Taming Sun in the Heir's Heart

Chapter 19

“I’m really sorry. I couldn’t hold back, babe.” He said, a little disappointed to himself while I can’t move or think anymore.

“I’ll clean you. Wait up.” He said in a worried voice.

“I’m really sorry. We will not do this again. I’m sorry.” I heard him say that before I passed out.

I passed out due to tiredness. I woke up around dawn and felt my body with his arms and legs around me and comforter wrapped around us. Pinakatitigan ko ang mukha ng kayakap ko at nakita ang mahimbing nitong pagtulog. Malalim ang paghinga at may bahagyang paghilik.

Sa ganoong pangyayari, we’re both lost from the high ecstasy of lust but he sticks to his words. Just the hands and nothing more. Knowing his reputation as ‘he f*ck and leave’ which made me realize how much he loves me. I was scared of the outcome of loving a man like him but, taking the risk is a big step to it. And it’s quite a relief that he is treating me differently.

He made me wear his shirt and new set of under wears. He cleaned me, too. Okay, that’s a pass for doing it overboard. We have no one to blame, though. We both lost it and we’re both at fault regardless of our respect towards each other.

I woke up in the morning when I felt a slight brush of finger on my cheek. Diretso ang dilat ng mga mata ko patungo sa lalaking nakatitig sa mukha ko.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He spoke. His husky voice made me realize what we did last night. An image of us doing it…

His intense stare made me feel embarrass that I slowly hid myself under the comforter. His hand on my face slowly slipped away which made me think that he was shocked with my sudden movements.

“Why are you hiding there?” He asked in a curious voice. Imbis na sagutin ang tanong niya ay mas lalo akong nagtalukbong kahit anong hugot niya sa comforter paalis sa ulo ko.

“Alis ka na, maliligo muna ako.” Ani ko sa maliit at nahihiyang boses. Mariin kong pinikit ang mata ko sa kahihiyan at sa pakiramdam na alam niya na kung bakit ayaw ko siyang tignan.

“Naligo ka naman kahapon na hindi mo ako pinaalis.”

“Iba ngayon!” medyo pagalit ko nang sagot. Imbis mainis din siya sa akin ay ang maiksing tawa niya ang narinig ko.

“What’s the difference yesterday and today, love? I don’t understand you,” He chuckled. Imbis sagutin ay nanatili ako sa ilalim ng comforter at inantay siyang umalis.

“Labas ka na lang kasi muna… I’ll call you when I’m done.”

Malapit na akong pagpawisan at maubusan ng hininga sa ilalim ng comforter. Hindi ako sanay na nagtatalukbong at dahil sa malaki niyang t-shirt ay mas dumoble ang init na nararamdaman. He’s not wearing a shirt and just his boxer shorts, I can see it under the comforter. Mas lalo tuloy nanunumbalik sa akin ang ginawa namin kagabi.

Ako ba ‘yon? Sino ‘yon? Sino ako? Sino tayo?

“Nahihiya ka ba sa nangyari?” He suddenly asked out of nowhere. Napatigil ako sa pagaayos ng comforter upang hindi makita ang katawan niya nang magtanong siya ng ganoon.

This guy… really. Ugh! Pwede namang hindi na sabihin dahil alam ko namang alam niya na, pero sinasabi pa rin talaga! Don’t mention what’s obvious. Goddamn it!

“Ah. So that’s it.” Damon chuckled and tried to pull me, “My baby is shy.”

Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa braso ko ngunit hinawi ko lamang iyon. Imbis ma-offend siya ay tumawa pa at tila tuwang-tuwa pa sa inaakto ko.

“Don’t worry tayo lang naman nakakaalam no’n.” Sabi nito, “Saka ako lang naman nakarinig ng sigaw at ungol—”

“Damon!” Sigaw ko kasabay ng pagtanggal ng comforter saka tinakpan ang bibig niya. Ramdam ko ang init na umakyat sa tainga ko at buong mukha ko.

