For Keeps

Six

Gabriel

US



Gab noticed that Kitkat tried to steady her shaking hand as she inserted the key to her apartment door. He was not sure if she was feeling cold or tensed, but either way, he had the urge to touch her, so he gratified himself. He reached for her hand and gently rubbed them together.

"What are you doing?" Kitkat and Dominique were both taken aback.

"Your hands were shaking... I thought that maybe you're feeling cold." He replied poker-faced, trying to cover up his silliness.

Namula si Kitkat at umiling. "I'm... I'm fine." She said. "Thanks." Kitkat slowly pulled her hand and continued to calmly insert the key to open the door.

He did not want to assume, but he thought that she blushed, which he found cute. Pasikreto siyang napangiti. Nahihiya siyang malaman ng dalawang babaeng kasama ang kaniyang nararamdaman na saya. Hindi niya mapaliwanag kung bakit masaya siyang makita si Kitkat.

Tahimik niyang nilagay ang mga sariling kamay sa loob ng kaniyang jacket at napansin na tila nahagip ng mata ni Dominique ang kaniyang reaksyon.

He quietly mouthed a question to his cousin."What?" He acted innocent.

Inirapan siya ni Dominique at umiling. Siya naman ay tinuon na lang ang pansin kay Kitkat.

As he did, he was not able to help but realize more than seeing Kitkat under the dim light did not justify how beautiful she really was. Her skin was dewy as if it was sun-kissed and her face was small like that of makeup models. He couldn't help but allow his eyes to travel downwards to her neck and cleavage exposed from bending down.

Naisip niya na buong araw din siguro nakikita ng mga lalaking katrabaho at ng mga costumer ang cleavage nito. He clenched his jaw and looked the other way. He reminded himself that it was Kitkat's choice. He has no right to express his disdain about exposing her cleavage to any man, except him. But he was not sure if she would still allow him too just like last time.

Kapag nakita na ba once, hindi na ba puwede makita ulit kung hindi naman mag-asawa?

He sighed. Sumandal siya sa dingding, malapit kay Kitkat habang pinapanood ito mag-struggle sa pagbukas ng pinto. Kitkat tried to put her hair on one side. Bahagya siyang napatulala nang maalala ang gabing pinagsamahan nila. That gesture made him recall his memory of Kitkat doing the same thing as she was trailing kisses on his pecs down to his abs, and he laughed because he got tickled by the tip of her hair. He also recalled another glimpse, this time, it was him trying to please her. She held on to his arms, arched her back, and started to lift herself to meet his thrusts.... and then he closed his eyes, lost control, reached his peak... and exploded inside her.

Tahimik siyang napamura at hindi napakali. He gulped and counted the days after that night. It finally dawned on to him what Dominique had been drilling in his brain.

He looked at Kitkat pensively. He was still in denial that she was pregnant.

If it were true that I did make her pregnant, soon her stomach would become like a balloon. And then a human head would come out of her vagina...and they'll all look like minions and eat me alive. And Kitkat would chase me like a zombie mama.

Napahilamos siya ng mukha at pinagpawisan ng malamig.

Kulang ka lang sa tulog. Plus, the fact you're afraid of the unknown future. Relax. This will be all over after you and Kitkat come to an agreement about the baby. He comforted himself.

Napatingin siya pataas at huminga ng malalim. He wanted to shift his thoughts to something less pressuring. His thoughts shifted to Kitkat's success to open the door. He immediately went in even without Kitkat inviting him inside her home yet. He quickly surveyed the place for windows where paparazzi might take a shot of him.

"Relax, cousin." Wika ni Dominique, at tinungo ang ref. "Nandito pa ba yung Cocci ko? Hindi pa expired?" He remembered it was just a few days ago when Dominique arrived from the US to visit Kitkat, and a few days after, she was back to the US to accompany him to talk to Kitkat. He wondered where Dominique was getting her energy, and reminded himself to ask her because he needs that with his kind of job. He also reminded himself to give her a thank you gift when this is all over and done with.

