TAPOS na ang last day ng Christmas Bazaar. Mag-a-ala-una na ng madaling araw ay nasa booth pa rin sina Renante at Stacey. Halos maghahatinggabi na nang tuluyang naisara ang mga pinto ng venue dahil sa dami ng customer na natagalan pa bago umalis. Kaya naman ganitong oras ay nagliligpit pa ang mga seller ng mga gamit. Malinis na ang booth ng ilan at nakaalis na rin. At sila na naiwan ay tahimik na pinapaspasan ang kilos.

Ineempake na ni Renante ang mga natirang paninda sa loob ng mga kahon na secured ng styrofoam sa loob. Saglit siyang tumigil sa pagkilos at mataman na tinitigan si Stacey. She was on the other side of the table that served as the counter between the inner part of the booth and the side for the customers. His eyes followed every direction that her narrow hips pointed to, then his eyes slid down to caress the length of her tight jeans. Nag-angat siya ng tingin at pinagmasdan ang bahagyang pag-bob ng buhok ng dalaga na nakalugay at itim na itim na ang kulay. He looked at her fierce face—those well-trimmed brows, sharp eyes, and red lips. Nahigit niya ang paghinga sa sobrang paghanga sa dalaga. It wasn’t just how she beautiful she looked, but because he could see the quiet determination on her face, the sparkling of dimmed lights against her brown eyes.

Natigilan si Stacey sa maingat nitong pagtanggal sa nakapatay na Christmas lights na nakabilitin sa board signage nang mapansing nakatitig siya. Nagtatakang inihilig nito ang ulo bago natatawang kinawayan siya.

“Hey. Bakit nakatitig ka nang ganyan?”

Awtomatikong napangiti siya nang makita ang malaking pagkakangiti ng mga labi nito . . . ng mga labi ng babaeng mahal na mahal niya.

“Huy. Renante!” usig uli nito sa kanya na natulala na pala. “Ano na?”

Mahina siyang natawa. “Wala. Tapusin mo na iyang ginagawa mo.”

Napasimangot ito at pinamewangan siya. “Dali na. Sabihin mo na. Ano ’yon?”

He didn’t know what to answer. He had no reason why he decided to stare at her. He just found himself staring . . . at loss for words, and captivated by the very sight of her. His heart is happy. He just looked at her, because he just did and he would always stop whatever he was doing the moment his eyes see her.

Pero nag-isip na lang siya ng palusot, para hindi mag-overthink ang dalaga sa kanyang ginawa. “We sold a lot of watches, not just in this bazaar, but also in our online shop. Now, we have some spare budget to throw a Christmas party with everyone at VVatch. Puwede rin natin yayain sina Pierre sa Gallardo’s.”

Kahit na ayoko pa rin kung paano makatitig ang lalaking ’yon sa ’yo, Stacey.

Lumapit ito sa kanya habang malapad ang pagkakangiti.  “That sounds really nice. Pero, baka naman magka-problem uli sa finances ng VVatch. Remember, ngayon pa lang tato bumabawi.”

He chuckled lowly. “It will be my treat.”

Namilog ang mga mata nito. She beamed like a child who thought she saw the real Santa Claus. “Really?” she gasped.

Pumaling ang ngiti ni Renante. Mapapasubo pa yata ako . . .

He reluctantly nodded. Here goes the ‘playing safe’ Renante again!

Stacey excited clasped her hands. “Wow! Siguradong matutuwa ang lahat sa pa-treat mo!” Nilingon nito saglit ang naiwang gawain bago ibinalik ang tingin sa kanya. “Let’s talk about that in the car. Hm? Sa ngayon, tapusin na natin ang pagpa-pack up. Gusto ko nang magpahinga.”

“Oh, of course. Go ahead,” he waved a hand to let her leave. Pagkatapos, tahimik nilang tinapos ang pagliligpit ng mga gamit.

