LILY WAS LYING AT THE BACKYARD. Lunes na naman, pero pinaalam na niya sa sekretarya na hindi papasok ng office.

Monday sucks, she thought as she adjusted the sunglasses she was wearing. What a lucky bitch. She always… sucks.

Nakahiga siya sa isang puting poolside bench. Her body stretched under the warm seven AM sun. She had nothing on but a tiny bikini. She left her breasts exposed under the sunlight as well.

Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ni Lily ang pagsayaw ng nakapaligid na puno. Everything were shadows of yellow and green, with glows and streams of sunlight here and there. Because of the gentle breeze, goosebumps gently tickled her bared skin. All she ever wanted was to feel warm. As warm as that night she had with Jared… But damn, even Mother Nature had to meddle and sent in a bit of chill.

She sat up on that bench. Now she wanted to fuck Jared again.

Sinuot niya ang sleeveless turtleneck na pastel pink. Pagkatapos, sinuklay ng mga daliri ang kanyang blonde-dyed na buhok.

Dapat pala pumasok na lang ako sa office. Now, all I am thinking of is how to have another round with Jared!

Nahilamos niya ng kamay ang mukha

But if I go to work today, I’ll be just a useless mess. Super distracted with thoughts of that… beast.

She could already feel herself burn with so much wanting, it tempted her to jump in the pool. That would probably cool her down. But she didn’t. She refused the urge to just jump at the swimming pool in front of her.

Yes. Beast. That man is a beast...A beast. Lily groaned as soon as she stepped inside the townhouse. I have to get my mind off of a man I am never meeting again, bawi niya mula sa pangangailangan masyado kay Jared kanina lang.
 
Bumalik siya sa kwarto at kinuha mula sa pagkakapatong sa kama ang naiwang cellphone. She immediately made a call.

Lily, kumusta? bungad ni Beta sa kabilang-linya.

“Hi, Beta,” napunta sa balkonahe ang kanyang tingin dahil doon siya hinihila ng mga paa. “I know, busy ka tuwing Mondays. Pero maaga naman siguro ako nakatawag, right?”

On the way na kami ni Walter sa Corinstones, paliwanag nito. Since, my official clock in is at nine, yes, you called just in time. And I’ll still take your calls, girl, no matter what. So, ano na ang balita sa’yo? Sabi ni Walter nung Sunday mo raw imi-meet si Jared! How was it?

Nasa balkonahe na si Lily. Napahigpit ang hawak ng isa niyang kamay sa balustre niyon habang nagtitimping ngumiti na lang.

Beta, tinawagan nga kita para maalis sa isip ko ang Jared na ‘yon. Tapos heto ka at pinapaalala mo na naman sa akin ang lalaking ‘yon! she thought before finally replying as calm as she could. “You wouldn’t want to know.”

Ahh, alam ko na, nasa tono ng kaibigan ang panunukso. He’s not your type.

Napapikit na lang si Lily, minasahe ng isang kamay ang sentido. “Yeah. He’s definitely not my type.”

Well, Walter already warned you. Na baka nga hindi mo matipuhan si Jared. But you know what? It’s okay. At least, you two had an intelligent conversation.

“Intelligent conversation?” pagak niyang tawa.

I mean, kinumusta namin si Jared. And he said—

Beta— Walter warned her best friend.

What?

You shouldn’t.

Why not?

Ano’ng why? Baka masaktan ang feelings ng best friend mo—

Masaktan ka diyan? Ayoko namang walang kamuwang-muwang ang best friend ko. And besides, Lily is a strong woman. She can take it.

“Yeah,” Lily murmured to herself, inaudible to Beta, “I can take it. I even managed to take every inch of Jared’s massive dick, didn’t I?”

What I am really trying to say is, I don’t want her to be offended.

Ah, Walter. Still as gentlemanly as ever.

Aware ka naman siguro na naririnig niya tayo ngayon?

Oh, Beta. Still the strong, straight-forward tigress.

Fine. You win.

Nangingiti siya dahil nagparaya na naman si Walter sa asawa nito.

Lily?

“I am still here. Are you done debating?” natatawang tanong niya rito.

