her, surprised that she was willing to do that for me. "I don't want to take your time or, uhm, trouble you―"

"Elora." She held both my shoulders to stop me from thinking that way and looked straight into my eyes. "I only came here in hopes that it's really possible to see you. I have nothing else to do, so I really want to help you. And besides, it's my way of thanking Elrond for bringing me here to see you. It's the least I can do for the both of you."

The heavy worry in my heart was finally replaced with happiness. As I was super thankful to Elise, I caught her off guard when I threw my arms around her.

"Thank you so much, Elise," I sincerely said with a smile. "I'm really glad that I was able to meet you. I'm grateful that you're my twin."

As soon as she finally relaxed, she hugged me back and rested her head on my shoulder. "I'm willing to do anything for you, Elora," she told me, her voice soft and quiet, enough that only I could hear her words.

*****

ELI drove us home before he went to the police station and checked on Elise and Cooper. Si Coops naman ay dinala niya rin muna sa laboratory ni Cooper.

Nang makarating sa bahay ay nagmadali akong naligo at nagpalit ng damit para sa alis namin ni Elrond, habang siya naman ay nakiligo rin sa bahay ni Eli. Nasa trabaho ang kanyang mga magulang kaya ayos lang na umuwi muna silang dalawa roon ni Elrond.

We decided to meet each other outside my house. I didn't bother being choosy with my clothes and chose a dress that I really loved. I let my hair naturally flow after blow-drying and put on light makeup. Once I was done dolling up, I went out and found Elrond waiting outside.

He was leaning on a lamp post outside, while playing with his shoes. I couldn't help but smile when I saw him wearing a smart casual attire―black polo shirt paired with jeans and canvas shoes. His hair was also styled in a way that made him look more like Eli. I was happy to know that he dressed up really well for me.

Pagkabukas ko ng gate ay agad napalingon sa akin si Elrond. Napaawang bahagya ang kanyang mga labi. Hindi siya agad lumapit sa akin kaya ako na mismo ang naglakad papunta sa kanya. Ngunit kahit nasa kanyang harapan na ako ay nakatitig lamang siya sa akin.

Thinking that he was just overreacting, I just chuckled to hide the awkwardness I was feeling. Even though we had known each other for months, it was still a little uncomfortable for me to be with him in person.

Para naman siyang natauhan nang madinig ang aking mahinang tawa. Napalunok siya sa kaba. Bandang huli ay napatawa na lang siya at muling kinamot ang batok.

"P-pasensya na, uhm, tangina, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko..." bulong niya sa sarili bago muling tumingin nang maayos sa akin at naglahad ng kamay. "Elrond nga pala."

"Ha?" Feeling confused, I raised a brow after I glanced at his hand. "What's this for?"

"Ito ang unang beses nating pagkikita sa personal. Gusto ko lang pormal na magpakilala sa 'yo," paliwanag niya. "Kaya ayon nga..." Hindi niya na alam ang susunod niyang sasabihin kaya sinampal niya bigla ang sarili gamit ang kamay na inilahad sa akin. "Nakakahiya! Take two nga!"

Like I was watching a comedy act, I just burst out laughing while he was all over the place. The awkwardness I was feeling went away. I still couldn't believe how he could make me feel comfortable around him in such a short amount of time.

"Aba! Talagang tinatawanan mo pa ako!" kunwaring galit niyang sabi sa akin. "Gusto mo bang ituloy ko na ang pamba-bash sa 'yo?"

Mas lalo akong natawa nang maalala ang gabi kung kailan ko siya nakilala. He also joked about the same thing. It's really like meeting him all over again. But this time, we aren't separated by an unmeasurable distance. He's just right in front me.

When my laughter gradually faded, I casually reached out for his hand to introduce myself as well. "I'm Elora," I said and shook our hands together. "It's really nice to meet you, Elrond."

Mula sa pagkabigla sa aking ginawa ay unti-unting bumalik ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. Pagkatapos no'n ay naglakad na kami papalabas ng subdivision upang maghintay ng taxi sa waiting shed upang bumiyahe papuntang España. Napakunot ang noo ni Elrond at nagtaka kung bakit doon ko siya dadalhin ngunit hindi na siya umapila.

