366 For You

Epilogue. For You

"OH, fuck! Keep doing that. Keep sucking it."

Sinned let Rellie do what she wanted to, and it was to give him a head while they were watching movies at his house. They're getting married few weeks from now and it's been two months since she accepted his proposal in London. Nothing fancy, he just told her he wanted to marry her, and she immediately said yes.

His eyes were shut when she suddenly took his shaft deeper, hitting the back of her throat. Then, she would repeat what she was dough and it's making him reach his zenith already.

Nakasandal siya sa sofa habang ito ay nakaluhod sa tapat niya. Nang hindi na niya mapigilan ay iginiya na niya ito sa paraang gusto niya. He pulled her hair as he kept on moving her head and was a little bit gagging, and when he is about to release, he was pulling out but she resisted, that's why he came inside her mouth.

"Fuck..." anas niya sa pagitan ng paghingal. "You swallowed," komento pa niya na parang nakalutang.

Nag-angat ito ng tingin at may ilang tumulo pababa sa leeg. "I'll just go to the bathroom," anito at tumayo na pero nabuwal. Sumubsob ito sa dibdib niya.

She giggled and she rested for a while.

"Jeez! My knees are wobbling, just get me some water, Sinned," utos nito.

Ayaw pa sana niya dahil gusto niyang manatili itong nakaunan sa dibdib niya nang umisod ito at sumandal sa sofa.

"Pakidala na rin iyong mouthwash saka palanggana. Magmumumog lang ako. Inaantok na ako," dagdag pa nito.

He stood up, but before going to the kitchen, he knelt one of his knees on the sofa, on the space just in between her legs—near her private part—and was about to kiss her but she avoided him.

"You came in my mouth," paalala nito.

Napataas siya ng kilay. So, she wasn't that horny enough, huh? Alam na alam niya kapag binabaliw na niya ito, pumapayag na lang sa kahit anong gusto niyang gawin nila.

"B-basta." Namula pa ito.

He kissed her forehead instead. "Be right back."

In the bathroom, he removed his clothes since he's planning to take a quick shower, but he'd give Rellie the mouthwash and some water first. Pero pagkabalik niya ay mahimbing na ang tulog nito. Inaantok na nga talaga kanina pa.

Subali't hindi gaya ng inaasahan niya ay naging mabigat ang paghinga nito.

"S-Sinned..." in her low tone.

Napamura siya nang mapagtantong maaaring ang panaginip nito ay ang katuloy ng gagawin sana nila kanina. She insisted to just give him a head because she told him she was really sleepy. At halata namang inaantok na talaga ito kanina.

Lumuhod ulit siya upang halikan ito pero natigilan siya dahil nasalat niyang mainit-init ang balat nito. Nangunot ang kaniyang noo dahil hindi niya napansin iyon kanina.

"May lagnat ka," bulong niya rito.

"Hmm..." patuloy lang ito sa pag-ungol at akmang tatayo na siya nang higitin siya nito at sakupin ang kaniyang labi.

Worried about her, he tried to emd the kiss but he could not deny that he wanted it, too.

"Kiss me back. You're hurting my feelings," she murmured.

"Fuck," he uttered before he kissed her back intensely. Ang namumungay na mata nito ay mariing pumikit at nagpatuloy sa paghalik sa kaniya.

As he deepened the kiss, Rellie's body became hotter. Hindi na lang lagnat iyon dahil ramdam niyang gustong-gustong-gusto nitong may mangyari sa kanila ngayon.

He traced her mounds and he palmed them, squeezed them slowly as he was pinching her hardened peaks, too. He ended the kiss to focus on sucking and licking her boobs. Ito na ang naghubad sa suot na pyjama top habang siya ay patuloy sa ginagawa.

While doing so, she kept on grinding her hips as she pulled his hair, pushing him more to her beautiful mounds.

He knew exactly how to make her go frenzy so he palmed her other boob while his other free hand found its way below her; to her now moist opening.

"Oh... d-don't stop..."

He stopped.

"Sinned..." Bahagya itong nagmulat ng tingin, pulang-pula na ang mukha at ang mga mata ay nagsusumamo na ituloy niya ang ginagawa.

