Temporary Bliss

Complicated

"I come over

Quarter past two

Love in my eyes

Blinded by you

Just to get a taste of heaven

I'm on my knees"

--

"Earl baby.... what's wrong?"

After the deed, tinalikuran ni Earl ang dalaga. Pilit naman sya nitong pinapabaling muli para kausapin sya. How long have they been like this? Hindi na nya maalala.

It quickly became a habit. Charlotte would call him whenever she wants him and then they'd have sex in his place... kinabukasan, magiging na lamang sya na wala na ito sa tabi nya.

He felt like he was just being used... pero nagpapagamit naman sya dito.

He became her willing slave and he can't do anything about it. With just one touch, she'd have him wrapped around her finger. He's so helpless when it comes to her.

Sunod-sunuran na sya sa dalaga.

Magdadalawang-taon na rin silang ganito. On and off. He's exclusively hers but she's for everybody. She had him leashed but she's free.

She's free to fuck any man she wants.

She's free to drop him whenever she's getting tired of him.

And it hurts.

This has to end. Masakit mang isipin na mawawala na sa kanya ng tuluyan ang dalaga, this thing going on between them has to stop.

Hindi na nya kaya.

He needs someone who'd reciprocate the love he could give. Not someone who only sees him as a toy.

"Let's break up." He answered dryly.

Nagulat si Charlotte sa sinabi ng lalaki. It's the first time na mag-iinitiate ito ng break up. Palagi kaseng sya ang nakikipag-break dito. He's too much of a gentleman to initiate such act.

What changed his mind all of a sudden?

"Are you serious?" Pinaibabawan nya ang lalaki. "Would you like to have another round?"

Earl sighed exasperatedly saka nya itinulak ang babae pahiga sa kama.

"I am serious."

Kumunot ang noo ni Charlotte.

"How much time do you need?" Tanong nito sa kanya.

Earl's jaw clenched. Clearly, hindi pa rin naga-grasp ng dalaga ang gusto nyang iparating.

"I want out."

Charlotte touched his cheek and the mere soft caress almost broke his control.

"Until when?"

Hinuli nya ang kamay ng dalaga at inilagay sa ulunan nito.

"I want to be out of your life Charlie... forever."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Charlotte sa narinig. But she managed to smile at him again.

"You don't mean that... right?"

"I mean it." He said sternly.

She looked crestfallen. "Why?"

"Hindi ko na kaya ang ganitong setup. If I'd be your boyfriend, I have to be the only one you'd want. Gusto ko ng steady and exclusive relationship--not like this!"

Earl sat up.

"It's not like we're really in a relationship." Dagdag pa niya.

Charlotte scoffed. "Then what are we pala? Fuckmates?" She let out a bitter laugh.

"Is that all we are to you huh?" Galit na tanong ni Earl sa dalaga.

"Earl--"

Napahilamos ng mukha ang binata. "This is bullshit. I never thought I could stoop this low." He looked at Charlotte. "Do you know what I feel like right now? I feel like a man-whore. Cheap and disposable."

"Why now Earl? Why didn't you break up when we're just starting? Kung ganyan din lang naman pala ang nararamdaman mo, bakit hindi ka pa umayaw?"

"Because I love you."

Dead silence followed. It's like the sexual atmosphere waned down and was replaced with heavy tension.

Neither of them wanted to follow that statement. Both are afraid to say something wrong that might cause either of them to snap.

But it was Charlotte who bravely ended the silence.

"So what now?"

"I guess this is goodbye." Sagot ni Earl ng hindi nakatingin sa kanya.

"Hindi na ba talaga magbabago ang desisyon mo?" Hindi man masabi ni Charlotte sa lalaki but she grew comfortable with him. She could tell him anything.

She could be herself with him.

"I guess there's one thing that could change my decision." Sagot ng lalaki,

"What is it?" Charlotte asked.

Earl looked at her, his eyes misty. Hinawakan nya ang kamay ng dalaga.

"Marry me."

xxxxxx

AN: Kalma lang sa paghingi ng UD pwede? Araw-araw na nga ako nag-a-update tapos UD kaagad ang bungad? Eh kung gawin ko kayang buwan-buwan ang UD ko? Wag kayong masyadong demanding ha. Yung mga dati kong readers hindi ganyan. Nag-aantay sila kahit sobrang tagal na.

Consideration lang po. I'm sure you'd hate it kung mag-quota ako sa inyo kaya please lang... hinay-hinay sa pagde-demand. Salamat.