Capítulo 179: Unconditionally
Finale. Unconditionally
NANG maihatid si Dice sa isang liblib na lugar ng Camarines Norte kung nasaan ang pinag-usapang lokasyon ay naghintay pa sila ng ilang oras sa pagdating ng kanilang mga hinihintay. The backups were on standby, alert and ready to take Nathaniel Devila down. They'd make sure that everyone in that family would crumble down in no time. Sa mga susunod na mga operasyon ay matutuldukan na ang ka-animal-an ng pamilyang iyon.
Inayos niya ang dalang baril at sinigurong kargado ang magasin niyon.
"You own a pistol?" pansin sa kanya ng kasama niya.
"Oo."
"Is that a 9mm?"
He nodded and stretched his left arm forward while gripping the pistol as if he was aiming for something, or someone.
"That's a good choice of carry gun."
He couldn't agree more. Its make and model was one of the ninety-two series of Beretta—a Beretta 92FS, and it could hold up to fifteen rounds. It's easy to carry, too, because it's one of those guns that could be rapid fired and controlled without much difficulty.
Kung ano-ano pang mga pinagkwentuhan nila pero hindi pa rin niya maipagkakaila ang matinding kabang nadarama. Hindi siya makampante nang husto kahit alam naman niyang mapagkakatiwalaan ang dalawa sa mga kasama ni Kanon.
An hour... Two hours... But the people they'd been waiting still didn't arrive. It was exactly two hours and twenty minutes when he received a phone call that the location had been changed. Sa safe house na dadalhin si Kanon para siguradong ligtas ito. Subalit makalipas ng tatlumpung minuto, kung saan ilang dipa na lamang ang layo nila eksaktong lokasyon, ay nakatanggap siya ng tawag kay Romano Caballero, ang lalaking nagmaneho sa van. He and Nami were disguised as people working with Nathaniel Devila. If he's not mistaken, the two were occupied about Casa Manarang's case, too, so he's guessing that after this, they'd go straight to do their jobs.
Sinagot niya ang tawag at bumungad sa kanya ang pagkataranta at galit sa boses nito.
"Daisuke! Send the chopper here! Monami needs to go to the hospital. Now!"
Alam niyang narinig na ng kasama niyang lulan sa hummer iyon dahil ni-loudspeaker niya ang cellphone nang sagutin ang tawag.
"That bastard slit her throat, though it looks like he missed her carotid, she's losing a lot of blood now! Hell!" He pertained to the carotid artery wherein it'd be more fatal if that's where she was slit.
Mas lalong dumagundong ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib sa narinig dahil sa takot kung ano ang maaaring nangyari sa kanyang asawa.
Inalerto naman ng kasama niya ang piloto na tinawagan nito kaagad-agad.
"Si Kanon?!"
Pero hindi na ito nakasagot dahil naputol ng linya.
"Fuck, baby, hang in there. Just a few more minutes..."
They were already inside the private property where the safe house was located. Napansin din niyang nagsidatingan na ang ibang mga tauhan ng Phoenix. Unang dinaluhan sina Romano habang siya'y kaagad na luminga-linga sa paligid. Malalim na ang gabi kaya kailangang mas alerto siya sa paghahanap. Mabuti na lamang at napalilibutan ng ilang poste ng ilaw ang private property na iyon, sapat lamang upang makita kung gaano kalawak ang lugar at ang mga nagtataasang puno nagmistulang bakod.
He also noticed the van parked just a few meters away from them and he wasn't wrong when he saw people inside the van. Given the situation that the one in the passenger seat was struggling to be free, he's certain that it was his wife and that bastard who's in the driver's seat was the perpetrator.
"Shit!"
He immediately opened the car window.
"Hold the wheel!" Mabilis na utos niya sa kasama at hinanda ang kanyang sarili. Nang mahawakan na nito ang manibela at dumungaw siya sa nakabukas na bintana ng sasakyan hanggang sa nakaapak na siya sa upuan, mabilis na umupo sa bintana at gamit ang malayang kamay ay humawak siya nang maigi habang inaasinta ang baril sa direksyon ng van. It was a good timing that it wasn't moving so he immediately pointed his pistol sideways to make sure he'd hit one of the tires right away.
