For Keeps

Ten

Gabriel

Sa buong byahe nila mula sa ospital hanggang sa makarating sila sa beach house ay tahimik at walang kibo si Kitkat.

Narinig na lamang niya itong nagsalita nang magpasalamat ito kay Andrew, nang ituro ng kapatid niya kung saan ang magiging kuwarto nila upang makapagpahinga.

Kuwarto nila...

Napangiti siya sa ideya ng 'sila na'.

It gave him a sense of ownership for something he swore he would protect from the media no matter what.

Nagpaalam siya kay Kitkat na may aabangan lang siya sa labas ng bahay at maari na itong mag- freshen up o mag-stay sa terrace kung saan siya nagpa-set up ng candles, chips, at juice para sa stargazing nila mamaya.

Nang dumating na ito ay excited na siyang umakyat sa kanilang kuwarto upang ibigay ang bulaklak kay Kitkat.

Nakahanda sa terrace ng kuwarto na iyon ang mga cushion sa silya, kumot, juice drinks, at nuts na pagsasaluhan nila sa plano sana niyang date. Luminga siya sa paligid at nakita niyang kakalabas lang ng bathroom ni Kitkat at naka-tuwalya lamang ito.

Gab couldn't deny to himself that he felt a yearning inside him for her. But his respect for Kitkat was above his desire for her.

He immediately turned his back at her as a sign of respect.

"Sorry, love." Aniya. "I forgot to knock. I was just excited to give you this." He said and raised his arm up to show the big bouquet of flowers. "I don't know what flowers you like so I requested 1 of each flower they have available kahit late-night na. Hope you like them."

He didn't hear a sound or reaction, but he felt arms circling around him from behind.

"Thank you, Gab." He heard Kitkat say.

"Can I turn around and face you?" he asked for permission.

Instead of him facing Kitkat, it was her who walked in front of him to face him. She was still wearing a bathroom towel, so he closed his eyes. Tila kinabahan siya kaya napahawak siya sa kaniyang puso.

It felt like the first time he saw Kitkat. May naramdaman siyang desire at pagka-kilig na tila bata siyang nakakita ng kaniyang crush.

Narinig niyang napa-bungisngis si Kitkat. Suddenly, he felt a peck on his lips. Napangiti siya at napakagat sa lower lip niya.

"Don't tease me, love. I swear gahibla na lang..." He groaned while still keeping his eyes closed.

"Would you be turned off with me if I am making the move because I'm jealous and because your surprises are too much for me to handle? After ko magselos kanina, sasabog naman ako sa kilig sa'yo ngayon." Pag-amin ni Kitkat sa kaniya.

Napamulat siya ng mata. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinasabi ni Kitkat sa kaniya.

"Nagseselos? Saan? Kanino?" taka niyang tanong at inilapit si Kitkat sa kaniya.

"Dun sa closeness niyo ni Dr. Bea." Pagtatapat ni Kitkat. "You even complimented her. Sabi mo gorgeous siya."

"Love, please don't be jealous of Bea. She's someone special kay Kuya Andrew. " He tried to explain. "Ang tingin sa akin ni Bea ay nakakababatang kapatid." Dagdag pa niya. "I think." Kibit balikat niya.

"Hmp! Nakita ko sa mga mata mo kanina, nagandahan ka sa kaniya." May himig pagtatampong sabi nito.

"Bakit ikaw, love? Crush mo si Oliver..." Hindi niya napigilan buksan din ang issue niya dito. At sa pagkaalala niya kay Oliver ay nainis siya.

Agad na yumakap sa kaniya si Kitkat na tila na-guilty.

"Top 2 nga siya!" Malambing na paliwanag nito sa kaniya. It seemed she was trying to be comfortalble with him and opening about how she felt earlier.

Palihim niya itong ikinagulat at ikinatuwa.

"Sino yung top 1?" Maangas niyang tanong.

"Ikaw!" Kumbinsi nito sa kaniya.

"Ayoko ng may top 2 ka pa! Gusto ko, ako lang." Maangas pa rin niyang tugon.

"Eh di sige! Basta ako din lang..." tapat nitong sagot kay Gab.

Napangiti siya. Nakaramdam siya ng kilig na hindi niya maitago.

"I like this, love. You and me being honest with what we want...and how we feel..." he admitted as he caressed her back but was careful not to make the tiny towel fall off.

