HER GUILTY PLEASURE

PINASADAHAN muna ni Harrieth ng tingin ang sarili sa salamin para siguraduhin na maganda siya. Kinuha niya ang lipstick sa maliit niyang pouch at nag retouch. Her boyfriend loves to kiss her lalo na kapag mamula-mula ang labi niya. Balak niyang sorpresahin ang nobyong si Stefano sa condo nito bago siya umuwing probinsya para ipagdiwang ang ika-90 taon ng kanilang abuelo. Pagkatapos kasi ng kaarawan ng matanda ay doon muna siya maglalagi ng ilang lingo bago ang biyahe niya na papuntang Canada para sa kanyang pag-aaral, kaya nais niya na munang mag spend ng quality time sa kanyang boyfriend. She's not a legitimate Contreras, her blood does not have a trace of Contreras--but she is being recognized as one of them. Thanks to Don Modesto Contreras for making her feel like she's a real deal, she never experienced being an outcast lalo na kapag kasama niya ito. Don Modesto is fond of her as far as she could remember. Kaya nang ligawan siya ng apo nito na si Stefano Contreras ay hindi man lang ito tumutol bagkus ay pinagtulakan pa siya nito sa apo and the rest is history. "Hey, pudding! Where you at?" masiglang tanong niya sa nobyo. Nakita niyang nakaparada ang sasakyan nitong Mercedes-Benz SUV sa parking space nito kaya tiyak niyang nasa condo ito. She has no problem getting inside his unit, since she knew the password. But, because she's up for the surprise, she has to play dumb when she called him. "Hello, my naughtyboo! I'm not at home right now. I am strolling around with my friends,would you like to tagged along?" "Not a chance, I'm busy right now, remember uuwi ako sa Cagayan later?" "Oh yeah! Sorry, I forgot! Ganito na lang, after namin mag stroll ay pupuntahan kita at ihahatid kita sa airport. What do you think?" "Sounds great!" sagot niya. "So, I'll just wait for you?" "Yes, please! Sorry to keep you waiting. I totally forgot your schedule, my bad!" ani Stefano. His voice seems like he's sleepy at pinipilit lang nitong maging normal pitch ang boses nito. "No, you're perfectly fine. Got to hang up, bye!" hindi na niya hinintay na magsalita ang nobyo dahil malapit na siya sa unit nito. Marahil ay natutulog ang nobyo nang tumawag siya at sinabi lang nitong nasa galaan para hindi niya puntahan. Sorry na lang ito dahil nasa paanan na siya ng pintuan nito. She silently key-in the password at walang ingay na pumasok sa loob nito. May dala pa siyang cake para sa kanila ng nobyo. They both love sweets specially at night while watching some good movies kaya tiyak niyang maiibigan iyon ng katipan. Harrieth made her way up to the living room but she suddenly froze for a moment. She was stunned with what she just saw! There's a pair of woman clothing scattered in the floor. Her eyes glance that the red underwear that was on the counter top. Her legs are trembling with sudden burst of emotions. What the hell is happening? Sure, siya na hindi kanya ang mga under dress na iyon. Natutop niya ang bibig nang makarinig ng boses sa loob ng kwarto ni Stefano. "Hmmm, you're such a naughty boy!" malanding wika ng isang tinig mula sa kwarto ng kanyang nobyo. "I like that! I want some more, lover boy!" dagdag nito. She bit her lower lip with too much anticipation. Humakbang siya ng dahan-dahan patungo sa kwarto ng nobyo at ipinihit ang seradura ng pinto. Nang mga oras na iyon ay para siyang pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. Hindi niya na namalayan na unti-unti na palang naglaglagan ang luha niya sa magkabilaang mata. Hindi siya maaaring magkamali! Si Stefano ang kaulayaw ng babae sa kama nito. The lady was on top of him and Stefano's hands was on her waist. The pain is too much for her to handle, kaya naman tahimik siyang umalis sa unit ng nobyo. Hilam ang luha na sumakay siya sa elevator hanggang sa makarating sa parking lot. Mabilis siyang sumakay sa kanyang kotse at doon pinakawalan ang hagulhol na hindi niya mailabas kanina lamang. The excruciating pain is killing her. She couldn't believe that her Stefano is unfaithful. They're both in the right age, their relationship was running smooth. They are happy and contented. But how come? How did this happen? Since when did he have an affair to another woman? "Lost again?" untag sa kanya ng bestfriend na si Rose sabay abot ng kopita ng alak sa kanya. They're in her condo near BGC at inimbitahan niya itong mag sleep-over sa kanya. She just arrives in Manila this morning from her recent trip in Paris. As a model herself, she has a lot of commitment to be followed religiously. She got her modelling career right after she graduated from the university in Canada. Dahil ayaw niyang umuwi ng Pilipinas ay grinab niya ang opportunity na iyon. Her face resembles to Mama Mary because of her pointed nose, delicate cheek, long lashes and beautiful brows. Her hazel-colored eyes speak volume for her physical attribute. She is 5'9 in height and have the hour glass body that even celebrities envied her. She’s only 28 and yet, she has achieved much already. All thanks to her abuelo’s unending support. She got tired with her work kaya naman she asked for a month break from her manager, na sa awa ng Diyos ay pinagbigyan rin nito. "I'm not lost, I'm totally sane right now." kaila niya sa kaibigan. Sinimsim ni Harrieth ang natitirang alak sa kanyang kopita habang nakatitig sa magandang ilaw ng mga building at sasakyan mula sa kanyang condo. The scenery from her condo at night is fantastic! She enjoyed staring outside specially at night. "If you say so, I won't argue with that." anito. "Did you inform the Contreras that you're back in the country?" "Not yet, ayoko pa... They won't gonna need me, anyway." "But what I've heard, Don Modesto is sick right now. Don't you want to pay him a visit?" "I would love to, but..." "But the thought of seeing Stefano, is stopping you right?" "I don't even want to hear his name..." she bitterly uttered. Kinapa niya ang sarili at masasabi niya na ang sakit na ibinigay niya sa five years ago ay naroon pa rin. Sariwa pa rin at sa katunayan, sa tingin niya ay ni minsan ay hindi ito gumaling. The pain that he caused her cut so deep that every time she touches the wound, it won't stop bleeding. "What's your plan, anyway?" "I just want to have a break. Away from the limelight. Away from people. I just want to be alone for the meantime. Gusto kong mag-reflect sa buhay ko. It's so strange because sometimes I found myself unhappy in spite of how successful my modelling is." "You're like that because you can't let go of the past. You're still holding the dagger in your hand, Harrieth." sagot ng kaibigan habang nakatingin sa kanya ng matiim. Unknowingly her tears started to flow like a wildfire in her cheeks. Her friend was indeed right. She hasn't moved on, at all. That's why she's still in an immense pain through the years. Pero anong magagawa niya kung hindi niya kayang tanggalin ang poot sa dibdib niya? How to remove the pain that is residing in her heart?