The van wasn't heavily tinted. At dahil papalapit na sila ay kitang-kita niya kung paano nitong sinasaktan ang asawa niya kaya mas lalong nagdilim ang paningin niya at hindi kumukurap na pinataman sa kaliwang braso ang animal na si Nathan. Hanggang sa patamaan niya rin ang kanang kamay nitong may hawak na sa tingin niya'y isang patalim.
Pabalibag na bumaba si Kanon sa sasakyan at doon pa lamang sila nakalapit nang tuluyan. Pinreno niya ang hummer at nagmadaling umibis ng sasakyan para malapitan si Kanon.
Napamura siya nang paulit-ulit sa isipan dahil naramdaman niya ang matinding takot at sindak sa kanyang pinakamamahal. That'd not be denied for she was trembling out of fear as she wept in the darkness of the night.
Sa sobrang galit niya ay hindi na niya naisipang wala silang kahit na anong suot na proteksyon sa tainga ni Kanon nang kalabitin niya ang gatilyo ng baril ng ilang beses. If only she didn't stop him, he might have killed that criminal. And that would make him into one, too.
"I'm sorry..." He apologized countless times to her because that's how he exactly felt at that moment—aside from he's relieved that she's now safe in his arms.
Humagulgol ito matapos ng ilang sandali at kinailangan pang tarakan ng pampakalma dahil hindi matigil sa pagtangis. Nag-alala ito nang husto sa kaibigan.
WHEN Kanon came in, she was in an unfamiliar place. When she thought about everything just happened, she immediately got up, yet she felt dizzy. Saktong kabubukas naman ng pinto sa banyo at nabungaran niya ang nagpupunas na kamay ng kanyang asawang patakbong lumapit sa kanya. Punong-puno ng pag-aalalang inalalayan siya nitong mahiga muli.
"I want to sit down," aniya.
Inangat na lamang ni Dice ang kama sa bandang ulunan niya hanggang sa makaupo siya't nakasandal doon. Umupo naman ito sa gilid ng kama.
She cleared her throat as she glanced at him while he's staring at her fervently.
"I'm thirsty," bulalas niya.
Napapikit ito at saglit na napatingala bago bumalik ang pagtitig sa kanya't niyakap siya nang mahigpit.
"I'm fine..." she uttered because she noticed how worried he was.
"Can you hear me now?" he asked as he was resting his chin on her left shoulder.
Napakagat-labi siya at tumango. Hindi gaya nang matapos nitong magpaputok ito ng baril kung saan humina ang kanyang pandinig ay nakarinig na siya ngayon. The ringing in her ears disappeared, too.
"Ikaw ba?" tanong niya dahil maaaring ganoon din ang naramdaman nito. "Can you hear clearly now?"
He nodded. "You've been asleep for a day now, Kan, let me call your doctor first."
"It's over now, isn't it?"
Humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin niyon—hindi pa tapos ang lahat.
"Are you still needed in the agency?"
"Sweetie, let's not talk about that. I'm quitting—"
"What?" sansala niya sa sasabihin nito. "I m-mean, why would you? I thought you love your jobs?" Damn, her throat felt dry. Nauuhaw talaga siya.
"I'll just continue managing Eclipse." Kumalas siya sa yakap at hinayaan naman siya nito 'tsaka bahagyang lumayo, sapat lang para magkaharap sila at magkausap.
"Ayaw mo nang magtrabaho sa Phoenix?"
"You witnessed how dangerous my job can be, Kan."
"Pero sa I.T. ka naman, hindi ba? Nami told me you're one of their best assets." She suddenly stopped speaking as she remembered what happened to her friend. "W-where's she?"
"She's still recovering—"
Her tears immediately fell down when she heard that her friend was alive. "Nandito rin ba siya? Can I see her now?"
Umiling ito at ipinaalam sa kanyang sa Maynila idinala ang kaibigan niya para sa surgery. Hindi malalim ang tinamong sugat pero may natamaang ugat kaya kinailangang operahan kaagad.
