HINAWAKAN NI LILY ANG KAMAY NI JARED. Nag-aalala namang humawak rin ito sa kanyang kamay kaya nabangga ng daliri nito ang kapares ng suot nitong singsing.

She wore a light-satin silver spaghetti top with plunging neckline and a pair of silver high-heeled sandals. The pencil-contoured, side-slit, maxi in white hugged her hips sexily. Her dark hair was side-parted, making them hang over her right shoulder.

Beside her, Jared looked staggering handsome in his wavy hair that reached his shoulders. He kept his hair length that way ever since they got back together. It was brushed up, showing his handsome face clearly— hard jaws, defined nose, cruel lips, intent dark eyes and thick brows. He wore a pair of jeans and a green button-down short-sleeved shirt.

Puno ng tao ang The Org. Puro Invite-Only.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok sa ballroom proper, bumungad ang maaliwalas na silid.

Instead of the red and low lighting, brightness flooded in the room. The chandeliers were lit as well, sparkling. Nagmukhang mas grandioso ang lugar.

Parang fairytale.

May mga display stands na nakakalat sa ballroom. Ang mga item ay nakakaha sa see-through na glass cases.

Parte ng liquidation process ng The Org ang pagbenta sa ilan sa mga importanteng posesyon ng mga ito. Lalo na ang mga stock ng hindi pa gamit na mga sex equipments at toys. Pinakamahal siyempre ang mga limited edition at branded na item.

Sila naman ni Jared, walang balak mamili. Dumalo lang talaga sila bilang pagsuporta sa desisyon ng mga kaibigang sila Beta at Walter.

Nagulat na lang siya nang madaanan ang isang display.

It was a pearl necklace. The card label that came along with it says: Tears of Lily

Naalala tuloy niya ang sinabi ni Beta noon. Na binili raw ni Jared ang kwintas na ireregalo sana nito sa kanya.

Napalingon siya sa asawa. “Bakit nandito ‘to?”

“Ha?” his brows slightly met.

“Come on. Huwag ka nga mag maang-maangan,” tapik niya sa braso nitong kinakakawitan ng isa niyang braso. “Alam ko ang totoo. Binili mo ‘yong ireregalo sana sa akin ni Beta noon na kwintas. Hindi mo na nga niregalo ‘yon sa akin, dito ko pa makikita.”

Hindi na naman malaking issue sa kanya ang kwintas. Paglalambing lang niya ang tampu-tampuhan tungkol sa hindi nito pag regalo ng kwintas sa kanya.

“Please, baby,” he softly pleaded, “let me explain.”

Lily lowered her face.

“Pinatago ko kay Walter ‘yong kwintas.”

“Bakit ‘di alam ni Beta?”

“Lily, you’re pregnant,” he reminded in a small voice. He worried about her emotions.

“I am okay. Just tell me what really happened,” kalmadong balik niya ng tingin sa glass case.

Sa kwintas na nakapulupot sa bust mannequin na walang ulo.

“Gusto niyang iregalo sa’yo ang kwintas na ‘yan. I said, she shouldn’t. I’ll buy it, basta huwag na niyang ibigay sa’yo.”

“Dahil?” lingon niya rito.

“You see, when you gift someone a string of pearls, it’s like you’re wishing endless tears for them.”

“Whoa,” seryoso pa rin siya, “for a man of science, I never expected you believe in things like that.”

“I am serious.”

“Seryoso rin naman ako.”

Tinanaw ni Jared ang naka-display na kwintas. “Kaya iyon. Nung nakuha ko ‘yong kwintas, pinatabi ko kay Walter. Iniwan ko muna rito sa The Org, kasi, alam mo na. Nag-intermission ako nung birthday party mo rito.”

Lily giggled at the memory of that.

“You’re so hot that night,” harap niya , maging ng katawan, kay Jared.

“That night lang?”

Napatingala siya sa lakas ng itinawa.

“Every night!”

Nahihiyang napatingin ang lalaki sa paligid. No one seemed to mind them, which relieved him. Mas naging maluwag na ang ngiti nito.

“Hi,” bati ni Beta.

Nakaasiste sa balakang nito ang isang kamay ni Walter.

Both donned their semi-formal outfits. Beta was sexy a red halter-neck dress and exuded a confident stance in a pair of black high heels. It has a red as bright as the tint of her lipstick. Maayos na nakapusod ang unat nitong buhok. She has diamond drop earrings as her sole accessory.

Meanwhile, Walter wore a pair of cream colored pants, black sneakers, and a murky red button-down shirt. Pinned on his chest was a brooch that resembled the logo of The Org— a red rose inside a gold round band. His hair was neatly swept to the side, making him look neat and gorgeous.

“Kumusta ang biyahe papunta rito?” dugtong ni Beta.

