For Keeps

Nine

Gabriel

Napapikit si Kitkat at napahawak kay Gab habang kinukuhaan siya ng dugo ng nurse. Kahit pa ito ay nakasuot ng mala-goggles na salamin at sumbrero para ikubli nito ang mukha sa takot na makilala ito ng nurse, hindi ito nagpasubaling lapitan siya at aluin bilang suporta sa kaniya. Pag kaalis pa lang ng nurse sa kuwarto ay tumabi kaagad si Gab sa kaniya sa kama.

"Sorry, love." Marahan siyang inakbayan nito. "Hindi ko alam na ganito pala yung ine-endure ng mga girls kapag pregnant na sila..."

Nahihiya siyang kumalas sa pagkaka-akbay ni Gab sa kaniya at napabuntong hininga na lamang. Wala naman kasi siyang choice. Hindi man siya handa sa ganitong sitwasyon, kailangan niyang harapan ito. Mabuti na lang, kahit ngayon gabi lamang nito makakasama si Gab ay na-comfort siya nito sa kaniyang pinagdadaanan. She would treasure this for the rest of her life-- si GP na dati ay pinapangarap lang niya... napapaginipan with all those XXX, SPG, and steamy scenes in her dreams... ngayon ay kasama niya... sa wholesome na pagkakataon.

If he only knew... Hihihi! She thought.

Tumayo si Gab sa tabi niya at hinawakan siya sa kamay. "Love, if the doctor says you're safe to come home, we will stay in the Malibu rest house for the night," Gab told her and it seemed it was finalized.

Napa-awang ang bibig niya. Naiisip niyang hindi praktikal na pumunta pa sila sa rest house nila Gab ngayon gabi. Mapapagod lang silang dalawa.

Unless he wants to spend the night with me? Oh my, SPG ba ito? Ahihihi!

Shut up ka nga ghorl! Malay mo hindi lang siya komportable sa lugar mo. Siguro iniisip niya may mga bugs doon unlike sa sosyaling rest house ng family nila.

Pero bakit kasi kasama pa ako?

Ghorl, hindi kaya gusto ka niya makasama?

Ops, wag asumera, love!

Napakagat labi siya upang pigilan ang kilig niya.

"Diba flight mo bukas? Ano naman ang gagawin natin sa rest house niyo?" Pinilit niyang huwag mapangiti.

"Yeah, but please give me this time to spend time with you?" Napahawak ito sa batok at tila nahihiya sa sinabi nito.

"Hindi ba parang ang gastos non... nag-helicopter pa tayo... eh puwede naman sa condo ko..." nahihiya niyang sabi.

"There are 2 things that can happen if we stay longer there. One, the reporters and fans could be there anytime soon. I'm sure they would find a way to come up and see us together. Two, it was not a conducive place to have a date. "

"A date?" Gulat niyang sambit.

"Yeah, date. A proper one." Namumulang sagot ni Gab.

"Gab... hindi ko alam kung kikiligin ako sa'yo o maiinis ako kasi ina-assume mo na papayag ako makipag-date sa'yo..." aniya.

"Bakit? Hindi ka ba papayag?" may pagaalalang tanong ni Gab.

"Papayag..." nahihiya niyang sagot.

Napangiti si Gab at tumabi sa kaniya. Tila hahalikan siya nito. Agad naman siyang pumikit habang inaasahan ang pagdampi ng labi ni Gab sa kaniya, ngunit biglang bumukas ang pinto.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but he insisted to come here and said he was your brother." Ani ng nurse.

Agad na pumasok ang isang lalaki na nagpa-singhap sa kaniya.

"Hello, baby brother." Bati nito kay Gab, bago bumaling sa kaniya at ngumiti. "Hello!"

"Aist! Si Kuya naman! Baby brother talaga?" naiinis na sambit ni Gab.

Siya naman ay hindi napigilan na pagmasdan mula ulo hanggang paa ang bagong dating na bisita, at napalunok.

Tulo laway ko don ah... Shet! Ang guwapo! Naisip niya bago magiliw na tumugon.