Nang matapos sa pagliligpit, nagpaalam na sila sa ilan sa mga naiwang seller, lalo na roon sa nakapalagayan nila ng loob noong kasagsagan ng bazaar. Kinawayan din nila ang isa sa mga guard ma nakabantay sa pinto na tumulong din sa pagbitbit ng kanilang mga gamit patungo sa parking lot. Umalis lang ito nang mailagay na ang mga gamit sa loob ng magkatabing kotse nina Stacey at Renante.

Then, they kissed goodbye and went to the driver’s side of their own cars. Unang napahinto si Renante na bubuksan na sana ang pinto ng kotse. Natulala siya saglit bago nilingon si Stacey. Sakto namang natigilan kasabay niya ang dalaga, at binuksan muna nito ang pinto sa driver’s seat bago nilingon si Renante kaya sabay na nagtama ang kanilang mga mata.

Stacey gave him a tightlipped smile. He saw her hesitation to say something, so he took charge.

“Are you really tired?” he asked, gazing meaningfully into her eyes.

She smirked. “No.”

.

.

THE BED creaked and banged hard against the wall. Renante was lying with half of his ass on the edge of the bed and his long legs propped against the floor. Stacey moved on top of him, her knees pinned close to his either sides as she rode him like riding a rodeo machine that gone nuts—she bounced and bobbed against his lap, her hips circled as if she was climbing a spiral staircase back and forth.

Kapwa hubad ang kanilang mga umaalog na katawan. Sa shower pa lang kasi ay nag-foreplay na sila habang naliligo. Stacey’s wet hair dripped over his bare chest and even his face, and yet the heat kept rising between their bodies.

Mariing humagod ang palad ni Stacey mula sa kanyang puson, pataas sa kanyang dibdib habang ang isang kamay nito ay isinuklay paitaas ang buhok na bumabagsak para tumabing sa maganda nitong mukha.

“Oh, I’m so proud of you, boo,” she panted.

“I’m so proud of you too,” he moaned, staring into her half-closed eyes with his hazy eyes. “So proud that you can feel the standing ovation of my erection!”

“Ah, yes!” gigil nitong ungol bago siya kinabayo. Damang-dama tuloy niya ang pagtaas-baba nito sa kanyang naninindig na pagkalalaki. "I am so proud of you, my ass is even clapping!"

“Oh, ang sarap!” napapatingala niyang ulo bago kagat-labi na ibinalik ang tingin sa mala-diyosa niyang kaniig. "Ang sarap naman niyan!"

Her hair and breasts bounced to the same beat . . . to his heart beat. Her gaze was soft, like an full-grown doe, and her red lips glossed by their kisses parted slightly. Her fair skin was shiny, still damp from the shower, and looked like pale honey because of the warm, yellow lighting of the hotel room. It was as if his world was spinning fast when she circled her hips. Halos mabaliw-baliw siya sa pagkabayo sa kanya ng dalaga. Napapa-ungol siya sa bawat pagbagsak ng puwitan nito sa kanyang mga hita at napapasinghap ng malalim kapag humuhugot ito paitaas. Her flesh clamped around his erection like tight lips sucking a sweet treat. Damn, he felt like a sugar that kept her moving faster, faster, and faster!

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Bawat bitaw niya ng ungol ay sumasabay sa paglagapak ng puwitan nito sa kanya.

Everytime Stacey would bounce back down from her ride, she would sigh or sharply inhale. Hanggang sa hindi na napigilan ni Renante ang sarili.

Siya naman. Siya naman ang magpapaligaya rito!

He securely clutched her hips. Napako tuloy si Stacey sa pagkakaangat ng katawan nito mula sa kanya. Sunod-sunod na inangat-baba ni Renante ang mga balakang para maulos ito mula sa ilalim.

“Oh, my God!” manginig-nginig nitong ungol lalo na nang sumagad siya sa unang pagsalpok pa lang niya papasok dito.

Nanlalambot na napatukod ang isang kamay ni Stacey sa kanyang dibdib at ang isa naman ay sa kama, malapit sa gilid ng kanyang ulo. Her mouth dropped open, wider this time. Namilog ang mga ito sa makamundong sarap na paulit-ulit na sumagad at umabot sa pinakasulok ng pagkababae nito.

