For Keeps

Five

Gab received information from Dominique about Kitkat. He was unprepared for the news but knew in his heart that if it the information was confirmed, he would do everything he can to meet his obligation.

Kitkat felt betrayed when she learned that Dominique told GP of Infin8 about her secret. she ran off as soon as she saw Dominique with a familiar man in a black jacket with a hoodie.

Gabriel

Gab may be stubborn when it came to his dreams, but he would always try his best to be obedient and would pay respect to his elders. Katulad na nga lang nang hilingin ng kaniyang ina na umuwi siya sa kanilang bahay, dahil bibisita daw ang kaniyang uncle na si Percival Ponce. It was after dinner when he arrived home. He just came back from the shooting location, and had no sleep yet.

As he entered their mansion, his mom was already at the entrance to welcome him. She offered him to eat dinner, but he declined. She then offered decaf coffee as she led him to the terrace where his dad, Uncle Pyke, and Dominique who she said were also having decaf coffee. He politely declined and explained that he'd like to just make sure he'd fall asleep as soon he hit the sack. He informed his mom that even though he was very exhausted from work, he was having a hard time sleeping. He guessed that his body clock was still adjusting from the time difference since Infin8 had a world tour in the past.

As he was talking to his mom, he wondered why Dom traveled from Laguna and accompanied her father to visit them here in Tagaytay. He was not sure if it was a gut feeling that there might be something wrong. But, then, he remembered that she called him multiple times, and he was unfortunately not able to return her calls due to his busy schedule. He had a workshop with the cast, and his shooting immediately started. Walang signal sa shooting location. Kadalasan din ay pagod at antok na antok na siya upang silipin pa ang kaniyang mobile phone at mag-reply. Ngayon din lamang niya naalala na kamustahin si Kitkat. Just thinking about their intimacy brought back a good feeling inside.

He must admit it was special for him. After all, she was his first. Ever. And because of that, Kitkat had a special place in his heart, even if they did not have any relationship at all. He doubted though that he would make an effort to reach out to her if things were different. Ironically, even if he was an entertainer and actor, he was naturally a shy person. Kapag may lumalapit sa kaniyang mga babae na tipo niya ay natotorpe at hiyang-hiya siya. I guess that was one skill he never acquired from his Kuyas-- how to woo women. Well, that was because he never saw them court any. No dynamics to watch, witness, or emulate. It was always the ladies who expressed their interest in them, and mostly, they were ardent followers.

"Gab!" Naputol ang pag-iisip niya nang marinig ang boses ni Dominique.

Nasa hallway pa lamang sila ng kaniyang Mom at patungo sa terrace ay sinalubong na sila nito. Agad sumilay ang kaniyang ngiti. He was happy to see her and catch up with her --- and ask about her best friend Kitkat. Ngunit, sa talim ng tingin nito sa kaniya ay pakiwari niya na hindi ito masaya na makita siya.

"Auntie Shay," anito nang bumaling sa kaniyang ina na naka-angkla sa braso niya. "May I talk to Gab for a quick sec?"

"Okay," his mom graciously said. "Sunod na lang kayo sa terrace para makapag-mano itong si Gab sa Dad and uncle niya."

"Yes, Auntie." Dominique politely replied but was already pulling him in the opposite direction of the terrace.

He had a second look towards his mom, somewhat asking for a clue, or perhaps, seek help to save him from the ire of this pretty cousin of his. Napangiti lang ang kaniyang ina at nagkibit balikat na nagsasabing wala itong alam bakit galit si Dominique.

Binalingan niya muli ang pinsan. "Saan ba tayo pupunta?" taka niyang tanong, habang bina-balanse ang paglalakad sa tiled floor na nagke-create ng squeaking sound sa kanyang rubbershoes, which meant his rubber-shoes were not just sticking but sliding.

Kahit 5'11 ang height niya at matipuno ang pangangatawan, which meant he had muscles all over his body that added to his weight, ay nagawa siyang mahila ni Dominique patungo sa library. Dominique was only 5'5 in height and was slim like those Victoria's Secret models. She should not be as strong as she was... or perhaps she was too angry with him that she could pull him this way? He pondered.

