The Conspiracy of Silence

Epilogue

Naalimpungatan si Maine ng maramdaman ang sikat ng araw sa mukha niya. She helplessly groaned as she shifted her position away from the brightness. Kaso hindi na bumalik ang antok sa katawan niya. Kaya pinilit niya ang sarili na bumangon at imulat ang mga mata.

When she recovered from her stupor, she looked around her surroundings and gasped after finding herself wearing nothing but a button-down shirt along with her undergarment. She has no idea how she ended up in Alden's room. Basta ang naalala niya Nicole held a surprise bridal shower for Maine. Puro mga babae lang kasama niya at lahat sila binibigyan siya ng alak. They were partying so much...

Napasapo sa ulo si Maine.

... and she ended up drunk. There were scenes she halfheartedly remembered and scenes that were totally blurred out. Medyo naalala niya na kasama niya si Ryzza pauwi. Naalala niyang nginitian niya si Jake while he drove his car to her house. And then... then...

Napasinghap si Maine ng maalala ang sinabi niya kay Jake.

"This is not my place, Jake. This is not where I belong..."

"Bakit niyo ba nilasing to?" tanong ni Jake sa asawa na si Ryzza.

"Take me to my proper place, mmm? 'Kay?" Mabilis na lumapit si Maine sa pagitan ng mag-asawa sabay turo sa sarili. "I only belong to Alden. My place is in Alden's heart. Doon ko gustong mamalagi..."

Maine buried her face on her hand and groaned in embarrassment. Napatingin uli siya sa paligid and thanked God na wala si Alden. Mas lalong nanuyo ang lalamunan niya kaya kinuha niya ang tubig sa end table and took it in along with the hungover medicine prepared at the side. Nang mahimasmasan siya, napansin niya ang sticky note sa lampshade.

Out to buy something. She read his note.

Dahan dahang lumabas sa kwarto si Maine at dumiretso sa banyo para mag-ayos. She enjoyed the brightness of the whole place from the daylight streaming in through the big windows. Malayong malayo na ito sa madilim na kwartong una niyang nadatnan.

Biglang namilog ang mga mata ni Maine ng makita ang sarili sa salamin pagkapasok sa banyo. Inuulanan ng love bites ang leeg at balikat niya!

She quickly grabbed the collar of the shirt to the side and her eyes widened in shock. May mga love bites din sa dibdib niya. Napamura siya ng wala sa oras. She lowered her head and splashed warm water on her face. Pinipilit niya ang sarili na alalahanin ang naganap dito kagabi.

"Are you okay?"

Halos mapatalon sa gulat si Maine ng marinig ang boses ni Alden. She turned around and saw Alden leaning on the doorway, totally checking her out.

"Are... you okay?" he asked again. But this time, a small smile slipped on his lips. Amusement evident on his eyes. Lalo na ng mapansin nito ang exposed na love bites sa balikat niya.

"D-Did we...?"

"What?"

Namumula na sa hiya ang mukha ni Maine. Tapos itong si Alden may gana pang magpaka-inosente ng dating sa harap niya. "Iyong ano... alam mo na iyon!" sita niya. "Iyong pang Rated R!"

Alden bit his inner cheek to stop his self from bursting to laughter. Then he shrugged innocently.

Napapikit saglit si Maine as she tried to calm her wits. Aside from the minimal headache, wala nang masakit sa katawan niya. Especially the place down south. Kaya medyo nakaramdam siya ng ginhawa. "Maaalala ko rin ang nangyari sakin. Humanda ka sakin..." banta niya.

But Alden wasn't threatened at all. Natuwa pa nga ito habang papaalis sa banyo. "It was a nightmare. A nightmare..."

Indeed. A nightmare. Because he didn't get to reach the end of the stick. Last night was... out of control.