"Hi!" Hindi niya napigilan kumaway. Bahagya siyang tumalikod dito at humarap kay Gab. "Sino siya Gab?" Baling niya sa kasalukuyang napapahigpit ang hawak sa balikat niya na si Gab. "Ang guwapo...." ngiting ngiti pa siya.

Inirapan siya ni Gab at bumaling sa tinutukoy niyang lalaki.

"Kuya Drew..." bahagya siyang hinila nito upang akabayan. "How did you know where to find me?"

"Uncle Matteo said you asked to be picked up by his helicopter, but he was not able to find out why you asked to be brought to the hospital. And you were not answering your phone. So, I had to come here to look for you." Sagot nito at saglit na bumaling sa kaniya, bago muling tumingin kay Gab. "Is everything okay?" Tila naghihintay ito ng sagot.

Saglit na bumuntong hininga si Gab. "Kuya Drew, let me introduce to you Kitkat Romualdez. Kitkat, my Kuya Drew." Malamlam na sabi nito.

"Hello, Kitkat. It's a pleasure to meet you." Ngiti ni Drew at inilahad ang kamay nito sa kaniya.

Aabutin sana niya ang kamay ni Drew ngunit pinipigilan siya sa balikat ni Gab. Tinanggal niya ang kamay ni Gab habang hindi niya napigilan titigan at ngitian ng pagkatamis tamis ang kuya ni Gab. "Hello!"

"Wag mo mashado pagkatitigan. Baka mapaglihihan mo..." inis na sambit ni Gab at tinakpan ang mata niya.

"Ano ba?" Naiinis niyang inalis ang kamay ni Gab sa mata niya at muling pinagmasdan si Andrew.

Napangiti si Andrew sa kaniya. "Congratulations!" Bati nito sa kaniya.

"Thanks, Kuya." Sabat naman ni Gab, na ikinalaki ng mata ni Andrew at napabaling sa kapatid nito.

Saglit natigilan si Andrew, bago muling nagsalita. Siya naman ay hiyang hiya at naiinis kay Gab dahil ipinaalam kaagad nito ang sitwasyon nilang dalawa sa kapatid nitong si Andrew.

"Gab?" nasambit nito at napatingin ito sa kaniya, bago muling bumaling sa kapatid nitong si Gab. "Can we talk outside?"

Sumunod naman si Gab sa kuya nito at lumabas ang dalawang nagguguwapuhang lalaki sa kaniyang kuwarto.

Pinilit niyang huwag kabahan sa maaring mangyari dahil sa ginawa ni Gab. Ibinaling na lang niya ang sarili sa balita sa tv na naka-mute.

Nakita niya sa balita ang larawan ng kaniyang condominium building, at ang larawan nila ni Gab na nasa kalsada habang nakapatong siya sa binata at yapos siya nito. Sumunod naman ang mga larawan ng mga reporters at fans na tila magka-camping sa labas ng condominium building niya. Sumunod naman na larawan ay ang mukha ni Vinci of Infin8 na nakitang nagche-check in sa Ritz Hotel.

"Ritz Hotel..." nasambit niya at naalalang doon din naka-check in si Dominique. Agad niyang hinanap ang kaniyang mobile phone upang tawagan si Dominique. Naalala niyang inalapag nga pala niya ang kaniyang mobile phone sa sofa kanina. Hihiramin na lang sana niya ang mobile phone ni Gab upang ipaalam kay Dominique na naroon si Vinci sa Ritz Hotel. Tiyak niya kasi na importante kay Dominique ang impormasyon na iyon.

Agad siyang tumayo at sumilip sa labas ng kaniyang kuwarto. Nakita niya na nasa may bandang dulo ang magkapatid at nakaharap sa may bintana ng building malapit sa fire exit. Dahan dahan siyang lumakad upang hindi mabigla ang kaniyang puson.

"What were you thinking, Gab?" tila sinesermonan ni Andrew si Gab. "A one-night stand? What do you plan to do about it?"

