ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Thirty-Two

UMASA SIYANG EPEKTO LANG ITO NG ALAK. Huli na ang tangka ng dalawang lalaki, hindi napigilan ng mga ito ang paglapit ng babaeng naka-hoodie sa kanya.

Through the dim, yellow lighting of the yard, Lily finally managed to make out the woman's face. Underneath the shadow made by the hood of her jacket, she recognized the soft, innocent eyes of that beautiful face.

The last time Lily saw those beautiful eyes was on that one night.

That night when those eyes were shedding regretful tears.

"Celeste?" nag-aalangang ngiti sa kanya ng babae. "I'm Nena..."

And this woman had the audacity to give her that remember me? look.

Her usual defense is to escape, to run away. But it must be the wine that made her freeze in her place, her knees close to getting wobbly. Lily could feel her body starting to softly tremble in rage, in resentment.

Napatitig lang siya sa mukha ng babae, nanlambot ang kanyang kamay kaya dumulas ang wine glass mula sa kanyang pagkakahawak.

"Shit," she heard Jared mutter as he got close to them.

Nakasunod kay Jared ang lalaking hanggang-balikat ang itim na buhok. Maagap nitong hinawakan sa mga balikat si Nena, inusog paatras para maiwasan ang kumalat na bubog ng wine glass. Huli na nang mapansin ni Lily ang pagyuko ni Jared para buhatin siya. One hand wrapped around her waists as he gave her a lift, the other arm hooked up the back of her knees.

Ipit ng bago nilang posisyon ang kanyang mga braso. Lutang niyang nilingon ang lalaki.

"Bakit sumunod ka pa rito sa labas?" nag-aalala nitong salubong sa kanyang wala sa sariling titig dito.

"W-What is she doing here?" patungkol niya kay Nena.

Pinukol lang ni Jared ang tingin sa dalawa. "Doon na tayo sa loob mag-usap. Mag-ingat kayo sa bubog."

The long-haired man gave Jared a nod before facing Nena. Hindi niya narinig ang pinag-usapan ng dalawa, lalo na't tumalikod sila ni Jared. Buhat pa rin siya ng lalaki pabalik sa loob ng bahay.

"Bakit kailangan mo pa akong buhatin?" matamlay niyang tanong nang unti-unting kumalma ang manginig-nginig niyang kalamnan.

"Nakapaa ka lang," simple nitong sagot bago siya nilapag paupo sa sofa.

Jared knelt down and picked up one of her feet after another. He gently caressed them with the gentle strokes of his fingers. He checked her feet in every angle possible, dusted them off a bit to get a clear view of her skin.

She heard his sigh of relief before lifting his worried eyes on her.

"Bakit ka sumunod sa labas?"

Sinagot niya ito agad. Ni hindi na iyon napag-isipan pa. "Nagtaka lang ako. Bakit ganitong oras na, may nagpupunta pa rin dito sa bahay mo."

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito. "Are you afraid that it's some other woman?"

"Oo," walang gatol niyang sagot.

Inalis ni Lily ang kaliwang paa mula sa pagkakahawak ni Jared. She stroked her feet lovingly on his shoulder, down to his upper arm.

"Bakit ka matatakot? I have no history of two-timing anyone."

"Two-timing... So does it mean... I'm the only one right now?"

He pulled a small smile. "Yes."

"Then, say you love me already," nanghihinang sandal niya sa backrest ng sofa. Medyo nakahiga na siya sa posisyong iyon habang pinagmamasdan ang lalaki.