For Keeps

Seven

Gabriel

Gab did not plan to kiss Kitkat. It just happened, and he felt at that right moment, to be true to himself and let her know about it. He knew his ears would turn red as he felt embarrassed by his stupid boldness. He just prayed Kitkat wouldn't notice it.

There was an awkward silence that felt like an eternity between them which pained Gab and even gave him acid reflux. It was something he had ever since he became a member of Infin8. The pressure, frustration, homesickness, exhaustion, skipped meals, and ulcer had this effect on him, and it was happening again in this moment.

All I wanted to do was for Kitkat to face me... talk to me... open her feelings to me again the way she did the first time we met... he sighed.

Break this wall between us, love! Don't treat me like you don't want me here! He wanted to whine to her.

"I'm sorry." Nahihiya niyang pikit at muling napabuntong hininga. Dahan dahan niyang binitiwan si Kitkat.

"It's okay." Nahihiya din tugon ni Kitkat. She bit her lip and gently stepped away from him. She carefully turned her back on him to focus on searching for a shirt.

Gab looked down on the floor in defeat. He thought that the kiss they had would change the awkwardness between them. Tila napasama pa ang kaniyang ginawa. Marahil hindi din nakatulong na sinabi niya ang tunay niyang nararamdaman kay Kitkat dahil parang lalo itong naguluhan sa kaniya.

But time was running out on him because he knew that if MM Management Agency, that handles Infin8, would find out about this situation, they would take the matter in their own hands to protect their investment. Hindi ito papayag na masira ang image niya at maaaring maapektuhan si Kitkat dahil sa mga ito.

Gab fully understood that he would face legal repercussions for violating the stipulation on his contracts if he would not be able to manage this situation well soon. He was ready to face them, but he wanted to make sure Kitkat would not be affected by it.

"Have you had a check-up already? May I know kailan ka magpapacheck up para naman masamahan kita? Let's have your check-up first to know if it's safe for you to travel." Aniya kay Kitkat habang pinagmamasdan niya ito na aligaga sa paghahanap ng shirt para sa kaniya.

Saglit na natigilan si Kitkat, ngunit hindi ito nagsalita. The silence was killing him.

May tampo ka ba sa akin? Bakit hindi mo ako kinikibo? Bakit hindi mo sa akin sinabi na ito pala ang sitwasyon mo? You could have easily reached me through Dominique?! He sighed at Kitkat's indifference to him.

Hindi niya maisip kung bakit tila naging malamig ang pakikitungo nito sa kaniya, samantalang noong gabing pinagsamahan nila ay napakalambing nito. Kung sa bagay, lasing si Kitkat noon. Tama pala ang sinabi ni Dominique. Napagtanto niyang iba pala si Kitkat kapag ito ay hindi lasing.

What if we get drunk again? Naisip niya. Ngunit pinagalitan din niya ang kaniyang sarili.

She's pregnant, dumbass!

Gab felt even more frustrated. The moment he saw Kitkat at the restaurant bussing plates earlier, it felt like his forgotten feelings for her returned with a vengeance. He admired her, even more, when he saw her making a sacrifice just to be quiet about her pregnancy, and it was all because of him.

Simula nang makita ni Gab si Kitkat hanggang sa oras na ito ay wala siyang ginawa kungdi ipakita ang kaniyang mabuting intensyon at genuine na interes sa dalaga. But she never reciprocated.

He felt disappointed and rejected, but he somehow, understood, and he did not want to force her if she was not ready.

Gab placed his hands in the pocket of his pants to keep himself from touching Kitkat, even if he wanted to.

Hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili. Ang alam lang niya ay gusto niya si Kitkat ngunit hindi sa ganitong extent na magbu-bunga ito.

I could entertain the thought of having a family in the future, and I have also thought it would be nice if someone as gorgeous as Kitkat would be the mother of my future minions...err... babies. But, not now.

Gab watched Kitkat seemed like she was just pretending to still look for a shirt for him, but he had an inkling that she was just trying to escape interacting with him.

"If walang shirt that fits me, it's okay. " He said but still no response from her.

Women! This is what the agency told me about in the past. Umiwas sa mga babae at unahin ang career dahil ang mga babae ay complicated. Kailangan daw ready na ako financially so that I can retire early and live peacefully before I even engage with one because women and their mood swings, their period, hormones are a handful...

I wonder what women think of men too...

I wonder what Kitkat thinks of this situation, too, especially now that she might have to postpone her studies because she is pregnant.

He secretly regretted that he knocked Kitkat up. If only he did not have a lapse in his judgment...

Kitkat would probably be enjoying her vacation now in this fancy place that her parents bought for her. She would probably be partying and drinking with new friends...