Bumungad sa akin ang nakangising mukha ni Damon, hawak ang kamay na nakahawak sa kaniya. Tinanggal niya ito sa bibig niya at pinagsalikop ang aming mga kamay. Akala ko ay mang aasar pa ito ngunit malamyos niya akong tinitigan habang hinahalikan ang kamay ko.

“Were you hurt last night? Did I hurt you or scare you in any way while doing it?” He asked softly while brushing his lips on my knuckles.

I shook my head. He sighed as he closed his eyes and kissed the back of my palm. I bit my lower lip to bite back the urge of answering him in my own way of answering these kinds of question but, it didn’t go well according to my plan.

“Ginusto naman natin at... n-nasarapan naman a-ako.” Kahit nakaiwas ang mga mata ko sa paninitig niya ay ramdam na ramdam ko iyon.

I’m about to hide myself under the comforter again but he shook his head, thrown the comforter away from the bed, revealing our body.

“Damon!” babangon sana ako para kuhanin ang comforter na nahulog ang kalahati sa sahig nang yakapin ako nang mahigpit ni Damon at ang hita at idinantay sa aking ibabang katawan.

I grunt and groaned out of frustration and his sudden move that made my heart thump ten times faster. He chuckled and hugged me dearly.

“I should’ve controlled myself. Ako ang may experience at ako ang mas nakatatanda kaya dapat ako ang naghahandle ng ganitong mga bagay.” Aniya habang ang mukha ay nasa pagitan ng akin leeg at balikat. Kinikiliti ang aking leeg ng hangin sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito.

Patihaya akong nakahiga habang tahilid siya at nakakapit ang katawan sa akin. Para siya isang klase ng hayop na nakakapit ngayon sa puno. Too clingy for a hot CEO.

“I made the rules. I broke it. We’re both at fault and I’m not up for blaming ourselves. You even guided me and took care of me.” Sagot ko naman, “Saka na enjoy naman natin…”

Ang huling salita ko ang nagpahalakhak sa kaniya at ramdam na ramdam at rinig na rinig ko mula sa pagkakayakap nito sa katawan ko habang ang mukha ay patuloy na nasa leeg ko. Ang balikat nito ay umaalog sa pagtawa at mas lalong idinidiin ang katawan sa akin.

“Kinokonsensya ko na nga ang sarili ko para hindi ko na gawin ulit, e. Tapos ganiyan pa ang sinasabi mo,” He pinched my nose, “I respect you as much as I respect your beliefs and your family’s restrictions for you, that’s why I don’t want it to happen again while we’re in this relationship.”

I nodded. I understand where his words are coming.

“I enjoyed it; I admit. But I want us to last in a way that our relationship will not hinder us from achieving our goals in life and will take away the success we’ve been fighting for.” He shook his head, “As much as possible, let’s not kiss and do nasty stuff—”

“Huh?” I’m a bit lost at his last words.

“Let’s not talk nastily like what you always do—”

“Is that even needed?”

“Yes. Let’s not make this hard for the both of us.” He said in a serious. “We’ve done it once.”

I sighed. He got a point. I pouted my lips and nodded.

“And now that we’ve done it, there’s a big chance we will do it again.” I said and he agreed.

We are just there, watching the sunrise penetrating from the glass door of the balcony. The rock formation and the sea reflect the beautiful colors of orange and yellow. I sighed in contentment but there’s this one concern my mind has been thinking since dawn.

Nilingon ko ang lalaking katabi ko at ngayon ko lang nakita na sa tagal kong pinagmamasdan ang papalabas na araw ay iyon din ang pagtitig at panonood niya sa akin.

“What are you thinking?” tanong niya sa seryosong boses. Hinahawi niya ang hibla ng buhok ko na tumatabing sa mukha na malamang ay nagulo dahil sa pagtulog.

