Never Again

Author's Note

May you be warned that this story contains only light romance, minimal sex scenes, and a tragic ending.

Due to the untimely passing of my friend, I was encouraged to write this story so as to pay tribute to her memory. It is based on her one of a kind love story. My friends and I consider her kindness, generosity, and sunny disposition in life as her legacy to us, most especially to her loved one. I've tried to recall all the fun-filled memories as well as the snippets of her own love story which she constantly shares to us whenever we had gatherings.I used two POVs. Please note that these POVs are generated from my subjective view of their story. Most of the conversations depicted herein are actual conversations which transpired in the occasional get-togethers that we had. And of course, I did some "magic" on the sex scenes because when she told us that they already did it, she never shared it in excruciating detail. *wink*

To my pieng yiu, I do hope that I gave justice to your love story. Wherever you are, you will definitely be missed.



Chinese New Year, 2011

Katatapos lang mag-park ni Mimi ng kanyang sasakyan. Pagbaba niya ng kotse, tinungo niya ang second floor ng restaurant na pag-aari ng pamilya ng kaibigan niyang si Gem. May mini office ito sa taas ng restaurant at doon nila naisipang mag-meet ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Surprise, surprise!" Energetic na sigaw niya habang iwinawasiwas sa ere ang dala niyang charm bracelets. Kumpleto silang magbabarkada kaya naisipan niyang sabay-sabay na ibigay sa mga ito ang mga charm bracelets na ipinagawa niya.

"Uy, jade bracelet, Mims ha! I need one. Prone ako to accidents lately," maktol ni Jelly.

"Lately? Eh lagi ka namang prone to minor accidents. Bigla-bigla nalang natatalisod, natatapilok, nauuntog. Kahit nga nakatayo ka lang, naa-out of balance ka bigla," biro ni Gem. Nagtawanan silang lahat maliban kay Sheen na nakadapa sa sofa.

"Oy, Sheen galaw-galaw! Ward off lethargy para masigla ka all year round! Xin nian kuai le!" pukaw niya rito pero umungol lang ito.

"Isa pa yan. Tulog ng tulog. New year na new year, dapat masigla. Ano bang pinaggagawa mo, uy?" tanong rito ni Gem.

Umungol lang ito. "I feel so weak," sabi nito sabay hikbi. Pero peke lang naman ang paghikbi nito. Sanay na sila, ganun kasi ito maglambing.

"Kumusta naman kayo ni Pao?" tanong niya rito.

"Ewan. Ganun pa rin. Ayoko naman maging assuming eh," naka-pout na sagot nito.

"When we love, we don't assume, we hope..." tudyo niya kay Sheen. Umakto lang ito na parang nandidiri. Nagtawanan lang sila.

"Here, your charm bracelets," isa-isa niyang iniabot sa mga ito ang mga bracelet. "Super personalized yan ha? Pina-feng shui ko talaga. With the exact date and time of your birthdays kaya hindi lang yan pang-one year. Pwede niyo gamitin yan kahit hindi Year of The Rabbit."

"Uy, to sha!" sabay-sabay na pasasalamat ng mga ito sa kanya. They all hugged her. Naunang kumalas si Gem at bumaba na para i-check kung ready na ang pagkain nila. Nang magtext ito na okay na, bumaba na sila.

When they went down, napahawak siya bigla kay Sheen. Ito talaga ang hinawakan niya kasi alam niyang lalampa-lampa si Jelly at baka malaglag pa sila sa last step ng hagdan. She instantly hid behind her.

"Hoy, para namang makakapagtago ka behind me? Duh? And why on earth are you hiding?" tanong nito.

"Uhmm..." huli na para mag-explain dito. Nasa harapan na kasi nila ang pinagtataguan niya.

"Hi, Mi. Kung hei fat choi," bati nito sa kanya. Staring intently at her.

"Si Mimi lang ang may greeting?" singit ni Sheen. "Kidding. Xin nian kuai le, Charles!" nag-peace sign pa ito sabay hila kay Jelly at iniwan silang dalawa.

Bruha talaga ang mga kaibigan niya. As much as possible, ayaw niyang makita si Charles. Iniiwasan niya talaga ito. Matagal na itong nanliligaw sa kanya. Sa totoo lang crush niya ito. Hindi niya lang sinasagot kasi may self-imposed rule siya na hindi muna magbo-boyfriend hanggang di pa siya tapos ng college. Iniiwasan niya ito kasi alam niya na kung magkakalapit talaga sila, siya lang din ang babali sa sariling rule niya.

Gwapo ito. Chinito. Matangkad. Varsity player sa school nila. He's two years ahead of her. Marami ring mga nagkaka-crush dito. Ewan niya nga ba kung bakit nililigawan siya nito. Sa kanilang magkakaibigan, masasabi niyang siya ang pinakasimple. She barely wears dresses and fancy shoes. She's contented with wearing tight jeans and plain shirt, paired with sneakers or flip-flops. Pero palagi naman siyang nakakatanggap ng mga papuri na maganda siya, effortless beauty, etc. Yun nga lang, wala lang siguro talaga siyang arte sa katawan.