"What? You're having a fever and yet, you want to be fucked hard?"

She bit her lower lip.

"You want me to bang you here?"

She nodded right away.

"Tell me why should I do that. Because I seriously want to stop right now." That's not true. He wanted to finish this no matter what.

"Can't you just fuck me already?"

"I can easily fuck you. But I want to make love with you."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Oh, my Rellie still doesn't know the difference between making love and having sex?"

"Please, let's just talk later. I am tired but I want you as well. I've missed you so much..."

Napakurap-kurap siya nang may takas na luha ang sa mata nito. Why was she being this emotional? Napalunok siya.

"Please?" she begged more. "Just let it pass this once. Iinom naman ako ng gamot mamaya."

Napapikit siya nang mariin at hinalikan na ito. She immediately moaned when he also touched her most sensitive spot. His finger skillfully played her bud as she started grinding her hips again.

He cut the kiss so he could kneel and pull her pyjama down, and then, she ripped her seamless panty.

Rellie gasped. "W-why..." But her voice got drowned by her soft and sensual moans when he licked her sensitive bud. He sucked it lightly as he held her waist tightly so she'd stop grinding and he could focus on pleasuring her.

He smirked when she stopped moving. Sinamantala niya iyon para mas paligayahin ito. His forefinger slid inside her; feeling her muscles tightened.

She was nearing.

He stood up and she instinctively turned around, but he lied her back on the sofa again. Yumuko siya para kintalan ng mabilis na halik ang kaliwang tainga nito.

He also nibbled it lightly before murmuring, "I want to see your sensual face, baby, you're so beautiful when your mouth is half-opened, moaning and begging to be used... It's turning me on."

She just moaned sensually.

When he positioned himself on top of her, her face was redder than it was a while ago. This was what he's exactly simping for—Rellie, blushing so hard and was so turned on that she would do everything for him to do her hard.

"Sinned... Fuck me now..."

But he just rubbed his tip on her swollen bud.

"Please..." she murmured.

That's it. Without ado, he pushed his hard flesh inside her and he felt her tremble a bit; she's obviously excited.

Goddammit, baby, we shouldn't be doing this now. Pero hindi niya isinatinig dahil alam niyang labas iyon sa ilong.

Instead, he started thrusting slowly, but by the way she's grinding, he knew he should do rough now. That's why his movements intensified while Rellie was now meeting his every thrusts as she was moaning so loud.

Hanggang sa mapansin niyang lupaypay na ito at mukhang nahihirapan sa pwesto kahit na hindi naman nito alintana, kaya pinadapa niya ito at kaagad naman itong kumapit sa sandalan ng sofa, saka itinaas ang pang-upo malapit sa kaniya.

He chuckled a bit because he thought she was tired already since she did come a lot, but, she still wanted more.

"Damn, Rellie, I can never get enough of you," he uttered as he shoved his still hard flesh in his moist entrance. He hammered her as he was hitting deeply.

She almost lost her balance so he pulled her hair.

"Ahh..."

He gulped realizing that she enjoyed having her hair pulled while they're making love, that was why he pulled it harder as he kept on pounding her from behind.

FEELING her juices seeping out on her thighs, Rellie certainly just came, but now that Sinned was doing her rough, she could feel that she's about to explode again, yet, she was suppressing herself because he still did not. That's why she stuck her ass in the air for him to have and easy access on her aching womanhood. She also tightened her muscles since he liked it when she's doing that.

"Fucking tight," he murmured as his thrusts went faster and harder.

Nawawalan na siya ng balanse nang sabunutin siya nito para hindi matumba; na nagpagana naman lalo sa kaniya.

"Fuck," mura ulit ito. She felt him grow bigger and thicker inside her and that's where she reached her zenith too. He also shoot his loads inside her and she could feel that he came a lot.

He really filled her to the brim.

Lupaypay na napadapa siya at napakapit sa sandalan hanggang sa buhatin siya nito at idinala sa kwarto.

"You know what? It sometimes amazes me on how could you last long," she commented when she was lied down on the bed.

"You like it that way, don't you? Creaming you?"

