EPIPHANY

Ubi amor, ibi dolor

Where there's love, there's pain.

HANNAH

The sound of a ringing phone broke the silence of the room. Carrack moved behind me. Hindi ko alam kung nakatulog din ba s'ya tulad ko.

I panicked and I don't know what to do. I feel so embarrassed!

Narinig ko ang paghikab ni Carrack at naramdaman ko ang pagbangon n'ya. Malamang na sasagutin n'ya ang tawag sa cellphone n'ya.

"Han," Carrack gently called then I felt his hand on my arm.

Hindi ko alam ang gagawin o sasabihin ko. I ended up pretending to be sleeping.

Another yawn then I felt Carrack leaving the bed.

"Yes?" Carrack answered the phone. "We're on our way. Calm your balls."

Nakarinig ako ng pagsara ng pinto so I assumed that Carrack went inside the bathroom.

Napaupo ako sa kama at napayakap ako sa mga tuhod ko. My skin still feel warm and sensitive. Parang nararamdaman ko pa rin ang mga haplos at halik ni Carrack sa akin.

Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi ko at impit na napatili. I can't believe we did those things! I can't believe that I was that easy. But I don't regret it.

Because I am in love with Carrack.

"Hey," Carrack's gentle voice made me raise my head to his direction. "How are you feeling?" he smiled.

I bit my lip then I looked away. I am sure that I am blushing.

"E-Embarrassed." I shut my eyes as I recall how loud I moaned and how my body reacted to him.

Carrack chuckled then he sat beside me on the bed. He pulled my head until I am facing him. My eyes can't meet him. "I figure you'd say that," he sweetly smiled at me then he dropped three gentle pecks on my lips. "They're waiting for us."

I nodded then I looked away again. Narinig ko ang mahinang halakhak ni Carrack bago s'ya tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo. He helped me up then I went to his bathroom.

"I got you a dress from my car," Carrack said from the other side of the door.

"Thanks," I replied kahit na hindi ko alam kung narinig n'ya ba.

I went to the sink then washed my face. When I looked at myself at the mirror, I smiled at the gentle glow radiating from me.

I took a quick shower then I dried my hair. I have a traveling bag on Carrack's car which contained dresses and other things. Kapag kasi susunduin ako ni Carrack galing school at may lakad kami, naiilang ako na naka-uniform ako kaya nag-iwan na lang ako ng ilang damit sa sasakyan n'ya para makapagbihis ako.

I wore a sheer sleeves black off-shoulder dress. Stella would say that this isn't suited for clubbing but still better than a pair of shorts and poloshirt. I let my hair down.

Nakabihis na si Carrack at naghihintay na sa akin sa sala nang matapos akong mag-ayos.

He got a big smile when he saw me. "Shall we?" he asked then showed me his arm.

I nodded then slightly smile.

Carrack lead me out his unit. He placed his hand on the small of my back while we walked towards the lift lobby.

This feels good but I can't help but worry that somebody might see us.

"C-Carrack..." I gently called. "B-baka may makakita sa atin. I'm not ready to g-go public," pahina nang pahinang sabi ko.