"I plan to marry her in secret for now." Pag-amin ni Gab.

"Marry her?" agad na tanong ni Andrew. "Gusto ba niya ikaw pakasalan?"

"Hindi ko alam pero kaya nga I'm doing the right thing. Nililigawan ko siya para pumayag siya na pa-sikreto muna kaming magpakasal..."

"Right thing? Magulo yung gusto mong pasukin Gab. Hindi niyo pa nga kilala ang isa't isa. Paano kung hindi pala kayo magkasundo? Kawawa naman ang magiging baby niyo. Yung pamangkin ko."

"Kuya, it happened to Dad and Mom and they worked out fine naman diba?"

"Mom knew the moment she saw Dad, si Dad na talaga ang gusto niya. Dad knew the moment he saw Mom, si Mom na talaga ang gusto niya masakama habang buhay. Eh ikaw at si Kitkat? Ganun din ba ang nararamdaman niyo sa isa't isa?"

"I don't know... it seems Kitkat likes me as GP." Malungkot na pag-amin ni Gab sa kapatid nito. "But I don't know if she will like me for me."

"Exactly, Gab." Buntong hininga ni Andrew. "You know what I think would let you know each other better before you even jump in the marriage wagon is to spend time together."

"Kitkat doesn't want to come home with me to the Philippines, and I've got a project that I've got to finish kaya nahihirapan ako, Kuya. Ngayon pa lang, Kitkat is giving me a hard time already by insisting on what she wants without considering what I am offering her. But, of course, I will respect what she wants. Pagkatapos ko ng project na'to, I will come back here, and stay with her until she gives birth. I'll see it from there kung paano na gagawin ko... kung magkakasundo pa din ba kami or what. Basta. " Buntong hininga nito. "Basta Kuya... pabayaan mo muna ako at si Kitkat na i-deal itong situation na'to on our own. Please don't tell Mom and Dad muna. "

Napakagat labi siya sa narinig. Maingat siyang bumalik sa kaniyang kuwarto at napa-isip sa sinabi ni Gab. Napadalawang isip siya kung susunod ba siya sa gusto mangyari ni Gab o sa kung ano yung tingin niya na magpoprotekta kay Gab at sa sarli niya. Hindi niya kaagad na-realize na si Gab ay gentleman at may sense of honor and responsibility. Gustuhin man nitong gawin ang sa tingin nitong tama ay pinagbibigyan siya nito. All the while, she thought she was the one that was making the sacrifice. Hindi niya naisip na ang plano pala ni Gab ay tapusin ang project at mag-stay dito sa US kasama siya.

Naputol ang pagiisip niya nang pumasok na si Gab sa kuwarto kasama ang kuya nito.

"Kitkat," umpisa ni Andrew. "I hope you don't mind that I'll accompany you and Gab muna here sa hospital until we get the result of your tests. If the doctor says it's safe for you to travel, I'll drive you and Gab to the rest house." Anito at ngumiti sa kaniya.

Hindi na siya nakapagsalita dahil hanggan ngayon ay natutulala pa din siya at namamangha sa kaguwapuhan ng kapatid ni Gab. "Thank you." Nahihiya niyang sagot.

"I'll just be outside." Anito at bumaling kay Gab. "Gab," paalam nito kay Gab.

"Thank you, Kuya Drew." Malungkot na tugon ni Gab habang nakatayo sa tabi ng kama niya. He reached out for her hand and intertwined their fingers together.

"Gab, ba't malungkot ka? " malumanay niyang tanong.

"Nothing." Sagot ni Gab at pilit na ngumiti sa kaniya. "Basta, pag sinabi ng doctor na puwede ka na lumabas... date tayo ha?" masuyo nitong sinabi.

"Bakit kasi kailangan pa natin mag-date?" tanong niya.

"Gusto kong magkaroon tayo ng proper get to know each other. Kasi ayokong maghiwalay tayo bukas na parang wala naman kahit papaanong connection between us aside from our baby." He reached for her tummy, and it gently sent a tingling sensation to her.