"Sa library tayo mag-usap." Seryosong tugon ni Dominique. Ibang-iba ito sa bubbly at masayang pinsan na nakasama niya noon sa party. Agad nitong sinarado at ni-lock ang pinto ng library nag makapasok sila sa loob, na ikinagulat niya.

"You know what, I would be laughing with your cute expression right now, but no." She closed her eyes, seemingly, letting a bit of steam off.

"Why did you drag me here, cousin? Are you going to berate me for not being able to answer your calls?" nakangiti niyang tanong sa pinsan. "If yes, I'm so sorry. I just didn't have time because of the workshop and then shooting started---"

Bago pa niya matapos ang sasabihin ay pinutol na ni Dominique ang kaniyang paliwanag. "Kitkat's pregnant and it's your fault!" She said crossed arms.

Napakunot noo siya. "Good for her. But I don't see how it is my fault if she's pregnant." Nalito niyang tugon.

"Hello? Didn't you have s*x education in class?" sagot ni Dominique na naniningkit ang mga mata sa kaniya. Tila bubuga ito ng apoy.

"Wait," mahinahon niyang umpisa. "First of all, I was home-schooled, so no s*x education requirement. Second, I do not need s*x education, thank you. I can manage. Third, let me just clarify how is it my fault when we just slept one time?"

Kinonyatan siya ni Dominique na ikinagulat at ikinatawa niya. Sa tagal niyang hindi nakasama ang pinsan, hindi na siya sanay na may kahurutan ng ganito, lalo na ang kasama niya ay ang kaniyang mga tinuturing na mga Kuya. At pagdating sa mga Kuya niya sa Infin8, siya ang baby ng grupo. Mas madalas ay pinagbibigyan siya ng mga ito at inaalagaan.

"Gagi! Kailangan ba multiple times makipag-make love bago magka-baby? Ilang trilyon ba ang sperm sa isang volcanic eruption para dumaloy na parang lava sa loob ng v****a? At nag-condom ka ba nung may nangyari sa inyo? Alam mo bang virgin siya? Ha?" naluluha at sunod sunod na tanong ni Dominique habang kinokontrol na tumaas ang boses nito.

Napahilamos siya ng mukha para pigilan matawa. This was no laughing matter, and he knew that. But he just could not believe what Dominique was claiming—that he knocked up her best friend? Sinubukan niyang maalala ang mga pangyayari ng gabing iyon, kasabay ng pag-alala niya sa mga rules ng Infin8 tungkol sa kaniyang career. Tila naririnig niya ang mga posibleng maging komento sa kaniya kapag nalaman ng mga fans at ng reporters ang mga ganitong klaseng balita.

The youngest member of Infin8 impregnated a fan.

Huminga siya ng malalim at sinubukan mag-isip ng hakbang paano maso-solosyunan ang sitwasyon--- kung totoo ngang nabuntis niya si Kitkat. Naisip niya.

"How did you know she's pregnant?" he calmly asked. In fact, he was too calm. It was the 'celebrity' in him that he tried to emerge in this situation. As much as possible, he wanted to find a way to cover up the potential scandal, which would hurt his career.

"She confided in me when I visited her in the US. I just got back today and insisted Tatay come with me."

"Does Uncle Pyke know about this?" kinabahan siya.

His Uncle Pyke and Dad would surely demand him to face his responsibility if it were proven that he indeed impregnated someone, even if it would affect his career.

"Of course. I don't hide anything from Tatay." Sagot ni Dominique.

"What?" he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Sasabihin ni Uncle kay Dad ito. Lalong magagalit yon sa akin!" Napasuntok siya sa dingding. "Hindi pa nga ako tapos sa paga-aral, tapos may ganitong problema..." napailing siya.

Bahagyang nagulat si Dominique. "Susuntukin mo ba ako?" nainis na tanong ni Dominique.