He open-mouthedly stared into her eyes. Inulit-ulit niya ang tantiyadong pagsundot dito paitaas. Every thrust he makes sent earthquakes that made her body tremble. Sinubukan ng dalaga indahin ito, pero nagtagumpay siya nang mariin nitong ipinikit ang mga mata.

“How good does it feel, boo?”

“S-So good!” manginig-nginig nitong sagot.

Napadaing si Renante nang mahina nang halos daklutin na ng dalaga ang kanyang dibdib. She was clutching as if she will claw out his heart. Damang-dama niya tuloy ang intensidad ng sarap na hatid niya rito.

“Do you want to know what I am going to do next?” he panted.

“W-What?” mulat ng mamumungay nitong mga mata para makipagtitigan sa kanya.

Naghabol muna siya ng hininga bago sumagot. “I’ll show you how proud I am of you. A strong woman like you deserves a good rough sex, boo. Because nothing mild will satisfy!”

At doon na niya ito itinulak pahiga sa kama. Mabilis siyang pumaibabaw rito bago bumaba sa dulo ng kama. He swiftly grabbed her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. Ibinuka niya ang mga hita nito at lumuhod sa pagitan ng mga ito. Nanlalambot na nag-angat ng tingin si Stacey para tanawin siya.

“I love you, boo,” he sighed and finally lowered his face between her slick thighs. Habang nakatukod ang isa niyang kamay sa isang hita nito para manatiling nakabuka ang dalaga, ang isa niya namang kamay ay inabot ang kanang kamay ni Stacey.

And he ate her.

"Oh, I love you too!" ungol nito.

He felt her hand gripping his hand gently. He could hear her slow, measured breaths, as if she was trying to keep calm while watching him eating her slowly. Nilanghap muna niya ang bango ng pagkababae nito. Damn, it was as if he was taking in a breath of cool, fresh air. She’s got a mint candy pussy, so cold yet so sweet. He licked the surface of her slit with the rough pad of his tongue in an upward stroke, then looked at her face to confirm she was satisfied and flushing red all over her face. Inulit-ulit niya iyon kaya malambing na hinagod ng isang kamay ni Stacey ang kanyang buhok. Then, he started to add a little twist. With the tip of his tongue, he began to poke her slit and trace it gently upward, then downward. He was so careful he made sure the tip of his tongue would touch her clit for a little tease, but not fully stimulate it with too much pressure. Paulit-ulit niya iyon ginawa, pabilis nang pabilis kaya nanigas sa pagkatakam ang katawan ng dalaga. Unbeknownst to Renante, she didn’t want to move too much at this moment because one wrong move might ruin his rhythm! She gasped and moaned softly to let him know he’s doing well. She patiently waited for him to give more attention to her wanting clitoris, to put more pressure on it, but a few more minutes of that technique and she was already swelling with unbearable torture!

“Renante. . .” she  begged, clutching his hair. “Ang tagal mo naman . . .” Mariin itong napapikit nang makiliti na naman ng pagdila nito. Napabuntonghininga ito pagkatapos. “P-Palagi mo na lang ako pinaghihintay!”

She could be really, really impatient, he sighed to himself. He wasn’t complaining,but rather, found her impatience an amusing side of her. Ironically, she managed to wait for me for so long . . . for this moment for so long. In her long wait, haven’t she learned that the fruit tastes sweeter when it is allowed to take its own time before being plucked out of the tree?

“Heto na ako,” angat niya ng ulo para bigyan ng nag-aalalang tingin ang dalaga bago sinimulan ang pagkain dito.