"And then, we will separate ways?" tanong niya.

"If that's really want you want... I mean, you will still allow me to support you and the baby, right?" may pagbabaksakali sa mga mata ni Gab na ikanadulot ng pagka habag niya sa binata.

"Sasama ako sa'yo sa Philippines, Gab. Uuwi ako kasama ka." Aniya.

"But I thought you want to study here in the US?" naguluhan tanong ni Gab sa kaniya.

"Yes, pero... sasama ako sa'yo sa Philippines. Let's get to know each other better there. I mean, tama ka. Puwede naman ako mag-aral ng online pansamantala, diba?" she was unsure, and she felt like tears were falling from her eyes as she was moving out of her comfort zone.

Umupo si Gab sa tabi niya at niyakap siya. "Bakit ka umiiyak?"

Yumakap na din siya kay Gab. "Kinakabahan kasi ako! I'm not used to having you with me in real life! Then, having you also means I have to change things I'm used to. I feel like I don't have control." Itinago niya ang mukha sa may bandang balikat ni Gab.

Dahan dahan kumalas si Gab sa kaniya. He lifted her chin to face him. "Love, hindi naman kita pinipilit diba? I said I'm okay with what you want to do."

"But you're going to change your life for me. Narinig ko kayo ng Kuya mo. Sabi mo tatapusin mo yung project mo, tapos magii-stay ka na dito to be with me and our baby. Nagaalinlangan ako kasi kaya nga hindi kita inoobliga kasi ayoko mahirapan ka. Hindi mo naman ako love, Gab. You only make sacrifices like that for the one you love."

Tinitigan siya ni Gab sa mata. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit ang tagal ng titig nito sa kaniya, nang bigla siya nitong dampian ng halik sa labi. Muli itong tumitig sa kaniya. Napalunok ito bago muling humalik sa kaniya ng mas masuyo at mas matagal.

It sent her a different exhilarating and intoxicating feeling, and she responded with passion before he unlocked his lips with hers. "

He caressed her jaw with his thumb. " I am not sure if what I feel for you is love," Gab admitted. "It's too early to tell. " She responded with an unsure nod and with worry in her eyes. But his eyes were focused on her. "Basta ang alam ko tama na magkasama tayo. I know you're bearing your feelings to me. I understand your fears, Kitkat. And I am offering my strength to you. I hope you will trust me that I will not intentionally hurt you."

"I know that you won't intentionally hurt me." Pag-amin niya at humawak sa kamay ni Gab na humahaplos sa kaniyang mukha.

"I have fears, too. Nandyan yung career ko at yung future natin dalawa at ng baby natin. Pero kung ito ang path natin ngayon dalawa, ipagdasal natin ito kay God. Let's ask for His guidance while we try to do what's right especially for our baby's sake."

Tears fell from her eyes as he mentioned God. She thought Gab's right, and she felt ashamed that she forgot God in the equation as she was dealing with her problem on her own.

Gab gently placed his forehead on hers. "What I know as of this time is that if there's one woman I'd like to be with until I am old and gray, that would be someone like you. It sounds cheesy, but I don't think I will ask for more than that because from what I am gathering... seeing... feeling from you which I never felt before... you're more than I can ask for from God. And I'm contented with that."

***

Kiara

The resident doctor cheerfully introduced herself to Kitkat as Dr. Bea Felbaum.

Gab recognized Dr. Felbaum because she used to visit their family with her parents, Uncle Mitch and Auntie Bianca Felbaum, when the Ponce family would have vacations in Malibu in the past.

Naalala din niya na niligawan ng kaniyang Kuya Andrew si Bea, ngunit wala na siyang naging balita tungkol dito simula nang siya ay mag-training na para sa Infin8.

"Bea," bati niya na bahagyang ikinagulat ng magandang doktor.

Kung tutuusin hindi nga ito mukhang doktor kungdi isang beauty queen sa ganda nito.

She looked like her beautiful Mom, too. He recalled.