"We will visit her. But for now, we have to stay here."
"How about your job? I thought you're eager to catch Lemuel—" She sighed because that person wasn't him. "Nathan..." pagtatama niya sa sariling pagkakamali.
"My team can handle that."
Natulala siya't mariing nag-isip. Tama namang delikado ang trabaho ni Dice pero ayaw niyang dahil sa kanya ay iwan nito iyon.
"Baby, I know what you're thinking."
Ngumuso siya. "Sa ilang taong pagtatrabaho mo roon ay alam kong parte na iyon ng buhay mo."
"Pero ikaw—"
"Shh..." She pressed her forefinger on his lips to keep him quiet. "Alam kong parte rin ako ng buhay mo, ganoon ka rin sa akin. Malaking parte ka ng buhay ko at handang-handa akong tanggapin nang buo ang lahat patungkol sa iyo basta alam kong hindi malilihis ang landas mo. Natin."
Nginitian niya ito at hindi ito makapaniwalang tumitig sa kanya kaya bahagya siyang tumawa para pagaanin ang pag-uusap nila.
"Am I weird? Other women will beg for their men to quit in that kind of job tho..."
Mabilis na umiling ito. "The way you think, my wife, it always amazes me."
She bit her bottom lip. "Siguro ganito ang nararamdaman ng mga asawa ng mga sundalo..."
"But I'm not a soldier, and yet, I'm willing to fight only for you."
She smiled contentedly with his sentence. In some times, she'd say he's too cheesy but now, she loved what she just heard. Nginitian din siya nito at imbes na lumabas ng private ward ay tumawag na lamang ito sa Nurse's Station gamit ang intercom para ipaalam na gumising na siya. Ilang sandali pa ay dumating ang mga umasikaso sa kanya.
Kinabukasan ay na-discharge na siya at dinala siya ni Dice sa isang long white sand beach sa isla ng Tinaga—ang Mahabang Buhangin. Hindi niya napigilan ang mamangha sa ganda ng likas na yamang taglay ng isla.
The cold breeze of wind, the smell of the sea and the serene place enveloped her heart. She fell in love with the place at once. But they only stayed there for two days, and yet, she wanted to stay longer. She even felt like she could live there for the rest of her life while appreciating the beauty of the nature.
"Do you like it here?"
"Damn, yes! It's like a safe haven, Dice! I don't want to leave but we have to go now." Napagkasunduan na kasi nilang itutuloy na nito ang pagtatrabaho sa Phoenix sa kondisyong hindi ito sasabak sa mga misyon kung saan kailangan ang pisikal na presensya ng lalaki. She'd be fine as long as he only worked with the computers again. With his team in "I.T. Department". Ganoon pa rin ang setup, madalang lang sa Phoenix Agency dahil manager pa rin ito ng Eclipse.
Ngayo'y nasa sun lounger sila sa upper deck ng yate na maghahatid sa kanila sa daungan, at pagkatapos ay gagamitin nila ang chopper na maghahatid sa kanila pa-Maynila.
"It's freaking breathtaking! Damn!"
He chuckled heartily. "You really like the place, huh? You just curse. Twice."
"Sh—" Siya mismo ang nagtakip sa bibig niya para pigilan ang sariling mapamura ulit. Tinampal niya kaagad ang braso nito. "Ikaw kasi! Mura ka nang mura," kunwaring paninisi niya rito.
Inakbayan lang siya nito at bahagyang umisod para mas madikit sa kanya. Napakagat-labi siya nang maramdaman kaagad ang pagdaloy ng init sa katawan niya.
"H-hey, baka makita nila tayo..." Ibinaon ni Dice ang mukha sa kanyang leeg at itinulak siya pahiga sa sun lounger. She's wearing a body-hugging strapless floral yellow sundress that they bought before going to the island while he's only wearing his faded jeans. Hinubad nito ang t-shirt kanina dahil maalinsangan daw ito.
"No, sweetie, they're busy."
