Answer.
Buong biyahe namin ay nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng sasakyan, I don't know where we are exactly going. Hindi ko siya tinanong. Kahit din siya ay tahimik at swabe lang sa pagmamaneho. I know this is insane. It is insane to agree with this setup.
Him as my paramour?
Maybe I agreed because for the last time, I wanted to feel the same excitement that left me years ago. Binibigay saakin ni Leon iyon.
I see the possibilities, the future conflict.
For now, I want to enjoy this moment.
And if he leaves, I would let him. This is a none commitment arrangement in my perspective. I don't know his true intention, but I like to play with his game. Somehow, I find this as beneficial for me. He offered a deal, and I accepted it.
Nilingon ko siya nang huminto ang sasakyan.
"Is this the place?" tanong ko sakanya.
He unbuckled his seatbelt, "Yes, madame," aniya.
Nasa parking lot kami at hindi ko alam kung anong lugar ito. Tanging ibang sasakyan lang ang nakikita ko.
I removed my seatbelt. Natigilan ako nang may ilabas siyang maliit na jewelry box.
It's a red velvet box.
"I want you to wear this tonight," aniya.
Hindi pa ako nakakapag salita nang buksan niya iyon.
My lips parted when I saw what's the inside.
It's a necklace...with his initials.
Just like what he gave me as a gift years ago, but this time, it screams affluence.
Hindi parin ako makapag salita. Nakatulala lang ako at hindi alam ang mararamdaman.
Maraming beses na akong nakatanggap ng regalo, mula sa iba't ibang tao. Hindi naman sa presyo ng regalo pero....mahal din ang mga iyon.
Isinuot niya saakin ang kwintas.
I swallowed hard when I felt the coldness of metal.
"I don't know if you still have the bracelet -"
"It's still in my jewellry collection," I managed to say.
Hinawakan ko ang kwintas, this is the same feeling I had when he gave me the bracelet. Indeed, it's not the price that gives value to a gift....it's the person.
"Tumagal lang pero hindi ko nakalimutan 'yung pinangako ko," aniya.
"I hope this is the last time you spend your money on me."
Because of that bracelet, hindi ko siya nakalimutan. That bracelet owned me. At ayaw ko na ulit mangyari 'yun.
"And besides, it's both of us. Kung may ibibigay ka saakin, dapat palitan ko 'yon." dagdag ko.
Nag iwas ako ng tingin sakanya.
"Just spend the night with me. I don't need anything."
Pagkatapos niyang sabihin 'yon ay binuksan na niya ang pintuan at bumaba.
Para akong hihimatayin. Bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko at para akong mababaliw.
Pinanood ko siyang umikot sa tabi ko. He opened my door and offered his hand.
If this was all true....
Now,I understand the power of addiction. It gives you an illusion of happiness and thrill despite a huge exchange of sanity.
