CONdomFESSION

Men, in their deepest desire for pleasure, had the smartest idea, created a super object, and called it "condom."

I have a confession to make, a story to tell, and a rumor to spread. So bear with me.

Here's my confession:
I've been keeping a condom inside my purse for three years and six months now. That is because men tend to forget what condom is for. Just in case, you know.

Here's a story and I call it "The Tale of the Used Condom."

My friend Andrea texted me. It was a surprise because it wasn't the usual quotation or forwarded message I am used to receiving. It was a short, straightforward question.

IS IT NORMAL FOR PEOPLE IN A RELATIONSHIP TO HAVE SEX?

I told her it is normal for people IN A RELATIONSHIP to have sex. You have love, you have lust, and you have a man, what more can you ask for? Abnormal are couples who let the whole world know they're doing it. It's like seeing a lovey-dovey couple holding hands, wearing similar white tees with the words "I'm ready to hit cloud 9, baby" printed in red bold letters.

And we are in the Philippines, not in the big apple, or in Vegas where casual sex and one-night-stand is comparable to hitting a bar after a five-course meal. We are moving in a society full of judgmental eyes ready to spear us with their lashes at every wrong move. In a place like the Philippines, we don't have the guts to talk about sex openly. The word "fuck buddy" is replaced by euphemisms such as "boy friend" or "girl friend." Here, in our society, it is a little below average to have sex, ESPECIALLY when it's just after TWO WEEKS of plunging into the so-called relationship.

Andrea told me her brother asked her to eat lunch together, and while her brother orders food, Andrea opened his bag to borrow his mobile phone. She unzipped the bag and was surprised to see a used condom instead of a cell phone. Andrea wasn't able to look at her brother's eyes the whole lunch.

So where do we draw the line? When do we say that sex is normal? And when did used condoms become the latest collection?

On the other part of the university, there is this couple I know, and who everyone labeled as the most active couple. By active, I mean seeing Lyn in her guy's varsity shirt plus messy hair in a 7am class. It also means seeing her in the shortest short we can imagine, and we can't help but think it's for easy access. Rumor has it that Miggi doesn't know the whole condom concept which validates seeing them coming out of the hospital frequently. I am not being judgmental here. All these are Lyn's words.

Well, I really don't know. Condom is supposed to make our lives easier. It was created by genius minds to help get all the pleasure we wanted. We have spotted, scented, and flavored condoms to perfectly suit our libidos. But what? A used condom found in a bag meant a brother and sister drifting apart. A guy who does not us condoms means a girl's panic attack when her period delays. As for me, I have another confession. I said earlier that I've been keeping a condom in my purse for three years and six months now. Truth is, it's the same condom I bought three years and six months ago.

I have the condom, but I don't have the guy. It's been three years and six months of drought, and I can't believe I'm still alive.