“Kung dadating ang panahon na gugustuhin mong makipag talik at hindi natin pwedeng gawin iyon,” I paused and he did too. Nabitin ang kamay nito sa ere matapos hawiin ang iilang hibla ng buhok sa aking mukha. Pinakatitigan niya ako at parang may hindi tamang naririnig mula sa akin.

“I don’t like where this is going.” Saad niya. Umiling lamang ako at ngumiti.

“Ayos lang sa akin na gawin mo ‘yon pero—”

“No. I’m not okay with that and I will never do that. You will do the same thing—”

“You are used to that life. You cannot just put that away from you, just like your smoking habit! Hindi naging madali ‘di ba?” galit siyang umiling sa hindi kapani-paniwalang salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko, “Naiintindihan ko pero mayroon lang akong isang hihilingin.”

Madiin itong pumikit at ibinaon ang mukha sa aking leeg habang umiiling.

“Kung dadating ang panahon na gagawin mo ‘yon… please, tell me first and don’t hide it from me. Hihiwalayan naman kita kung hindi ka na masaya sa akin—”

“Stop it.”

“I just want to be realistic.”

“I can do my self until we’re ready so stop it!”

“Of course, you can’t, babe! I swear, I will understand if it happened—”

“Stop it, Francy! You’re hurting me!” He groaned in between my neck and hugged me tightly, “You don’t trust me enough until now. That’s why you’re still thinking that way.”

“I trust you.” Pinilit kong itaas ang baba niya upang magtama ang mga mata namin, “But I can’t just ignore the possibilities.”

“Those are impossible.” Saad niya at tinakpan na ang bibig ko, “Don’t you say those words again. You’re hurting me.”

Sa gitna ng pagsasabi niya noon ay ang pagtitig niya sa akin at kitang-kita ko sa kislap ng kaniyang mga mata ang sakit na dumaan dito. Nangilid ang luha ko at hindi na nakapagsalita. Look at how we affect each other! This is alarming!

“I’m sorry,” I almost sob, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He said it back that made me shook my head and my tears fell off my eyes. He saw it and wiped it with his finger.

“Don’t say ‘too’! It feels like you are saying it back because you have too.” I pouted.

“Okay, just don’t cry. Do you understand?” I nodded my head, “I love you so much.”

Sa sobrang saya ko ay hindi ko mapigilan ang maramdaman ang kirot sa puso ko. Malakas at mabilis ang t***k nito at parang hinehele ako.

I kissed his lips deeply. “I love you more and more.”

“This is the first time you kissed me on the lips.” He stated as he kissed me back, “Okay. We should stop now.”

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya kaya hinampas ko ang braso niya. Hinuli niya ang kamay ko at iyon na lamang ang hinalikan.

“Another thing to talk about,” dagdag niya kaya napalingon ako sa mga mata niya, “I’m sorry for being too jealous.”

I smirked. “Makapagselos ka, akala mo sobrang ganda ko.”

“Hindi ba?” sagot naman niya kaya natawa na ako, “I am now comfortable with your guy friends. I can see how you guys treat each other like siblings. But with other guys… I’m not yet sure.”

“It will take you another year to be comfortable with them?” he nodded, “No. Don’t be. Even my guy friends are not comfortable when other guys tried to get close to me.”

Tinitigan niya lang ako kaya nagpatuloy ako.

“Some wants fame and connections. Free promotion kumbaga.” He rolled his eyes, “Ang iba naman ay ayon, iba ang pakay. Hindi friendship.”

“Your character and your hobbies have a lot of loop holes that’s why these guys are making their way to you.” He snorted. Bugnutin si tanda.

“Yeah. That’s why, don’t you ever put your guard down. Now that I have you, my guy friends will limit their protectiveness over me. Kaya ngayon, it’s all up to you.” I touched his chin and pinched his perfect nose.

“You have lots of admirers than my flings, babe. Magiging mahirap sa akin ito.” Bahagya ang pagnguso ng labi nito kaya natawa ako.