"What are you doing here?" tanong niya rito.

"Check ko lang yung pinapa-cater na food para sa dinner mamaya sa bahay. You wanna come?"

"No, thanks. May celebration din sa`min eh," she refused politely.

"Naglunch ka na?"

"Hindi pa. Actually, we're about to eat," she said while smiling at him. It's a bit awkward if she won't invite him to lunch so she added, "You wanna join us?" and then she guided him towards their table.

"Kayo na?" tili ni Sheen nang makalapit sila ni Charles sa mesa.

"Yup. Kami na. Sa wakas. Swerte ko talaga ngayon," sagot ni Charles sabay hawak sa kamay niya.

Sabay sa tama rin `tong lalaking `to.

Nagtilian ang mga kaibigan niya. Kinikilig. Tumayo si Gem at tumabi kay Jelly para magkatabi sila ng upuan ni Charles. He pulled out one chair and made her sit. He sat beside her and they started eating.

Sinusubuan siya nito. Nanlaki ang mata ni Jelly at bumulong kay Sheen, "Sila na talaga? For real?"

"Yup," pangtitrip naman ni Sheen.

Game naman si Mimi sa flirtatious moves ni Charles. Wala namang mawawala, besides crush niya naman ito at nanliligaw naman talaga ito sa kanya. When they finished eating, nagpaalam na ito sa kanila.

"`Bye, mine." He said and hugged her tight.

Kinikilig na naman ang mga kaibigan niya. Sinundan niya nalang ito ng tingin hanggang sa makita niya sa glass wall na nakaalis na ang kotse nito.

Bago pa man siya mabingi sa mga tanong ng mga kaibigan niya, inunahan niya nalang ang mga ito.

"Hindi pa kami, okay? Trip niya lang yung kanina," defensive na paglalahad niya.

"Pa? Hindi 'pa'? So sasagutin mo na pala talaga siya?" tukso ni Gem.

And they all teased her. Natapos nalang ang Chinese New Year celebration ngunit hindi pa rin tapos ang mga ito sa panunukso sa kanya.

Months passed and Charles really became her boyfriend. No questions asked. Kapag magkasama sila pasimpleng tinatanong niya ito kung kailan niya ito sinagot kasi as far as she knows, hindi naman nangyari yun.

"Nung Chinese New Year nga, mine." Sagot naman nito sa tuwing tinatanong niya. At "mine" na rin talaga ang naging tawagan nila. Their relationship went on smoothly. Inggit nga ang mga kaibigan niya sa kanya kasi suportado sila ng kanilang mga magulang sa kanilang relasyon. As Gem would say, "Buti pa kayo ni Charles, legal." Kaya very thankful siya sa takbo ng relationship nila.



Mimi's College Graduation, 2012

Nagtatampo si Mimi kay Charles. Magsisimula na kasi ang kanilang graduation ceremony at wala pa rin ito. Wala rin ang parents niya kasi may business trip. Ang mga kaibigan niya naman, may pasok. Sa kanilang apat kasi, siya lang ang on time sa paggraduate. Nag-shift kasi ang mga ito kaya wala siyang kasabay ngayon. Minsan nga naisip niya na sana nag-shift nalang din siya.

Natapos ang graduation ceremony na wala siyang kasama. Pagkakita sa sundo niya, umuwi siya kaagad at nagmukmok sa kwarto niya. Ginising siya ng katulong nila para maghapunan pero wala siyang gana kaya nanatili lang siya sa loob ng kwarto.

After a few minutes, may pumasok sa kwarto niya. Hindi niya lang pinansin. Umupo ito sa gilid ng kama. Alam niya na si Charles ito. Naamoy niya kasi ang pabango nito.

"Mine," he said while gently caressing her hair.

Nagtatampo pa rin siya rito kaya hindi niya ito pinansin.

"Mine, sorry na," apologetic nitong sabi habang nakayakap sa kanya. Hindi pa rin siya sumagot.

"Pressured ako masyado sa office. Galit na galit si papa. Nalulugi na kasi ang negosyo namin. Kasalanan ni ahia. Ngayon ako na nagpapatakbo ng lahat. Kanina paalis na sana ako para sa graduation mo pero may pina-cancel na shipment kaya inasikaso ko muna kasi ayokong uminit na naman ulo ni papa. Kaso natagalan, mine..." garalgal ang boses nito.

Napabalikwas ng bangon si Mimi.

"Mine?" hinaplos niya ang pisngi nito. "Sorry, hindi ko naman alam eh, sana nag-text ka," she added and hugged him tight.

Niyakap lang siya nito na para bang kumukuha ito ng lakas mula sa kanya. She caressed his cheeks and kissed his lips. It was a sweet kiss. She wants to pacify her man. She wants him to know that she's there for him, that she supports him.