Kagat-labing tumango siya. "Is that why you controlled your orgasm?"

His naughty smile was visible as he nodded and said, "You can take a rest as I clean you up." Kinintalan siya nito ng halik sa tungki ng kaniyang ilong.

"Bakit hindi mo na lang ako dinala sa banyo?"

"May sinat ka. Baka lumala pa kung naligo ka."

"Kunsabagay. Pero paano kung mahawa ka?"

"Iinom na lang din kaagad ako ng gamot para sigurado."

Tumango siya. "Pakiabot na lang iyong mouthwash."

"Right. Let me get that one first." Naglakad na ito palayo. Napako ang tingin niya sa pang-upo nito. But he turned around and his dangling thing welcomed her.

She heard him chuckle and she looked at his face.

"You really adore my butt, huh?"

Ngumisi lang siya dahil totoo naman.

"Sleep now. I won't do you, you're tired already."

Siya naman ang natawa. Bakit alam nitong naiisip ulit niyang mag-isa sila?

Nagpatuloy na ito sa paglalakad at naiwan siya sa kwarto.

She really missed him since it's been almost a month since she last saw him. Sinned went back to El Salvador to accomplish their mission since they got additional leads and evidences that could point out the organization's wrongdoings. He did not want to go at first but she persuaded him since she knew that from the start, he had been a part of the team and the mission, and he was helpful as well.

Alam niyang delikado, pero trabaho nito iyon. Gayumpama'y aminado siyang may parte sa kaniya na ayaw na niyang ituloy pa nito ang trabaho sa Phoenix. He's doing great in his field as a lawyer. Mas mainam na maging abogado ito lalo pa't kas marami itong matutulungan kaysa sa pagiging secret agent nito.

Pero ayaw naman niyang pangunahan. Kung wala sa loob nito na unalis ay iintindihin niya.

Sa isipang iyon ay tuluyan na siyang hinila ng antok at nakatulog.

Kinabukasan ay inihatid siya ni Sinned sa kanila, at namanhikan na rin.

"Did we not attend your wedding before, young man?" malamig na komento ng ama niya sa gitna ng hapunan.

Bahagyang sinaway ng ina niya ang huli. "Kumain na tayo," ani pa nito.

Kagat-labing ipinatong niya ang palad sa hita ni Sinned para humingi ng paumanhin at tipid na tumango lang ito.

"I am sure that you are still doubting my feelings for your daughter, Sir, but rest assured, I really love her and I'm marrying her because of that reason alone," Sinned told her dad straightforwardly.

Napangiwi siya, dapat ay hindi na lang ito nagsalita. Hindi pa naman ito expressive, baka isipin ng ama niya na scripted lang iyon.

"Are you sure it's not because you don't want to grow old alone? You're not getting any younger," paninigurado ng ama niya.

Sa hapag-kainan ay nandoon din ang tita at ang kaniyang tito, maging ang kaniyang pinsan, kasama nito ang asawa. Ang lahat ay tahimik na nakikinig sa usapan. Ang kuya lang niya ang walang kiyemeng kumukuha ng pagkain at tinitikman ang mga nakahapag na seafoods habang tahimik sinusuway ito ng asawa sa mahinang pagtapik-tapik ng braso nito.

"Rellie, pakiabot nga iyang tempura," baling pa ni Arc sa kaniya.

"Archibald, I'm still talking," their dad.

Her brother let out a low growl. "Matanda na si Rellie, saka matagal nang may relasyon ang dalawang iyan, naudlot lang kasi tinakbuhan nitong bunso mong anak noong mag-modelo." Ngumuso pa nga ito sa banda niya pagkasabi ng huling kataga.

Pinanlakihan niya ng mata ang kuya niya sa paggawa nito ng kuwento. Well, it's somehow true. Nawala siya na parang bula noong una dahil ang akala niya ay ibabasura na siya ni Sinned. Napaisip tuloy siya...

"Ah, really?" ang ama niya na nagpabaling sa atensyon niya rito. She noticed the latter was more relaxed now. Gusto lang yata na makumpirmang malinis ang hangarin ni Sinned sa kaniya.

