“EVERYTIME WITH YOU is my favorite memory, Poppy,” sagot ni Nate sa tanong ni Poppy.
Totoo naman iyon. Kahit na may sakit ito at nahirapan siyang mag-alaga dito noon, masaya pa rin siya dahil naalagaan niya ito. Kahit na iritado siyang mag-shopping noon—na hindi naman niya talagang ginagawa dahil may sarili siyang taga-bili ng kanyang mga sinusuot—ay ginusto niyang samahang mag-shopping palagi si Poppy dahil mahalaga sa kanya ang bawat oras na kasama ito. At kahit na hindi siya marunong magluto noon ay sinubukan pa rin niya para kay Poppy.
“You and your flowery mouth. Choose one special moment with me,” ani Poppy sa kanya.
“I already told you, everytime with—“
“Nate, choose one,” muling sabi nito sa kanya.
“Now, who’s being bossy?” pang-aasar niya rito.
Inilagay niya ang lahat ng ingredients sa kanyang niluluto sa pan at hinalo-halo iyon. He was now doing the sauce for the Italian pasta he was doing—Tagliatelle al ragu alla Bolognese. He was saving for this perfect moment to show Poppy his cooking skills for five years now. Natuto siyang magluto sa mommy niya at talagang pinilit niyang matutong magluto dahil malaki ang paniniwala niya na magkakabalikan sila ni Poppy. He was just waiting for the perfect moment to get back together with her.
And this was the perfect moment.
“Fine! Alam ko kung ano ang paborito mong moment natin. It’s those times when I get naked with you,” anito sa kanya na ikinatawa niya.
“That’s part of the ‘everytime’. But I’ll pick your first ever sports buff experience,” aniya rito. Natawa siya ng makita niya mula sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata ang pagsimangot ni Poppy. “Natatandaan mo pa ba? You were dressed like a real tennis player. Confident na confident ka noon na maglakad sa tennis court pero no’ng maglalaro na talaga, hindi ka man lang nakatama ni isang bola,” natatawang sabi niya rito nang maalala niya ang eksenang iyon sa buhay nila ni Poppy.
Napasipol si Nate nang makitang lumabas ng ladies locker room si Poppy. Suot nito ang binili nilang tennis outfit dahil nagyaya si Poppy na maglaro daw sila ng tennis. Alam niyang hindi ito mahilig sa sports at wala talaga itong kahit na anong sports kaya alam niyang ginagawa nito iyon para sa kanya. Para magkaroon sila ng common grounds. Sa isipin pa lang na iyon ay natutuwa na siya.
“I’m so excited,” masiglang sabi ni Poppy.
“Okay, babe. Siguraduhin mo lang na may tatamaan kang bola mamaya ha? Kung hindi...”
“Kung hindi, ano?”
“I’ll get a million and one kisses from you after,” aniya rito sabay kindat.
“I’ll hit one,” confident na sabi nito. They walked hand in hand through the tennis court. Nag-hire sila ng tennis trainer na palagi niyang nakakalaro sa club na iyon para maturuan ng maayos si Poppy dahil first time nito. Hindi rin naman kasi siya expert pagdating sa pagte-tennis. Mas mabuti nang iyong magaling ang magturo rito.
Sa trial ay may natatamaan pang bola si Poppy. Pero pagdating ng laro nila ay ni isang bola ay hindi nito natamaan kaya tawa siya ng tawa dito. Inis na inis naman ito sa kanya. Hindi na nila tinapos pa ang laro dahil nakita niyang napapagod lang sa paghabol ng bola si Poppy at wala naman itong tinatamaan ni isa.
After the game, she rushed over him and hugged him. She weeped against his chest and he comforted her. “Don’t worry, babe. You’ve hit something—my heart,” masuyong sabi niya rito saka ito binigyan ng magaang halik sa mga labi.