He wasn't into gossip but what he heard from their past helpers at home was that Aunt Bianca was his dad’s ex-girlfriend.

His parents never talked about their past. It was something they taught him and his siblings.

Let bygones be bygones, and learn to forgive.

Mabuti na lang sa buong buhay niya ay wala siyang nakaalitan o nakasamaan ng loob na kinailangan pa niyang magpatawad. Hindi kasi siya marunong magtanim ng galit. He guessed that it was one trait his parents drilled in him and his siblings.

Huwag magtanim ng galit sa kapwa.

Marahil ito din ang dahilan kung bakit kahit pa may 'di sila pagkakaintindihan ng kaniyang ama ay hindi niya makuhang magalit dito.

He also surmised, too, that his love for his father was more than the small misunderstanding between them.

Now that he would be a father soon, he had this feeling of inadequacy inside. He started questioning himself if he could be a good father, too.

At that very moment, he wished he could speak and seek his father's wisdom on how to go about this new journey he was about to embark on.

Napabugha siya ng hangin habang iniisip kung kailan nga ba sila magtatapat ni Kitkat sa kanilang mga magulang ng tungkol sa pagbubuntis nito. Bukod doon, suliranin din para sa kaniya kung papayag ba ang kanilang mga magulang na magpakasal sila, o kaya tututol ba ang mga ito.

One at a time, Gab. Paalala niya sa sarili.

Binaling na lang niya ang tingin sa kababata na ngayon ay isa ng ganap na duktor.

Mabilis na inalis ni Gab ang kaniyang mala-goggles na salamin at cap na suot upang makilala siya nito.

"You look familiar," Bea approached him with a smile.

"I'm Gab Ponce. We used to play in the Ponce rest house, remember?" nakangiting pagpapakilala niya at inabot ang kaniyang kamay.

It felt good to see someone he knew in the past before he became famous as an Infin8 member. Life was not complicated back then and people were genuine.

"Gab?" Bea squinted her eyes as she was trying to recall him. Unti- unti ay na-recognize na siya nito.

"Oh my gosh! Small world! You're all grown up. And, taller than me!" Gulat na bati ni Bea at nag-yakap sila bilang pagbati sa isa't isa.

"Yeah! And you're a doctor now! That's awesome! The hospital is lucky to have a not only gorgeous doctor but a very good one too!" He complimented.

Napansin niyang napa-awang ang bibig ni Kitkat sa kaniya, na ipinagtaka naman niya.

Naisip niya na mamaya nuya ito kukulitin. Pansamantala ay kakausapin muna niya ang kababata na baka mahabang panahon na naman niyang jindi makikita dahil babalok na siya sa Pilipinas.

"I'm sure ang daming lalaking nagpapai-ER dito." Pabiro niyang hirit.

Napatawa si Bea. Hindi nito itinanggi ang kaniyang sinabi kaya batid nga niyang totoo ito.

It also meant that his Kuya would have many competitions.

"Have you seen Kuya? He's waiting for us outside." He excitedly shared. He was secretly hoping to have a clue about her relationship with his brother.

Bahagyang namula si Bea.

"He's here? Uhm no... I didn't notice he's sitting in a chair drinking coffee... " napakagat labi ito. Tila hindi ito komportable. "Kamusta na kayo? I miss your ates! I heard they're residing in Santa Clara." She changed the topic. "What brought you here to Malibu? I heard that you were training for a boyband." Magiliw nitong tanong.

Nagtaka siya dahil tila hindi ito updated sa mga balita. Naisip niya ganoon nga yata pagsubsob sa paga-aral. At marahil ito din ang dahilan kung bakit wala na siyang naging balita kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanila ng kaniyang Kuya Andrew.

"Are you Ms. Kiara Romuladez's companion?" tanong ni Bea at lumapit na kay Kitkat.

"Yes." He answered and followed Bea who walked towards Kitkat's bed.

"Hello, Ms. Romuladez. Based on the results of the exam, you're perfectly fine. The contraction that you experienced might be due to stress. Is there anything that might be causing this stress?" Malumanay na tanong ni Bea.