"Syempre hinde, Dom!" Sagot niya at itinago ang mga naka-kuyom na kamay sa bulsa. Kahit kasi mahal niya ang pinsan ay baka may magawa siya o masabing hindi maganda kay Dominique. She could potentially ruin his career by what she did. "I'm not like that. Pinalaki ako ng magulang ko na maging magalang sa mga babae, kahit pa hindi makapagtago ng sikreto." May himig pagtatampong sabi niya at napasandal na lang sa dingding.

"I'm sorry, Gab." Napabuntong hininga si Dominique. "I panicked. I was devastated because I felt guilty that I entrusted her to you that night... and I thought she would never know it was you, because if she knew... at that state she was in... it would surely happen. And it did." She was about to cry in frustration.

He reached out for her and hugged her.

"I'm disappointed with you." She slightly stepped back. "That night that I saw you together being intimate, I quickly closed the door and tried to pretend that I knew nothing. But I got so worried for her, so I visited her in the US. I discovered that she was working as a waitress, while her parents, at present, do not know the ordeal she's going through. All the while, her parents think that their youngest princess is enjoying her vacation-- shopping for new clothes, make-up, branded bags, and redecorating her apartment in that upper-class place they bought for her. But instead, she's two months pregnant and asked me to keep it a secret from all of you—for your convenience. For your career!" Pinunasan ni Dominique ang luha. "And, FYI, Tatay can keep secrets. Unless you make a fool of yourself with your decisions."

***

KIARA

That specific morning that Kitkat woke up with a headache and the most beautiful dream which felt so real... was the time that she regretted ever waking up. It was like an MTV with matching background music of 'I See the Light'.

No joke! I saw the light! Nag-make love daw kami ni GP! Ayiiiiiiiiiii!

Kinilig siya. But a few moments later, she sat up and realized she was unclothed on the bed with a sore body to match her headache.

Kitkat also realized that her beautiful dream was somewhat true... that, indeed, she made out with someone that looked like GP.

Much later, she almost had a heart attack, jumped, and screamed her heart out when her best friend Dominique confirmed who she really slept with.

It was GP of Infin8!

Sabi ng best friend ko baliw na ako dahil ako lang daw ang nalasing at nakipag-make love sa estranghero na hindi nagsisisi na nangyari yon. Instead, mamatay matay ako sa kilig.Hindi ko na inalintana ang sakit ng ulo at katawan ko o ang pagkawala ng pinakai-ingatan kong bertud.

I regretted that everything was a blur to me though. Basta ang alam ko lang, he was gentle with me. Kenekeeleeeg ako!

"You're unbelievable, Kiara Mayumi!" Iling ni Dominique sa kaniya. "To think na Mayumi ang pangalan mo..."

She did not care. She was the happiest. Hindi siya kaagad naka-move on. Kung puwede lang wag maligo, ginawa na niya.

Paulit ulit niyang pine-play by play sa isip ang gabing iyon dahil ayaw niya itong makalimutan. Kahit na bumalik na siya ng Tolosa at binibisita siya ng mga umaakyat ng ligaw sa kaniya ay nakatulala siya at iniisip pa din si GP.

Kinikilig ako! As in! Pero nagwa-wonder din ako bakit hindi man lang niya ako kinamusta kay Dominique?

Pinilit niyang hanapan ng dahilan si GP kung bakit hindi man lang ito nangamusta o nagtanong ng number niya kay Dominique. After all, he knew that he was her first. She gave herself to him. She hoped it meant something to him. But, then, she realized that she was nothing to GP and the intimacy they had meant nothing to him.

I was just a random f0ck for a big star like him. She bitterly thought.

It hurt her feelings and made her feel so insecure. Consequently, it was making her feel low and she couldn't help but tear up as if her hormones were in haywire.

Napansin ng kaniyang magulang na naging malungkutin siya at batid niya iyon. But she couldn't help it.

Dominique tried to contact her in Tolosa to talk to her because her parents kept asking her best friend if she had a problem before she came home.

