She's the Real Challenge

47: Morning After

Nasira ang magandang gising ni Sage nang mapagtanto niyang wala siyang katabi. Surely, it wasn't just a steamy dream. After all, he was naked under the covers.

Hindi siya lasing kagabi. He remembered every kiss they shared, every moan that left her lips and every hickey he left on her. As cheesy and uncomfortable as it sounded, he was certain they fell asleep in each other's embrace. Pero nasaan si Ken?

Mabilis siyang bumangon, nagsuot ng boxers at lumabas ng kanyang kwarto. He released a breath of relief when he finally found Ken.

Her back was turned to him but he can see that she was on the phone. Naglakad si Sage palapit sa dalaga at narinig niya ang mga huling sinabi ni Ken bago nito tapusin ang tawag. "Wait for me, pupuntahan kita sa inyo. Bye, Lily."

He hugged her from behind but her body jolted in surprise. Hahalikan niya na sana ang pisngi ni Kendra pero marahan nitong tinanggal ang mga kamay ni Sage mula sa pagkakayakap sa baywang nito.

Nagulat si Sage sa inasal ni Ken. "May problema ba?"

"Wala. I need to go," maikling sagot ni Ken. She didn't even turn to face him before walking towards the door.

"Sandali," Sage called out as he chased after her. He was able to grab her wrist and she was forced to face him.

"Nagmamadali ako. What do you want?" She seemed irritated.

"Aalis ka na lang? What about last night?" he asked, confused.

"Huwag mong sabihing first time mong magka-one-night stand? It was great, honestly. But that's all it is." She tried to pull away but Sage wouldn't let go of her wrist.

"It meant something more and you know it, Kendra," he said firmly as he looked into her eyes.

Umiwas ang mga mata ni Ken. "It meant that we're both human, mga bumibigay sa tawag ng laman." She removed her hand from his grip and headed towards the exit.

Muli itong hinabol ni Sage at niyakap mula sa likod nang maabutan. "Mahal kita, Ken."

"Mahal? Ilang beses mo 'yang sinabi kay Lily?" she asked coldly.

"I never said—"

"Really? Sa tingin mo makakalusot ka sa technicality? You've implied it for months." Ken slithered out of his arms and turned to face him. "For months, you've tried to play with her feelings so you can win a bet, 'di ba?"

Sage ran his fingers through his hair. He should've been the one to tell her. "Ken, alam kong mali 'yong ginawa ko. It was stupid, insensitive, and immature. At buong buhay kong pagsisisihan 'yon dahil nadamay pa kayo sa kabaliwan ni Claire sa 'kin. I'm very, very, sorry. Handa akong gawin ang kahit anong ipapagawa mo para bumawi sa kasalanang 'yon."

"Pasalamat ka at hindi tinablan si Lily ng kalandian mo. Pinatawad ka na raw niya, congrats."

"At ikaw?"

"Nagamit na kitang parausan so I guess, we're even."

That hurt. Even if it was a lie. "I've fallen hard for you, Kendra. Really hard. Your feelings for me might not be as intense, but don't lie to me or to yourself. 'Yong nangyari kagabi, hindi lang 'yon simpleng pagpaparaos!"

Tinalikuran siya ni Ken at naglakad na ito papunta sa pinto. "Sorry, pero pagpaparaos lang talaga 'yon para sa 'kin. I know you enjoyed your climax but stop confusing lust with love. At ngayong 'di mo na kailangang magpanggap na manliligaw ni Lily, we don't have to see or put up with each other anymore, right? Sayonara," she said as she crossed the doorway without looking back.

Naiwang nakatayo sa gitna ng sala at nakatitig sa pintuan si Sage. His heart felt so heavy. Last night's elation was replaced with misery. Hindi pa rin siya naniniwalang walang nararamdaman si Ken para sa kanya matapos ang lahat ng pinagdaanan nila.