“WHERE were you last night?”
Ace just shrugged his shoulder while driving. Pauwi na sila noon galing sa dinner date with her Dad. She looked at him.
“Don’t shrug me, Ace. Where were you? Ilang beses kitang tinawagan at tinext, hindi mo man lang nagawang mag-reply.”
“I was busy, Karen. Yesterday was the photoshoot and the dinner celebration.”
“You were with Sahara, weren’t you?”
Napatingin ito sa kanya.
“Come on. Just admit it. After the dinner, hinatid mo si Sahara sa townhouse.”
Ace maintained his silence. Alam nito na ayaw na ayaw niya ng silent treatment nito sa tuwing nagkakaroon sila ng ganoong diskusyon pero gustung-gusto yata talaga nitong asarin siya.
“I’m asking you a simple question, Ace. Kasama mo ba si Sahara kagabi?”
“I drove her home because it was too late.” Nakita ni Karen na tumiim-bagang ito.
“You just drove her home?”
Matagal na katahimikan muli bago ito sumagot. “Yes.”
“Did something happen?” matigas niyang tanong. “Because I know you. And I know Sahara better. Now, this is the first and last time that I'm gonna ask you this question. Did something happen between you and that…woman?”
“Karen-“
“Just answer me, God damn it. Did something happen?”
“No.” Umiling ito at saglit na tumingin sa kanya.
“Good. End of discussion.”
But Karen knew that it was just the beginning. Since meeting Ace that evening and all throughout dinner, he was quiet, as if his mind was somewhere else. Halata rin na hindi ito interesado na makilala ang Papa niya, na para bang napilitan lamang ito. She didn’t want to think ill about his behavior that night but she couldn’t help it. Minsan na lamang silang magkita ngayon, at sa tuwing nagkikita sila ay parati itong nagmamadali.
“Papa asked me about us…kung may plano ka raw bang pakasalan ako. And sabi ko, oo.”
“W-what did you just say? Karen, we never talked about getting married.”
Biglang huminto ang kotse, kahit nasa gitna sila ng kalsada. Mabuti na lamang at hindi gaanong marami ang mga sasakyan sa lugar na iyon. Nagpakawala ng bahaw na tawa si Ace.
“Marriage? Us? Are you out of your mind?” mahinahon nitong sabi sabay muling pagpapaandar ng kotse.
“And so what are we doing all these time, huh? We go out, watch movies, eat out, have sex…and for what, Ace? Tell me, ano ba talaga ang meron tayo? All along, I thought you like me?”
“I do like you…but that’s it,” Ace said, frustratingly. “Love is out of the question, Karen.”
“Fuck you.” Tiningnan niya ng masama si Ace.
Napatingin rin si Ace sa kanya, halatang nagulat sa binitiwan niyang salita.
“Stop the car, Ace. Bababa ako.”
“Come on. Don’t be so dramatic, Karen. Late na, mahihirapan kang makahanap ng taxi rito. Ihahatid kita sa condo mo.”
“And then what, huh? We’ll make up, have sex and forget about everything? At bukas, ganoon na naman – we meet, have sex…”
“Karen, what do you want from me, really? Because if you want marriage, I’m sorry but that’s not going to happen. Hindi ko gustong matapos tayo sa ganito but you’re asking too much from me.”
“So, ganoon lang ‘yon? You’re breaking up with me just like that?” galit niyang tanong. “Bakit parang ang dali-dali naman yata para sa'yo na makipaghiwalay? May kinalaman si Sahara dito, diba?” sunud-sunod niyang tanong.
“This is about us and she has nothing to do with this.”
“Oh, come on, Ace. Akala mo ba hindi ko alam ang namamagitan sa inyo ni Sahara? I was there at the restaurant where you had your dinner celebration, I was there when you brought her to the townhouse and…I was there when you kissed her. What else did you two do behind my back, huh? Tell me!”
“Karen-“
“Fuck you!” mahina pero pagalit niyang sabi. “Do you think you can get away with this just like that? I’m telling you…stay away from her or you wouldn’t want to know what I’m capable of, Ace.”
“What do you mean?”
Now, she got his attention. Lihim siyang napangiti. “I own the townhouse where she lives. I gave everything to her, literally – clothes, shoes, money. She’d still be in deep debt if I had not helped her. And I could take all that away from her, you know. You wouldn’t like that, would you, huh, honey?”
Tinitigan lang siya ni Ace na para bang ibang lengguwahe ang gamit niya.
“I know you like her and don’t you dare deny it. Every man does anyway. Ewan ko nga ba kung ano ang mayroon doon sa best friend ko na ‘yon at grabe’ng maka-magnet ng mga lalaki. You are not the first one who fell into her trap. But I’m warning you, gagamitin ka lang niya, Ace. That’s Sahara. She uses her good looks to her advantage. First, she’ll charm you, make you fall head over heels without you knowing it. She’s even willing to use her body to get her goal. Ang galing, hindi ba? Ni hindi mo nga namalayan na nagamit ka na niya. She used you for that modeling stint you offered her. Kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung tuluyan na niyang nabilog ang ulo mo.”
“Alam mo ba ‘yang sinasabi mo? She’s your best friend for Christ’s sake!”
“Exactly my point! She’s my best friend but she still got the nerve to steal you from me.”
“Steal me from you? You don’t own Karen. Nobody owns me.”
“You’re mine, Ace. Whether you like it or not, you are mine. At hindi ako ‘yung tipo ng babae na basta-basta na lang papayag na maagawan ng iba. I love you at gagawin ko lahat para mahalin mo lang ako, kahit pa may masaktan at maapakan akong ibang tao.”
“Don’t do anything to Sahara.”
“Fine. Just don’t do anything with her, and she’s gonna be just fine.”
He then started the car’s engine. And by that, she knew that she’s already in control.