Bahagyang napaliyad ang katawan ni Stacey. Kumawala ang maluwalhating ungol mula sa mga labi nito at nanigas ang mga binti nito sa pagdaloy ng sarap sa buong sistema nito. Renante moved faster, moving his mouth up and down as he sucked and licked and ate her pussy. It didn’t take long for him to make her part her legs wider, for her folds to relax and completely open up to him. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi na nakatago masyado ang clitoris ng dalaga kaya dinaanan niya ito ng kanyang dila nang paulit-ulit. Doon na nagsimula ang sunod-sunod na pagpiksi ng katawan ni Stacey. Kulang na lang ay makalbo siya nito sa diin ng pagkakasabunot sa kanya. Humigpit din ang pagkakahawak ng isa nitong kamay sa kanyang kamay.

“R-Renante! Oh, wow! Oh, fuck!” she gritted. Hindi nito malaman kung manggigigil o manlalambot dahil sa ginagawa nito sa kanyang katawan.

Mas ginanahan siya sa pagkain nang marinig ang malambot nitong mga ungol. His chin and nose became important side utensils to his precious meal. Sagad kung sagad ang mukha niya sa pagitan ng mga hita nito. He ran his chin and mouth and nose along the line of her slit, making her dance restlessly on the bed.

“Ah, yes! Ahh . . .” malakas na ungol ng dalaga.

Inalis niya ang isang kamay sa hita ng dalaga at inilipat sa puson nito. He pressed his palm against her belly and positioned his thumb over her clit.

“Renante!” gulat  nitong singhap nang idiin-diin ang hinalalaki sa namimintog nitong hiyas. While playing with her clitoris, he began poking inside her with his tongue. “Oh! Shit! Oh! Damn!” she muttered intensely. Nagtatalo ang panghihina at panlalaban sa boses nito. At nang pagsalit-salitan niya ang paghigop, pagkain, at pagpapaikot–ikot  ng dila sa hiwa nito, doon na nagsimulang magwala ang katawan ng dalaga. She was trembling with so much ecstasy, her feet kicked and flailed wildy. “Oh, ang sarap, Renante! Oh, yes! Oh, yes! There! T-That . . . Keep fucking me like that with your mouth!”

Fuck. How he wanted to bite her folds now. Sobra siyang pinanggigigil ng babaeng ito. But he had to control himself. He wanted to blow her mind, not to injure her! He wanted to make her feel good, despite the rough nature of their sex. Ninamnam niya ang pagkain dito at sa bawat pagdila niya ay mas lalo itong kumatas nang kumatas. Lalo tuloy lumakas ang kabog sa kanyang dibdib. He grew more excited, like an animal during drought who discovered an oasis. He slurped and slurped her pure water. He filled himself with her juice as if it was essential for his immunity. Because fuck, he would really die without her . . . without this connection made sturdier by sex.

With his thumb and forefinger, he plucked her shiny, pink clitoris. Marahan niya itong nilapirot  kaya napaliyad nang sobra ang katawan ng dalaga.

“Ahhhh!”

Dahil sa pagliyad nito, napilitan tuloy siyang alisin ang mukha sa pagitan ng mga hita nito para hindi maipit. By looking at her soft face twisted with pained pleasure, he figured she might cum already if he kept pushing further. Kaya naman pumaimbabaw siya kay Stacey at minasahe ang mga dibdib nito.

Humihingal na napatingin ito sa kanya. Her eyes stared at him blankly, as if her already managed to fuck her brains out of her body and her sanity already flew up in space.

“Why did you stop?” he murmured, tears rimming her eyes. “Renante, why did you stop?”

“You’ll cum already if I continue.”

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay nito. “But you said, you’ll show how proud you are of me.”

“I did,” he smirked naughtily.

“Then, make me cum!” she commanded with her chin up like stuck-up. Masuyong pinisil niya ang baba nito.

“I will, boo, but not with my mouth,” ngisi niya pagkatapos ay paikot nang nilalamas ng dalawang kamay ang mga dibdib nito. Piniga niyaang mga ito sa huling pagkakataon bago pinakawalan at umalis na siya sa pagkakapatong dito. “Dapa.”

Mabilis na tumalima ang dalaga, halatang sabik na sabik na itong mag-orgasm. She positioned to the upper part of the bed and stood there in fours. Bahagyang binabaan nito ang pagkakaangat ng mga dibdib para mas mataas ang maging pagkakatuwad nito. Renante felt her ass with his hand and gave it a gentle slap while he was getting ready behind her.