"That is not true, Sir," sabad naman bigla ni Sinned na nagpangiwi sa kaniya.

Bumaling sa kaniya ang ama niya pero nag-iwas siya ng tingin. "What exactly is this wedding all about?"

"We love each other."

Sinned naman! Gusto na niya itong sawayin na huwag nang magsasalita.

"Si tito naman, hindi naman na teenager si Rellie. Halos magka-edad lang kami, pero tingnan n'yo ako, may pamilya na," her cousin commented.

Sunod-sunod na nagkomento ang mga nasa hapag at mukhang napaisip na ang ama niya. Kunsabagay, mula noon, parang nakalilimutan nito na hindi na siya bata. Pero ngayon, ramdam niyang iniingatan lang siya nito at sinisigurong mahal siya ni Sinned kaya pakakasalan.

After dinner, she went to take a shower while Sinned was left with the guys—her dad; tito; cousin, JM; and her brother. Nag-inuman ang mga ito at sinabihan siyang magpahinga na sa kwarto.

Pero tatlong oras pa lang ang lumipas ay hindi siya mapakali kaya bumaba siya at nakitang lupaypay na nakasandal si Sinned sa sofa, parang bugbog na sa mga tanong.

"Hindi ako," depensa kaagad ni Arc.

"Si tito, nilasing si pare at pinaulanan ng tanong," sumbong ni JM. "Kumpare ko na nga pala. Kukunin kong ninong sa bunso ko," dagdag pa nito.

"Paanong nalasing kaagad? Malakas iyang uminom."

Ngumisi lang ang kuya niya sa paraang may ginawa itong kalokohan. "Sabi ko, kapag hindi niya tinungga iyong bote tequila, walang kasalang magaganap. Ginawa nga!"

"Tarantado ka talaga, Kuya!"

"Tinulungan ko lang si Papa, mukhang mauuna pa siyang malasing kaysa sa hilaw kong bayaw ko, eh."

Sa tingin niya ay lasing na rin ang kuya niya.

Sinabi sa kaniyang pinapasok na ng mama nila ang ama nila at naiwan ang tatlo sa sala. Si JM lang ang matino-tino pa kaya nagpatulong siyang alalayan si Sinned papanhik sa silid niya kahit pa nga sa guest room dapay ito matutulog.

Nagpasalamat siya sa pinsan niya at inasikaso na si Sinned. Habang hinihilamusan niya ito ay itinataboy nito ang kamay niya.

"I'm married," anito.

"Huh?"

"Just find s-someone else. I can't fuck you even if I'm oddly turned on right now. I a-am married," he mumbled.

Parang may kumirot sa kaniyang dibdib. Naalala ba nito ang nasirang asawa?

Umiling siya at nagpatuloy sa pagpupunas dito.

"I said, I'm married! Get away from m-me or you'll get hurt!" Though, he's slurry, his voice was noticeably authorative.

She sighed painfully, and, she stared at him blankly. He's really wasted and his face was all red.

"Don't come closer. I don't want to cheat on my wife. My baby will never f-forgive me." Mariin pa rin itong nakapikit at nakasandal sa sofa.

"Your baby, huh? And who's your baby?"

"My baby..."

"Hmm? Me?"

Bahagya itong nagmulat ng mata saka tumango nang makilala siya. "Rell..." Hindi natapos ang pagbigkas sa pangalan niya.

Napangiti siya dahil napagtanto niyang siya ang tinutukoy nitong asawa. Punyeta, hindi niya akalaing pakikiligin siya nito nang husto kahit lasing na lasing na.

Then, she remembered what was she thinking a while ago.

"Why are you silent now?" Ang namumungay na mga mata nito ay pilit na iminumulat para matitigan siya. He raised his hand but he failed to reach for her. He tried once, twice more until she was the one who held his hand instead.

"Nah, tara, lumipat ka sa kama para makatulog ka na."

Tumalima ito at pagkahiga ay kukuha sana siya ng tubig nang hilahin siya nito. Napaupo siya sa gilid ng kama at pinulupot nito ang kamay sa kaniyang baywang. "May iniisip ka," anito.