And what of Kitkat? Your baby mama? He reminded himself, too. Napatigil siya ng pagsara ng mga kurtina. He automatically looked around and searched for Kitkat. He found her sitting quietly on the white and gold couch. It was an elegant couch. An excellent choice by Kitkat, he thought. He also realized that he and Dominique were doing whatever they wanted inside Kitkat's apartment, which he found rude of them.

He called Dominique and discreetly pointed at Kitkat. Bakas kasi sa mukha ni Kitkat ang paga-alala habang nakatingin sa mobile phone nito.

"Ok ka lang ba? Wala bang masakit sa'yo?" tanong ni Dominique at tumabi dito.

Umiling si Kitkat habang nakatitig sa mobile phone. Sinilip ni Dominique kung ano ang nasa mobile phone nito.

"Viral kaagad ang video mo, Gab!" Naiinis na sabi sa kaniya ni Dominique. "My gosh! You're famous, cousin! Few minutes ago pa lang nangyayari but you already have two hundred thousand views!"

"Kita ba kung sino ang mga kasama ko?" he worriedly asked. He was not worried about himself, but he was worried for Kitkat and Dominique. Nag-aalala siya na baka ma-stalk, ma-troll at ma-bash ang mga ito ng mga fans na possessive sa kaniya.

"You and Kitkat were lying on the street." Sagot ni Dominique. "Kitkat is on top of you, while you were embracing her protectively. Awww! So cute!" Kinilig ang pinsan niya.

Maya-maya ay nagsitunugan na ang kanilang mga phone. Kitkat's mom was calling her. Dominique's dad was calling her. His mom and Lez were both trying to call him.

Matapos niyang makausap ang kaniyang Mom at i-assure ito na ayos lang siya ay nagpaalam siya kaagad upang sagutin ang tawag ni Lez. Tinatanong nito bakit nagpunta siya ng Amerika ng walang paalam.

"Lez, I'm in trouble. I'm here to talk to my cousin's best friend...I think I got her pregnant..." paliwanag niya, nang maalala na naririnig iyon ni Kitkat. Bahagya siyang lumingon upang tingnan kung tama ang hinala niya, at mukhang narinig nga ito ni Kitkat.

Nakatingin sa kaniya si Kitkat mula sa sofa. Tumayo ito at tumungo sa isang kuwarto. Sumunod naman si Dominique.

Sinermonan siya ni Lez tungkol sa hindi pagpapaalam na mawawala siya ng ilang araw. Dahil kasi sa ginawa niya ay made-delay ang taping. Ngunit matapos siyang sermunan nito ay huminahon na ito at sinabing ayusin niya ang personal affair niya at aasikasuhin ni Lez ang problema sa schedule.

"I will keep this as a secret for the meantime, but as soon as you come back, mag usap tayo kung ano, hanggang saan, at paano ang move na gagawin natin tungkol dito... before you talk to the Management, especially that it states in your contract na bawal may ka-relasyon, mag-asawa, o maka-buntis."

"Okay, Lez. Thank you so much." Aniya.

It didn't occur to him that he would have a problem with his contract at first. Ngayon ay mas lalo niyang nararamdaman ang bigat ng kaniyang sitwasyon... para sa kaniyang karera o trabaho, sa mga fans, sa management, sa kaniyang pamilya at kay Kitkat.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago kumatok sa kuwarto kung nasaan umiiyak si Kitkat. Walang sumagot kaya sinabi niya mula sa pinto na bubuksan niya ito at papasok sa loob. Pagpasok niya sa loob ay nakita niya na nasa kama ang dalawang babae. Nakahiga si Kitkat at umiiyak. Si Dominique naman ay hinihimas ang likod nito.