When he told me to plan our day, I immediately thought of that one place which reminds me of him, that's why I didn't hesitate including it on our schedule.

The moment we got off the cab, Elrond's eyes roamed around our surroundings like he was taking everything in. Kasabay no'n ay sinusundan niya lamang ako sa paglalakad sa sidewalk sa tapat ng University of St. Aquinas.

"Hindi ako makapaniwalang halos wala talagang pagkakaiba ang mundo namin sa inyo," manghang bulong niya bago lumingon sa akin. "Ganitong-ganito rin doon. Pati ang pangalan ng mga lugar at gusali."

"I guess that's the reason why it's called parallel worlds," I simply replied. "Everything about our world is parallel to yours."

Nagtaas naman bigla ng kilay sa akin si Elrond. "Pinipilosopo mo ba ako?"

While I was shaking my head, I chuckled. "No, I'm not," I told him. "I'm just stating facts."

His eyes narrowed while looking at me and I just laughed it off again. Napailing na lang siya at saka dineretso ang tingin hanggang sa muli siyang nagmasid sa aming paligid. He was about to go straight to Morayta when I held his wrist to stop him from walking. Agad niya naman akong nilingon.

"Bakit?" nagtatakang tanong niya.

"We're here," I announced and glanced at the coffee shop beside us, which he quickly turned his head to.

"Coffee Project?"

With a huge smile on my face, I nodded my head excitedly. "Let's go inside! Come on!"

Mabilis ko siyang hinila papasok sa loob. Nang makita kong bakante ang lamesa kung saan ako madalas umupo ay doon ko siya dinala.

"Sit here," utos ko sa kanya. "What do you want to drink? Ako na ang―"

Bago ko pa matapos ang aking sasabihin ay inalalayan niya ako paupo. He held both my shoulders and gently pushed me down to sit. Feeling a bit dumbfounded, I looked up to him with a confused look and found him smiling at me.

"Ako na ang o-order at bibili para sa ating dalawa," sabi niya sa akin. "Dito ka lang at hintayin mo ako rito."

"But you don't have money, right?"

Bilang sagot ay mayroon siyang hinugot na wallet mula sa bulsa ng pantalon sa likuran. "Lagi kong dala-dala ang wallet at cellphone ko," sabi niya sa akin. "Kahit saan ako magpunta―kahit dito pa sa ibang mundo―hinding-hindi ko 'to kalilimutan."

"Are you sure?" I was still hesitant to let him pay for the both of us when I could afford. "We can share the expenses instead."

Umiling siya. "Please hayaan mo na akong gawin 'to, Elora," pakiusap niya at kahit nakangiti ay kita kong may bakas ng lungkot ang kanyang mga mata. "Ito ang una at huling beses kitang makakasama ng ganito. Wala nang susunod na pagkakataon para magawa ko ang mga gusto kong gawin para sa 'yo. Kaya kung puwede, Elora, please let me spoil you today."

His serious pleading got through me so fast. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo sa kanya. I let him order and pay for our food. Bago siya bumalik ay hinintay niya munang matapos ang kanyang inorder para hindi na niya kailangan pang tumayo ulit.

"Thank you for treating me," I sincerely told him.

Umiling siya habang inaayos ang aming pagkain sa lamesa. Siya na rin ang naglay ng paper straw sa aking inumin at pinunasan ng tissue ang tinidor na gagamitin kong pangkain ng pasta.

My heart fluttered seeing him doing these little things for me. But at the same time, I couldn't help but be bitter about our cruel fate because I knew I could never experience his warmth again.

"Bakit nga pala rito mo naisipang pumunta?" tanong niya sa akin bago sumipsip sa frappe na inorder.

"Hmm... This is the first place where we first decided to meet each other..." I reminded him, and I could tell by his reaction that he finally remembered what I was talking about. "Since we didn't get to meet that day, I thought we should still fulfill that and go here today."