The thought of Kitkat partying with others, especially boys, and getting drunk the way she got drunk with him instantly changed his mood. All too suddenly, the guilt feeling vanquished and was replaced with jealousy.

He clenched his jaw at the raw emotion he felt. It was new to him and had no idea how to handle it.

All he could think of was that it was right to bring Kitkat back home and make her stay in his apartment...keep her there for himself.

Gab's thoughts got cut when Kitkat stood up and faced him again. She gave him a large white cotton shirt.

"Here," Kitkat said while looking away.

Napangiti siya dahil alam niya kung bakit ayaw nito tumingin sa kaniya.

"Next time, before I kiss you, magpapaalam na ako. Pramis." Aniya at kinuha ang isang puting shirt upang suutin sa harapan ni Kitkat.

"I'm decent now, love." Dagdag pa niya.

"Okay..." nako-conscious na tugon nito.

There was an awkward silence between them again. He decided to initiate the conversation, but Kitkat started to talk.

"Uhm...Gab... I just want to clarify with you na I dont want to go back to Manila." Kitkat started. "Ayoko din umuwi dahil baka malaman ng magulang ko ang sitwasyon ko. Gusto ko pa rin ipagpatuloy ang paga-aral ko...kahit na I'm pregnant." Pagtatapat nito. This time, she looked straight in his eyes.

Hindi nakakibo si Gab. Nagulat siya sa pagpapahalaga ni Kitkat sa paga-aral nito, kahit pa pumasok ito ng eskwela na nagdadalang tao. Samantalang siya ay maraming dinadahilan kung bakit ayaw pa rin niyang tapusin ang kaniyang paga-aral.

"You mean, dito ka lang sa US?" he was trying to think things through.

"Yes." She shyly smiled. "I don't think I need your approval on that naman, diba?" Malumanay na tanong ni Kitkat. "It's not like I'm your girlfriend...or that we are engaged... or even married...?"

The hell...YOU ARE MY GIRLFRIEND NOW, SILLY CHIC! He wanted to object. But he knew Kitkat was right.

Napaisip siya saglit. "Uhm... no..." he agreed but he was unsure of his answer because he never experienced any girl declining what he wanted.

Plus, the fact, that I did not have the willpower to contradict Kitkat as I am mesmerized by her subtle way of showing me and making me realize now that I am not the only one who gets to decide here and that makes her more attractive to me.

"On my check up, kaka- check-up ko pa lang and the OB confirmed I am pregnant na nga. I should return after two weeks. So matagal pa iyon..." anito.

"Okay...so that's better. I can schedule my leave from work to join you..."

"Hindi ka puwede mag-leave diba?" she interjected. " M-may contract ka sa Royal Entertainment and you need to finish it on time? Sige ka, baka isipin nila unprofessional ka..." nahihiyang sabi ni Kitkat sa kaniya.

He was about to object, but they heard Dominique knock at the door.

"The receptionist called. Your fans and entertainment reporters are flocking at the lobby. Even the receptionist is requesting for an autograph and a selfie pagkatapos daw nilang pigilan ang mga fans at reporters na umakyat sa floor natin. What do we do?" Dominique panicked.

***

Kiara

"Ladies, let's not panic." Gab calmly said to Kitkat and Dominique, but she knew it was more for her, as he squeezed her hand and looked at her stomach.

Gab most likely meant panicking would be bad for the baby. Kitkat thought.

Napatingin si Kitkat sa kanilang magkawahak na kamay, at napatingin din siya kay Gab. It seemed like he was expecting her to react and held her hand tighter. Kinindatan pa siya nito at pa-cute na ngumiti.

Tila tumigil ang t***k ng puso niya. She was aware of how charming Gab can be, but this cuteness overload would give her a heart attack or brain damage due to lack of air.

"Meantime," Gab gently pulled her towards the couch near her bed. "I believe we need to eat, especially you." Pinaupo siya nito sa couch. "So, sit back and I'll order our dinner, and have it delivered here. Does Panda Express sound good?"

"Sure!" Singit ni Dominique. "That made my stomach grumble. Hurry up and have it delivered, please." Dominique excitedly said as she sat on the bed facing her.

She noticed Dominique was not panicked anymore.

Food does make one calm down...she thought.

"I'm ordering Kung Pao Chicken, Broccoli Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Chow Mein, vegetables and rice," Gab said as he busied himself with his mobile phone. "Is this okay with you?" He asked Kitkat directly.

Hindi nagsalita si Kitkat, pero kumulo ang tyan niya at narinig nilang lahat, dahilan para mamula siya sa kahihiyan.

Pigil na ngumiti si Gab. "I guess that means, yes?" he asked her.

Kitkat shyly confirmed and nodded her head.

"Hurry up, Gab! Gutom na yung pamangkin ko." Dominique teased and gently touched Kitkat's stomach.