Otherwise, I might forget everything I worked hard to establish between us and just assault her...and then apologize afterward, regret, and beg her to accept me still...which would be pathetic of me. And if it were another woman, she might take advantage of my weakness and go public to blackmail me. But not Kitkat. I know she would never do that to me. She is special. I know it and I'd be a dumbass if I mess it up.

He gulped at the thought of losing Kitkat and their child.

"Ang understanding ko sa sinabi mo sa akin kanina.. honesty is what will keep this relationship work." She said.

He sensed she was nervous, but he also sensed she was putting herself out of her comfort zone to communicate with him.

He nodded his head to agree with her but could not keep his hands off her. He placed his hands on her waist to keep her close. He wanted her to feel him and his rising need for her.

"Thank you for the flowers." She took the flowers from him. "Nawala yung inis ko sa'yo kasi niyakap mo siya. Pakiramdam ko kasi dapat ako lang ang yumayakap sa'yo. Sabi nito at tinago ang mukha sa mga flowers.

"Seryoso ka ba diyan, love?" natatawa siya na kinikilig sa reaksyon ni Kitkat.

"Kaya nga eto na nga oh, nagsasabi ako ng nararamdaman ko... I truly appreciate the way you are reaching out to me, too.

Naisip ko din...usap tayo ng usap, which I know...tinityaga mong gawin para sa akin, kahit na according to research, mas madali for men to physically communicate rather than express their feeling into words..."

Napatawa siya kay Kitkat. It was a pleasant discovery for him to know that this beautiful human being liked to read. He found it sexy in a woman to be interested in reading.

"Natatawa ka ba sa akin?" tila napahiya si Kitkat.

Agad siyang tumugon. "Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. I am just amazed because of you..." napaisip din siya ng mga salitang makakapag-describe ng tunay niyang nararamdaman. "I'm overwhelmed and excited..." he honestly said and stared at Kitkat's face. "Love..." sambit pa niya. "So, this physical communication you are talking about..." he tried to control his emotions and tried to sound serious. " Does it include kissing...touching...and all the factors that may crèate another human life?" He trailed off with a question.

Saglit na napa-isip si Kitkat. It seemed like she was carefully considering it.

"Yes." She answered smiling, almost laughing.

Gab took it as permission as his liberation from holding back what he had been wanting to do for a long time now, after the first time they made love.

"Then, let's start communicating." He swiftly lifted Kitkat to bring her to their bed. He lay down beside Kitkat and kissed her passionately.

Kitkat responded with the same eagerness and fervor, which pleased him, as he unwrapped her towel and stroked the swell of her bosom.

Gab traveled his kisses down to her neck and replaced where his hand traveled, with his mouth.

He suckled each of her bosoms and alternately pulled at each tip to make both of them hardened and puckered with his mouth.

He lowered his kisses and hovered his head so that his mouth pressed to the center of her belly in a tender kiss.

He heard her gasp and tried to reach for him, telling him that she was feeling shy. He softly told her to relax and guided her to lay down flat as

he trailed his fingers lower to her pelvis through her damp, slick folds. He delved lower and carefully dipped the tip of his index finger inside her warmth and continued his gentle exploration as he hovered his mouth over hers.

Then, he traveled his kisses again down to that moist spot. She inhaled sharply and held her breath in anticipation, as his head went lower, his tongue parting her nub to his mouth, sweeping out and licking her opening.

Gab watched Kitkat panting softly as her hips lifted rhythmically off the mattress. She was moaning as he continued to nuzzle her down with waves of pleasure.

Kitkat wanted him inside her and pleaded for him, but he was scared to hurt their baby. She assured him that it was okay as she knelt down to start wrenching his clothes off.

He slowly followed and helped her undress. He then guided her to lay down again and placed his hands underneath her legs, as he pushed back to position himself in between her legs. He cupped her behind and lifted her, so his angle put him even deeper.

Kitkat reached for him, pulled him to her, and clutched at his shoulders as they synchronized their movement.

He braced his hands on either side of her, holding his weight off her so that he didn't crush her.

They passionately kissed as he thrust harder and go deeper inside her.

His hips trembled against her as they both reached their peak.

He was not sure about how Kitkat felt, as their intimacy was sudden, and he was shocked by the passion they shared.

Marahil kung ikukumpara kasi noon ay mas naramdaman na nila ngayon ang intimacy dahil hindi sila lasing ni Kitkat.

Kusa nilang ibinigay ang sarili sa isa't isa na may mas malalim nang pagtitinginan at pagkakaintindihan.

They lay locked together as their limbs were still entangled, and their arms wrapped tightly around each other.

