ANG usapan ay sa The Org. Linggo ng hapon.

Walter had the rest of the week to think things through.

To talk to her.

To back out.

To stop the set-up.

And Beta was a fool to assume that he would.

Because he did not.

He never did.

Walter never did.

Pero ang sabi ni Clint, napapadalas naman ang pagbisita ng lalaki kay Doc Jared. It was a good thing. Hindi nga lang alam ni Clint kung may kaunting progress ba ang pagbisita na iyon. Mahigpit kasi na sinabi ni Doc Jared na mahalaga para rito ang privacy ng pasyente at confidential lahat ng magiging usapan nila ni Walter.

Napapiksi si Beta nang mapansin na nalagpasan na pala niya ang mansyon ng The Org. Hininto niya ang kotse at inatras iyon. Masyado na yatang napapalalim ang kanyang pag-iisip kaya hindi namalayan iyon.

She headed straight to the gate. Mukhang nabigyan na naman ng instruksyon ang mga guard kaya pinatuloy siya ng wala nang tanong-tanong. Hinanap ni Beta ang parking lot, nakita na may dalawang sasakyan nang naroroon.

One was Walter's, one was Clint's.

She shoved in a deep breath. Mukhang hindi na sila makakapag-briefing pa ni Clint dahil nasa mansyon na rin pala si Walter. Pagkaparada kalapit ng sasakyan ni Clint, huminga muna siya ng malalim.

Ayaw ng mga binti niya na bumaba ng kotse. Pero may napag-usapan na sila ni Clint. And she was not a coward to back out on a deal when things get inconvenient for her. Beta was her own woman. Ngayon lang ito. A few more years later and she would just laugh at this stupidity love had put her into.

She gathered all her strength and finally got down.

Beta wore a pair of strapped on high heels and a conservative peach-colored dress. Nakalugay lang ang kanyang buhok at hindi na siya nag-abala pa na mag-make up masyado. She entered the mansion.

Walang tao sa reception, tahimik ang paligid. Sa tingin niya ay wala nang ni isa sa mga empleyado ng The Org ang mahahagilap doon. Sa mismong club ang napag-usapan nila na meeting place ni Clint na sinang-ayunan ni Walter.

These past few days, she only got to talk to Clint. Pinag-uusapan nila kung ano ang gagawin. Kung paano gagawin.

Tinulak niya ang pinto na para bang mas mabigat na ngayon kaya nahirapan siya makapasok kaagad. The whole club was empty. Tiled floors were shiny, the lighting was a pale orange. Kung pagmamasdan sa ganoong estado ang club, walang makaka-isip na sex club ito. It was designed like a high class, modern night club. Nasa bar niyon nakaupo si Clint. Something clutched her heart as Beta as she approached him.

Clint wore a casual shirt and ripped jeans. Naka-ponytail ang mahaba nitong buhok nang linungin siya.

Umupo na si Beta sa stool. "Si Walter?"

"Umalis saglit," he answered, dead-serious. Tinuon nito ang mga mata sa katapat na bar na may shelf ng mga bote ng alak. "May itse-tsek lang daw saglit."

"So he did not change his mind," malungkot niyang yuko.

"He will not. Ilang beses na niya itong ginawa," kuyom nito ng kamao. "I still can't accept that he will do this to his own best friend one day."

She took a deep breath. "Sabi mo nga, mahirap, pero ikaw na lang itong naririto para kay Walter."

Nasapo nito ang noo. Naaawang yumakap si Beta sa mga balikat ng lalaki.

"Take care of Walter," pikit niya, pinipigilan ang sarili na maiyak. "I love him."

Dumeretso na ito ng upo. "Keep in mind all the things we talked about."

"I will," she nodded.

"No malice. You got attached with Walter in your fucking set-up, so I am warning you. Don't get attached to me just because I fuck so good."

"Hindi lang naman iyon ang dahilan kaya na-in love ako sa kanya," gigil niyang bulong.

His jaws tensed. "Dumeretso na tayo sa kwarto. Let's get changed too."

"Wala pa si Walter."

"I just want this over with," nagtitimpi nitong wika at iniwan siya sa bar para magpatiuna ng akyat sa ikalawang palapag ng The Org.

Tumayo na si Beta at sinundan ang lalaki.

***

SA gazebo naman ay patuloy pa rin ang komprontasyon nila Walter at Doc Jared.

"I don't care! Umalis ka na!" taboy niya rito.

"I just want to see," pabalewala nitong sagot.

Nag-iinit na talaga ang ulo niya. "You want to see. You don't know what you're asking for, Doc. Be careful what you wish for!"

"Pumasok na tayo," lagpas nito kay Walter.