Bahagyang tumalikod si Gab at napansin ni Kitkat na palihim na itinago ni Gab ang pagsilay ng ngiti nito sa mukha habang umoorder sa food app sa cellphone nito.

Does it mean he's happy with the thought of our baby? Dear God, I really hope so. Kitkat thought.

"Next, let me just make some calls to resolve the problem in the lobby." Anito bago bumaling sa kaniya. "But, we're not yet done talking. I won't leave without us agreeing on something or anything, okay?" he said with determination in his eyes.

It seemed Gab had everything under control. If so, that would just make him more awesome on her checklist.

"I respect your decision that you want to stay here in the US. I guess, I will go back to Manila then with Dominique?" he sadly said, almost pouting. She wasn't sure if Gab was asking her or he was informing her so she just nodded her head.

While she tried to ignore his reaction, she secretly thought he looked so cute and adorable. She was in denial that she might be starting to have that so-called 'paglilihi'. Napapansin niya kasi na tila napaglilihihan niya si Gab dahil the more na nakakasama niya ito ay mas lalo siyang naku-kyutan, natutuwa, ngunit naiinis din dito. She feared that pregnancy symptom, if it were really true, because it would be harder for her if he already left.

The thought of Gab leaving her pinched her heart. Pero batid niyang hindi niya dapat maramdaman yon kasi ibig sabihin non ay ineenjoy niya ang presence ni Gab. Kailangan niyang sanayin ang sarili na huwag umasa kay Gab dahil nung umasa siya noon, it just disappinted and depressed her. Ayaw na niya mangyari iyon lalo na ngayon na buntis siya. Ayaw niyang maramdaman din ng baby niya yung lungkot na naramdaman niya.

She watched as Gab exited her room to make some calls. Sumunod si Dominique kay Gab at nakinig. Makailang minuto ay bumalik ito sa kuwarto at tumabi sa kaniya.

"I heard Gab called Uncle Matteo. He's one of the hunky cousins of Aunt Shayla." Tila nagre-report sa kaniya ang best friend. " He asked his uncle to pick him up later through his helicopter. Sis, may helipad pala sa tuktok ng building na ito ano? So cool!"

"Yeah..." malungkot niyang tugon. Hindi niya maikubli ang pagka-lumo sa nalaman. Ngunit naisip din niya na ito ang makakabuti para kay Gab upang hindi ito makuhaan ng pictures bilang patunay na nanggaling siya dito sa condo na ito, at pagchismisan si GP. Maku- curious pati ang mga tao kung ano ang relasyon niya kay GP of Infin8. Magiging komplikado ang lahat para kay Gab.

"Tama ang plano niya Dom para makatakas kayo ni Gab bago pa makagawa ng paraan ang mga reporters kung paano sila makakaakyat dito sa floor even without key cards for the elevators." Sang-ayon niya kahit masakit sa loob niya na saglit lang niya makakasama si Gab.

Ang mahalaga sa ngayon ay maiiwas si Gab sa eskandalo. Isa pa'y yoon naman ang kaniyang naunang plano-- ang makalayo kay Gab para maprotektahan niya ito.

"Huh? Ang understanding ko sa usapan nila ni Uncle Matteo niya sa phone is that he will send his helicopter and meet with Gab sa helipad of this building, and then Uncle Matteo will send his car to pick me up outside the hotel kasi I need to go back to the hotel we checked-in earlier today. I need to get our passports, then check out tomorrow morning. The driver will bring me to the airport and meet Gab there."

Hindi na siya nakakibo. "That sounds like a good plan." Tipid niyang sagot.

"Now, for the plan to work, I need to change clothes so they will not be able to identify me. Merun ka dyan shirts ng mga pang fangirl mo of Infin8, diba? Magsusuot ako non then bababa ako ng elevator tapos makiki- soldier faney ako doon para akala ng mga fans ng GP mo na I am one of them. Then, I will slowly go out of the building where the car will pick me up. Uncle Matteo will just send the plate number of the car. Great plan, diba?"

Napabuntong hininga siya.

"Hey, girl. Why the sad face? Hindi pa din ba kayo naga-agree ni Gab kung anong plano niyong dalawa?"

"Gab said he wants me to come home to Manila and stay at his place...and figure things out from there. I told him na I want to stay here in the US. Gusto ko ituloy ang pag-aaral ko kahit na I'm pregnant." Aniya.

"Anong sabi niya?" tanong ni Dominique.

"Vague yung sagot niya..." she tried to recall if Gab even agreed to what she said.

"Hay! Kulitin mo kasi para ma-finalize niyo na kung kailan ang kasal. Ako ang maid of honor, of course!"