There are so many moments with her that he treasured so much but that’s his most favorite one. Ipinakita kasi ni Poppy sa kanya na binibigyang halaga din nito ang mga ginagawa niya. At dahil doon ay labis niya talaga itong minahal noon—hanggang ngayon.
Unfortunately, it became all fucked up.
“I’ve missed those days with you, Nate,” masuyong sabi ni Poppy sa kanya. Binitiwan niya ang pan na hawak niya at lumapit dito. He cupped her face and gazed at her eyes lovingly.
“I’ve missed you, babe. Can we give ‘us’ a chance again?” masuyong tanong niya rito.
“Are you sure you still want to be with me? I’ve messed it all up five years ago, Nate. It’s all my fault,” naluluhang sabi ni Poppy sa kanya. Nakita niya ang pag-aalangan sa mga mata nito.
“Hey, hey. We’ll start anew. It’s just a misunderstanding. Five years ago was five years ago. Let’s just treat it as an inspiration, okay? We’ll do everything not to mess up this time,” paliwanag niya rito. He kissed her lips lightly.
Oh, god. I missed her. There are so many women out there who could love him better than her but he would still choose her for the simple and sole reason that he loves her. He didn’t stop from loving her. Even from afar.
“I’m sorry, Nate. For everything. For being weak, for branding you a playboy when you’re really not, for not hearing your side, for letting it all reach this point, for being too shallow—“
He hushed her. “I love you, Poppy, flaws and all that,” masuyong sabi naman niya rito.
Napapailing itong tumingin sa kanya. “Do I still deserve you, Nate?”
“No one would deserve me better than you,” sabi naman niya rito. Dahil sa sinabi niya’y tinawid ni Poppy ang distansiya nila at agad itong yumakap sa kanya.
The distance, longing and their break-up seemed that it hadn’t happened at all. Just one hug, one touch and everything else seems to go back to normal again.
“I’ve missed you so much. And, yes. I still love you too,” masuyong sabi ni Poppy sa kanya habang yakap siya.
Oh, God. Thank You! I won’t allow anything to mess us up this time.
“Thank you, babe. We’ll try very hard this time, okay?” aniya rito nang humiwalay ito sa kanya. Then, he reached for her again and dragged her closer to him. Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili niya na halikan ito. He felt like a spark easily ignited between them. Ah, it’s been a long time for the both of them. “Shall we do the ice cream game?” pilyong tanong niya rito.
Pinamulahan ito ng mukha na ikinatawa niya. Ah, he loved this woman so damn much that everything that happened between them was all worth it.
“Nate! Ang niluluto mo!” nanlalaki ang matang sigaw nito.
“Fuck!” mura naman niya nang makitang nag-aapoy na ang kawaling pinaglulutuan niya. Agad siyang tumakbo doon at inapula ang apoy. He have to start from scratch for the sauce again.
“Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. You still have the ability to blow something up,” Poppy said giggling.
“I still have the ability to blow up your mind too,” pilyong sabi niya rito dahilan para pamulahan muli ito ng mukha na ikinatawa niya.
“You talk too much,” ganti naman nito sa kanya.
“Ah, want to bet?” hamon niya rito.
“Just do it,” nanghahamong sabi naman nito sa kanya.
NAPANGITI SI POPPY nang sa pagmulat ng kanyang mga mata ay nabungaran niya ang gwapong mukha ni Nate. She missed waking up in the morning next to him. She missed waking up in the morning snuggled up close to him. Hindi kasi sila iyong usual conservative Filipino couple. Pero kahit na ganoon sila’y kapwa naman sila responsible sa mga ginagawa nila.
Katulad na lang ng na-miss nilang gawing “ice cream game” kagabi. Hindi naman nila naubos ni Nate ang tatlong tig-kalahating galong ice cream na binili nito kagabi. Pero ang isa’y kinain niya ng solo dahil hindi niya napigilan ang sarili niya nang ibigay ni Nate sa kanya ang isa.