“Put it in, Renante. Please!”

“I will,” he said while cradling his hard cock on his palm. Pinasadahan niya ito ng ilang ulit na paghagod para masiguradong handang-handa ito sa pagpasok. His cock slightly twitched in reaction, pleased by the strokes he did to himself. 

Stacey impatiently waved her ass side to side. “Renante honey . . .” she moaned sultrily.

“Here I come, boo,” he grunted.  He spat on his palm and spread his spit all over his cock twice for that good lubrication. Then, he grabbed her hips with one hand while the other assisted his cock. Dahan-dahan siyang pumasok dito at dahil basa na ang dalaga ay walang kahirap-hirap siyang dumulas papasok.

“Oh!” singhap nito nang sumagad siya agad.

Nilaliman pa niya ang pagkakabaon dito. Dumiin sa puwitan nito ang kanyang puson at mga hita. Napahablot tuloy ang dalaga sa bed sheet.

“Shit!” she breathed out then smiled. “Ah, fuck me, boo. Fuck me already!”

And he obediently did. They had a give and take while he was raw-dogging her from behind. He would slam her so good and angle his cock side to side to rub her warm walls, while she would give him a taste of her lethal muscle control. Hihigpit ang kapit ng dalaga sa kanyang pagkalalaki  tuwing huhugot siya palabas at luluwag naman kapag papasok na siya para sumagad siya agad dito.

As their bodies rocked back  and forth, Renante carefully collected her hair like a rein and tugged it so he can lift her head higher. Napalingon tuloy sa kanya ang dalaga. Sinalubong niya nang nag-aalab na titig ang namumungay nitong mga mata. Nauhaw siya sa halik nito nang makita ang nakaawang nitong mga labi.

Before, she used to cry when they fuck. It wasn’t just her body hurting, but mostly her heart. And yet, she kept surrendering her body to him because it was the only option for her to get closer to him, to the man that she loves. Most of the time, her eyes were shut tight as if she was being eaten alive by the flames of his furious lust. Now, everything is so different. She was dancing with the flames of his desire. She was smiling with satisfaction and anticipation for the climax of their lovemaking. This time, having sex with him seemed to completely fulfill her. His heart swelled at this conclusion, but he wanted to confirm it.

“How is it, boo?”

“Oh, I love  you and I love it, boo,” she smiled goofily before playfully biting her lower lip. “But I’ll love it more if you’ll pound me harder.”

Nagulat ito nang sundin agad ang utos nito. Muntik pa itong sumubasob sa kama kung hindi maagap na nahila ni Renante ang buhok nito para maiangat agad ang ulo nito.

Bahagyang natawa si Stacey na pinutol ng nanlalambot nitong ungol.

“Tatawa ka pa, ha?” ngisi niya rito.

“Muntik na ako m-masubasob!” Nanginginig ang boses nito dahil umaalog ang kanilang katawan. “Nakakainis ka! Magsasabi ka naman kapag lalakasan mo na!”

He scoffed and smirked. “Nakakainis pala. Pero ang laki ng ngiti mo kanina sa ginawa  ko.”

At sunod-sunod na niya itong inulos nang inulos. The bed creaked and the mattress squeaked louder to announce that his sex game is outstanding. Stacey shook as if she was being drilled straight through her slit. She closed her eyes and smiled blissfully.

“Ah, ang sarap mo!” gigil na saad ni Renante habang pabilis nang pabilis ang pag-ulos dito na para bang maiiwanan kaya nagmamadali. Pagkatapos, humugot siya agad at itinulak patihaya sa kama ang dalaga. She parted her legs for him and smiled as she pulled him by the chin to kiss him torridly.

Ipinaubaya na niya ang pakikipaghalikan sa malikot na mga labi ng dalaga. He focused on his mission: for the two of them to reach climax. He inserted himself inside her. They grunted when his tip pushed in, and he made her moan as he shoved deeper.

