"Tell me what's the point of doing this every night

What you're giving me

Is nothing but a heart

It's a lullaby

Gonna kill my dreams, oh

This is the last time

Baby make up your mind

'Cause I can't keep sleeping in your bed

If you keep messing with my head

Before I slip under your sheets

Can you give me something, please?

I can't keeping touching you like this

If it's just temporary bliss

Just temporary bliss"

--

Divine became his distraction. She became the substitute for her. And because she's just a substitute, she was not enough. He tried though. He tried to stop thinking about Charlie and tried focusing on someone who's always there.

"Honey, what's wrong?" she asked. Nakayakap ito sa kanya habang nakahiga sila pareho. He was still looking at the television show they were watching earlier. Ngayon ay nakatingin naman ito sa kanya. Kunot ang noo nito.

"Nothing," sagot niya.

Itinuon nito ang braso sa gilid ng mukha niya at saka ito yumuko sa kanya. "Come on, tell me."

He sighed and looked at her. For the past 3 weeks, ito ang kasama nya araw at gabi. Hindi ito umaalis sa tabi nya. May mga araw pa nga na nagsasawa na sya sa pagmumukha nito but the fact that she's not leaving him pulls at his gut.

Hindi ito katulad ni Charlie na aalis kung kailan gustuhin at babalik kung kailan convenient.

He brushed the stray hair off her face. Nakatingin lang siya rito, unable to utter anything. Why does he have to be so blinded with Charlie? Bakit si Charlie parati ang nakikita niya. Bakit si Charlie ang laman ng isip niya?

Why does it have to be her? Bakit kung sino pa yung mahirap mahalin, sya pang hindi maalis sa puso nya?

"Are you thinking of her again?" malungkot na tanong ni Divine sa kanya.

"I'm sorry," halos ay pabulong niyang sabi rito.

Divine sighed. "When will I ever be enough for you Sen?" tanong nito.

"I need more time Di."

Yumuko ito at hinalikan sya sa labi. "Well, let's kill some time, shall we?" She caressed his face as she went on top of him. Muli siya nitong hinalikan habang ang mga kamay naman nito ay naglalakbay sa dibdib niya.

And it made him think of only one person... Charlie.

He cursed mentally. Nakagat tuloy niya ang labi ni Divine sa sobrang pag-iisip. Ito namang isa, thinking that he was getting turned on, ay mas lalo pang naging mapangahas.

Hiniwalay nito ang labi nito sa kanya. She was smiling down at him. "Getting aggressive, aren't we?"

She grinded her hips against his, making him groan. Lalong napangiti ang dalaga.

Charlie, he called out in his mind as he closed his eyes. He thought he heard the door open pero binalewala nya iyon. He tried to focus on this gorgeous woman undressing on top of him.

She won't leave you like Charlie did, Sen. Don't let her go, paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi sa sarili.

"EARL!"

Napabalikwas sya ng bangon nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. Charlie was standing at his door, eyes wide with surprise. Her hair was tied neatly at the back. She was wearing this see through white long-sleeved shirt na umaabot hanggang sa tuhod nito. Underneath, he could see her black shorts and matching bra.

"Charlie!"

"Who is this bitch?!" buong pang-uuyam nitong tanong habang nakaturo kay Divine.

He saw Divine glare at her. "So you're the famous Charlie, eh? Well, sorry for your loss bitch. He's already mine," nakangising sabi ni Divine.

Charlie's nose flared in anger. The sight of her angry makes him so aroused. He guessed that Divine misinterpreted the whole situation because she turned to Charlie again and said, "See? He's ready for me."

Doon na tuluyang naubos ang pasensya ni Charlie. Sinugod sila nito at saka hinila mula sa buhok si Divine. Nagsisigaw ito at nagsimulang pagkakalmutin ang naaabot na bahagi ng katawan ni Charlie.

But Charlie was a fighter. She fights for what she wants.

Agad namang bumalikwas ng bangon si Sen para awatin ang dalawa. Hinila niya si Divine mula kay Charlie at prinutektahan ito mula kay Charlie gamit ang katawan niya.

"Why are you defending her?!" gulat nitong tanong.

"Hindi ba obvious bitch? Girlfriend nya ako. Natural he'll defend me. Eh ikaw, ano ka ba nya? Fuck mate?"

"Divine please..." saway niya rito.

"Totoo naman, di ba? You get shattered whenever this whore goes away to fuck other men! Wake up Sen! She can't love you like I do! Ako hindi kita iiwan."

"I said shut up!"

Natigilan ito sa pagsigaw niya. "S-Sen..."

"Can you please leave us Divine? We need to talk. Please," pakiusap nya sa dalaga.

"But Sen—"

"We need to finish this. Please let us," sabi niya rito.

Tumango ang dalaga, pinulot ang shirt nito mula sa kama at saka sila iniwan.

"So, are we really going to end this?"

"Where else would we go from here? I am giving up Charlie. I can't be with you like this anymore," he said in resignation.

"But Earl—"

Umiling siya. "I told you before, marriage or nothing."

Napaurong ito ng konti sa sinabi nya. "You know I—"

"I know. Marriage is not your thing." Huminga siya ng malalim bago lumapit dito and for the last time ay niyakap niya ito. "I still love you, please remember that. But this won't work kung ako lang. I need your help Charlie but you're not giving me any."

He kissed her forehead. Saka niya hinawakan ang kamay nito. He gently squeezed it as he led her to the door. Nang nasa tapat na sila ng pintuan ay ayaw na sya nitong bitawan.

"E-Earl..."

Napalunok siya nang makita ang mga luhang nangingilid sa mata ng dalaga. Gustong-gusto na niyang bawiin ang mga sinabi pero pinigilan niya ang sarili. I need to do this, he told himself.

"I'm sorry Charlie." He stooped down and kissed her lightly on the lips. One last time. He then opened the door for her. "Good bye."