Napalunok siya. "Kasal kaagad? Paano yung career ni Gab?" She felt like she was about to hyperventialte. "Saka paano yung parents ko? Hindi ko pa nga alam paano ko sasabihin sa kanila na..."

"Calm down, love." Pumasok si Gab sa kuwarto at niyakap siya.

"We're going to take things slow. We will do what you said." He affirmed. "You're going to stay here...continue your studies... pero isa lang yung hiling ko." He said. "Please don't work in the restaurant, anymore. Let me be the one to take care of the finances for you and the baby."

"Pero..."

"Wag ka na tumanggi, Sis. Kasi kung ayaw mong tulungan ka ni Gab, ako ang tutulong sa'yo. Ang dapat mong gawin dito, magpahunga, magpalakas, at maghanda for the semester." Payo naman ni Dominique.

Samantala, nag-ring ang doorbell. Gab released her and left the room to open the door, but she stopped him. Nag-alala siya na baka mga reporters yung nag-doorbell at dumugin si Gab. Tiyak na hindi na nila mako-kontrol ang sitwasyon pag nagkataon.

"Nooo, love! Don't" Hinabol niya si Gab ngunit nataranta siya na nasambit niya ang term of endearment niya kay Gab. Hindi niya na-balanse ang bilis ng kaniyang takbo at ang biglang pagtakip niya ng bibig at taranta sa nabitawan niyang salita. She thought she would hurt and slam herself on the floor, but Gab was quick to come to her to break her fall. Kay Gab siya nahulog, at di sinasadyang nagtama ang kanilang mga labi.

Her eyes widened as her lips met Gab's. For a quick second, she felt Gab kiss her before he moved to cup her face while she was still on top of him on the floor.

"Will you be careful?" he sounded annoyed. "Muntik ka na masaktan, love!" He scolded with worry in his eyes and the tone of his voice.

Kitkat struggled to move her face away from him. She felt offended. " Galit ka ba? Pinoprotektahan lang naman kita. Paano kung mga reporters or fans mo ang nasa likod ng door?" She defensively said.

"If it were the reporters or my fans, then there might be a stampede. Magu-unahan sila makapasok dito. You will be pushed and get hurt." He still scolded. "And I don't want to get mad at you anymore! And you still owe me a kiss before I leave later!"

Kitkat studied his face. It seemed galit si Gab ngunit ang sabi nito ay may utang siyang kiss dito bago ito umalis mamaya.

Hindi niya tuloy maintindihan ang mararamdaman. Mao-offend ba siya dahil pinapagalitan siya ni Gab na parang bata, kikiligin ba dahil gusto nito ng kiss mula sa kaniya, o malulungkot siya dahil totoong aalis na ito mamaya?

"Ewan ko sa'yo!" Aniya at sinubukan niyang tumayo mula sa pagkaka-straddle kay Gab.

"Easy! Mag-ingat!" Sita pa ni Gab habang inaalalayan siyang tumayo on top of him. It made her recall that night when she was in that same position with him.

Napatingin siya kay Gab at tila pilyo ang ngiti nito. She did not want to assume, but he started to give a hint, too.

"Why don't we not move at all for a bit here? Parang masarap mag-reminisce at this position..." he said as the doorbell kept ringing. "Hindi naman kailangan magmadali." Anito na hindi pinansin ang tunig ng doorbell. Nilagay pa nito ang mga braso sa likod ng ulo bilang unan. "Dom..." he called out his cousin from the room who had no idea what just happened between them. "Can you please get the door? We're kind of in a middle of something here..."

Lumabas si Dominique at nakita sila sa ganoong position.

"Oooh... sexy time?" Dominique teased. "Gosh! I need to get out of here. I don't want to be a third wheel!" Dominique stomped her feet before getting to the door.

She felt so conscious and immediately wanted to stand up. Gab was quick to stand from the floor and helped her up.

"You are starting to get to my nerves, Gab!" She warned and hit him on the chest.

Nagkunwari si Gab na nasaktan sa ginawa niya.

"Grrr!" Di niya napigilan ang sarili at pinitik niya sa ilong si Gabby.

"Aray! Masakit yon ah!" Reklamo nito.

She wanted to kick him on the leg, but Gab quickly moved away.

Napatawa si Gab at nag-peace sign sa kaniya.

Hinila niya sa braso si Gab as if she was manhandling him, at pinapasok niya ito sa loob ng kuwarto.

"Dyan ka lang! Wag kang lalabas." She ordered and went out of the room to check who kept ringing the doorbell.

Kitkat saw Dominique open the door. Ang bumungad sa kanila ay isang giant teddy bear. Mas matangkad pa ito kaysa sa kanilang dalawa ni Dominique.

"To Ms. Kiara Ponce... From Gavin Ponce." Ani ng nag-deliver.