I, Ache Vol. III

Obsession | Burning Room

Written by 3cheeese

On her third year of being a working woman, Maine was finally able to buy herself a house. Six months later, she discovered that some of the walls were infested by termites. She stayed in one of the rooms for three weeks thinking she can survive but she just couldn't anymore.

"Stay with me," Alden suggested.

"No... Nakakahiya," she said.

They met when their family joined a company outing eight years ago. They became the best of friends and she developed feelings for him. Alden has always been attracted to her but he never made a move as he was afraid she'd reject him.

"Maine, it will be more economical kesa mag-rent ka pa or umuwi ka sa parents mo," he argued.

"No..."

"Tigas ng ulo."

"Nakakahiya kasi. Dapat hindi nalang ako nagmadali bilhin yung bahay."

"Too late, M. Sige na... Just try for a week. Please?"

"Uuwi nalang ako sa nanay... kaso 5 months daw yung renovation." She said frustratingly.

"Kaya nga sa condo ka na...," he said as he rubbed her arms briefly.

They once stayed in one roof for a night and that didn't work out well. She might be inexperienced but she knew about sexual tension and it certainly existed between them.

"Pero..." she said.

"Wala na kasing pero. Sige na!!!!!" He interrupted.

"Para 'tong bata! Sige na... kukunin ko yung gamit ko."

Lord, help me.

They both thought to themselves.

/

"Use this room, it has its own bathroom. Feel at home, okay? I'm sure if this happens to me, you will do the same."

"Nako hindi..."

"Grabe ka talaga," he pouted.

"Hindi mangyayari sayo ito... puro semento o... Walang termites dito."

"Corny mo."

"Oh shit!" she exclaimed. "Teka may babalikan lang ako sa bahay."

"O, bakit?"

"Yung laptop ko naiwan ko. May tatapusin ako e. Haaaaaayyyy... anong oras na."

"Use my laptop. Bukas mo na balikan."

"Hay... day one palang pabigat na ako."

"Tigilan mo nga yan, Nicomaine."

/

One night, Maine came home from work and found Alden in the living room watching TV.

"Have you had dinner?" she asked.

He looked at her and gulped. She was wearing a little black dress, with sheer black pantyhose and matching colored stilettos. His gaze lingered on her legs before he heard her speak again.

"Huy! I asked you something," she exclaimed.

"Ha?"

"Sabi ko, have you had dinner?"

He cleared his throat and stood up.

"Mamaya na," he said as he switched the TV off.

He walked to his room and slammed the door.