While nodding his head in realization, he bowed his head a bit. For a fleeting moment, there was a ghost of a smile on his lips. And then, all of a sudden, he stood up from his seat which startled me.

"Ulitin natin ang araw na 'yon," determinado niyang sabi sa akin. "Kunwari ngayon pa lang tayo magkikita sa personal."

"Ha?" naguguluhan kong tanong. "Paanong―" Hindi ko pa natatapos ang aking sasabihin ay agad niya akong tinalikuran upang lumabas ng Coffee Project.

Napatayo ako, balak na sundan siya. Ngunit nang nakita ko siyang naglalakad palayo, papunta sa footbridge na tawiran upang makapunta sa University of St. Aquinas ay naintindihan ko na ang gusto niyang mangyari.

He wants us to relive that time when we're supposed to meet each other here in the Coffee Project. And unlike before, we won't be played by fate anymore. This time, we will finally meet each other like what we have planned.

I patiently waited at our table while looking outside. Not long after, I spotted him walking closely and holding something he wasn't carrying before he left.

Elrond pushed one side of the café's door open and entered. While holding a simple bouquet of three red roses, he approached me with a bright smile on his face.

We caught the attention of some customers but I couldn't care less. I didn't feel embarrassed that I even stood up to meet Elrond halfway.

"Elora?" binanggit niya ang aking pangalan na para bang naninigurado siya kung ako 'yon kaya naman agad akong tumango. "Ako si Elrond." Mas lalo siyang napangiti at inabot sa akin ang mga bulaklak. "Para sa 'yo 'to."

I accepted the roses with a smile. "What are these flowers for?"

"Sabi ko sa 'yo, gagawin ko ang lahat ng mga gusto kong gawin para sa 'yo," paalala niya. "Isa na ro'n ang pagbibigay ng bulaklak. Ganoon madalas kapag nanliligaw, 'di ba?"

"Nanliligaw ka ba?" tanong ko.

Mapait siyang ngumiti. "Kung hindi lang malupit sa atin ang tadhana at kung wala lang tayo sa kumplikadong sitwasyon nating dalawa..." Sandali siyang tumigil at saka tumingin sa aking mga mata. "Hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na ligawan ka," pag-amin niya.

I bit my lower lip while holding his gaze. Sincerity filled his eyes. His words made me happy, special, and loved but it also hurt. The pain overpowered the positive feelings that I felt like crying to let everything out. However, I stopped myself from spoiling the once-in-a-lifetime moment I had with him. And so, I just let myself get crazy even just for that day.

"Then, try courting me now, Elrond," I challenged him. "Ask me the question now."

Napaawang ang kanyang mga labi at tila naguguluhan. "Ano ang ibig mong sabihin? Nababaliw ka na ba?"

Umiling ako. "Seryoso ako, Elrond," paninigurado ko sa kanya. "Dahil kung nasa iisang mundo lang tayong dalawa, hindi rin ako magdadalawang-isip na sagutin ka," paliwanag ko na nagpabigla sa kanya. "So why don't we just grab this chance and be a real couple? At least, we won't have any regrets in the end."

"Huwag mo sanang masamain, Elora. Gustong-gusto kong maging girlfriend ka pero paano?" tanong niya. "Pagkabalik namin sa kabilang mundo at 'pag naubos ang oras ng Janus at nasira iyon kasama ng Esoterra ay hinding-hindi na tayo makakapag-usap."

"I know," I told him. "That's why we're only a couple for today."

He was left speechless with my suggestion. He was just staring at me for over a minute. But like we were both losing our minds, he suddenly laughed and nodded.

"Nababaliw na nga rin talaga 'ata ako," bulong niya sa sarili bago tumango sa akin at inabot ang aking kamay. "Tangina talaga, oh. Kahit alam kong gusto mo rin ako, kinakabahan pa rin ako. Huwag mo akong babastedin, ah? Mamaya jino-joke time mo lang ako."

Muli akong natawa nang makita siyang hindi mapakali. "Promise hindi kita babastedin. Don't worry."

"Okay..." He gently pressed my palm, took a deep breath, and stared into my eyes. His warmth spread all over my hand. "Elora, will you be my girlfriend?"