“It’s alright,” beso niya sa kaibigan na gumanti rin ng beso sa kanya. Nagtanguan lang sila Walter at Jared. Magalang na pagtango lang din ang pinukol ng mga ito sa kanila ni Beta.

“Sure ka, ha?” concern was in Beta’s eyes. Alam din kasi nitong apat na buwan na siyang nagdadalangtao.

“Oo naman. I am perfectly fine.”

“So, what do you think of the collection?” It was Walter in his hopeful voice. “Is there anything you already fancy? I can reserve it for you,” nasa kanya at kay Jared ang tingin nito. “Bago pa kayo maagawan ng ibang may interes. Kapag nagkataon kasi, you’ll have to bid your price for it.”

“Can we have the Tears of Lily?”

Nahagip ng gilid ng kanyang mata ang gulat sa mukha ni Jared.

“Are you sure?” nagpalipat-lipat sa kanilang dalawa ang tingin ni Walter. “Kasi, nung nag-li-inventory kami ng mga gamit dito, nakita namin ‘yong kwintas sa office ko. I asked Doc Jared about it. Last month pa, actually, and he said it’s okay we sell it—”

“And you’re selling it to me,” ngiti ni Lily sa kanyang mga kasama. “Even if they are named Tears of Lily.”

“Ewan ko ba diyan kay Doc Jared. I thought of pearls because I want you to feel like a fine pearl. No need to be polished. No need to be cut in other shapes. Just you being you. That’s what I wanted to wish for you on your birthday that time.” Napapailing na nakatingin ito kay Jared. Nakangiti kahit papaano kaya alam nilang walang masamang pakaibig-sabihin si Beta. “We just have different beliefs about pearls, I guess.”

“And you let him take it from you?”

“Basta na lang niya kinuha, eh! Ayoko namang umatras siya sa usapan naming sayawan ka sa birthday mo kaya…” Beta shrugged. “Kaya hinayaan ko na lang. I wasn’t expecting he’ll pay for the necklace though. Tapos, mapupunta lang din pala rito.”

Nagkatinginan sila ni Jared. He slightly lowered his head, wore a sheepish smile. Nagnakaw din ito ng tingin kina Walter at Beta.

“We are getting the necklace,” pinal na desisyon ni Lily.

Walter didn't even bother to wait for Jared's approval.

"Then it is reserved. After this event, you need to return by Wednesday. O kahit si Jared na lang. To sign some deed of sale papers and claim the item."

Pero tiyak na walang balak si Jared kumontra sa kanyang desisyon.

Lily knew because she felt Jared's supportiveness. He held the side of her waist to pull her close and kissed the side of her forehead.

Nagkwentuhan pa sila ng kaunti bago naghiwalay ng landas. Kailangan pang mag-ikot nila Beta at Walter, kumustahin hangga’t maaari ang mga bisita.

From a distance, they saw Clint and Nena. Nena innocently blushed as Clint pointed a display of limited edition vibrators. Kasunod niyon ang natatawang pagsuksok ng mukha ni Nena sa braso nito habang pinapalo-palo iyon. They looked really sweet. Especially when Ckint only laughed lightly at Nena’s reaction with the vibrators.

The couple looked dashing as well. Nena had her pink floral dress on with a flowy skirt that touched her knees. Bukas ang nakapatong doon na cream-colored cardigan. Maayos na nakatirintas ang humaba na nitong buhok. Clint’s hair still reached his shoulder blades. It was tied in a sleek low-ponytail. His white button-down shirt with the top three buttons undone and sleeves folded in three-fourths complimented his olive-green pants and brown boat shoes.

Nahuli sila ng dalawa na nakatingin kaya sumaglit ng kaway sa kanila ang nakangiting si Nena. Clint smiled curtly and gave them an upward nod.

She and Jared didn’t find the need to approach them for a little chat. Mamayang gabi naman kasi, makakasama nila ang mga ito at ang mga magulang ng magkapatid na Guillermo sa hapunan.

Pinagpatuloy nila ang pag-iikot. It was a mix of awe and bewilderment to see different kinds of people in the place— couples of different orientation, a duo, trio or group of friends. Some are walking around all alone. Whatever situation they are in, everyone seemed to have their own stories to tell.

Deep. Dark. Private. Fun.

Nang makaramdam si Lily ng hilo, niyaya na siya ni Jared umuwi sa tinitirahan nilang sariling bahay.

Malapit na sila sa pinto nang mapansin niya ang lalaking naka-beige na slacks at itim na polo-shirt. Napakurap siya.

“Kuya Basil?”

She accidentally gave him The Org’s calling card three years ago, before she left for Belgium. Before she stayed with Jared for good, traveling with him while he accommodate online talk therapy sessions.

