"This is new to me. Akala ko alam ko na ang lahat sa iyo, sweetheart. Hindi pa pala," humahangang wika ni Pretzhel habang tinitingnan ang house sketch na iginuhit ni Clifford.
Tatlong linggo nang nakakaraan mula nang dumating si Clifford. Busy siya sa bakeshop at sa preparation at coordination para sa kasal nina Riah at Gab, habang si Clifford ay busy sa teaching duty nito sa Camp Tecson. Weekend na lang sila nagkikita dahil buong linggo ay sa kampo ito naglalagi.
Last week ay naubos ang oras nila sa duyan sa gilid-bahay habang pinag-uusapan nila ni Cliff ng details ng bahay na gusto niya. Well, of course, with her and Clifford kissing every now and then. And her persistent boyfriend managed to reach second base. But Pretzhel made sure they won't get pass that. Not when they were in their compound. Kahit anong sandali ay pwedeng may makakita sa kanila.
They almost lost it at PMA grounds. Sabi niya'y second base lang, but Clifford managed to reach third base. He gave her her first taste of heaven with just his hands and lips. And the guilt after she reached seventh heaven was immense. Alam niyang tiyak na hirap na hirap ito. She offered to 'help' him but he refused. Ayon dito ay tiyak na hindi ito makakapagpigil oras na lumapat ang kamay niya 'doon'.
Pretzhel did not insist. She may be bold and naughty, but she's not yet ready for home base. And definitely not in a car! Hindi na sila college students para gawin ang stint na iyon sa loob ng isang sasakyan. And with how well-endowed Clifford is, making love in that public place would surely be not a very good idea.
Sinundo siya nito kanina sa bahay nila. Ipinagpalam siya nito sa kanila at sinabi na may pupuntahan lang silang saglit. They attended the mass, bought some take-outs and headed down in Anvaya. Sa biyahe na lang sila kumain dahil may commitment time daw ito sa mga kausap.
And just the thought that she would spend the whole day with him, away from people that might see them being intimate, made her nervously excited. She don't know if she can keep her control today, because lord knows how many times she woke up at night feeling hot and needy after that PMA ground stunt.
"Hindi mo pa talaga alam lahat ng tungkol sa akin, sweetheart. Maraming marami pa akong hindi naipakikita sa iyo," nanunudyong sagot ni Clifford.
Napatawa si Pretzhel. She caught his innuendo but decided to let it go. She focused on the sketch pad in her lap. She's so amazed by her latest discovery of him.
They are on their way to the lot he purchased to meet the contractors. Matapos maubos ang take-outs na binili nila ay ipinakuha sa kanya ni Clifford ang sketch pad sa back seat. Nang buklatin niya iyon ay sketch ng bahay ang nakita niya. And so far, lahat ng nasabi niyang gustong design ay nasa drawing na hawak niya.
Rectangular exterior, slanted roof-lines and large expanses of glass walls. Base sa note ng drawing ay iyon ang front elevation. Sa kanang ibaba ng papel ay nadoon ang pirma at petsa kung kailan iyon iginuhit ng boyfriend niya.
"Nai-drawing mo ito this week lang?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
Binuklat niya ang kasunod pang pahina ng sketch pad. Side elevation ang nakasulat sa itaas ng papel, kasunod ang rear elevation. Ang sunod noon ay ang first floor plan.
"Umaga lang naman ako nagtuturo. Libre pa sa gabi kaya makakapag drawing pa. Pero magiging busy na rin ako sa mga susunod na araw kaya minadali ko na ring matapos iyan. Gusto ko kasing makita mo muna sa drawing ang design at malaman ang comment mo bago natin I-finalize sa contractors."
Tumango lang si Pretzhel. She's still warping her mind up on the thought that he just used pencil and ruler to come up with this drawing.
Clifford is good! More than good, actually. He's great!
Muli niyang binuklat ang kasunod na pahinga. At napasinghap si Pretzhel nang tumambad sa kanya ang second floor plan.
"I'm sure this area faces the forest and the sea," aniya habang nakaturo sa isang bahagi ng drawing.