"Wala nga."

"What is it? Tell me."

It surprised her how he was almost sobered up already.

"Hmm?" He sniffed her scent and hugged her tightly.

She let out a sigh. "Wala naman talaga. Napaisip lang ako, kung hindi kaya ako lumayo noon, posible kayang—" Umiling siya. "I don't want to talk about it." Dahil respeto na lang sa namayapa nitong asawa kaya ayaw na sana niyang pag-usapan iyon.

He pulled her harder that's why she was lied down on the bed. Niyakap siya nito mula sa likuran. The way he hugged her affectionately was telling her that he got what she wanted to ask. "I've been thinking for that for years now. And my answer would still be the same: you might only end up hating on me for using you to warm my cold nights. Damn, now I remember those booty calls..."

"How certain you are?" She's pertaining about her, hating him.

Sumeryoso uli ang boses nito. "You always accused me for being heartless, didn't you?"

Napanguso siya at nilaro-laro ang hintuturo sa likod ng palad nito dahil iyon mismo ang deskripsiyon niya sa lalaki noon. "But I thought you're feeling something for me then?" ganting-tanong na lamang niya.

"Even so, I was oblivious. Hindi ko tatapunan ng pansin iyon dahil alam mong—"

"Candace—" Napalunok siya matapos putulin ang sasabihin nito. "—right?"

Mas inilapit nito ang sarili sa kaniya at ramdam niya ang mainit na paghinga nito sa batok niya, saka tumango.

"I know she will always have a place in your heart, I understand that. What important is your feelings now," lakas-loob niyang bulalas.

He groaned; his heart feeling so full. "You've matured a lot, Rellie." There was a hint of amusement in his voice. Then, he playfully remarked, "You used to have a cat fight—"

She grunted to interrupt him. "Isang beses lang naman iyon."

"And that's the time when you wanted me to model for your artworks, right?"

Ngumiti siya at humarap dito. "You remember? I thought you only remember those, you know, sexy times."

"I remember everything about you."

She smiled at him.

"Uh, baby?"

"Oh, shoot, I'll never get used to it!" natatawang-komento niya pero nanatili itong seryoso. Napalunok naman siya at tumabingi ang ngiti. "What now?"

"Let's visit him tomorrow?"

"Him?"

"Our little angel," anas nito.

Parang may humaplos sa puso niya sa binanggit nito, he was talking about their child. "Of c-course." She choked. "You still haven't met him."

"You also think he's a boy, right?"

Kagat-labing tumango siya; nangilid ang luha. "Gusto ko kasing magkaroon ng panganay na anak na lalaki."

"That's what I thought of. You mentioned that to me before during one of our painting sessions." Naaalala nga nito ang lahat tungkol sa kaniya. Pinaalala nito na naibahagi niya noon na kaya niya gusto ng panganay na anak na lalaki ay dahil sa kuya niya. Because she was loved and pampered by her brother and she wanted her youngest child to experience that feeling from an older brother.

"I still didn't tell you more. Have I told you I want more than two kids?"

Umiling ito; pumipikit-pikit na. Tinablan na nga ito ng pagod.

"I want to give you a big family. Something you didn't have..." nahihiyang amin niya.

Antok na talaga ito at napangiti na lang. "I'm glad. Because that's what I want with you, too."

"Inaantok ka na, ano?"

Tumango ito. "Nahihilo pa kasi ako."

"Good night, then."

"I still want to talk with you..."

"Bukas na."

"I'm sorry, I'm sleepy."

Sumiksik lang siya rito at niyakap nang mahigpit.

"Rellie..."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

He rarely uttered the words but she could always feel his love. Pero mas iba pa rin sa tuwing tinuturan nito iyon.

"I love you, okay? I'll love you until you believe that I truly love you."

"Naniniwala naman ako."

"I know. I just want to tell you that I love you."

"Oo na, matulog ka na." Bahagya siyang humagikgik.

"I love you," he murmured and when she looked at him, his eyes were already shut. "I love you..."

She giggled more. "I love you, too."

"'Love... you..."

"Are you sleeping?"

"'Love... baby." His words were almost inaudible as his breathing went heavily and slowly.

