DEVIOUS 2

Untitled Part 4

...I'D GO A THOUSAND TIMES AROUND THE WORLD JUST TO SAY, SHE HAD BEEN mine, for a day...hmmmm...hmmm..'

"Lori?"

"...tripped the light and danced together to the moon...hmmm...hmmm..a lovely melody that--" luminga si Lori sa pinto ng silid. "H-Hi." Bati niya kay Paco.

Pumasok ito at paiskwat na naupo sa harap niya sa sahig, "For your own good and for this to work, you really should stop singing that song."

"Sorry. It got stuck in my head and I can't get it off."

"You're tormenting yourself so you can have a reason to start drinking again. You need to feel really, really bad to justify your addiction. You are not doing it consciously, of course. Just the way an addict's mind works."

She looked at him. The man she married.

For better. For worse.

Paco was moviestar handsome. He'd give any matinee idol a run for their money. Tall and fair, with a face that was both boyish and...mysterious. His eyes held so many secrets yet when he smiled, you'd get a feeling the smile was just for you. Parang napakalaking karangalan kapag nginitian ka ni Paco.

"What did you see in me?" Tanong niya.

"Someone I want to take care of for the rest of my life." Tumingin ito sa plastic crate na nasa harap ni Lori, "You need to put that away."

"Yes, I know. I just want to look at them for the last time."

Halatang hindi iyon inaasahan ni Paco, "Are you sure?"

"I realized you were right." Iginala niya ang paningin sa buong silid, "I've to stop coming here." Yumuko siya at may inabot sa ilalim ng kama. Berdeng plastic box. Binuksan niya iyon.

"Oh." Usal ni Paco.

Kinuha ni Lori ang shoebox na nasa kahon, "Napasama raw sa sapatusan nina Estring. You should keep it. It's your brother's."

"Uh, of course." Tinanggap nito ang shoe box at tumindig.

Tumayo na rin si Lori, "I'm hungry. Let's have some breakfast." Magkasunod silang lumabas pero hindi sumama sa komedor si Paco. "I thought you'll join me--"

"I will. I just need to make some calls. Mauna ka na." Tumawid ito sa salas papunta sa opisina nito. Nasa kanan iyon ng front door. Tinibag ang dinding sa dulo para makagawa ng silid na sakop rin ang dulong bahagi ng terrace.