"Sa k-kama na lang ulit—" Her words were drowned when he claimed her mouth as if he's tasting her. Pinutol nito ang halik at pinagdikit ang noo nila.
"Your lips taste like a fine wine... Nakalalasing."
Napalunok siya't siya na ang humila rito para mahalikan siya pero bago malunod sa halik ay humampas naman ang malakas na alon sa yate na nagpaalog nang bahagya roon, kaya halos napasubsob si Dice sa kanyang dibdib.
Though she's already getting in the mood, she couldn't help but laugh because he gasped for air when he got up.
"Totoo nga ang balita, 'no?"
Nagtataka naman itong tumingin sa kanya.
"Nakalulunod nga ang dibdib ko."
Ang lakas ng tawa nito sa biro niya. "Damn it, let's go inside now."
"Why? Didn't you want to do me here?"
Nangislap ang mga mata nito at napalingon siya sa bandang puson nito. Impit na napatili siya nang buhatin siya nito't kaagad naman siyang yumapos sa batok nito.
"Dice..."
"Yes, sweetie, I know you're horny now. You're becoming bolder again, and I'm turned on even more."
She only chuckled and buried her face on his chest. She also noticed that to herself whenever she's turned on, she felt like she's losing her sanity as she sensually talked dirty. And it's turning her on more when she's vividly seeing her effects on her husband.
Hindi na nito pinatagal pa at pinaligaya siya sa loob ng silid na inokupa nila sa yate.
Ilang minuto na rin ang lumipas matapos niyon nang mag-shower sila at lumabas na dahil kanina pa sila nasa daungan. They went straight to a branch of the Sandoval Hotel in the place because the chopper was waiting in the hotel's helipad.
An hour or so, they arrived in Manila and went straight to the hospital where her friend was admitted. But Nami was sleeping soundly when they came so she informed her family that she'd just go back the next day because she needed to go to her cousin's mansion, too.
Sapat nang nalaman at nasaksihan niyang buhay ang kanyang kaibigan, na sa mga susunod na linggo ay bubuti na ang lagay nito. That's all that mattered now.
Nang makarating sa mansiyon ng mga Flores ay sinalubong siya ng kanyang pinsang si Daniel na naka-indefinite leave sa kumpanya ngayon.
"Kuya..." Mahigpit na yumakap siya rito't nang ipakilala niya si Dice ay napansin niyang nagtanguan ang dalawa. "You two know each other already?"
Parehong tumango ang mga ito.
"He cooperated with Phoenix," sagot naman ni Dice.
Oo nga pala. Sa rami kasi ng iniisip niya't mga naganap ay nakaligtaan na niya ang tungkol sa anomalyang naganap sa isang branch ng FastEx.
The reason why she met her cousin was she was asked to be the acting COO again because Daniel Flores would focus fathering their niece in the meantime. Hindi natuloy ang pag-ampon niya sa pamangkin dahil pinakiusapan siya ng kanyang Kuya Daniel na ito ang tatayong ama ng bata. Sa ngayo'y nasa ospital ang pamangkin nila't kinailangang operahin sa puso dahil may nakitang komplikasyon doon. Her heart ached with the news and she would keep on praying for her niece to recover real soon.
Ilang sandali rin silang nagkuwentuhan bago sila nagpaalam ni Dice para mabisita naman ang mga magulang nila habang ang kuya Daniel niya'y bumalik na ng ospital.
It was a long day and they were dead tired when they got home. They sat on the sofa and she's immediately flustered remembering their first night together as husband and wife in their home.
"Are you horny again?" biro ni Dice at humiga ito sa kandungan niya.
Umiling siya kahit medyo uminit na nga ang pakiramdam niya. Sa huli ay minasahe niya ang sentido ng kanyang asawa.
"Nagugutom ka ba?"
Tumango siya. Kumain naman sila sa tahanan ng mga Usui pero kanina pa iyon. Dumating pa kasi ang mga magulang niya't nagtagal pa sila roon kaya malalim na ang gabi nang makauwi sila.
"Anong gusto mong kainin?"
"Hmm..."
"Ako ba?"