"You are sleeping," pansin niya at kinintalan ito ng magaan na halik sa bahagyang nakaawang nitong bibig. "Damn, why do you still smell so good even after drinking a lot?" she commented and gave him another peck on his lips.

"I love you, Rellie..."

JUST as planned, the two went to visit their angel the following day. Natagalan sila roon dahil kinwentuhan nila ang anak na parang nandoon lang sa harap nila. Rellie was moved to tears when she witnessed Sinned cried as he uttered the following words:

"I'll never hurt your mom again, and if you'll have a sibling soon, I'll make sure I'd stay with them. I love you, son."

Simple yet meaningful and heartfelt words.

She added, "I love you, Dennis. Please watch over us." Yes, she named him after his father.

Inakbayan siya ni Sinned at nagpaalam na sa puntod ng kanilang anak.

As they were walking to the parking, she was taken aback noticed a familiar built from afar.

"What is it?"

Umiling siya. "H-have you visited Candace and your child after they, uh, gone?" lakas-loob na tanong niya. Imposibleng ang babae iyong namataan niya kanina. Namalik-mata lang siguro siya.

He honestly shook his head. "Why?"

"Don't you want to visit them? Because I do."

Her fiancé stared at her critically before saying, "Let's get going."

Nagpatuloy sila sa paglalakad habang siya ay pilit na nagpapaliwanag. "Gusto ko lang bumisita. I just want to say that I'll take care of you."

Nang nasa tapat na ng sasakyan ay pinagbuksan siya ng pintuan. "Silly. You don't have to explain. I said let's get going."

Napa-"ah" siya nang makuha ang ibig nitong sabihin. Sa sementeryo sila pupunta.

Pero bago pa man makasakay ay may narinig siyang parang tunog ng malakas na paputok. Sinned alerted himself as he kept on cussing.

"Bullshit! Why would they fire a gun to us?" Alertong ipinatong nito ang kamay sa kaniyang ulo at pinadapa, pagkuwa'y tumalungko sila. Nakasangga rin ang maskuladong katawan nito sa kaniya.

"W-what's happening? Was that a gunshot?!"

"Stay down so they won't see you," matigas na bulalas nito.

"What do you mean by stay dow—hey!"

Bigla itong tumayo at maliksi na nakapasok sa passenger seat saka may kinuha sa dashboard.

It was a gun.

Mabilis din ang pagkilos nito na lumabas naman sa pinto sa driver's seat.

"Sinned!" tarantang tawag niya sa lalaki. Baka mapahamak pa ito!

"Stay down, Rellie!"

She had to remain in that position until the danger is over. She was still squatting as she covered her ears using her palms. Ang sumunod na mga narinig niya ay putukan ng mga baril at sigawan ng ilan.

"What the heck is happening?!" She was panicking.

"Get in the car!" sumunod na sigaw ni Sinned.

Hindi kaagad siya nakahuma at napapitlag nang nasa passenger seat na na ito, mabilis siyang na-i-nangat at isinakay sa sasakyan at saka kaagad din itong naka-puwesto sa driver's seat.

"Wear your seat belt," anito at pinaharurot na ang sasakyan pagka-start na pagka-start niyon.

Napag-alaman nilang nadawit lamang sila sa engkwentro ng holdaper at ng dalawang pulis. Namatay ang isang kasamahan na pulis at sugatan ang holdaper. Ligtas naman ang hostage nito na isang batang lalaki na hinablot na lang ng holdaper sa mall nang mahuli itong hino-holdap ang isang banko.

"Hindi kaya miyembro ng sindikato iyong holdaper? Paano kung may kasama pa pala iyon o kaya naman ay kasabwat pala iyong ilang mga empleyado sa banko?" bulalas niya nang nakinig siya sa usapan ng mga agents.

Sa Phoenix Agency kasi sila dumiretso ni Sinned at doon na rin tiningnan kung may natamo ba silang pinsala. Fortunately, there's none. Nagalusan lang siya nang bigla siyang dumapa ni Sinned.

One of the agents chuckled. "I didn't know we have an outsider. Thought she was an agent, too."