"I think it has something to do with almost having what you wanted, but when you had it for a limited time only, you start longing for it now, and want more of it which is impossible. "

This was why she did not want to do anything about it. She used to find ways to see him in the past. Pero ngayon, nakakahiya na.

"All that matters to me now is not to be the cause of any trouble to him." She told her best friend Dominique.

She was thankful to be busy with her preparation for the coming semester. She flew to the US where she would study. She knew it would keep her busy, and she had to be.

This is my chance to restrain myself from longing for something I will never ever, ever have. Naisip niya.

For a while it made her feel happy again. It somehow allowed her to regain her confidence in herself and meet new people in the posh area of the university belt.

However, just as she was starting to feel good about herself, she noticed that she didn't have her regular period yet. This made her anxious for nights until she decided to buy pregnancy tests.

At first, she was in denial and it took her ten pregnancy tests to accept the truth that she was indeed having GP's baby--- by herself.

She definitely would not let GP know about it. GP has already indirectly humiliated her by not even checking on her before, and it would be embarrassing now to let him know about her circumstance.

She heaved a sigh and thought of her options. All she had was her credit card. She had limited cash. And if she withdrew a big amount of money from her credit card, her parents would know. They would wonder where she was going to spend it. Batid niyang hindi maaring malaman ng magulang niya ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis niya.

Malaking gulo iyon. She decided she would look for a job to use for her check-ups and vitamins and everything her baby would need. Kahit buhay prinsesa siya sa Pilipinas, tatanggapin niya ang kahit anong trabaho basta marangal.

She was thankful that there was an opening in the restaurant across the posh building where she lives. She applied for a job through the manager of the restaurant and wondered why she needed to work when she lived in the said posh place. Dinaan na lang niya sa paliwanag na gusto niyang tumayo sa sariling paa at 'sort-of summer job' daw niya ito.

"I'm really happy! I'm honestly happy, Lord." I said while on the bed looking up at the window with sparkling stars in the dark sky. But contrary to what she said, she was quietly crying her heart out. She gently touched her two months pregnant tummy to somewhat comfort her baby and assure him or her that everything was going to be okay.

For many days, she carefully cleaned tables and took orders. Her manager started to get annoyed with her because she had no experience and he said she moved slow. Hindi naman niya masabing natatakot kasi siyang kumilos ng mabilis dahil baka madulas siya at makunan. Mabuti na lang at tinutulungan siya ng ilan sa mga ka-trabaho niya.

Kung ang ibang babae, mas gusto pang makunan o ma-abort ang pinagbubuntis nila, siya hinde. Habang tumatagal nga ay napapaginipan niya na ang magiging baby daw niya ay kamukha ni GP. The thought of having a mini-GP was motivating her to endure all the struggles she was going through.

One morning, she was feeling nauseous and could not go to work, when suddenly she heard the doorbell ring. She thought it was just one of the restaurant staff checking on her, because her manager did not believe that she was not feeling well. Narinig niya sa mga kuwentuhan ng ibang staff sa restaurant na mahilig daw ito magpapunta ng mga staff upang ipa-check kung totoo ngang may sakit ang mga naga-absent.

Kakatapos lang niya magsuka sa sink ng bathroom kahit wala naman siyang mailabas na kahit ano. Nanghihina na siya at nahihilo. She knew this must be part of her pregnancy. She wanted to rest in her bed all day long. Ngunit patuloy ang pag-doorbell at nag-aalala siyang maistorbo ang ibang unit, kaya pinagbuksan na niya ito ng pinto. Laking gulat niya ng makita si Dominique.

"Oh no! This is not the time, Dom." She felt stressed seeing Dominique. She rested her head on the door jamb and dizzily begged her best friend. She was not sure what she wanted her best friend to spare her from but helplessly felt her knees turn into jelly. She unintentionally felt herself helplessly falling... kneeling on the floor for support as everything turned dark.

She woke up on the floor with her head on Dominique's lap. Hindi na niya maitago ang katotohanan kay Dominique at napaamin na siya dito. Nangako ito na walang pagsasabihan ng kanyang sitwasyon.