I’m sorry about that. After a low apologetic voice, Beta’s voice picked up a livelier tone. So, there. Kinumusta kasi namin si Jared, and he said you had a fine meeting.

Fine! Gustong magwala ni Lily sa ginamit na termino ni Jared. Just fine? That sex? Fine lang ‘yon sa hayop na ‘yon?

And… patuloy ng walang kamalay-malay na si Beta, he’s quite contented that he got what he came for but he wouldn’t want to see you again. At bago pa siya naka-react, iniba na ng babae ang topic. Ganoon kasi dumiskarte si Beta para maalis ang isip niya sa isang bagay. Lalo na kung ikagagalit o lungkot niya. So, I wonder how did your conversation go? Kwento mo naman kung ano tungkol sa psychology ang experiment na ginawa niya sa’yo.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at hindi na napigilan ang sarili. “What a giant walking jerk that Jared is! Lahat ng ginawa namin sa The Org, experiment lang pala ng gagong ‘yon?”

Natahimik saglit si Beta. Nakarecover din agad ito sa gulat. How come you don’t know? Nag-usap lang naman kayo, ‘di ba? About his social experiment?

Social… experiment? Lily’s mind echoed.

I think, the proper term is psychoanalysis, naulinigan niyang pagwawasto ni Walter sa asawa nito.

Still, some kind of experiment, sweet, Beta sighed.

“I’m going to see that imbecile piece of human hybrid!” she gritted as she left the balcony, stomping back to her room.

I don’t think that’s a good idea, Beta calmly warned.

“And why not?” hinto ni Lily sa gitna ng silid. “Beta, hindi ba kayo marunong makahalata ni Walter kapag nagsisinungaling ang isang tao?”

Why would Jared even lie about a non-trivial thing?

Yeah, right. They really didn’t have a clue.

No wonder, naloko kayong dalawa nung Joan at ni Dexter, Lily thought furiously before she took that back. Sobrang naguilty siya na nakuha pang isipin iyon dala lang ng sobrang pagkainis para sa Jared na ‘yon.

Hindi dapat na nadadamay ang mag-asawa sa galit niyang para naman sa ibang tao.

“I am sorry, Beta,” nanlulumong upo niya sa gilid ng kama.

Tinanaw ni Lily ang balkonahe, ang sumasayaw-sayaw na manipis at puting kurtina na nakabitin sa magkabilang-tabi ng bukas na pinto papunta roon. Nakasilip sa balkonahe ang larawan ng asul na kalangitan, ilang hibla ng puting mga ulap at ang berdeng tuktok ng ilang mga puno sa labas.

“You know what? You’re right,” she admitted. “It’s not a good idea to see that Jared ever again.”

.

.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK?” taas ni Beta sa kwintas na hawak.

May usapan sila Lily at Beta na magla-lunch sa isang fine dining restaurant. Pagkatapos niyon, babalik ulit sa sari-sarili nilang mga trabaho. Si Beta sa Corinstones— manufacturer at seller ng de-kalidad at mamahaling mga alahas. At si Lily naman sa family company nilang Variant— manufacturer ng mga papel. Isa rin siyang Marlon, pero wala siyang anumang mataas na posisyon sa kumpanya. Mas pinili niya ang maging isa sa subordinates sa HR department ng Variant. Ayon sa mga magulang niya, maganda nang may isang Marlon sa departamentong iyon para salang-sala ang mga lumalabas-masok na empleyado.

They sat on a dainty pink-painted metal-framed glass table. A pretty bunch of baby’s breaths in pastel pink and blue were in a flower vase at the center. Beta wore a red, wide-necklined long-sleeved dress. Pencil cut ang pulang palda niyon, kasing pula rin ng makintab na high heels na suot nito. Her jet, black hair was tied in a leek low-ponytail.

Meanwhile, Lily dressed up accordingly for her job. She wore a pair of light beige-colored slacks and tucked in her white, loose button-down shirt pulled down in a lower neckline. Dahil doon, kita ang kanyang collar bone at ang nakalambitin na gold necklace na may pendant na bulaklak ng lily. The center was made of white pearl melted into the shape of a lily, outlined by gold. Her blonde-dyed hair was tied in a neat half do to clearly show her soft, sweet-looking face. For some reason, she eminate such innocent look in the daytime.