Lumalim ang halik. Napakapit siya sa batok nito. Inihiga siya nitong muli sa kama at buong suyo siyang hinalikan. His hands started to find its way to her bare thighs. Ang isang kamay naman nito, nasa loob ng t-shirt niya at humahaplos sa baywang niya.

"Uhmm, mine, uhmmmn... Wait..." she tried to push him away. Pero niyakap siya nito at sinabing, "If you don't want this, then stop me now habang kaya ko pa." He stared at her, as if he's pleading.

She kissed him and that served as her answer. She could see genuine happiness across his face. There were no words uttered, just the silent union of their hearts.

Dahan-dahang hinubad ni Charles and cropped shorts niya habang hinahalikan siya. She was a bit scared yet excited. Mahal niya si Charles at alam niya na aalagaan siya nito kaya buong puso niyang ipagkakaloob ang sarili niya rito.

He slid his hand inside her shirt and unhooked her bra. Hinahalik-halikan nito ang leeg at nilalaro ng daliri nito ang nipple niya. Napaungol siya.

"Uhhhmmmm.." napakapit siya rito nang hubarin nito ang t-shirt niya at dinilaan ang nipple niya. He licked and sucked her nipples alternately. Dahan-dahan din nitong kinakagat ang nipples niya kaya napasabunot siya sa buhok nito.

"Charles!" impit na sigaw niya. She can't contain the sensations that she felt. She's so aroused.

He trailed light kisses from her neck all the way down to her cleavage. Until his mouth reached her navel. He rolled down her cotton panties and continued kissing. He spread her legs and then kissed and nipped her inner thighs.

All she can do was to moan in pleasure. Hindi siya mapakali. Sinasabunutan niya ito. Napapakapit siya sa unan. Napapakagat-labi siya.

When she finally felt his heavy breathing against her womanhood, she moaned. Loudly.

He licked her there. Hindi niya inexpect na masasarapan siya sa ginagawa nito. She writhed in ecstasy. He continued licking, sucking, nipping until she felt a gush of hot liquid exit through her femininity. He sucked it all like a hungry baby. Just as she was about to climax again, he stopped and positioned himself between her thighs. Her wetness made it easy for him to maneuver.

There was a searing pain at his first plunge. Sobrang sakit kaya napakagat siya sa balikat nito. He stopped for a while to kiss her and reassure her that he'll be gentle. True enough, the pain was gradually replaced by pleasure. Again, she felt that she was about to climax and she did. A few pumps later, he also came.

"I love you so much, mine..." he said while he's still on top of her.

"I love you too," she kissed him passionately.



Present

As time went by, their relationship grew stronger. Charles did a good job in managing their family business while he continues to support Mimi in her own business ventures.

Nagtayo si Mimi ng boutique at isang wholesale/retail store. Her business is doing quite well. Yung nga lang pareho na silang busy at bihira nalang magkita. Masipag ang girlfriend niya. Hands-on ito sa negosyo. Lahat ng mga errands na pwede naman sanang ipaubaya sa mga empleyado, ginagawa pa rin nito. Hindi niya naman ito masisisi. In fact, his parents really love her because she knows how to run a business.

When he woke up late this morning, he received several text messages from her.

"Mine, I know you're still asleep. Will go to the gym then punta ako tindahan after workout. Love you." (kiss emoji)

"Wakey na po ikaw. Cashier mode ako ngayon. Haha come over?" (blush emoji)

"Haha grabe sleep oh. Lovelove mine! Mwah!" (kiss w/ heart emoji)

Ang sweet talaga ng girlfriend niya. He replied and said that he's gonna be busy at work and told her to take care. Naging busy nga siya at hindi niya namalayan na dinner time na pala. He called her up to check if she has already eaten. Hindi nito sinasagot ang mga tawag niya. Hindi naman siya nabahala kasi alam niya na tutok ito sa daily inventory nito at sa pagsasara ng tindahan.

A few minutes later, nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa mommy ni Mimi. Isinugod daw ito sa ospital. She encountered a fatal car accident. Critical daw and condition nito.

Halos wala siyang naintindihan sa mga sinabi nito. Basta ang rumehistro lang sa utak niya ay nasa ospital ang girlfriend niya. He rushed to the hospital and there, he saw her parents. Umiiyak ang mga ito habang nasa hallway. Nasa OR kasi si Mimi.

Hold on, mine. Wag kang bumitiw. Please.

Nanghihina siya. He prayed so hard that she'd be safe. Dumating ang mga kaibigan nito at niyakap siya. Hindi niya napigilang umiyak. The surgeon approached Mimi's parents. Her mom went hysterical. Based on her mom's reaction, he knew that Mimi never held on. Bumitiw pa rin ito sa kabila ng kahilingan niyang wag itong bumitiw.

He cried. He cried so hard.

Mimi left him.

Never again will he be able to hear the sweet way she calls him "mine".

Never again will he be able to kiss her, caress her, and make love with her.

Never again...

-END-

Names have been changed to preserve confidentiality so as to protect the identity of those herein.

© shobe.sheen 2014