He wanted more but he was afraid to tire Kitkat. And even if he wanted to stop, his appetite was not yet satiated and he was still pulsating deep inside her, which made her moan and asked to make love unabashed.

His groin tightened and he swelled inside the clasp of her flesh. He flexed his hips against her, sliding easily in and out, and nudged her leg up for easier access.

Kitkat welcomed this intimacy with love, and it was something he realized was something he would never give up...not ever, even over his hard-earned fame and celebrity status.

***

Kiara

Kitkat stared at Gab as he was still on top of her. She couldn't believe herself for wanting to be this close to Gab.

Universe, totoo bang nakipaglabanan ako kay GP of Infin8 sa kama? Nyahahaha! Nauubusan ako ng hininga!

She stared at the beautiful man who looked at her with so much affection. In the past, she would just often dream about him in undressed scenes like this. And she did not want it to end.

But what if nanaginip lang ako?

She got worried and thought of pinching herself to check if she wasn't dreaming. She pinched herself on the arm and it hurt.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo sa sarili mo?" alalang tanong ni Gab. Humilig ito sa kaniyang tabi at kinuha ang kaniyang kamay upang tingnan kung nasugatan siya sa kaniyang pagkurot sa sarili. "May mental illness ka ba na dapat kong malaman?" naiinis nitong tanong sa kaniya habang ma-ingat na chinek ang braso niya.

"Ang yabang mo!" She said annoyed and pulled her hand away.

"Ano na kasi ginagawa mo sa sarili mo? Para kang baliw na chic."

"Baliw na sisiw?" Inis niyang tanong.

Napatawa si Gab at umoo ito.

"I'm just confirming if I'm just dreaming." Depensa niya.

"Dreaming na nagme-make love tayo?" Napatigil si Gab ng pagtawa. Na- curious ito.

"Does that mean you dream about it often and it felt surreal that is why you’re making sure this is real?"

Kitkat nodded her head, even though she was unsure if it was okay to admit to him that she had dreams about making love with him, which also meant she has had lusted over him.

"So, it means you've been having wet dreams about me even before we met?" he teased.

Agad na namula ang mukha niya sa tanong ni Gab, kaya tumayo siya ng kama at nagdahilan na kailangan niyang pumunta ng bathroom.

As she stood up, she noticed that Gab ogled at her. She realized she forgot that she was unclothed as she walked from her side of the bed toward the bathroom.

Nahiya siya at nagmadaling maglakad papasok sa bathroom.

"Hey, love. Will you walk slow please?" Paalala nito sa kaniya.

Agad niyang sinara ang pinto at sumandal. Nagtakip siya ng mukha sa kahihiyan. Unang pagkakataon lamang niya na maglakad na walong saplot ang katawan sa harap ng ibang tao. Agad niyang sinipat ang katawan sa salamin sa hiya niya kay Gab. She wanted to look good for Gab.

Doon niya napansin na puro pulang marka ang kaniyang leeg, dibdib, at pati na rin ang inner thighs niya. Agad siyang kumuha ng tuwalya sa isa sa mga cabinets na naroon. She wrapped her body to cover herslef. By instinct, she sought help from Gab.

She realized that she was becoming comfortable relying on Gab, even if she was still starstruck by him, which also made her feel insecure.

Gab worriedly entered the bathroom wearing nothing. Hindi tuloy niya matingnan si Gab dahil naco-conscious siya

at baka matukso siyang tumingin pababa. She didn't want to Gab to tease her for ogling at his perfection.

"Are you okay, love?" Agad na humawak si Gab sa mga braso niya. "Nahihilo ka ba? What are you feeling? Should I bring you to the hospital?"

"I feel fine." Tugon niya dahil ang daming tanong nito. But, she appreciated Gab's concern towards her. In fact, palihim siyang kinilig dito.

I have to get over being starstruck or I will have a heart attack. Paalala niya sa sarili.

"I am not sure yet if I need to go to the hospital again, because I am not feeling dizzy, weak or sick." Paliwanag niya. "I just noticed skin rashes on some parts of my body. I'm not sure if it's an allergic reaction. I'm just worried it might affect our baby."

"Where?" he gently looked at her face, her shoulders, and pointed at the red skin on her neck, chest, and cleavage covered by the towel. "Ito ba?"

"Yes, ito...itong malalaking pula... merun din sa breasts ko...saka inner thighs... maapektuhan ba yung baby natin?" nag-aalala niyang tanong.

Napakagat labi si Gab. "Love, sorry, those are hickeys..." he shyly uttered.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata nang mapagtanto ang ibig sabihin ni Gab.