Yumakap sila sa katawan ng isa’t isa. Ramdam na ramdam ni Renante ang pintig ng kanilang mga puso at mga muscle habang binabayo niya ito nang paulit-ulit. Napuno ang silid ng kanilang mga halinghing at hingal. Napuno ito ng kanilang maluwalhating mga ungol. Tila musika sa kanyang pandinig ang paulit-ulit na pag-ungol ni Stacey sa kanyang pangalan habang halos sumasawsaw na lang siya rito sa sobrang bilis ng kanyang mga pag-ulos.

Sobrang bilis dahil malapit na . . . malapit na siyang labasan!

“Oh, Renante!” liyad ng dalaga kaya dumiin ang mayaman nitong mga dibdib sa kanyang dibdib. Hinigpitan niya ang pagkakayapos dito nang tila magkombulsiyon ang katawan nito. He saw her eyes flutter and her lips quiver as she moaned in orgasm!

“Fuck! How beautiful you look when you cum!” he moaned in delight while looking lovingly at the weak expression on her face.

Isinubsob niya ang mukha sa gilid ng leeg ng dalaga. He took in her sweet, warm scent while feeling her coat his cock with her hot liquids. Mahina siyang napaungol sa sarap ng pagtilamsik ng ilang patak ng mga ito sa gilid ng kanyang mga hita. Halos mabaliw-baliw siya nang marinig ang ingay ng pagsasalpukan ng pawisan nilang mga katawan at ang tunog ng pagsawsaw niya sa basang pagitan ng mga hita nito.

“Ah, yes! Cum, Stace! Cum! Oh, yes . . .” he encouraged then licked the side of her neck before planting soft kisses on it.

Stacey shut her lips, sealing the rest of her moans within her throat. Nang humupa na ang panginginig nito, at saka na kumibot sa loob ng dalaga ang kanyang pagkalalaki.What else could be more arousing than seeing your partner cumming? He released a sigh of relief as he spurted and spurted loads and loads of his seeds. And as her tired vaginal muscles clench in response, the more they manage to squeeze out his loads from his cock.

It was so satisfying it made him smile as he hugged her tighter. Payapa siyang napapikit nang maramdaman ang maingat na paghagod ng dalaga sa kanyang braso.

What a way to celebrate a successful two-week product launch.

.

.

EIGHT HOURS later, they were still inside the hotel room. Doon na kasi sila makatulog. Then, they woke up, showered, and had sex twice in the morning--before and after breakfast. Kapwa sila nakatitig sa kisame habang kumot lang ang nakatakip sa kanilang katawan. Stacey’s head rested over Renante’s arm, her arm draped over his chest as they rested from another round of sex.

And they rested by talking. Pinag-usapan nila kung paano gagawin ang plano ng binata na magpa-Christmas party para sa lahat ng parte ng matagumpay na launch sa isang Christmas bazaar ng bagong modelo ng mga relo ng VVatch. Sa huli, napagtanto nila na hindi nila kakayanin ang magpa-party. Gipit na kasi sila sa oras para maghanda, lalo na at mahirap mag-book ng reservations para sa mga venue sa kasagsagan ng holiday season. Hindi rin naman nagplano noong una ng Christmas party para sa VVatch employees, dahil alanganin pa ang finances ng kompanya  na iilang taon pa lang operational ’tapos na-delay pa ang operations dahil sa nakaraang pandemic. Kaya nagkasundo silang dalawa na mamimigay na lang ng pamasko bilang pasasalamat na rin.

After that, they fell silent again. Nakatitig siya sa kawalan habang si Renante naman ay nakatitig sa kisame. She felt him move, not knowing though that he looked down to see her face.

“I’m wondering . . .” he started.

“Hmm?”

“Am I wrong for wanting everything to be done right? I have waited for a love like this, like ours, to come into my life. That’s why I never mind taking my time, just to make sure everything will be done right . . . I wonder if am I wrong for that?”