"Yeah. Hindi natin sasayangin ang view na iyon, sweetheart. Even our master's faces that side of the land."
"Oh, wow!" humahangang bulalas ni Pretzhel habang nakatitig sa drawing. May swimming pool at jacuzzi doon!
"Liking it so far? Wala ka bang gustong ipabago sa initial drawing ko? Kung meron ay idi-discuss na lang natin mamaya sa contractors na gagawa ng blueprint."
"Liking? I'm loving it! At wala akong gustong ipabago. Ito ang gusto kong maging design ng bahay natin," pahayag ni Pretzhel habang titig na titig sa drawing. "I particularly love this outdoor living space on the second floor. I mean! Just wow!"
"I'm glad you loved my design, sweetheart. Gusto ko ring elevated ang outdoor living slash entertainment area natin, maging ang swimming pool. Para masulit ang ganda ng paligid."
Mula sa tinitingnan drawing ay sumulyap siya sa boyfriend. "At initial drawing mo pa lang ito? Why! Kung hindi ka naging sundalo, sigurado akong isa kang magaling na arkitekto, sweetheart."
Clifford smiled but didn't answer. Muli na lang niyang ibinalik ang humahangang tingin sa sketch pad sa kandungan.
************
Pretzhel watched in awe as Clifford talked to the contractors. The three men where busy looking down on the hood of the contractors car where Clifford's sketch pad was laid out.
She's in awe, but she really can't relate to what they were talking about. They're discussing materials, square meters, duration and construction processes she can't understand. Kung baking pa iyan, baka marami siyang inputs.
She also noticed Clifford's enthusiasm. He is so into the discussion. His eyes have a different shine on them. He's so excited, like a kid in a candy store.
At napansin niyang knowledgeable ang nobyo tungkol sa contruction. He's even suggesting construction materials and brands that the contractors must use in the construction of their home.
Mula sa pagtingin sa mga nag-uusap na mga lalaki ay tumingin siyang muli sa magandang tanawin sa harapan. And just thinking that she will be raising the future generation of Sales in this place made her heart race with excitement. Her throat closing in with elation. Even her eyes suddenly filed with happy tears.
She slowly backed away. Malayo na siya sa mga ito pero dumiretso pa rin siya sa paglalakad. She would like to lay on the grass if not for the beating sun. Tumuloy siya sa paglalakad hanggang makarating sa madamong lugar, sa pagitan ng dalawang puno at doon naupo. The area where she stayed at is a bit hidden from where the cars were parked, but she knew Clifford can locate her in no time at all.
She's at the edge of the property Clifford bought, but the scenery was just breathtaking. The fresh, cool breeze embraces her. The lush green forest is a sight to behold. The sea glistening like diamonds under the midday sun.
She still can't wrap her mind about the thought that this piece of paradise will be the place where she'll spend the rest of her life. In the arms of the man who holds, not just her heart, but also her soul.
Pretzhel closed her eyes, took a deep breath and gently laid herself on the soft grass.
Euphoria filled her.
Nauliningan niya ang pag-alis ng sasakyan pero nanatili siyang nakapikit. Bago pa tuluyang makalapit sa kanya si Clifford ay alam niyang malapit na ito. His familiar, intoxicating scent reached her before he do. Ilang sandali lang at naramdaman niya ang pagtama ng mainit-init na hininga nito sa pisngi niya. Kasunod ang magaang paglapat ng katawan nito sa kanya.
"Sorry if you got bored, sweetheart," Clifford murmured as he rained kisses on her face.
Pretzhel's heart skipped a beat. Ngumiti siya. Dahan-dahang nagmulat ng mga mata. Iniikot niya ang braso sa batok nito. "Hindi ako na-bore, sweetheart. Na-excite ako, actually."
Tumaas ang dalawang kilay nito, "Na-excite? Inabutan kita ritong natutulog, sweetheart."
"Iba ang natutulog sa nagda-day dream, sweetheart," pabulong na sagot niya. "I'd been dreaming about us spending the rest of our lives in this paradise."