"Bakit mo ko nilagyan ng hickeys?" hampas niya sa matigas na braso nito.

"Sorry na nga..." iwas ni Gab. "Let's try to wash it off. If we run water over it, baka mabawasan yung pagka-red niya. Tara shower tayo." He suggested, but she felt suspicious with his suggestion as she saw a playful glint in his eyes.

Sumunod naman siya habang hila siya ni Gab papunta sa bathtub. There they stood under the shower. He held on to the towel and waited for silent permission from her to undress her. She nodded, as she watched his reaction.

He removed her towel and threw it at the laundry basket, then turned on the shower heater and opened the shower.

"Is the water too cold for you? " he asked. She smiled and said the temperature was just ok.

Gab smiled and continued to look at her, then he gently caressed her face before bowing his head to reach her lips for a gentle kiss. She allowed herself to touch Gab on the chest and explored his sinewy built with her hands, while Gab did the same to her curves.

Quietly, they shared an intimacy that effectively made their minds, hearts, and body intimately familiar with each other.

***

It's been days since they arrived from the US. Pasikreto silang nakauwi sa tulong ng Uncle Matteo ni Gab. Si Andrew namay ay hindi sumama sa kanila dahil nagma-Masteral ito sa US.

Gab assured her that his brother would keep their pregnancy a secret as for now. But he would give a deadline soon as to when they should already tell Gab's parents. He said Andrew did not want to get in trouble with their parents for not telling them about their situation.

For now, Kitkat would stay in his condo, while Gab left to go to a remote location for a two weeklong telenovela shooting.

Gab insisted to hire a helper for her before he returned to work, but she declined. She assured Gab she could manage because she had been living independently in her own apartment when she was in the US.

Halos isang linggo pa lang ang nakakalipas ay ang dami ng naganap sa kaniyang buhay. Before Gab left, they went grocery shopping and bought clothes for her to wear and a new mobile phone, since she was not able to get her clothes and mobile phone in her own apartment. It was their first adventure together as Gab disguised himself wearing a cap, mustache, and thick goggles type eyeglasses. And when people were becoming suspicious of Gab, they immediately walked away from the crowd and hid in the plants, clothes, and restaurants where they choose to rest or have some snacks. They also ate in different restaurants that day for breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. She felt spoilt by Gab that day.

Kaya naman nang paalis na si Gab nang sumunod na araw ay lungkot na lungkot siya. Sinubukan niyang huwag ipakita ito kay Gab dahil nagsabi ito na pag makita siya nitong malungkot ay mag-aalala ito sa remote na lokasyon na pagdadausan ng shooting. Mahina pa naman daw ang signal doon at mahihirapan daw itong tumawag.

Gab was so sweet and thoughtful, that he called her up, as soon as he arrived at the remote location. He even reminded her to call her parents and inform them of her new number. Sinunod naman niya ang paalala nito.

Upang hindi magduda ang kaniyang magulang ay sa Viber or Zoom siya nakikipag-communicate sa mga. She used a virtual background of her place since she could access her living room and kitchen in the US through IP CCTV.

So far, all is going well.

Hindi nagsuspetsa ang kaniyang mga magulang na kasalukuyang nasa Italy dahil doon lumaki, nakatira at naga-aral ang mga kapatid niyang lalaki. Siya naman ay piniling manatili dito sa Pilipinas noong nag-college siya nang maging mag-best friend sila ni Dominique. She just promised her parents that she would go abroad to further her studies. She said she wanted to study in the US, but here she was now in the Philippines, holding off enrolling for the semester. She felt upset with the thought that she would not be able to keep her promise to her parents.

She felt like she was hyperventilating and wished her best friend, Dominique, was around to calm her down. She and her best friend were both the unica hijas of their families. They also both have two older brothers, so they were able to relate to what the only girl in the family had to endure when it came to their security, future, choosing the right course, and even the right man.

Iisa lang ang sinasabi ng mga tatay nila. "Babalatan daw nila ng buhay yung lalaking magba-balak manligaw sa atin..." She remembered saying at the same time as Dominique. Paano'y mag-best friend ang kanilang mga tatay na sina Percival Ponce at Utt Romualdez.

Same minds think alike, as they say.

She sighed at the thought of her father being protective of her. She also felt her stomach tense as she thought of how her parents would feel if they would find out about her condition.

Napahawak siya sa kaniyang tiyan at pinilit kumalma. She tried to refuse to worry, or think about it-- for now, especially since she was alone in the condo. She was scared that she might have to bring herself to the hospital without any companion.