“Huwag kang magalala. Sa ’yong sa’yo ako.” I chuckled, “Napakita at napahawak ko na nga lahat—”

“Okay. We’re done with this conversation.” Bumangon siya at natatawa kong tinignan ang black boxer shorts nito at bakat ang nakasaludo nitong sundalo.

“Calm it down!” I laughed. Nakaupo na siya ngayon at tinatabunan iyon ng unan.

“It will calm down eventually! But it’s still morning so…” he bit his lip at masamang tumingin sa akin, “Ikaw kasi. Kung anu-ano sinasabi mo.”

I gasped and laughed my as* off. “Kanina ko pa ‘yan nararamdam, bago pa ako magsalita ng bulgar!”

“But your words add on to it!” he hissed, “Imbis humupa na kasi e.”

Ako pa ang sinisi. Tumayo na ako upang umpisahan na ang araw na ito dahil marami pa kaming activities ngayon araw. Pinabayaan at pinanood ko lang siyang magpush-up at magsit-ups sa carpeted wooden floor matapos akong magbihis at nagme-make up na ngayon.

“You do that every day?” I asked him as his sweats ran down through his body and his packs are popping up.

“Just this simple routine.” He answered in a strained hot voice that made me gulp. I remember our heated night last night. That is also the voice he used while I’m… doing him… oh, shoot!

I turn around to face my face on the mirror and saw my reddish skin. I shook my head in disbelief. Ang landi ko.

Nang matapos siya ay ang paghalik niya sa pisngi ko at pinakatitigan ako sa salamin habang nagaayos ako.

“You look so pretty.” He complimented. I smiled and kissed his nose.

“Wipe your sweat first before showering.” Pagpapaalala ko sa kaniya.

Magkasabay kaming lumabas at nauna pa kila Craig, Ralph, Louis, Andrei, Calder, at Chris na mga late daw natulog.

“Tinatawagan ka namin kagabi para maginom pa ulit kaso ‘di ka na sumasagot.” Saad ng kararating lang na si Ralph kay Damon.

“Low bat phone ko. Ngayon ko pa nai-charge.” He simply said which is true. But the reason why he didn’t have the chance to charge it last night…

“Bigla kayong nawala kagabi, e. Akala tuloy ni Jen, nagaway kayo.” Si Gelo.

I shook my head but I felt Damon’s stare. I pursed my lip not to say anything. Bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko sa sumunod na tanong.

“Saan ba kayo nagpunta after tayo dumugin kagabi? Natulog na kayo?” tanong ni sir Jim habang tinatanggal ang garlic sa garlic rice ni Trina.

“Medyo nagpalamig lang dahil napikon ako doon sa mga lalaki,” Damon lied, “Natulog na rin pagkatapos.”

Ralph nodded, “Buti nga, mga hindi naging masyadong aggressive kahit mga lasing na, e.”

“Nakaka-alarma pala ‘pag gano’n, ‘no? Kaya siguro bantay sarado niyo ‘tong dalawa.” Adi na mukha pang may hangover pero nakikipagsabayan.

“Wala naman silang choice.” Sagot ni Nica. Natawa ako.

“True. It’s either they protect us or poprotektahan nila kami.” Dagdag ko na wala namang sense pero natawa sila.

“Good mornin’” Calder greeted with his bedroom voice, dimples are showing. His angelic face is like a heaven sent to see in a morning like this. What a good morning indeed.

Unlike his devilish looking brother na mukhang istrikto kahit tulog. Sakto lang dahil complemented naman sa pagiging wild nito sa kama. Luh? Bahagya kong iniling ang ulo upang matanggal ang naiisip. Malala ka na, Francine Lucy. Tama ka na.

Nagpatuloy ang araw naming doon. Naging kumportable na rin naman ang mga tao sa paligid at hindi na nagingialam pa sa mga ginagawa naming. We played beach volleyball and all we did was to laugh at our stupidity and kayabangan.