Napabuntong hininga siya habang naglilinis ng mga lamesa sa restaurant. Dasal niya na walang pinagsabihan si Dominique, pero tila nagka-kutob siya. Not that she believed it. She just had a weird feeling in her tummy.

"Just a few more tables, baby love." Mahina niyang sinambit na kausap ang kaniyang tiyan. "Is my baby love tired na like Mom?" she tried to feel better by humming a song that she remembered GP sang with Infin8. To her pleasant surprise, she felt her contraction disappear.

Finally, when she was done with her tasks. She took her shoulder bag from the staff room and wore her trench coat. She was excited to step out of the restaurant and cross to the other side of the street where she was staying.

But as she stepped out of the restaurant, she saw Dominique waiting at one of the outdoor chairs, and she was with a man wearing a cap and hood. Hindi man niya maaninag ang mukha nito dahil sa madilim, sigurado siyang si GP iyon.

Nagmadali siyang maglakad sa opposite na direksyon. At mas binilisan pa niyang lumayo nang marinig niyang tinatawag siya ni Dominique.

Habang nagmamadali siyang maglakad ay napaiyak siya.

Nakaramdam siya ng sama ng loob at betrayal kay Dominique, at muling bumalik yung hinanakit na naramdaman niya nang binalewala siya ni GP.

"Kitkat!" She heard Dominique. But she ignored her call. She wanted to escape from both.

If she could only cross the street, she could immediately run to her apartment and lock her door, never to see or talk to her best friend and the father of her baby.

Without thinking, she decided to cross the street. Nakarinig siya ng bosina. She saw a flash which became a blur as the car swiftly approached. She heard a scream and felt wind swirl around her. Or was it her that swirled around? It happened so swiftly that all she could do was instinctively protect her stomach by crouching.

"Are you trying to get killed? Crazy!" She heard the driver scream in anger from the car.

Naglapitan ang mga taong nakakita sa pangyayari. Umarangkada naman ang sasakyan sa takot nito na baka pagtulungan mga tao, dahil bawal sa lugar na iyon ang matulin magmaneho. Ngunit ang mga tao sa paligid ay abala na maglabas ng kanilang mga mobile phones.

Doon lang niya napansin na nasa kalsada pa din siya at nakahiga sa taong humablot sa kaniya at iniwas siya sa pagkabundol ng rumaragasang sasakyan.

Tumingin siya sa hinihingal at nakayapos na lalaki sa kaniya. He was trying to catch his breath and was also still in shock. She looked up at him and saw his face. He looked like an angel with his flawless skin, beautiful facial features fit and destined to be a pop idol--- and now the youngest member of the famous boyband Infin8.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he tried to put his hood back to hide his face. He stood up and immediately placed his arm around her protectively. He hid her face from the bystanders taking photos of them and screaming for Infin8 and GP's names.

Tumakbo naman si Dominique at sumabay sa kanilang mabilis na paglalakad patungo sa building na kaniyang tinitirhan.

Her best friend guided GP as they entered the building. He was looking down as they walked, and while his arms were still protectively around her shoulders, almost holding her head to cover her face, too.

It gave her an opportunity to look... to ogle at him... because deep inside... despite wanting to hate him... her fangirl inside was screaming and dying to see him this close...to be held by him this intimately. It made her recall and realize how lucky she was to even be this close to him when all other fans would do anything just to be in her place right now... even to be pregnant with his baby... upang mapa sakanila lamang si GP.

But not her. It will never be her intention.

Well, yes, I did before...But that was when I was still fantasizing about him and his abs... and .... all that SPG. Pag amin niya sa sarili.

Mabilis siyang pumikit at bahagyang umiling na tila ba mabubura nito ang mga imaheng pumasok sa kaniyang isip.

Ang gusto lang niyang ilagay sa isip ay hindi niya guguluhin ang buhay ni GP. Hindi siya magde-demand kay GP. Naiintindihan niya ang sitwasyon ni GP.

She can manage this.

She's got this.