“FEELING better?"
Astid just nooded. It was almost 2 o’clock in the morning when she told him that she’s too tired and that she wanted sleep so he had no choice but to bring her to his room - not that he planned it.
With eyes almost closed, she was holding a hair brush but it seemed as if she had no intention of using it She had just finished her shower and she’s now sitting on the far side of the huge bed, wearing the black sweatshirt Bullet had given her. She wasn’t able to bring any clothes except for the thin souvenir Baguio shirt and dolphin shorts she bought, which was way too short than she had expected.
“Piece of advice. If you can’t handle your alcohol well, don’t drink especially if you’re alone.” Bullet suggested, shaking his head.
“Yeah, I am alone now. And heart broken.”
“Is that a license to get drunk?” He handed her a glass of water and a pill for her hangover but she just ignored it so he sat down next to her, took one of her hands and forced her to take it. He even helped her drink just to make sure that she’d do it properly.
“I’m not drunk,” she reassured. After taking the pill, she leaned on the headboard of the bed and closed her eyes.
“Yeah, right. You can’t even hold your glass properly, miss.” Bullet took the glass out of her hand and tuck her in.
“I’m just tired and sleepy, that’a all.”
He just laughed. “Do you usually get yourself drunk every time your heart gets broken?”
“Do you guys usually leave your girlfriends the moment you meet someone else who’s willing to have sex?”
Bullet couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Now, he’s certain that she’s drunk because she was able to say the word ‘sex’ without reservation.
“Two years. How dare him wast our two-year relationship just because I wasn’t able to meet his demands?”
“Two years?” Bullet was taken aback. Two weeks without sex for him is not only frustrating but already humiliating. Now, he’s starting to understand why she was dumped.
“We’ve talked about it, you know. Even from the start of the relationship, I’ve already told him that I wasn’t ready yet but I’m willing to do everything to please him.”
“What do you mean, everything?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Well, I don’t. You tell me,” he insisted, though he already knew what she meant.
She took a deep breath. “I may be a virgin but I’m an educated virgin. I know how to kiss, I know how to please...I know how to go down on a man-“
Bullet slowly straightened up to keep distance. Listening to Astrid talking about the things she could do to satisfy a man is making him uncomfortable.
“But it seems like I’m never going to be good enough for him.”
“Well, he’s an idiot, that’s all I can say. Or maybe he doesn’t really love you anymore because he has found someone else.”
“Someone else who’s willing to have sex with him?”
“Yeah, because he’s a man and it’s just natural for men to ask for it.”
“Are all men like that?” Astrid sniffed and started to cry.
He nodded, without any hesitation whatsoever. “You just can’t expect a man to wait for the honeymoon to have sex and if there’s such a man, it could only mean two things - he’s gay or he’s not that attracted to you.” Which he thinks is very unlikely. Astrid is a beautiful woman, no doubt. Even if she looks like a mess at the moment, she’s still undeniably gorgeous. Her eyes were wide open but they were already red and puffy. Her lips and cheeks were red, probably due to alcohol.
“Oh well, that’s probably it. He doesn’t find me attractive.” She looked at him before proceeding. “Tell me the truth, Bullet.” She even brushed her long hair with her fingers and looked at him carefully. “Do you find me attractive?”
He wasn’t able to reply right away because he was mesmerized by the way she’s licking her lips. “Ah…of course,” he stammered. “I mean...I wouldn’t have flirted with you if I didn’t find you attractive, right?”
She smiled but it was shortlived. “So why did he cheated on me?”
“Because you don’t want to have sex with him. Plain and simple.”
“Will he come back to me if I agree to do it with him?” She was already fuming in anger but at that moment, Bullet knew that she has given up all the hope that she has.
He uneasily moved closer and gently patted her back. “Look, you don’t have to do it with him if you don’t feel like it.”
She just shrugged. “Argh! Why can’t he just wait for the right time for us to do it?”