Wala naman siya nababalitaan mula kina Beta na napagawi nga si Basil sa The Org. Madalas din sila magkumustahan ni Basil, at konserbatibo pa rin naman ito kumilos at mag-isip…

Maybe that wasn’t him. If that’s him, Beta could have said her brother is invited!

Gugustuhin ba ni Basil na malaman niyang involved ito sa The Org?

Baka napadaan lang…

Pero teka! Invite-Only lang ang event na ito!

She needed to make sure.

Nilingon niya ang direksyon na tinunguhan ng kanyang kapatid— kung si Basil nga iyon.

Nawala saglit sa paningin niya ang kapatid dahil humarang ang nadaanan nilang glass display.

“Jared is that Ku—” pigil niya sa asawa na inaakay siya palabas ng ballroom. But a sensation cut her off.

Lily shut her eyes tightly. She flinched at the sudden nausea that came over her.

“Kaya mo pa ba makaabot sa parking? O diretso muna tayo sa banyo rito?” nag-aalala ngunit kalmado nitong tanong sa kanya.

Lily took in a deep breath. She remained still until she was okay.

Nangingiting napatingin siya sa magkahawak na mga kamay nila ni Jared. Nanghihina ang mga mata na sumilay sa mga mata nito.

“Let’s just hurry to the parking lot.”

At sabay nilang nilisan ang The Org.

.

.

The Org originated connections in numerous ways.

It brought two people together— like Walter and Beta.

It brought two people closer— like Clint and Nena.

And it brought two people back to each other— like Jared and Lily.

Ayon kina Walter at Beta, ititigil na nila ang operations ng The Org dahil nahihirapan na silang i-manage iyon. It was a mental and emotional challenge for the both of them. It contrasted the mild, family-oriented life they were starting to enjoy ever since their daughter, Liz, was born.

Ayaw na ng mag-asawa ma-expose sa mga activities sa The Org. Mahirap din daw ipaliwanag sa anak nilang si Liz na ang isa sa negosyo ng mga magulang nito ay isang sex club. They didn’t want the society to judge their daughter for that. And it was easy for Beta and Walter to let go of The Org— may iba pa naman kasi silang mga income source.

Ang mga alaala nila sa The Org? They would always keep in their hearts and minds. Sometimes, we have to leave something behind to move forward to something better.

Iyon ang dahilan kaya naging pinal ang desisyon ni Walter na ipasara ang The Org sa kabila ng pagdami ng kliyente nito at malaking kita.

As they stepped out of the front porch, Lily stopped. Kailangan niyang palipasin ulit ang hilo, magpigil masuka. Nung umayos-ayos na ang pakiramdam niya, may napagtanto siya.

Lily turned and gave The Org a one last look. Pinagmasdan niya ang grand mansion na naging saksi ng iba’t ibang mga kwento.

In her own story, some closures are better decided by yourself. Because we have our own versions of the story, and if we ask for someone else's permission to give us the closure we need... it will be impossible when they firmly choose to believe their own truths. Because a closure that is for good is supposed to make two people settle on one agreement--that they both believe the reason why their connection must come to an end.

Some closures take the form of quiet disconnection. Like the way Lily disconnected with her parents but not informing them it is a kind of closure. This is the kind of closure that is open for the possibility for Lily to change her mind and to reconnect again with her parents someday.

And some closures take place to perform a miracle--to clarify things and bring two people back together. Like what happened to Lily's relationship with her brother. Like what happened to Lily's romance with Jared.

Habang nakatitig sa grand mansion ng The Org, napapaisip siya kung anong klase ng pagsasara itong pinagdadaanan nito? Is it a closure for good? A quiet disconnection? Or is it supposed to send a clear message to everyone and make someone eager to take charge of the place and reopen it to reconnect with its clients?

Her heart thumped. Babalik kaya ang The Org?

“Do you think, in the future, they’ll change their minds?” tanong niya sa asawa habang nagpapahinga saglit mula sa nagmamadaling paglalakad.

Jared was looking at the grand mansion too.

“Why? You want The Org to reopen soon?”

Hindi niya alam ang tamang sagot doon.

“If you’ll come with me. Yes. If not…”

Hindi niya alam. Hindi niya talaga alam.

The Org has helped her in a way. The Org has also been an instrument that helped destroy her in a way. She has two different feelings for the sex club she once treated as an escape.

Her escape.

Her thoughts were interrupted when some people passed by. May mga bagong dating na pumasok sa The Org. She watched them get inside the mansion and leave the door swinging.

“I hope the door opens,” maluwag ang kanyang ngiti habang pinapanood ang unti-unting pagsara ng pinto, “for other people.”

They left after Jared clasped her hand.

—ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH FINALE—

LAST BOOK OF THE ORG SERIES