If only Gab and Dom were here...

Hay! Bakit kasi kailangan patayin mo ang phone mo, Dom? Hindi tuloy kita makausap.

Ang balita niya mula kay Gab ay nagkita sina Vinci at Dominique sa hotel room ni Gab nang gabing makita niya sa news na nasa Ritz Hotel tumuloy si Vinci. Nalaman din niyang tinulungan pala sila ni Vinci kaya naglipatan ang mga fans at reporters noon mula sa condo building niya at nagsipuntahan sa Ritz Hotel, kung saan pumayag daw ito magpa- interview.

Kaya pala may tumawag sa kaniyang unit noon na sinagot naman ni Gab ay dahil binalita ng receptionist na nag-alisan na daw ang mga fans at reporters. Hindi naman pala totoong sinubukan umakyat ng mga ito sa kaniyang unit.

She also learned there was a misunderstanding that happened that night, because his Uncle Percival and Aunt Rori followed Dominique in the US, and caught Dominique naked with Vinci. Dominique's dad did not believe that the real reason why Dominique and Gab went to the US was because of her.

Ang akala ng Dad ni Dom ay dinahilan lang ako ni Dominique, but makikipagkita pala si Dom kay Vinci, at si Gab ang naging tulay nila. That's so messed up. I wish things were different for Vinci and Dom--- that they met in a different circumstance.

Dominique's Dad was now hunting Vinci and demanding for him to marry Dominique. Nabalitaan lamang niya ang sitwasyon mula kay Gab dahil humihingi ng tulong si Vinci kay Gab na kausapin daw ang Uncle Percival nito upang huwag ng ituloy ang shotgun wedding.

Naputol ang pagiisip niya nang makita ang pangalan na 'GP' sa kaniyang mobile phone at marinig ang kaniyang assigned ringtone sa mobile phone. Ito ang boses ni Gab habang kumakanta ng isa sa mga hits ng Infin8.

Agad niya itong sinagot.

"Hello!" Nahihiya niyang bati.

"Love!" Narinig niyang bati ni Gab. "I miss you!"

Napangiti siya. "I miss you, too!" Nahihiya niyang tugon habang nakikinig sa putol putol at static na tunog ng tawag ni Gab.

"Don't tire yourself, okay? And eat well."

"Okay, Love. Ikaw din ha? Don't tire yourself and eat well. Love you, Gab!" She shyly said.

"More." Request nito.

"I love you, Gab!" Ulit niya.

"Love you too, my sisiw!" Anito at naputol ang linya.

"Hello? Love?" ulit niya. "Sisiw ka dyan?" Saglit siyang sumimangot ngunit napangiti na din siya dahil nakaramdam siya ng kilig sa biro ni Gab sa kaniya.

Biglang may nag-doorbell. Bahagya siyang nagulat at pinakalma ang sarili, bago tinanggal ang kaniyang suot na apron, at tumungo sa pinto. Bago niya ito binuksan ay tiningnan niya ang sarili kung mukha ba siyang maayos at disente.

Naka puting t-shirt siya na sinoot dati ni Gab sa isa sa mga concerts ng Infin8 at sinoot niya ang Pink Yoga leggings na ibinili sa kaniya ni Gab. Binuksan niya ang pinto upang silipin kung sino ang nag-doorbell at bumungad sa kaniya ang isang pamilyar at matangkad na lalaki na kahawig ni Gab.

"Hello." Bati nito. "Is this Gab Ponce's unit?" tanong nito.

Hindi siya kaagad nakasagot dahil parang natameme siya sa kaguwapuhan nito kahit na tila doble ang edad nito sa kaniya.

"May I know why you're asking po?" tanong niya.

"I'm his father. I'm Ardy Ponce. " Ngiti nito sa kaniya at inilahad pa ang kamay nito.

Napaisip siya kung bakit lahat ng mga nakikilala niyang Ponce ang apelyido ay parang nakaka-tulo laway. Naisip din niya kung lalaki din ba ang kaniyang magiging anak ay ganoon din ang epekto ng kapogian ng kaniyang anak sa ibang babae?

Napangiti siya at na-excite.

Focus, ghorl! Hindi maaring malaman ng Dad ni Gab kung sino ka!

Napalunok siya.

"Maid po ako ni Gab. Wala po siya dito. Nagshu-shooting po siya." Kabado niyang bulalas. Ni hindi na niya nagawang makipag-kamay sa dad ni Gab.