Napaisip siya sa tanong nito. Honestly, waiting had been beneficial to their relationship on some instances. If she hadn’t been patient, will she ever see the day that Renante finally loved her back? If Renante, didn’t take his time to be with his own thoughts after she left him, will he ever realize he’s already in love with her?

“What if, we will never be ready?” he asked when she did not reply.

Naghalo ang kaba at pagtataka sa kanyang dibdib kaya napatingala siya sa lalaki.

Nakatitig na uli ito sa kisame sa pagkakataong ito.

“What if waiting for the time for us to be ready for marriage is just . . . bullshit? You know?” he smirked, looking like he was treating himself already as a joke. It was as if he was stifling his chuckle, because that would be laughing at himself for being such an idiot . . . at fool.

“It is not bullshit. I understand where you are coming from. It’s just that . . .” She hugged him tighter. Nakalapat na sa dibdib ng lalaki ang kanyang pisngi. “It’s just that, we can’t predict life. We can’t tell how much time we have left to be with each other.

“Shit, Stace. Huwag ka ngang magsalita nang ganyan?” anas nito sa kanya. Dama niya ang matalim nitong pagtitig sa kanya. “What time left are you talking about? Kung makapagsalita ka, parang bilang na ang oras natin.”

Mahina siyang tumawa. “Ikaw naman, I am just stating what’s common sense, ’tapos natataranta ka na nang ganyan.”

“Sino’ng hindi matataranta? Huwag kang magsasalita uli nang ganyan! Maliwanag?”

Payapa niyang ipinikit ang mga mata. Hindi maalis-alis ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi dahil para sa kanya, ang pinakamatibay na senyales na mahal ka ng isang tao ay kapag ayaw nitong mamatay o mamatay ka. “You know, what, boo? I am glad we are finally talking about the things we should talk about in our relationship . . .” Something na nagkakahiyaan pa ang magkakarelasyon na itanong sa isa’t isa kaya nagkakaroon ng misunderstanding, kaya huli na bago nila napi-figure out na hindi pala sila pareho ng goal sa relationship o magkaibang stage pala ang tingin nila sa relationship nila. She took a sigh, physically tired from their sex, then continued. “And about getting ready for marriage, I already found the answer for that. Bago umalis si Mom, may iniwan siyang payo para sa akin.”

Nagbago agad ang ekspresyon sa mukha nito. Lumamlam ang mga mata nito na kanina lang ay matalim kung tumitig.

“What is it?” naiintriga nitong tanong.

Nakadikit ang pisngi niya sa dibdib nito kaya ramdam niya ang pagpipigil nito ng hininga sa sobrang kaba kung ano ang sinabi ni Artemiasa kanya.

“Ang sabi ni Mom, kapag ikakasal na raw tayo, siguraduhin natin na hindi natin dadalhin sa bagong yugto ng ating buhay ang mga problema natin noong single pa  tayo. Huwag daw natin iparamdam o iparanas ang mga problema natin noon . . . sa magiging mga anak natin.”

“So . . .”

“So, the idea of getting ready for marriage is . . . not bullshit,” she smiled and cuddled closer to him.

Naramdaman niya ang pag-adjust ni Renante sa pagkakahiga para maikulong siya sa mga bisig nito. Isinubsob niya ang mukha sa dibdib ng binata, at ito naman ay isinubsob ang mukha sa kanyang buhok at hinalikan ang tuktok ng kayang ulo.

“What else do we need to settle then?” he asked, sleepily.

“I don’t know about you. Pero ako, may kailangan pa akong ayusin.”

Parehong nanatiling nakapikit ang kanilang mga mata. They didn’t have to look at each other’s face, they could feel it in the warmth of their embrace and in the softness of their voice that they are both comfortable in the midst of their vulnerable conversation.

“What is it? I might be of help.”

“Yes. You can comfort me after what I’m going to do, in case I fail.”

“Hmm . . .” he groaned with a hint of whining. “Should I be worried? I have no idea what you are planning to do . . .”

He was subtly—and politely—implying that she should get straight to the point already.

“I need to have a little reunion with . . . my old friends—” she answered. “—while there is still time left.”