Hindi nakakibo si Kitkat ngunit napatingin ito sa kaniya.

Bahagyang napangiti si Bea at marahang humawak sa kamay ni Kitkat. Tila nakuha nito ang hindi pag-kibo ni Kitkat.

"Is this gorgeous boy causing you that stress, Ms. Romualdez?" Bea teased. "Gab, are you and Ms. Romualdez...?"

Mabilis siyang sumagot at proud pa siyang i-claim na sila nga ni Kitkat.

"Yes." Sagot niya. Bea knowingly nodded her head and smiled. "Congratulations to both of you."

"Ms. Romualdez, for now, I don't see any reason to confine you here in the hospital. You can go home, but I suggest that you try to relax, and if the contraction continues, come see me again. Make sure to bring him with you so I can give this other half of yours a good ribbing."

Suddenly, the door opened. It was Andrew. Gab felt the tension between Andrew and Bea.

Agad nagpaalam si Bea sa kanila ni Kitkat, at nagmadali itong lumabas ng kuwarto.

Nagpaalam naman ang kaniyang Kuya Andrew sa kanilang dalawa at sinabing ise-settle nito ang hospital bill.

Ngunit sa tingin niya ay hindi lamang nito ise-settle ang bill ng hospital kundi makikipag-usap ito kay Bea.

His brother was a generous person, but he planned to talk to him about the hospital bill. It was his obligation to Kitkat. But he would not disturb his brother for the time being.

He just hoped that whatever was going on between his brother and their childhood family friend, they would be able to sort things out.

There was also a pang of remorse that he felt upon realizing that he'd been away too long from his family and that he did not even know what was happening in their lives. He made a mental note about it that he would find the time to spend time with his family more, and this time, he would be bringing special people with him-- Kitkat and their baby. He just also prays that everything will work out fine for him, too.

Napabugha siya ng hangin sa naramdamang kaba, at bumaling na lang sa isang rason na nagpapasaya ng kaniyang puso.

Napansin niyang kasalukuyan itong nakasimangot sa kaniya at inirapan pa siya nito. He wasn't sure why he didn't feel offended. Instead, he found her cute.

As they exited the hospital, Gab tried to assist Kitkat as they waited for Andrew to pick them up in front.

"Hey," aniya, slightly pulling the sleeve of her shirt.

Kitkat crossed her arms and stepped away from him.

He was disturbed by her actions and wondered why Kitkat would act this way.

He inched closer to Kitkat, went behind her and slipped his hands around her waist. He gently placed his chin on top of her shoulder.

"What?" he inquired.

"What?" she said trying to wiggle away from him.

"Love..." he sighed and released her. He wanted to talk to her more, but his brother's car arrived.

Kitkat sat in the passenger's seat while he sat in front of his brother.

"Seatbelt," he glanced at the back where Kitkat was seated, and she looked pissed.

Umandar na ang sasakyan, at wala siyang nagawa kungdi panoorin na lamang si Kitkat sa may rearview mirror.

He wondered what he did that pissed her off.

This was the first time he experienced having a girl pissed at him, and he felt clueless. He felt powerless. It was pissing him off too that Kitkat was giving him this kind of feeling.

Bu then this girl happened to be someone he was starting to deeply like.

Hindi mapakali si Gab. He had the desire to reach her and hold her.

Secretly, he slipped his hand at the side of his seat to reach for her. He was able to touch her knee and hold on to it.

Kitkat tried to remove his hand, but he was persistent until Kitkat gave up.

Hindi pa siya nakuntento. Muli siyang lumingon sa likod at nakitang nakatingin pa din ito sa labas.

Gab reached out for her hand. Kahit ayaw ni Kitkat ay hinawakan pa din niya ang naabot niyang kamay at nakipag-holding hands kahit na naka-twist na ang braso niya.

From the rear-view mirror, he noticed that Kitkat had a little smile on her face as she bit her lower lip.

He smiled too and quietly reflected on the possibilities.