ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Fifteen

Year 2017…

JARED SAT AT SIDE OF THE BED. Naked. With his head hung down and slightly parted legs, he rubbed his knees while catching his breath. Pag-angat ng ulo sinapo agad ng isa niyang kamay ang gilid niyon. He could feel hard clumped strands of his hair against his sweaty forehead.

He froze the moment her felt a pair of hands stroking him from the waists, then separating. One hand went up to his chest, the other between his thighs. Jared released a soft groan when Lily’s hand began fondling his limped cock.

“Lily…” mapupugto ang hininga na saway niya rito.

He heard her tired yet delicious hoarse chuckle. Lily decided to press her palm close to the base part of his retracted cock. From a massive 10 inches down to 5 inches when worn out. Mas lumapit ang dalaga sa kanyang likuran, naramdaman niya ang pagyakap nito bago ipatong ang baba sa kanyang balikat.

“Kapag naka-recover ka na, let’s do it again,” she purred, facing his ear.

Nahigit niya ang paghinga.

Damn. Her offer was tempting.

“No.”

“Why?” simangot agad nito.

“May pupuntahan ako mamaya.”

“Saan?”

“May bibilhin lang ako.”

Dama niya ang mabigat na titig ng babae. He could feel her doubt him but couldn’t blame her. Kasi, kahit si Jared, alam sa sarili niyang nagsisinungaling siya rito.

He was planning to buy something for Lily. At ayaw niyang magbigay ng kahit anong spoilers sa dalaga na may kinalaman doon.

“Okay,” bawi ng dalaga sa babang nakapatong sa kanyang balikat. Her arms wrapped his waists as she hugged him tighter, the side of her face pressed just below his nape.

Jared felt her warmth against his skin that used to be cooled by a film of sweat. All of a sudden, he completely forgot that winter is approaching. He felt an Indian summer kissing him everytime his body touches Lily’s.

They remained like that in the silence of the room.

Natatanaw ni Jared ang madilim na kalangitan mula sa bukas na bintana. Huling linggo na ng Oktubre. Malapit nang mag-isang buwan ang ganitong set-up nila ni Lily.

“Jared,” she murmured, “I am happy we’re together. I always knew that I can’t make it in this life just alone. That I will need someone by me whether I like it or not.”

Nanatili siyang tahimik, nakikinig.

“You’ll be… always on my side?” tanong nito.

“Of course,” he answered softly, placing a hand on top of one of her hands while she was still hugging his waists.

“You’ll take my side no matter what?”

“Take your side? Why ask? Is there any other options?”

“If you were asked to choose…”

“I don’t need to choose. You’re the only choice I have… You’re the only option that I’ll always consider. I don’t even think you’re a choice or an option at all. You are the only answer, Lily,” tingala niya para sandalan ng likod ng kanyang ulo ang tuktok ng ulo ni Lily. He did that because in their position, that’s the only way Jared could embrace her too. His hands rubbed her arms before holding her hands.

“I am taking a risk here, Lily,” he admitted, afraid.

“Me too,” she replied softly.

“I already told you my story. Since my family always make me feel alone, iniwanan ko na lang ang Pilipinas. Lumayo na lang ako sa kanila.”