Freed's Playroom [R-18]

Play-I

"He who freed one's darkest fantasies..."

***
Every One's Boss

    HINDI pa man din nakakarating mismo sa bungad ng office si Annie ay narinig na niya ang masayang bati ni Gret sa kanya. Pero hindi naman niya ito pinansin at dumiretso lamang sa loob papunta sa kanyang desk.

    Habang palakad siya ay pinupuna na agad siya ni Gret ng chismis na labas naman sa kanilang trabaho kaya hindi n'ya ito iniinda. Kahit ano pang sigla ng boses ni Gret ay hindi siya nito nahahahawaan. At kahit ano pa sigurong balitang masaya ang dumating sa kanya ngayong araw ay hindi rin siya matutuwa.

    Why?

    She just became a single woman this morning upon waking up. Ilang araw man na nagparamdam itong mangyayari sa kanya ay hindi pa rin siya handa.

    Her ex-boyfriend Ethan left their apartment with a note this morning. She tried calling him countless times, but his phone is unavailable. She tried reaching out to his friends but they had the same answers, they don't know where he is.

    He has been cold for the past few days but it was so sudden and she thought it's like the usual phase they used to overcome as a couple for the past four years. Ethan isn't the kind of man who would leave like that because the both fought for their love even if their families are against it.

    But never did she expect that Ethan would leave her like that. He was always the kind one between the two of them. He's gentle and very reliable partner.

    Lunch Break came and she was still her usual self like how she came this morning. Gret had the gist of what is going on by making her tell the whole story a while ago.

    "Hindi ka ba talaga magla-lunch?" nag-aalalang untag ni Gret kay Annie na nakaharap pa rin sa monitor niya at walang kibo.

    "Mauna ka na, pagiisipan ko pa," walang ganang tugon ni Annie sa kanya.

    Napadungaw ang tingin ni Annie sa picture frame na nasa tabi ng monitor niya. It is her picture with Ethan last year when they had a tour in Japan.

    Ang tagal pa man din ng panahon na hinintay nila bago tanggapin ng pamilya niya si Ethan bilang boyfriend niya. Laking may kaya rin kasi si Annie. She had the freedom to choose her career path and work despite of being rich because her parents trust her until Ethan became her boyfriend. Si Ethan ay pangkaraniwang lalaki lamang na tumatanggap ng kontrata bilang engineer. Her parents wanted a more capable man for Annie but she fell in love with Ethan despite of their stand in life.

    Napayuko siya sa mesa at napaiyak habang iniisip na hindi na babalik si Ethan sa kanya. Ethan wrote a note for her that he's breaking up with her and he won't be back anymore.

***

    ANNIE had the urge to visit Brent's unit where Ethan would go whenever they have a fight. She only had her gut feeling and her persistency to talk to him once again and sort things out.

    Nakailang doorbell na si Annie pero wala pa ring bumubukas ng pintuan. Paulit-ulit pa niya itong pinindot hanggang sa may bumukas ng pintuan at iniluwal ang babaeng naka-panty lang sa pangibaba at nakasuot ng puting polo.

    She was about to talk when she noticed that the perfume of that girl who's hair is a bit messy.

    "Nandiyan ba si...Brent?" she ignored what she smelled and asked the girl.

    "Ah, Brent's out of town..." sagot ng babae.

    "Cecile! Where are you?"

    Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Annie nang marinig niya ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. Dali-dali siyang pumasok ng unit kahit naitulak pa niya ang babae.