Beta held both ends of the pearl necklace with the tips of her fingers. It was more of a choker with pearls polished to perfection. It was so white and smooth that it looked glossy and shone when reflected by light.

Lily loved jewelries a lot. But pearls disinterest her. Bagot ang nakarehistro sa kanyang mga mata mang pasadahan ang kwintas ng tingin.

“You better put that back in the box, Beta,” balik ng kanyang atensyon sa pagkain. “Baka may mag-interes niyan rito.”

“May mag-interes dito? Sa restaurant na ito?” natatawang balik ni Beta ng kwintas sa kanito. Kita ni Lily sa kaibigan na kahit nabawasan na, paminsan-minsa’y lumilitaw pa rin ang mataas na kumpiyansa nito sa sarili. Tulad na lang ng kumpiyansa nito na dahil ito ang namili ng restaurant at ito ang may dala ng kwintas, walang magtatangkang magnakaw niyon.

Panay ang nakaw ni Beta ng tingin sa kanya, hindi kumbinsido sa mga kinikilos niya.

Oo. Ganoon na sila ka-close ng babae kaya parang halos nababasa na niya ang nasa isip nito.

And it took me years, to understand how Beta’s mind works, titig ni Lily sa kaibigan habang abala sa oag-ayos sa pearl choker sa cushion box niyon na gawa sa puting satin ang cover. So… How could Jared do that to me in just… weeks?

Nagbaba siya ng tingin.

He’s a psychologist, you silly. Of course, it’s his expertise. That’s why… Unti-unting gumapang sa kanya ang lungkot. Am I that easy to read?

Kaya ba… alam niyang napaka-effective na pang higanti sa akin ang ginawa niya sa The Org?

“Earth to Lily,” Beta impatiently snapped her fingers.

Kapag ganoon na ang inakto ng babae, ibig sabihin masyado nang matagal niya itong hindi sinasagot o pinapansin. But as usual, Lily would only pull a cool, confident smile to cover up for being inattentive.

“Finally, you’re paying attention to me,” may panunukso sa ngiti nito pero naniningkit sa pagdududa ang mga mata. “I wonder what’s taking that attention away from me, Lily."

There she goes again. May dahilan kung bakit nagkakasundo sila. They have this kind of dynamic that for others seemed imposible to work together, but they made it possible. Both of them are quite domineering and take-charge type of women. People think they were bossy when they actually are just confident and honest enough to say what they really want. Akala ng iba, kapag bossy ang dalawang tao, magtatalo ang mga ito, magtatagisan para malaman kung sino sa dalawa ang magiging boss. But how wrong they are. They are just two honest women who knew what they exactly want and will get it no matter what, unless a compromise is a better option.

Sometimes, Beta wins. Sometimes, it’s her who wins.

And they appreciate the honesty they get from each other.

Ito ang bagay na gusto ni Lily sa lahat ng relationships niya— ang pagiging totoo niyon at pagpapakatotoo. If a relationship could never thrive with the truth alone, then it wasn’t worth her time.

Sadly, one of those relationships doomed to fail would be hers and Jared.

Kaya nga, hindi na siya nagpakita rito nang matapos ang stay niya sa Belgium, ‘di ba?

“Lily,” nauubusan ang pasensya na pukaw na naman sa kanya ni Beta.

“Sorry. Napapaisip lang kasi ako kung ano ang magandang ipangalan sa necklace na ‘yan.”

“Call it a choker,” Beta insisted.

“Yeah,” she took a sip from the straw of her ice tea served in a tall glass. After that, she carefully smacked her lips dry. Ingat na ingat siya dahil sa pulang-pula na lipstick niya. “I wonder what to call that item. You name your collections and pieces, right? Tulad nung kwintas na inspired ng logo ng The Org. You named it The Gentleman’s Rose .” Then she placed a point finger against her temple. “Now I wonder if that’s a trick you did there to make the piece sound like pang-unisex. Mostly, women ang market ng mga bagay na may rose designs. But to my surprise, men in The Org could be seen wearing those necklaces. And they like it.”