Magaan na tinapik niya ang noo nito para suwayin. "Nag-iisip pa ako, dini-distract mo ako."
"You're the one who's always distracting me."
Nangunot ang noo niya at yumuko para matitigan ito nang husto.
"During college, I tried my best to forget everything about you, but I always get distracted picturing your alluring smile, your beautiful face... your soft voice... So in the end, I only came to realize and accepted that I still didn't get over you."
Pinamulahan siya ng mukha sa isiniwalat nito. "So, I was just your distraction, huh?" kunwaring tuya niya. Tumango naman ang mokong kaya kunwaring bumusangot siya.
"Yet you were my favorite distraction above all."
Kagat-labing pinigilan niyang mangisi. It's funny how she thought of him that way before, too, not knowing that his favorite distraction was her as well.
Maybe they weren't really distracted before. Maybe that was their deepest desire—to be distracted with each other. To finally notice their growing feelings, to let their young hearts beat for each other, to be together, to continue the supposed to be start of their beautiful relationship. Siguro'y kung hindi naudlot ang damdamin nila noon, baka totoo ngang may mga anak na sila ng lalaki ngayon. Na baka noon pa ma'y naisuko na niya nang buo ang sarili rito.
"Don't smirk that way, you're distracting me, naughty woman."
"Heh! Puro ka distract-distract, ikaw nga nan-destruct ng virginity ko! But I'm not complaining though. It felt so surreal. Parang isang panaginip ang lahat. Ulitin nga natin nang masiguro kong hindi iyon panaginip?" Idinaan niya sa biro ang init na unti-unti niyang nadarama.
"You're already horny, huh...?"
"Ahm..." Was she being bold again?
"You don't know what I'm imagining right now as if you're on top of me..."
"Ha?"
Ngumisi lang ito at umiling 'tsaka patagilid na humiga kung saan nakaharap ito sa bandang tiyan niya. Napasinghap siya nang halik-halikan nito ang parteng iyon ng kanyang katawan.
"I want us to get pregnant already," bulalas nito nang hinagkan muli ang bandang puson niya.
Napakagat-labi siya dahil gusto niya rin iyon. "I'll go to my OB next week. I'll ask for some tips—"
"Baby, have you forgotten? I worked in the medical field before."
"So, what? You're not even an OB."
"But I know your cycle and I know exactly when is your ovulation..."
"Huh?" Pambihira! Hindi siya makapaniwala sa isiniwalat nito. Siya nga'y hindi masyadong aware sa bagay na iyon. Basta ang alam niya, regular ang kanyang buwanang dalaw.
"So, do you want to eat me now?"
"Bwisit ka! Mamaya na lang."
"Bakit hindi pa ngayon? Ganoon din naman."
"Kasi, nagugutom ako. Nangayayat na nga ko kaa-ano natin. Kaya tumayo ka na't maghahain ako ng pagkain natin." She knew she was being exaggerated. Alam niyang iba ang dahilan ng pangangayayat niya. Gayunpama'y hindi siya malnourished, pasok pa rin naman sa normal ang timbang niya.
Ngumisi ito ng malapad, agad na nabasa niya ang nas isipan nito.
"Hep! Don't you dare to say that you want me to be served as your food instead."
Natawa ito at bumangon na para makaupo sa sofa. Siya nama'y tumayo na't dumiretso sa kusina. Habang naghahanap ng makakain ay hindi niya namalayang nakasunod na pala sa kanya si Dice. He kept on distracting her to make love with him as she tried to prepare their meal.
"Dice, ano ba!" kunwaring pagsusungit niya.
"I know you're not really hungry. The food can wait but our baby cannot. Gusto nang lumangoy papunta sa sinapupunan mo."
She castigated him but she perfectly knew that in no time, she would be screaming sensually and submitting in to him again and again.
He pouted, then, he bit his lower lip. He stopped romancing her and decided to just eat. Napalunok siya dahil inakala niyang hindi siya nito titigilan. She felt a bit embarrassed because she somewhat anticipated what'd he do, or where would he touch her next.