Napansin niyaang pambabaeng kuwarto nito na shabby chic ang tema. Marahil mahilig si Kitkat sa mga vintage. Naalala na din niya kung sino ang kahawig ni Kitkat. Di nalalayo ang mukha, tindig, at katawan nito kay Marilyn Monroe. Yun nga lang, itim ang buhok ni Kitkat, mahaba at straight. Naisip din niya na kung magkakaanak pala sila ng babae ay gusto niyang makuha ang features ng mukha nito.

"My manager said he'll take care of fixing my schedule..." umpisa niya at naupo sa isang eleganteng princess chair to break the silence because it was just too quiet, plus the fact that he was buying some time to think how he could amend what Kitkat heard him say earlier to Lez that he had a 'problem'.

Pero totoo naman na may problema. He sighed. Hindi nga lamang niya tinutukoy na si Kitkat ang problema kungdi ang epekto ng careless niyang ginawa. Minsan lang niya ginawa pero napakalaki ng epekto sa kaniyang career at sa future nila ni Kitkat.

Napasandal siya sa upuan. Marahil nakaramdam si Dominique na ito na ang tamang pagkakataon upang makapag usap silang dalawa ng masinsinan, kaya nagpaalam ito sa kanilang dalawa at sinara ang pinto ng kuwarto, kahit pa hindi tumugon si Kitkat.

He heaved a sigh when Kitkat still didn't move. She was just embracing her big pillow and hiding her face while she sobbed. Though he was reluctant, he stood up and walked closer to the bed. He took a few steps and sat a bit closer to her.

"Kitkat... can we talk?" mahinahon niyang tanong, halos naga-alinlangan.

He heard her sigh and slowly stood up. He saw her face and it was all red from crying. Gayunpaman, nakaramdam siya ng saya na muling makita si Kitkat. He thought he must be developing a crush on her-- which he also thought was somewhat not in order. Nauna ang intimacy bago ang feelings.

Well, sa kaso nila... si Kitkat ay fan niya. So, it was safe to say that she had feelings of admiration for him. But that would be completely assuming of him. And he hated arrogant people, so he never wanted to be one.

He quickly processed it in his mind that he was not arrogant because he was not even sure if she was still interested in him, especially now that he might have had potentially ruined her future because of this situation.

One thing he was sure of was that he knew that he would try to lessen the impact and try to save her or protect her from this situation. Or whichever would be her choice. Her decision would always be his consideration in trudging through this situation. He wasn't sure how, but all he could think of at the moment was to begin again.

"Hi... hi!" Aniya, and led his hand to him. "I'm... I'm Gab."

Saglit na nalito si Kitkat sa ginawa niya. She was too distressed to process what was happening and gave her hand for him to shake.

"What are you doing?" nalito si Kitkat. " I know you... you're GP of Infin8."

"I know... but I hope to introduce myself properly to you... kase we weren't able to back then..." napakamot siya sa sintido, at namula. "You know... yung last time?" He shyly referred to the night that they shared together.

Napakagat labi si Kitkat at namula. She quickly understood what he meant.

"I'm sorry... I know it was me who initiated first... I thought... I thought I was dreaming--- basta, I'm sorry." Hiyang hiya ito at hindi makatingin sa kaniya. "I don't want you to be obligated or feel responsible..."

"Kitkat... we did it together." Hindi niya alam kung saan nanggagaling ang kaniyang lakas ng loob na sabihin iyon. Pero tila napupunit kasi ang puso niya sa ginagawa ni Kitkat. Nagpapaka-martyr ito gaya ng sinabi ni Dominique sa kaniya. "And we're going to face it together..."

***

Kiara

"Relax." Pabulong na sambit ni Kitkat sa sarili at pumikit. She was feeling dizzy as she tried to absorb what Gab said. "We are going to face this together?" nasambit niya na hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Gab. She was worried about her condition, but she was more worried about Gab and his career. She wanted to protest, but as soon as she intended to speak, Gab has already said his piece first and with much persuasion.