“Yabang mo, Damon! Kapag ako talaga hindi na nahihilo, lalabanan kita!” sigaw ni Craig na kakampi ko kaya tawa ako ng tawa.

“Inom pa kasi.” Pang aasar ni Nica, “Wala pa tayong puntos!”

Ang competitive kong kaibigang babae ay lumalabas na dapat ay friendly game lang. Galit pa ito sa akin dahil imbis magseryoso ay ginagawa naming comedy ni Ralph. There are four cameras around us in different angles and we have lapel to make our voice loud and clear.

I toss the ball upwards over the net. It was too smooth that it doesn’t look like it passed the net. It was too impossible to notice and to receive the ball since the opponents are far from where I tossed the ball. Nagkatitigan kami ni Caleb nang tumama sa buhangin ang bola at hindi niya nahabol.

“Sa amin ‘yon?” Gulat na tanong niya.

“Oo.” Sagot ko, gulat din sa tanong niya.

“Fake!” sigaw ni Andrei at tumawa.

“AH! Ganyanan pala, ha! Bring it on!” saad ni Jim at nagsquat.

Manghang nakatingin sa akin si Damon. I winked my eyes at him.

“Hoy! Yellow card for both team! Bawal PDA!” anas ni Calder na nakita ata ang kalandian namin.

We just laughed it off. Damon’s friends, except him and sir Jim are used to our vlogs. Dahil ilang beses na rin naman sila nahahagip ng camera o naipapakita sa camera, ang ibang viewers ay kilala na sila. Samantalang ang dalawa ay malamang bago sa paningin ng mga ito kapag nailabas na itong vlog.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday,” we sang in unison. The last phrase of the song, we played with vibrato or any voice technique na kunwari ay mga professional singers kami. Of course, 8balls lang ang gumagawa no’n habang tumatawa lang ang mga kaibigan ni Damon.

We’re in a restaurant right now. Nasa bandang labas kami, sa mga buhangin, tanaw ang bituin sa langit at malapit sa hampas ng alon.

“Happy birthday,” I sang in a weirded voice, “To… you…”

‘’Tenen tenen tenen, I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need—aray!” Chris mushed up the way we sing the happy birthday song to all I want for Christmas is you.

“Woy! Matanggal yung utak!” saway ni Ralph.

“Mayro’n pala? s**t! ‘Di kami nainform.” Umakto kami ni Nica na umiiyak o naluluha kaya nagtawanan pa sila.

Chris closed his eyes to elaborate his birthday wishes and open it again to blow the candles. We clapped our hands and started eating.

It was a wholesome type of outing. Like an exhaust from the reality. I didn’t know, this is how it feels like to breathe freely without hesitance and hindrances. My heart is overwhelmed with joy, excitement, and love. I felt all these important things right now. Sobrang bihira o sobrang imposible dahil sa kung gaano kalupit ang mundo pero eto ako ngayon. Masaya.

“If only we can extend our vacation days to another week of vacation, gagawin ko talaga.” Bulong ko habang sumasandal at pilit sinisiksik ang sarili sa katawan ni Damon.

“We will go back, I promise.” He said, “We can just call it our escape.”

After that vacation together with them, nagkaroon na kami ng kani-kaniyang vacation kasama ang mga pamilya namin. With that, nagkaroon ang 8balls ng individual vlogging kasama ang kani-kaniyang pamilya namin.

Napag isipan din naming na kumuha ng vlog editor naming para naman hindi na kami mahirapan at hindi na kami magabala pa. Malaki na rin naman ang kinikita kaya ayos na sigurong kumuha nito.

“Where are you celebrating your new year?” Damon asked as we watch the latest filipino movie released that month.

“Hmmm… For sure, sa bahay lang. Hindi naman kami umaalis madalas kapag new year.” I answered.

We are holding hands in a dark cinema room with other people as we are whispering from each other’s ears.