“I really intended to make the item available for all sexes, Lily,” kumpirma ni Beta. “It’s not just a tribute for The Org’s anniversary that time. And I don’t think I have something to so with your thoughts earlier,” suksok nito ng hawak na cushion box sa kandong na shoulder bag. “I saw how you looked at the choker, Lily. You look so bored. The best you can so is just be honest with me, girl.”

Sinalubong niya ang mga mata nito. “Beta, it’s beautiful, okay? I love the necklace. It’s just that—” Lily was reluctant, but released a surrendering sigh. “You’re right. My mind is a little too occupied and I hate to admit what’s messing it up. So, let’s just not talk about it.”

“Kasi it’s Doc Jared,” panghuhuli nito pagkalapag ng shoulder bag na dala sa katabing bakanteng upuan na bakal.

Naalerto siya. “Am I—”

“Yes. You’re that obvious,” Beta abruptly said, predicting perfectly the things she were about to say.

Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You know,” Beta continued, “you’re a very honest person, Lily. Your body just can’t lie.”

“Really?” sandal niya sa kinauupuan at naglahad ng ngisi sa kaibigan. “Then how come, I managed to fool the men I fucked that I orgasmed when I really didn’t?”

“Because,” Beta lead forward and eyed on her with a knowing smile, “they are not paying attention.”

“Aba,” nangingiting taas-noo ni Lily. “Parang sa akin pa rin ang balik, ah?”

“Akala mo, makakapag-change topic ka nang hindi ko mahahalata?” tuwid nito ng upo. Beta picked up her knife and fork. “Come on, mag-share ka naman. I know it’s about Jared. May kakaiba kasi sa reaction mo kaninang umaga nung napag-usapan natin siya.”

“Nahalata mo palang may kakaiba pero hindi mo ako inusisa,” patuloy na rin niya sa pagkain.

“Eh, siyempre, kasama ko si Walter. I’m sure, you’re not going to be comfortable to open up, knowing he can hear it.”

Lily groaned. “Oh, yes,” she shook her head. “You really know me well, Beta.”

“Of course, you’re my best friend.”

Lily smiled back. Pero bakit ganoon? Parang hindi niya damang-dama ang pagkakangiti rito.

Hindi pwede ito. Hindi pwedeng mas malakas ang epekto sa kanya ni Jared kaysa sa pagpapaalala sa kanya ni Beta na best friend siya nito…

“Tungkol sa pagkikita namin ni Jared,” Lily sighed. “He’s lying. It wasn’t fine. It did not end really well.”

“Then, you really have to be bothered. How come? Conflicting of ideas?”

Hindi siya nakasagot kaagad. Kahit matalik pa niyang kaibigan si Beta, at kahit honesty ang pundasyon ng matibay na relasyon para sa kanya, may mga limitasyon din naman iyon. Those limitations were applicable once other people’s privacy are involved.

This time, hers with Jared’s.

“Let’s say… oo, pwedeng gan’un na rin.”

“May pagkakontrabida ka rin kasi minsan, eh,” pabiro ang paninisi sa tono ng kaibigan.”I’m sure, napikon ka dahil parang balewala lang kay Doc Jared.” Natatawang nilipat ni Beta ang mga mata sa karneng hinihiwa.

“Parang kilalang-kilala mo si Jared.”

“Of course. Hindi lang kasi siya client lang sa The Org,” Beta met her eyes. “He’s also Walter’s clinical psychologist.”

Oo. Pinayagan ni Walter na i-disclose ni Beta ang tungkol sa pagkakaroon nito ng self-esteem issues at trauma sa kanya. Iyon ay dahil gusto ni Beta siguraduhing walang gagawin o masasabi si Lily na makaka-trigger kay Walter. Lalo na noong undergoing pa ito ng therapy sessions.

Wala naman siyang kaide-ideya na ang psychologist na nagbibigay ng therapy sa lalaki… ay si Jared.

Nagbalik tuloy sa kanya ang pagtatalo nila ng lalaki nung Sabado sa The Org…

“Kailan ka pa rito sa The Org? Have you been watching me all this time?”

“What’s it to you? Lahat ng nakakasama mo sa lugar na ito, napapanood ka maliban na lang kung gagamit ka ng kwarto. What’s the big deal if I ever happened to see you here one time? Or weeks ago?”