"Come home with me. You'll stay with me in my apartment for the meantime, and figure things out from there." Dagdag ni Gab sa kaniya habang pilit niyang ikinubli ang pagpi-piyesta ng kaniyang mga mata sa mukha ng binata na gahibla na lang ang lapit sa kaniya. It seemed like he was seducing her as he was trying to convince her to say yes.

Nasamyo din niya ang pabango nito dahil sa malapit nilang proximity. She remembered his familiar scent that night they shared.

It was weird though that his perfume was starting to make her nauseated when it was the opposite of how she felt about breathing in his perfume back then.

Nanlaki din ang kaniyang mga mata nang kaniyang maalala kung paano niya inamoy-amoy ang binata noon na para bang tigre siyang laway na laway sa prey nito.

Gusto na niyang itulak papalayo si Gab at magtakip ng mukha sa kahihiyan.

Kitkat was confused with her mixed feelings of embarrassment as she remembered that night with her idol, and the nauseating feeling she was having as she caught a whiff of his perfume.

She tried to close her eyes as if it will erase the blush on her face and hide that fangirl feeling inside, while preventing herself from throwing up in front of him. All she knew was that it would both be embarrassing.

"Are you okay?" may paga-alalang tanong ni Gab sa kaniya at inilapit pa siya sa dibdib nito.

Kitkat could not stand it any longer. She pushed Gab away and ran to the bathroom sink. She threw up as her eyes watered in the process. Gab immediately went to her, and Dominique came rushing in.

She stepped away from Gab. Lalo kasi nakulob ang amoy ng pabango nito sa bathroom. She pinched her nose so she could not inhale the scent of his perfume.

"I am sorry, pero hindi ko kaya yung amoy ng pabango mo!" She was apologetic, but she was also complaining.

Nataranta si Gab at bahagyang lumayo sa kanila.

"I can still smell it from here! Ano bang nangyayari sa akin?" She stressed out. She made a peace sign at them and started to throw up again.

"Dadalhin ka na ba namin sa doctor?" Natatarantang tanong ni Dominique.

"She's vomitting so hard! Baka maisuka niya pati baby namin!" Alalang sambit ni Gab at lumapit pa rin sa kaniya.

Hinampas ito ni Dominique sa braso. "Gabriel! Magpalit ka kaya ng damit at itapon mo na yang suot mo? Yan ang nagpapasuka sa kaniya!" Naiinis na sabi ni Dominique dito.

"What?" Gab exasperatedly said. "This is Gucci, Dom!" Nabulalas nito habang nakatingin sa suot na mamahaling damit, ngunit sumunod naman ang binata.

Nagmamaktol na naglakad palabas ng bathroom si Gab. Ilang saglit lamang ay bumalik na ito

at inalalayan pa siya sa braso. Natigil ang nararamdaman niyang pagduwal at naghilamos ng mukha.

Nang hinarap na niya ang dalawa ay nagulat siya sa hitsura ni Gab. Napaawang ang bibig niya at napahagod ang kaniyang tingin mula sa mukha nito pababa at mabilis na ibinaling ang tingin kay Dominique para makakuha ng composure.

"Bakit wala kang suot na shirt?" She tried to compose herself as she asked him without looking down at his very visible abs.

Gab's upper body was sculpted which only confirmed that all these months that he was in hiatus from touring with Infin8, he has continued his martial arts training. She only had a glimpse of it in Google GIF images, after their one-night stand and she thought that she wouldn't be shocked just like how she was awkwardly reacting now.

"Please save yourself from drooling over this exhibitionist, Kiara," Dominique warned her. Bumaling ito kay Gab at umirap.

"Exhibitionist?" Inis na sabat ni Gab na bahagya niyang ikinagulat. He inched closer to her which surprised her. "Who wants to take off his clothes in this cold weather?" He crossed his arms.

Naiinis din pala ang isang idol. Kitkat said to herself.

It was the first time that Kitkat saw this side of Gab. Kung sa bagay, idols try their best to put their best foot forward because they are considered an entertainment brand and need to win over their sponsors, investors, fans of different demographics, and others.