After almost half an hour, they ate the fried luncheon meat, boiled instant corned soup and newly-cooked rice because Dice didn't have any other food available. After eating, she washed the dishes while her husband was already taking a shower. Mabilis lang namang natapos at napangisi siya sa naisip. She'd join him in the shower.
She smirked even wider when she entered the bathroom and heard Dice humming an upbeat song. Bahagya pa itong sumasayaw sa ilalim ng shower habang nagsasabon. Napailing siya. Baka mamaya'y madulas pa ito sa ginagawa. Then, she grabbed her toothbrush, put a right amount of toothpaste and she started brushing her teeth. Hindi siya makapaniwalang hindi pa rin siya napansin ni Dice sa kadahilanang nakapikit ito habang nagbabanlaw ng katawan.
Kaagad na natigilan ito nang sawakas ay napansin siya kaya natawa siya.
"Dancer ka rin pala sa loob ng banyo," biro niya't tinapos ang pagse-sepilyo pero hindi ito tumawa. Napalunok siya nang makita kung paanong mabilis na napalitan ng pagnanasa ang nasa mata nito.
He looked so damn hot as the water was dripping on his body. She never realised how fit her husband was and how hot he was while taking a shower. Her eyes traveled on his hair, on his handsome face, his broad shoulders and chest, to his abdomen, down to his groin. She blinked her eyes twice when she noticed his manhood erected in no time.
She licked her lower lip as she stared on his masculinity. Nakaramdam siya ng inggit sa tubig na humahalik sa katawan nito kaya unti-unti siyang nagtanggal ng saplot. Para siyang sinilaban nang nanatili lamang na nakatayo ang asawa niya sa ilalim ng nakabukas na shower at pinanonood siyang maghubad.
Sumipol ito nang kumawala ang mayayaman niyang dibdib, pero hindi siya nabastusan, bagkus ay mas lumakas ang loob niya na lapitan ito at siya ang unang kumilos para magpakalunod sila sa makamundong bagay nang paulit-ulit.
A month had passed and they were both busy with the things they needed to occupy but they made sure to give time to one another as much they could. She rarely posted vlogs now, too, and the contents were usually about inspirations in life, how to save money, and short travel.
Another month had passed when they became busier, until the end of the third month.
She phoned her husband to congratulate him and the group because Eclipse won an award on a Music show.
"I'll be home tonight. Tomorrow's weekend and we don't have schedule."
"I know, husband. I have a copy of your schedule, remember?" Natatawang bulalas niya. That's the reason why she phoned him. She wanted to tell him that she'd cook for him so he didn't need to buy food while he's on his way home. "We'll celebrate because Eclipse won the 'Album of The Year' award."
"You're making me fall for you even more... You really celebrate every little successes that I have."
"Of course, you're successes are mine, too," pabirong bulalas niya. Ganoon din naman ito sa kanya. Nang malaman nitong nagbukas ng bagong beanch ang FastEx sa Sorsogon noong nakaraang linggo ay c-in-ongratulate siya kaagad nito.
After a few minutes, the call had ended.
Just as what he said, he went home early and while having dinner, they're also planning their vacation-slash-honeymoon for the next six months. Ganoon katagal ang gusto ni Dice na gugulin nila para sa isa't isa. Kung iisipin ay bitin pa iyon para sa kanila lalo pa't kaytagal nilang hinintay ang pagkakataong maikasal at magkasama sila nang matagal-tagal.
Yet, she's more than contended knowing that he'd be spending his forever with him. And, oh! She couldn't wait to bear their children and be good parents to them as soon as possible.
Matapos nilang pagplanuhin ang unang destinasyon ng honeymoon nila, kung saan napagesisyunan nilang sa Bicol at iba pang mga nakabibighaning lugar sa Pilipinas, ay dumiretso na sila sa pagligo at nagpatuyo siya ng buhok pagkatapos.
"You better go to sleep now, Kan."
"Alas diyes pa lang naman," katwiran niya.
"Masama sa iyo ang magpuyat."
Bigla siyang nainis dito. "At sa iyo, hindi masama? Ang selfish mo! Gusto mo lang niyang manood ng Netflix!" Noong nakaraan kasi ay may pinanood itong action series sa naturang site.