“Okay na si Walter, ‘di ba? Bakit napapadpad pa rin si Jared sa The Org?” iwas niya ng tingin sa kaibigan. She could not help having bitter throughts. “Don’t tell me, that’s how he pays Jared. By giving him free access in The Org.”

Pinaningkitan siya nito ng mga mata. “Hindi mo pa rin kina-clarify kung bakit hindi naging maayos ang pagkikita ninyo nung Saturday.”

Lily remained as cool as possible. “Well, tulad na lang ng sinabi mo, may pagkakontrabida ako.” She stole a glance at Beta’s eyes to study her reaction. “At alam mo naman ang gawain ng kontrabida, ang mang-inis.”

“And I bet, ikaw ang nainis,” Beta stilfed a laugh. “Si Doc Jared? Maiinis mo? Sobrang haba ng pasensya n’on.”

“Are you sure, pasensya lang ang mahaba sa kanya?” may kalakip na kamandag sa kanyang ngisi habang tinutuhog ng tinidor ang isang hiwa ng karne sa sarili niyang pinggan.

Lily made that punchline because she knew Beta wouldn’t easily get it.

“What do you mean?” taas ng isa nitong kilay. If she didn’t know Beta personally, mapagkaksmalan talaga niyang mataray ito.

“Napakahaba niyang mag-explain ng mga bagay-bagay,” palusot niya habang nakatapat ang tinidor malapit sa kanyang bibig. “It’s pretty boring and time consuming.”

Sabay subo niya ng pagkain.

Napaisip si Beta bago dinampot ang tall glass nito ng tubig. “Parang hindi naman siya gan’un.”

Oo. Hindi nga ganoong klase ng tao si Jared. He doesn’t like explaining things—especially the things that he does. Para sa lalaki, binabayaran ito para magpaliwanag ng mga bagay-bagay. So why do that for free?

Scratch that. Jared never said those things about himself. But since, she was so mad at him for using her in his some sort of experiment, she’s assuming such terrible things about him.

“Bakit? Ano ba ang pagkakakilala ninyo kay Jared?” aniya bago sumipsip sa straw ng iced tea.

“He’s such a gentle person,” Beta smiled.

Muntik na siyang masamid sa narinig. Gentle? Parang gusto niyang matawa. You think he’s gentle?

After having a drink, Lily spread out a smile for Beta. “I don’t think a pearl choker is a good idea.”

“Why not?”

She smiled wider. Naligaw na kasi niya ang atensyon ng kaibigan.

“I bet you haven’t worn that around your neck yet. Imagine how uncomfortable that would feel. Imagine hard, balls of pearls against your neck. Masakit. Hindi mo rin pwede basta-basta igalaw ang ulo mo o yumuko. Anyone who wears that might look like a lifeless statue, or move like a robot.”

Beta visualized her idea and gave her an agreeing look. “Hindi ko na naisip ‘yan. Alam mo ba ‘yong Flintstones? That’s where I got the idea, to be honest. Wilma Flintstones' necklace. But instead of white rocks, it’s white pearls for me.”

“Why not just focus on a string of pearls? I mean, ano ba ang priority mo? Gumawa ng tribute para sa Flintstones o i-mass produce ‘yan? If that’s going to be a tribute, most probably, mga fans ng Flintstones ang maa-attract mo diyan or anyone who’s into cosplaying or people with avant garde tastes in fashion. If you want to attract a bigger market, make a piece that’s comfortable to wear.” Sa haba ng litanya niya, ngayon lang niya naisip tanungin ang kaibigan. “What’s going on? You already know those things. Bakit parang hindi mo na-consider bago mo ipagawa ‘yang first item ng kwintas? You’re wasting some valuable pearls.”

Beta chuckled lowly. “Got ya. They’re not real pearls.”

Lily sighed in relief. “So, that’s a prototype!”

“Looks like the real thing, hmm?” mayabang na ngiti ni Beta.

“Kaya pala, hindi ka worried kung may mag-attempt nakawin ‘yan dito sa labas.”

“Of course, girl,” lapad ng ngiti nito.

Nangingiting napailing si Lily at binalik ang atensyon sa pagkain.