What Kitkat just noticed though was that it seemed that this side of Gab added to his charm.

"You told me to get rid of my shirt and jacket because Kitkat couldn't stand my perfume." Gab reasoned out as he covered his chest with his arms as if he was embarrassed.

Napatawa siya sa reaksyon ni Gab, at napabaling ito sa kaniya.

"At saka, love, diba nakita mo naman na ako na ganito? So, I'm not being a perv here, right?" tila nanghihingi si Gab ng validation mula sa kaniya.

Napatulala siya at di kaagad nakasagot kay Gab.

Ang totoo'y kinikilig siya at pinagpapawisan sa tawag ni Gab sa kaniya.

It was her secret term of endearment to Gab or GP. But thinking about it, she remembered that one single night that she had with Gab pr GP when she kept calling him love. She gulped and looked away. Hiyang hiya na siya sa mga inakto niya sa harap ni Gab nung gabing iyon.

"Gab, where did you put your clothes?" Angil ni Dominique kay Gab na di hamak ang tangkad kesa sa best friend niya, at tinotolerate naman ito ni Gab. Tila nangingiti pa nga ito sa bangayan nilang mag-pinsan.

"In the hallway outside Kat's apartment. Happy?" Poker face na sagot ni Gab dito.

"Ano ka ba?" Dom stomped her feet in frustration. "Baka manakaw yung damit mo! At baka may nakakita pa sa'yo na nagbo-bold star ka dyan!" Inis na lumakad palabas ng kuwarto si Dominique. "Pasalamat ka I am here to protect you and shield you!"

"Oo na!" Pabalang na sagot ni Gab, ngunit mababatid sa mga mata nito na tila nakikipag-asaran ito sa pinsan.

Narinig niyang sumagot si Dominique na nasa labas lamang ng kaniyang kuwarto.

"Talaga! Mahal ang rate ko as your personal assistant!"

Napakamot ng ulo si Gab. "Malamang LV hihingin non sa akin!" Simangot nito, bago bumaling sa kaniya.

"You don't happen to have a shirt that can fit me, do you?" he asked her with puppy eyes. Tila naglalambing ito sa kaniya.

She felt her cheeks flush and realized what an awkward turtle she was when it came to Gab.

Agad siyang tumalikod kay Gab at napahawak sa kaniyang kumakabog na dibdib. She wanted to prevent committing actions that would embarass herself in front of GP, more than she could handle.

Quotang-quota ka na, Kitkat! She warned herself.

Huminga muna siya ng malalim habang nakatalikod kay Gab. Iniwasan niya ito ng tingin dahil sa tuwing nagkakatinginan sila ay pakiramdam niya na namumula siya na parang kamatis.

Tahimik siyang lumabas ng bathroom bago nakatugon sa tanong ng binata.

"I think I have a big shirt here." She tried to compose herself as she opened the big closet doors and intentionally hid by closing them, as she looked for a big shirt. It somehow made her feel that secure.

Binuksan naman ni Gab ang closet doors at pumasok din sa loob. Nakitingin ito ng mga damit niya doon.

" Ako na ang maghahanap." Pigil niya kay Gab dahil nahihiya siyang makita pa nito ang mga koleksyon niya ng mga GP t-shirts and merchandise, lalo na ang life-size pillow niya ni GP.

Tumigil si Gab sa pagsa -scan ng kaniyang mga damit, ngunit pinatigil din siya nito.

Bahagya siyang hinila ni Gab at hinalikan siya sa labi.

She felt that time stopped or was it her breathing?

It was just a light peck that he planted on her lips, but it made her feel woozy that she had to hold on to his bare chest for balance.

Agad niyang tinanggal ang kaniyang kamay sa pagkakalapat dito, kahit pa yakap pa din siya ng binata.

She was shocked as he cupped her face to make her look at him.

He stared into her eyes. "I missed you and I am sorry I wasn't with you when you were having these pregnancy symptoms alone."