We watched the movie hand in hand until it finishes and we walk out of the room.

“Typical filipino story pero… okay na.” I commented. Damon chuckled and kissed my knuckles.

Dere-deretso ang lakad naming hanggang sa makapasok sa isang restaurant.

“My turn to pay, Baby,” I said. Kakalapag ko lang ng aking sling bag at siya ay tutok sa oaghahanap ng makakain.

This became our routine. Minsan ay ako ang magrerecommend ng restaurant na kakainan base sa nakita ko sa t****k habang madalas ay si Damon ang nagp-plano ng lahat. Kain lang talaga ang ambag ko.

Kita ko ang galaw na pagtaas ng kilay niya at ang pagkunot ng noo sa akin. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na menu at inilapag iyon sa table. Buong katawan niya ang nakatapat sa akin, buong atensyon ang ibinibigay ngayon dahil sa narinig.

“I’ll be paying.” Istrikto nitong saad sa akin habang nakatitig sa aking mga mata.

Napalunok ako sa seryoso nitong titig. Hilaw akong ngumisi sa kaniya. I think I hit the jackpot.

“Ngayon lang. You paid for the lunch and movie—”

“And that’s fine with me. I’m not even complaining so stop thinking of paying for us.” He said in a serious voice, “I can provide. I’ll work my ass off just to provide for you.”

I sighed and smiled at him. This is something my dad told me about. He told me never ask a man for a 50/50 or KKB deal when dating.

“You’ll go bankrupt if you’ll provide for me.” I said, my heart melting from his words. His thumb is playing my hand right now.

“I’ll work harder so I won’t go bankrupt just to provide for you.” He stood up from his seat and put his chair beside me. Sinundan ko lamang ang kilos ng matipuno nitong pangangatawan.

“Even if I shop for clothes right now, you’ll pay for it?” I asked once he is seated. Ang kaliwang kamay nito ay nakapatong sa backrest ng tiffany chair at ang kanang kamay ay nakahawak sa kanang kamay ko sa ilalim ng mesa.

“Yes. Even your everyday food, everyday expenses. Everything.” He smiled, “But, I need something as an exchange.”

His lips are resting on the side of my eye, slightly kissing my head. I raised and I brow and smirked.

“What is the exchange you need, sugar daddy?” I teased.

Instead of feeling annoyed, he smirked with my joke. He kissed the side of my eye, my cheek, and the back of my palm.

“Your kisses, your time, your affection, and your hand… in marriage.” He said in a husky, strained voice, “I need a lifetime with you as an exchange.”

Singhap lamang ang nagawa ko at bahagyang pagtakip ng bibig. I heard him chuckle at my reaction but I know, he was serious. Nilingon ko siya at nakita ang paghahamon sa mga mata anito tila inaantay ang magiging sagot ko.

“Y-you don’t mean that.” Luluhod ako ng ilang beses sa Quiapo para lang maging seryoso siya sa mga sinabi niya.

Gulat ko siyang pinanood habang hinuhugot ang kung ano sa likod niya. Sandali akong matigilan nang mapagtantuang wallet iyon. A simple black leather wallet that I am pretty sure that it is a designer wallet. Binuksan niya ito at hinugot ang dalawang card doon. The other card is a black card which made my eyes wide in shock.

Sa mga movies ko lamang ito napapanood at sa mga libro ko lamang ito nababasa. At ngayon, inilalapag ni Damon ito sa kamay ko!

“Card down.” He said, “This card is my savings and this one is for our expenses. Keep it as a promise.”

Sandali pa akong natigilan at napatitig doon bago kumilos ang isip ko at agad siyang hinampas.

“Hindi ka mabiro! Ayaw ko na magbiro sa mayayaman, nagma-money down agad!” I exclaimed which made him laugh, “I don’t need this! I can pay for my self and I can provide for myself, I don’t need your money!”

“I know. But you can just save your income then we will use for our future kids.” He said dreamily, as if he already planned it all out.