Napakurap-kurap ito at ang ekspresyon ng mukha ay ipinararating sa kanya na hindi ganoon ang ibig nitong ipakahulugan. Pero hindi siya matitinag sa pagpapa-pogi nito!
"'Kainis ka!"
Padabog na humiga siya at naiinis na napaiyak dahil sa isipang ayaw siyang kasalo ni Dice sa panonood ng palabas.
"Makasarili!" she muttered under her breath. Umuga nang bahagya ang kama dahil pumwesto ito sa kanyang tabi.
"Sweetie, it isn't like that..." alu nito.
Hindi siya sumagot at impit na umiyak.
"Baby..."
Still, she didn't respond.
"I love you..." anas nito at niyakap siya mula sa likuran. "I love you and I will not watch Netflix tonight. I'll be here beside you until we both fall asleep."
She gulped and stopped crying. Mabilis na bumaling siya rito. "Is that true?"
"Yes," he said softly.
"Talaga?"
"Hm..." Bahagya itong tumango. "Bukas ng umaga tayo manonood."
Bahagya siyang ngumiti. "Hindi iyan ang tanong ko... totoong mahal mo ako?" Maging siya ay hindi makapaniwala sa tinanong niya. Daisuke loved her with no doubt, so asking him about his feelings out of the blue was actually senseless.
Imbes na magulat ay nginitian siya nito ng matamis na nagpabilis sa tibok ng kanyang puso.
"Mahal kita..."
She smiled sweetly, too, and responded, "Mahal din kita. Sobra."
Hinigit siya ng yakap nito at hinagkan ang kanyang bunbunan habang hinahaplos ang kanyang likuran.
"If you really love me..."
He groaned. "I love you, my Kanon Grace. I really do. Can you feel it?"
"Ang alin?" Napalunok siya dahil ramdam niya ang katigasan nito
"My heartbeat..."
"Uh, iyon ba? O-oo. Pero, kung mahal mo talaga ako, kantahan mo ako." Ano bang pinagsasabi ko?
"Sweetie?"
"Or just hum a song. I want that one you always hum under the shower."
Hindi ito kumontra at kaagad na tila hinele siya nang magsimula itong kumanta. Ramdam niya ang bahagyang paggaralgal ng matipunong dibdib nito habang pibakikinggan ang baritono ngunit malamyos na tinig nito't kaagad siyang hinila ng antok.
Kinabukasan ay gumising siya at laking-gulat niya nang wala si Dice sa tabi niya. Napabalikwas siya ng bangon at bahagya pa siyang nahilo kaya sumandal siya sa headboard ng kama. Ilang sandali ay nilukob siya ng matinding kalungkutan kaya niyakap niya ang magkabilang binti at impit na umiyak doon.
Halos limang minuto na ang nakalipas nang bumukas ang pinto at nang mag-angat siya ng tingin ay nakita niyang si Dice ang pumasok sa silid, may bitbit itong food tray na may pagkain. Hindi na niya gaanong napansin kung ano ang mga pagkain dahil nilapag na nito iyon sa mesita at siya'y tumayo para lapitan ito
"Saan ka ba nanggaling?!" pagalit niyang tanong at kumunot ang noo. Nang kumurap-kurap ito'y para siyang nasaktan at bigla na lamang humagulgol. Damn, she exactly knew he came from the kitchen to prepare their meal but she just couldn't control her emotions.
He embraced her at once while trying to hush her. "Kanon, baby, I'm sorry. Please, don't cry again..."
"You should've waited for me to wake up!"
"I'm sorry... But, sweetie, I think we must visit your OB today..."
She was taken aback. Why would they go now? Nag-angat siya ng tingin at nag-aalalang tumitig sa mukha nito't napansin niya ang kakaibang kislap sa mga mata nito. Napalunok siya.
"B-baog ka ba?"
What the heck? She wanted to ask herself that.
He chuckled heartily. Ano'ng nakakatawa sa baog?
"May tulo ka?!"
Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa nito hanggang sa nadamay na siya sa pagtawa. Parang kahit anong hindi kaaya-ayang bagay ang sabihin dito ay walang makasisira sa mood nito.
Pero, seryoso, wala siyang ideya kung bakit kailangan nilang magpunta sa OB ngayon. But she still took a shower anyway and prepared to leave.
They were already in the garage when it suddenly hit her. Her mood swings, her, being emotional and suddenly became picky on foods the past few weeks... and she didn't have her monthly period yet! It was supposedly three weeks ago or so. Why didn't she notice that?
"Am I pregnant?!" she excitedly exclaimed and she pushed her husband to the car before he could open its door for her. Pero sa isang iglap ay nagbago ang posisyon nila at siya na ang nakasandal sa sasakyan. Nag-angat siya ng tingin at sinalubong siya ng kakaibang kislap sa mga mata nito, at ngayo'y nakangiti na ng malapad.
"Yes, sweetie, I'm sure that we are pregnant already."
Napatili siya at naglulundag pero mabilis siyang naangat ni Dice at ibinaba rin kaagad. Napasandal ulit siya sa sasakyan habang hinihingal.
"Let's go now?" Alam niyang nasasabik na rin ito sa malinaw na resulta ukol sa kalagayan niya.
Tumingkayad siya at yumapos sa batok nito 'tsaka kinintalan ng matamis na halik sa mamula-mula nitong labi.
"Damn, now I want to make love with you right here."
"C-can we?" Because that's exactly what she wanted to. Pero gusto niya ring magpunta muna sa ospital.
"Mamaya. Pagkauwi natin."
"What if you get distracted while driving?"
"Huh?" Ang kislap sa mga mata nito'y nadagdagan ng apoy ng pagnanasa sa kanya.
"Nothing. I was just thinking of distracting you in the car but I realized it's no time to be horny."
He groaned as his pants bulged, making its tent. "Later, baby..."
And they went straight to the hospital. After a few checkups, they were congratulated by the OB and the nurses.
"You're four weeks pregnant!" masayang pagbibigay-alam sa kanila ng doktor.
Ginagap kaagad ni Dice ang palad niya't nagpasalamat sila 'tsaka nagpaalam na. Malapad ang ngiti nila hanggang sa lumulan sa loob ng sasakyan.
"Finally!" bulalas niya't hinigit siya ni Dice para mahalikan ng mabilis ngunit malalim.
"I badly wanted to kiss you..." anas nito nang putulin ang halik.
"Let's go home? I'll call my mom and tell her we'll be having dinner at home tonight."
Tumango ito't sinabing tatawagan din ang pamilya.
Habang nagmamaneho at gagap nito ang kaliwang kamay niya't marahan ang pagpapatakbo sa sasakyan. Tila ito nakalutang sa ulap dahil sa masayang balita na magiging tatay na ito. Siya nama'y nakangiti habang nakatitig dito. Sa isip ay hindi niya mapigilang magpasalamat na nagtagpo muli ang landas nila ng lalaki matapos ng ilang taon noon.
"Can I drive faster?" putol nito sa isipan niya.
"Hmm?"
"I want to go home fast..."
"Then, drive faster."
He did. And he made sure to drive safely though they're speeding a bit.
The moment they entered their home, he immediately carried her and claimed her inviting lips. His kisses were full of emotions and their love was domineering. They were both panting as they reach their room and she was laid down on the bed gently.
"Thank you..." she uttered softly.
He smiled and gave her a peck on the tip of her nose. "Thank you..."
She knew there were still lots of words that they wanted to say—that they were both thankful they didn't give up on each other, they're grateful that they gave each other chances, and they're thankful for their loving—but they were both distracted by their desire kindled only for each other.
And thinking about they're really going to be parents now, she couldn't wait to fulfill their duties to love and take care of their beloved family. Unconditionally.
***
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
jadeatienza
jadeatienza Ito na po ang wakas. Maraming-maraming salamat at nakarating kayo hanggang dito. Ang dami kong natutunan sa istoryang ito at sana'y kayo rin.
Hope to see you on our next journeys!
Love,
Jade
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