Pumihit siya at sinundan ito ng tingin. Masyadong determinado ang kuya ni Clint na makialam sa buhay niya.

"Wala ka bang konsepto ng personal space?" habol niya rito. "You'll watch your brother fucking Beta, you idiot!"

"We're brothers, I saw him naked already, so what is the difference?"

Oh, this man would be so dead. He would be so, so...

Gigil na dinukot niya mula sa bulsa ang nagba-vibrate na cellphone.

"Clint!"

Walter, handa na kami ni Beta, tila pabulong nitong wika. Nasaan ka na? Baka matapos na kami rito wala ka pa sa pwesto mo. Remember, I am trying my best to make her feel na hindi ka nanonood. I can't do that if I tell her to wait a minute at wala ka pa sa pwesto mo.

"Damn," baba niya sa cellphone.

He stormed back inside the restaurant and met Doc Jared's mysterious smile.

"I'll deal with you later," he muttered.

Pagkapasok sa silid, ini-on na ni Walter ang flat screen TV. Walter switched channels to find a specific room. He gasped upon seeing Clint and Beta on their robes in a sex chamber.

Fuck. She's really adventurous.

Uneasiness swept all over him.

"Whoa, she looks gorgeous," komento ni Jared sa likuran niya.

"Shut up," he snapped.

They stared into each other's eyes. Clint seemed to murmur something. His jaws tensed seeing their faces get closer.

This is what he wanted to see right?

Both seemed overwhelmed by emotions. Beta looked... petrified.

How could she be that petrified? Ganoon naman yata talaga kapag first time sa isang partikular na tao.

Beta lifted up her chin, an invitation for Clint. Yumuko ang lalaki at humawak sa likod ng batok ng dalaga. His lips pressed on her neck.

Walter's ears caught Beta's sharp inhale while closing her eyes.

He clenched his fist.

"How does she look like?" taong ni Jared sa kanya.

"Manood ka na lang," masungit niyang sagot rito.

"I can't believe you can watch someone you love in this situation."

"You get used to it," tutok pa rin ng mga mata niya sa screen habang dahan-dahang binababa na ni Clint ang robang suot ni Beta.

He saw tears stream down Beta's eyes.

"Too bad, Clint can't make her happy."

His face darkened.

Clint paused, shocked and concerned. His face softened and wiped her tears with his fingers.

"What makes you think can make her happy? Alam mo namang babaero si Clint," ekis ni Doc Jared ng mga braso sa likuran niya.

He felt suddenly enraged.

"You see how he casually comes in your club, right?" patuloy nito.

"But who knows? He might fall for Beta?"

That statement did not console him.

"Fuck you," he sneered. Ayaw niyang lingunin pa si Jared.

Clint was already cupping Beta's face with his hands. He seemed to whisper consoling words to make her feel better. Her eyes remained closed her lips quivered.

Fuck it, Clint sharply inhaled before kissing her lips.

And tears streamed down his eyes.

"Are you crying?" sulpot ni Doc Jared sa tabi niya.

"I am not."

"What could be so wrong with admitting that you're hurting?"

"I have nothing to admit," titig lang niya sa palitan ng halikan ng dalawa. Mas dinadala ni Clint ang eksena.

"Sarili mo lang naman ang niloloko mo kapag nagsisinungaling ka."

"You're being unfair," sagot niya rito.

"How come I am being unfair?"

"You are manipulating me."

"I am not. I am just saying what I see," kampante lang si Jared. "Tears are streaming down your eyes, so what does it mean?"

Gigil na napahawak siya sa dulo ng arm rest na kinauupuan. Clint was already positioning Beta down on the bed. Unti-unti na itong umiimbabaw sa dalaga.

"Are you happy?" Jared asked again.

He did not answer.

He could not.

He was boiling.

He was mad.

He should not be feeling this way.

He should not be affected. He should be cool to let Beta go. She deserved someone better. Flashes of memories blurred in his eyes before his tears did.

Are you happy?

Am I happy?

Are we... Are we happy?

You are happy everytime we wake up together, Beta... You are smiling. You looked so happy, sitting beside me in the car. You happily put your feet up, on the dashboard. You are happy wiggling that fucking dildo on my face, laughing at my reaction...

Dere-deretso na ang naging pagdausdos ng mga luha sa kanyang pisngi.

You are happy with me...

Beta pushed Clint away. Gulat na napatingin ang lalaki. Umupo ang dalaga at umiyak sa sarili nitong mga palad.

"Bullshit," padabog niyang tayo, dahilan para bumalibag ang upuan sa sahig.

"What?" habol sa kanya ni Doc Jared pero sapak lang ang inabot nito sa kanya.

Walter stormed out of the room.