"Back off, she's taken," si Stone ang sumagot.

Napakamot lang ng bantok iyong lalaki. "Wala naman akong ibang sinabi," depensa pa.

"Anyway, it's not like that. Dating guwardiya sa banko itong si Quezon." Apelyido ng hostage-taker ang binanggit ni Sinned at tumingin sa projector kung saan naka-flash ang litrato ng holdaper.

"Isinisisi ang management ng banko kung bakit nabaon siya sa utang. At ang mga utang niya ay dahil sa bisyo, at wala nang maipambayad kaya naisipang hold-up-in na lang sana ang bankong pinagtatrabahuan dati. Pero nakatawag kaagad ng pulis iyong teller kaya naudlot ang masamang balak niya," paliwanag naman ni Stone.

Napatango siya. "Ah, ganoon pala. By the way, you look stressed. Bakit parang hindi ka na naliligo?" hindi napigilang tanong niya.

The latter just groaned while the others laughed their asses out.

"Now, if you'll excuse us," sabad ni Sinned sa mga kasamang nagtatawanan at nagkakantiyawan pa saka iginiya na siya upang makalabas na sila sa silid na iyon.

Lagpas kalahating minuto nang nagmamaneho si Sinned nang mapansin niyang iba ang daang tinatahak nila.

"Saan tayo pupunta?"

"I booked a villa in Caticlan for a week. We're flying today."

"Ha? Ngayon ba iyon? Akala ko ba, after pa ng kasal?"

"Ayaw mo ba?"

"Gusto, syempre. But aren't you busy? You just came back to your work. Hindi ba maraming trabaho?"

"I took an indefinite leave."

"But I can't. The museum..." Napanguso siya.

"I already talked with Arc. So..."

"You really planned this?"

Bahagya itong tumango. "Can't wait for our wedding, but I've missed you so, that's why I planned this vacation before going back here."

"Didn't know you you could be this sweet. I'm starting to think I still don't know you."

"I'm actually still trying to change for you." He smiled and when he took a glance at him, she saw how honest he was. So, this side of him was actually new to him as well.

"Really? But you don't have to."

"I don't want you to be that 'the one that got away'."

"May pa-TOTGA-TOTGA ka pang nalalaman diyan, eh ikaw nga ang TOTGA ko noon. Pero seryoso, hindi mo naman kailangang magbago, mamahalin at mamahalin pa rin naman kita dahil ikaw iyan."

"I want to, because I know you'd love it. It's also my way of wooing you."

"Akala ko, tapos na ang ligawan phase natin."

"No, because courtship doesn't end after you said yes to me, it goes on forever. And I'm honestly looking forward to make your heart flutter even more once you finally become my wife."

Namula siya kaagad. "You'd really do that?" She loved how she witnessed this side of him—so sweet, so gentle, and so loving.

"I'd do everything for you, even if it cost my life." His voice was firm, and she knew he suddenly thought of what happened earlier.

"You really have an odd way of saying how much you love me, huh?"

"Because it's true."

"I know. And, Sinned..."

"Hmm?" Ginagap nito ang palad niya habang diretso ang tingin sa daan.

"I'm pregnant." Or so, I think.

HALOS parehas na masubsob sina Sinned at Rellie nang bigla niyang ma-i-preno ang sasakyan. It was a good thing that they're not in the highway so there wasn't really a car behind them.

Mabilis din siyang nakahuma at pumarada sa gilid ng daan.

Nataranta namang humingi ng paumanhin si Rellie. "Blimey! I should have just said it later."

"Can you repeat that?"

"I'm sorry." Sa malamlam na ilaw mula sa poste ay napansin niyang namumula ito at mangiyak-ngiyak pa. Mukhang nagulat nga at nakokonsensiya pa rin sa pagkabigla niya.

"No, it's alright. We're fine. Now, can you repeat what you just said? You're pregnant?"

"Bakit parang hindi ka naniniwala?"

"Naninigurado lang ako. Kagabi lang huling may nangyari sa 'tin," paliwanag niya.

"But I am. I just realized it's been past a month since my last menstruation. And we did fuck a lot of times before you left, remember?" paalala nito.