~~
“CAN you believe this?” “Can you?” Bullet asked back as he squeezed Astrid’s hand, her engagement ring sparkling on her finger, together with her wedding band. An endearing smile lit her face as they walked hand in hand towards the fireplace. “After more than a decade, after everything that has happened, we’re here,” Astrid beemed after sipping her wine. “At last.” She then looked at her husband and suddenly, she felt this warm fuzzy feeling inside her chest. God, Bullet is now her husband. It was just like a dream. Everything was just like a dream to her now since his proposal. Bullet sat next to her on the extravagantl
AFTER SIX MONTHS... THE humble Italian diner located at the hotel rooftop was packed with guests early that evening. Though it was a simple ceremony, Carl and Michelle made sure to invite all the people closest to their hearts including Astrid, Luna and Bullet. They were surprised when they got the invitation just a week ago. In fact, everyone was surprised, especially Luna. Oh, surprised wasn’t the right term. She was ecstatic! When she saw Carl picking her up at the gate of her school, she cried, literally. According to Carl, they’ve decided to hold a simple civil wedding since they are just staying in Manila for a couple of weeks. They were already married in the states anyway and they just wanted to celebrate their marria
ASTRID was on her way out of her coffee shop when somebody blocked her way. She was busy going through her bag for her cellphone so she wasn’t able to see what’s on her way. “Oh, I’m sorry, I-” And when she looked up, she saw a huge bouquet of red American roses. She couldn’t quite figure out who’s holding them due to the size of it and she had to step closer to recognize whoever it was.“Hi.”She has already prepared a smile but when she realized that it wasn’t who she was expecting, she straightened and all the muscles in her face tightened.It was Theo. He’s all dressed up with his freshly-ironed light blue long sleeves shirt and cream
“AM I late?”Everybody glanced at him at the gate, including Luna who’s trying hard to stay awake by her mom’s side. But when she heard that voice, she quickly stood up and shrieked.“Daddy!” Luna rushed to her Dad and hugged him tight. “I knew it, you’re gonna come! I’ve been telling Mommy that you told us you’re not coming but you are just going to surprise us this Christmas eve!”“Yes, hon, you’re right.” Bullet crouched and kissed his daughter on the cheek. “Did Daddy’s plan worked?”“Yes Dad!”“Did you miss Daddy?”“Oh, I missed you so much Daddy! I’ve been telling Mommy to call you and tell you to visit but she said...” Luna had to take a deep breath before continuing. “She said that you are very busy with work and meetings and stuff that I don’t really understand.&
ASTRID was just about to turn off the moon night light on her night stand when she heard a knock at her door. It was Bullet, his hair already scruffy. His smile was quite uneasy when he entered her room.“She fell asleep even before she was able to read to me her new book.”She sat up and straightened up her blanket. ”I bet she got tired from riding her new bike around.”“Yeah, she told me about her ‘adventure’ in your backyard.”“Anyway, thank you for staying. You better go now so you can still catch the last full show.”Bullet shook his head. “I already called Audrey. Told her to take a rain check on the movie tonight.”“Why?”“Because you’re sick, that’s why.”“I feel better now, really.”He moved towards her bed and touched her forehead, just like what he did earlier. “Have yo
OH MY GOD, Astrid! What has gotten into you?She shook her head while looking at the pictures on her phone - pictures of Luna with Bullet and some stolen shots of him. She can’t remember when it happened or how it happened but one day, Astrid just found herself thinking about him all the time.And she hates it.She hates it every time he’s with them but his mind is into something else - oh yeah, someone else. She hates it whenever he promises to visit but doesn’t keep it due to ‘unforeseen’ circumstances. And she hates it when she wants to see him but he’s not available.She’s going crazy, she’s certain about it. Because if not, she wouldn’t be like this at all.This is all because of Bullet. All the flirting he’s been doing, all his sweet talks in the past months were now replaced with coldness. Now, he barely visits and when he does, he’s not his usu