Ngumiti si Clifford. "I have to admit that I can't stop dreaming about you heavy with my child, sweetheart." Marahan nitong hinaplos ang pisngi niya. "I know you will be a wonderful mother and I can't wait to make you one. God knows how many sleepless night I endured because of that dream. In fact, after our Baguio trip, I'm finding it hard to sleep."
Pretzhel's cheeks heated. She bit her lip as his burning eyes torched her body.
Nilaro niya ang buhok ni Clifford, pabulong siyang nagtanong, "Ilang anak ang gusto mo, sweetheart?"
A corner of Clifford's lift curled, "Wag ako ang tanungin mo, sweetheart. Kahit ilang anak, kaya kong buhayin. Ikaw ang magdesisyon. Ilang anak ang kaya mong ibigay sa akin?"
"I'm twenty-four now. Let's say I get pregnant next year-"
"Bakit next year pa kung pwedeng ngayon na?" ani Clifford na yumuko sa leeg niya. Maging ang pagkakadagan ng katawan nito sa kanya ay bumigat. Napasinghap si Pretzhel nang lumapat ang labi nito sa balat niya.
"I'd been dreaming about making you mine, sweetheart. Lord knows how much I want to make you pregnant," Clifford hoarsely uttered.
Pretzhel closed her eyes and bit her lip. Sweet shivers filled her body. Image of young Clifford popped at the back of her eyelids. "Oh, god. Making your dream into a reality means I have to break several promises I made, sweetheart."
"What promises?" Clifford murmured. He pulled her off-shoulder blouse lower, revealing her strapless bra. Pretzhel groaned when his tongue lapped her exposed chest.
"Di ba't sabi ko ay third base lang muna tayo hangga't hindi pa tayo official?"
"Kanino ka nangako noon? For sure, hindi sa akin," bulong ni Clifford. Gamit ang ngipin ay ibinaba nito ang bra niya. Umalpas ang ungol sa labi niya nang sakupin nito ang tuktok ng dibdib niya. "God, sweetheart. You're so addicting. I can't wait to make you mine."
Pretzhel whimpered. She arched her back and moan as Clifford sucked her nipples alternately. "Gosh! Agreeing to be your girlfriend is turning me into a very, very bad girl, sweetheart."
"And why is that sweetheart?" Clifford asked while lapping her areola.
"For the first time, sumira ako sa pangako ko sa pamilya ko. For sure na magagalit ang kuya ko kapag nalaman niya ang tungkol sa atin. At tiyak na maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan kapag nabuntis ako gayong ang alam niya ay walang tayo."
"Alam mong hindi ako takot sa kuya mo, di ba?" Mula sa dibdib niya ay gumapang sa hita niya ang isang kamay ni Cliff. Naka demin skirt siya kaya walang kahirap-hirap na naabot nito ang pakay. "I know you want this. You want me as much as I want you. I can feel how wet you are, sweetheart."
At muling walang nagawa si Pretzhel kung hindi ang umungol.
Clifford lifted his body off of her. Pero bago pa ito makayuko sa kandungan niya ay nakakilos si Pretzhel. Sinapo niya ang mukha nito.
"Alright. I'll be yours today, sweetheart. But promise me you won't impregnate me," she negotiated.
"Making you pregnant is my ultimate end goal, sweetheart," Clifford answered with absolutely finality.
"Not yet. Not while Kuya Gabriel is not yet married." Lumunok siya. "Final offer. Take it or leave it. Home run or strikeout? Your choice, sweetheart."
"Fuck it! Home run!" ani Clifford na kaagad naangkin ang labi niya. Maging ang kamay nito ay lumikot sa katawan niya.
Nang pakawalan nito ang mga labi niya ay muli niyang sinapo ang mukha ni Clifford bago pa nito mahalikan ang dibdib niya. "Great choice, sweetheart. But I have one more request."
"Whatever you want, sweetheart," he answered between labored breathing.
"I'm not bold enough to make love with you in an open field." Pretzhel's tongue wet her parched lips. "And I always dreamed our first time together in a comfortable and soft bed."
Clifford nodded. Bumangon ito. Inayos ang damit niya saka siya inalalayang tumayo. "Let's head out in my condo, then."