Napakurap-kurap siya. Bakit ba hindi sumagi sa isip niya iyon?

"Nagpa-check-up ka na ba?"

Umiling ito na nagpa-inis sa kaniya.

"Bakit hindi?"

"Bakit naiinis ka? Ayaw mo bang buntis na ako?"

Lumambot ang tinig niya. "Hindi sa ganoon, gusto ko lang makasigurong maayos ang pagbubuntis mo." Napapikit siya nang mariin saka nagmulat din para huliin ang mga titig nito. "Believe it or not, I am beyond happy right now... and scared," amin niya. Pagkuwa'y bumuntong-hininga. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have just left for El Salvador."

Napakagat-labi ito. "Kung sakaling buntis ba ako, titigilan mo na iyang trabaho mo?"

Natahimik siya bigla. Ganoon din ito, tila tinatantiya ang susunod na sasabihin.

Pagkuwa'y tumikhim at nagpatuloy. "Hindi, ano? Ang tahimik mo, eh." She tried to sound lightly but the look in her face said otherwise.

"I'm not thinking about that. I've been planning to quit after the next mission."

"Really?" Something glowed in her and she looked relief. "I'm sorry for asking you that, it's selfish."

"I actually like how you asked me that. I know you're just worried, and that, you didn't want me to be on danger at most of the times. But that's not what I was thinking, Rellie. You said 'kung sakali', so does that mean you're not sure if you are already pregnant?"

Kagat-labing tumango ito. "H-hindi pa kasi ako nagpa-check-up, 'di ba? Pagkatapos ay hindi pa rin naman ako gumamit ng pregnancy test kit, kaya, ayun, wala pang ganoong kasiguraduhan."

He started the car engine and drove faster but safely.

"Hey, why are we going back?" pansin nito nang mag-U-turn sila.

"We're going to the hospital."

"Ha? But we have a flight!"

"Let's just go tomorrow, or if you can go. We have to make sure first."

Ang akala niya ay sasalungat ito sa gusto niya pero tahimik na sumandal lang ito sa upuan.

"Why are you silent now?"

"I just realized you are right. We have to make sure that our baby is safe first."

"And you," he added. By the way she was glowing, he had a hunch that she was actually certain that she's expecting now.

"I was also thinking and hoping that we'll have twins," bulalas nito.

"Hmm? Why?" He aksed as he was still driving. Hindi niya yata narinig iyon dito noon.

"Para dalawa kaagad. Then, we'll immediately get pregnant again so we are still going to have a big family. Pwede pa naman tayong maghabol."

"You sound as if I'm on my late fifties already," he joked.

"Ikaw, kahit sikwenta ka na, madali lang sa iyo. Pero ako, kapag nasa mid-30s na, ang alam ko, mahihirapan nang magbuntis," she voiced out.

He held her hand and smiled at her. "Don't worry too much, I'll make sure that we'll have safe pregnancies."

"How?"

"Magpapaalaga tayo sa OB." Pinisil niya nang bahagya ang palad nito.

"I'm really glad I fell for you, Sinned."

"Me, too." Yet, he knew he was more than glad.

"I never imagined that I could marry someone who's not you. That must be the reason why I lost interest with men before. Ang galing mo kasi."

Her last sentence meant more.

She yawned after a few talks about her pregnancy.

"You sleepy?"

Tumango ito.

"Matulog ka muna, gigisingin na lang kita pagkarating natin ng ospital."

"Gabi na, bukas na lang kaya?"

"Hindi, ngayon na."

"Sige."

As her eyes became heavy, he let go of her hand to focus on driving. "Rellie," he murmured when he glanced at her to make sure she still awake.

"What?" she mumbled.

"Thank you for giving me another chance; for accepting me in you life."

She just smiled with her eyes still closed while he focused on the road.

"Thank you for loving me," he added.

"Hmm... 'love you."

This wasn't the end of their story. He knew that it was just the beautiful beginning of that painful ending they had back then. Now, he could say that she was not his "the one that got away" anymore—he did not need to wait for another life as well—because this time, he was certain that she would be his woman... for life.

***