DM #3: Sage Madriaga

Kabanata 49

Kabanata 49

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I locked myself in his room the day after what happened. I felt so sore down there and I don't want to see Sage for some reason. Hindi ko na inisip na nasa penthouse niya pa rin ako at pinagbabawalan siyang makapasok sa sarili niyang kwarto.

Hiyang hiya ako sa mga naipakitang reaksyon sa nangyari sa pagitan namin. I felt shy, but it doesn't mean I regret it. I meant everything I said that night. He's my boyfriend now. Sinasagot ko na siya. Nais ko lang talagang mapag-isa para damhin ang kahihiyan para sa sarili. I can't almost believe that I was so aggressive.

Sage didn't work that day. He literally chose to stay with me, even when I don't want to see him. He waited until night and that's when I finally went out of his room. Dahil sa pagkukulong sa kanyang kwarto buong araw, nagkaroon kami ng seryoso at sinserong usapan.

Hindi ako umuwi sa gabing iyon at piniling matulog na lang sa kanyang kwarto. Before sleeping, I was able to have a video call with Adhara and Valerie. Ayaw palampasin ni Adhara ang nalaman tungkol sa koneksyon ni Valerie kay Devon Estrella. I'm curious too, but I got so occupied with what happened between me and Sage.

"It was all for marriage in convenience. Dad wants to push it for the sake of the company."

"Kailan pa 'yan?" I asked, staring at my laptop.

Nakasandal ako sa headrest ng kama ni Sage na kaparehas lang sa kwarto ko kaya hindi na ako nag-abalang lumipat ng pwesto. Siguradong iisipin nilang dalawa na nasa sariling condo lang ako.

Hindi pa ako nakakauwi kaya hiniram ko muna ang laptop niya. He's currently inside the bathroom, showering.

"It's before I left for my vacation. I had a fight with Papa,"

"You're not in Manila for months. How did you meet Devon?" si Adhara.

"He's office is not mainly in Manila. He owned a chain of hotels in different places. And unfortunately, I was able to book a room at one of his hotels."

Adhara won't stop being proud of her prediction about Valerie flirting while she's on vacation.

"I told you, Nathalia! She's hooking with someone else!"

"Hooking? I need to be with him because we're in need to get married."

"Duh! Hindi ako naniniwala!"

Natawa ako nang nagpatuloy ang kanilan pag-aaway. Natigil lang dahil sa panliliit ng mga mata ni Adhara sa camera, tila may nakitang kakaiba. Hindi ko alam kung alin sa aming dalawa ni Val ang tinitignan niya.

"Is that a hickey?!" she sounds surprised and suspicious.

I stilled for a moment. Muling nagbalik sa isipan ko ang nangyari sa amin ni Sage. For one second, I realized that maybe I'm the one who has a hickey... and it really turns out I'm right!

"Is that a hickey, Nathalia?!"

Sandali akong nagpanic na agad ding pinilit na makabawi. I looked at my face on the camera and immediately saw a reddish purple on my neck. Hiyang-hiya ako.

"T-That's just a mosquito bite!"

Humagalpak ng tawa si Val. Si Adhara naman ay malalaki ang matang nakatitig pa rin sa camera, tila mawawala ako kung tatanggalin niya ang tingin sa akin.

"You're living in an air-conditioned condo! Paano ka nakagat ng lamok?!" she said aggressively, almost panicking.

"Stop being nosy, Adhara! That's normal when you're in a relationship!" pigil ni Valerie, panay pa rin ang pagtawa.