“No! Once I graduated and started my apprenticeship, I’ll provide for myself and be responsible.” Nakasimangot na ako at masama na ang titig sa kaniya.

Alam ko ang mapanghusgang mata ng pinsan niyang intrimitida na iyon. Sa mga pinagsasabi niya palang noon at sa kung paano nito ako tignan, alam ko na! ang Kathleen na iyon ay malamang iniisip na gold digger ako at nagaabang lang sa blessings ng pinsan niya mula sa kumpanya ng ninuno nila. Wala akong pake doon!

Magaan ang paraan ng pagtitig sa akin ni Damon tila tinatantiya ang ikinikilos ko at binabasa kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip ko.

“Should I stop working once you earn on your own? Ikaw na lang ang magprovide sa akin, hmmm?” Malambing nitong bulong.

My mouth shot open. What’s with the sudden change…? Papayag siya sa ganoong set up? Isn't that a big humiliation for men like him?

“I want to spoil you with the money I worked hard to earn. I promised myself to properly provide a good life to my life partner,” He licked his lip, “But if my life partner doesn’t want that, maybe… maybe she can provide for me to work our life time together?”

Hindi pa rin ako nakakabawi sa rahan at lambot ng paraan ng pagkakasabi niya noon.

“I don’t care if I don’t look manly now, as long as I will spend a lifetime with you as my partner in life. Are you fine with that now, baby? Kaya mo naman akong buhayin ‘di ba?” Marahan niyang tanong habang hinahalik-halikan ang pisngi ko.

“W-we can just…” pinagisipan ko pa ang sasabihin ko dahil nahihipnotismo na ako sa mga halik niya, “Share for the expenses. We will save and spend money together.”

“Hmmm…” he answered with a humm, a little bit convinced with my words, “You want a lifetime with me, my queen?”

Ramdam ko ang ngisi sa kaniyang mga labing nakalapat sa aking pisngi kaya napalingon ako sa kaniya. “Yes. Ayos lang ba sa’yo?”

“Of course.” Tila wala itong pake kung may mga nakatingin sa amin ay siniil ako nito ng halik sa labi, “With four offsprings?”

Kakaonti lamang ang customers at ang mga waitress at waiter ay hindi naman lumilingon sag awing tago kung nasaan kami hanggang sa tawagin naming sila.

“Four? Ang dami!”

“Three or four? Let’s recreate you and your siblings or me and my siblings.” He said in a dreamland.

“That will be hard. Mahirap mabuntis, matagal magbuntis, masakit manganak, at hindi Madali magalaga, Damon.” Malumanay kong saad, may kaonting takot sa tono.

Naramdaman ko ang paninigas ng katawan niya kaya naman nalaman kong parang nagisip ito bago isinubsob ang mukha sa balikat ko.

“Isa na lang pala,” He gasped, “Huwag na lang pala! We can just stay together just the two of us, ‘wag ka lang mahirapan.”

Hindi ko na mapigilang matawa, “That’s part of building a family! Isa pa, kailangan mo ng successor.”

“Bahala na si Calder doon, basta ‘wag kang masaktan.” Ibinalik ang pagkasubsob ng mukha nito sa leeg ko.

“We can have at least two? Or three?” Naisip ako, “Ayaw kong magisa lang ang magiging anak natin.”

“He, she needs playmate. But, your call, baby. It’s your body we’re talking about.” He said, slightly caressing my tummy.

“Yeah, I want he or she to have a playmate.” Tumango-tango ako.

“But for the meantime,” napalingon ako kay Damon, “I’ll pay for our dates until you get your professional ID as an Architect.”

Ibubukas ko pa sana ang bibig ko para umapila ngunit tumawag na ito ng waiter at hindi na ako hinayaang mangialam pa. Maliit na kuntentong ngiti na lamang ang naigawad ko sa mahal kong nobyo.

I chose the right man, Pa.