Although I was the one who challenged him to ask me the question, hearing him say it filled my entire chest with a thrill of joy. Blush crept across my cheeks but I didn't mind. To answer his question, I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around him, and rested my head on his chest.

"It'll be my pleasure to be your girlfriend, Elrond," I whispered softly and decided to let out my true feelings. "I know I'm not the main reason why you're here with me now, but thank you for risking your life to come here. You made me so happy. I love you."

Elrond was silent for a few seconds. I was about to let go when he also locked me in his arms. I felt his chin resting on top of my head.

"Mahal din kita, Elora," mahinang sabi niya. "Masaya akong nakilala kita."

Pagkasabing-pagkasabi niya 'yon ay nagulat kami nang biglang nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa paligid naming dalawa. We were both startled that we took a step away from each other and looked at the people inside the café. Lahat sila ay nakangiti sa aming dalawa ni Elrond. Someone even congratulated us, like we just got engaged.

Dumbfounded by the outrageous situation, we found ourselves looking at each other and after another second, we just laughed and Elrond hugged me again.

*****

PAGKATAPOS naming kainin ni Elrond ang mga inorder sa Coffee Project ay tumungo kami sa susunod naming balak na puntahan upang manood ng movie at mamili ng regalo para sa isa't isa. He gave me a very pretty and expensive dress, while I bought him a Funko Pop of Luffy from his favorite manga and anime―One Piece. Mabuti na lang at binabalak niya pa lang bumili ng Funko Pop na 'yon dahil kalalabas pa lang sa market n'on.

In the midst of everything, we would talk about what happened at the café every time we had a chance. It was so funny because the thoughtful staff even gave us one slice of cake to celebrate the next stage of our relationship.

"Ano gagawin natin next?" tanong ni Elrond nang matapos ang movie na pinanood naming dalawa. "Mayroon pa tayong pala tayong limang oras na natitira."

"Hmm... We will eat somewhere else so we have to go there now," I vaguely answered his question while I dragged him out of the mall to ride a cab. "Huwag tayo rito sa mall."

"Ha? Bakit lalayo pa tayo?" pagtataka niya, ngunit nagpatianod naman siya sa aking hila. "Baka kulangin tayo sa oras."

"Malapit lang 'yon sa laboratory ni Cooper kaya ayos lang," sabi ko naman sa kanya na siyang dahilan kung bakit din siya pumayag.

Inabot kami ng halos dalawang oras sa pagpunta sa EDSA Shangri-la. Mabuti na lang at thirty minutes lamang ang layo nito sa laboratory ni Cooper kaya hindi pa rin kami gahol sa oras. He still had more than two hours to spend with his mother.

It was an idea from Eli. He suggested planning a dinner date for Elrond and Tita Galadriel. Siya pa ang mismong nagpa-reserve ng table at nagbayad n'on. Even though I wanted to share the expenses, he told me he would take care of it.

Honestly, I had no idea why he made that suggestion. But I was just really thankful that he initiated it himself. Ilang beses ko ring inisip kung paano ko pagkikitain sina Elrond at Tita Galadriel kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang sabihin niya ang kanyang plano.

"Shangri-la?" Nilingon ako ni Elrond pagkababa namin ng taxi. "Sure ka bang dito mo gusto kumain?"

Tipid na lamang akong ngumiti at tumango. "Powder room lang ako. Mauna ka na sa Senju. A table's already reserved under your name. Sabihin mo lang sa receptionist."

"Samahan na kita. Sabay na tayo―"

"Hindi na," sabi ko. "Mauna ka na. I can take care of myself. Para makaorder ka na rin dahil baka matagalan ako. Sayang ang oras."

"Oh, sige..." nag-aalangan niyang pagpayag. "Susunod ka, ah?"

Natawa na ako at saka tumango. "Oo. Hindi ako aalis."

When he finally got the assurance he wanted from me, he finally turned his back on me and started walking away to go to the restaurant. And instead of going to the powder room, I went to another restaurant inside the hotel where Eli, Elise and the two Coopers were waiting for me.