Hindi nagreklamo si Poppy nang lumapat sa balat niya ang ice cream. Natalo siya sa unang set ng poker kalaban si Nate. They both play poker well. Mas nahasa pa nga ang galing niya sa paglalaro ng poker nang manirahan siya sa Manhattan dahil iyon ang nagiging libangan nila doon ng kapwa niya modelo. Kaya confident siya na mananalo siya kay Nate. Pero mukhang nahasa rin nitong mga nakalipas na taon ang galing ni Nate sa poker dahil sa unang set nila’y nanalo pa ito sa kanya.
Kaya kailangan niyang harapin ang consequence ng pagkatalo niya. But it’s a win-win situation for the both of them. Nate holds the title now while she’s going to have a pleasurable experience—with ice cream. Iba kasi ang “rules” at “version” nila ng poker. Their rules were simple. Whoever wins a set call the shots. Whoever loses, bows down to the winner. No questions asked. The ice cream makes their game more interesting.
“I’ve missed you, Poppy. And I’m dead serious about that,” sabi sa kanya ni Nate habang nakatingin ng diretso sa kanyang mga mata. Katatapos lang nitong maglagay ng dalawang scoop ng ice cream sa iba’t ibang parte ng katawan niya. Nagtaka siya dahil sa consequence nila’y tatlong scoop dapat ng ice cream ang ibibigay sa natalo. Dalawa lang ang ginawa nito. Pero hinayaan na lang niya ito.
She held his face tenderly. “I’ve missed you too. No kidding,” sabi rin niya rito.
Ngumiti ito sa kanya saka kinain ang ice cream na inilagay nito sa leeg niya. Napasinghap siya nang maubos nito ang ice cream doon at maramdaman niya ang paghagod ng dila nito sa balat niya.
“Oh, Nate...” anas niya. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya nang dumako ang mga labi nito pababa sa kanyang leeg. His lips trailed down unto the valley of her breasts where the second scoop of ice cream lies. She considered it one of the most delicate parts of her body.
“Stay put, Poppy,” sabi nito sa kanya. Saglit na humiwalay ito sa kanya saka ito nag-scoop sa ice cream container gamit ang disposable spoon kasama niyon. Pagkatapos ay isinubo nito iyon sa kanya na ikinagulat niya. Iyon naman pala ang plano nito. “I like the taste of the ice cream best in your mouth,” anito saka walang anu-anong hinalikan siya sa mga labi.
They both ate the ice cream in between their kisses. It was so intense she couln’t breathe. Nang maubos na ang ice cream ay hindi pa rin ito tumigil sa pagtikim sa mga labi niya. Sa una ay banayad at magaan lamang ang mga halik nito pero nang tumagal ay naging marubdob at mahanapin na ang mga labi nito. His tongue worked its wonders as it thrust deep through her mouth igniting an aching desire inside her. She equalled everything he’s giving her for a long lingering kiss. He tasted better than ever now. O sadya lang talagang na-miss niya ang mga halik nito? Or maybe it’s both. Whatever. All that matters now is what’s happening between them.
She felt her skin get more alive as he ravished her lips. She let him control everything because he’s good with that. Iyon lang ang wala siyang reklamo sa mga pagko-‘kontrol’ nito sa kanya. Hindi ito nakontento sa ginagawa. He went on top of her, tore the rest of her clothes off and kissed every sensitive spot he’d exposed on her body. When his hand unhooked her bra, she moaned with pure lust and pleasure.
“Fuck! I’ve missed making love with you, Poppy,” ani Nate. Nahigit niya ang kanyang hininga dahil sa sinabi nito. Ganoon din kasi ang nararamdaman niya. “Screw the foreplay,” sabi pa nito. Sa lahat ng kakilala niyang mahilig magmura, ito ang pinaka-sexy na magmura. Whenever he said “fuck”, it’s so freaking carnal she can’t breathe. He sounded hot like that when his voice was low and sexy—not to mention, his bad-ass language too.
When his head bowed down, she knew he’s going to suck the tips of her breast—and he did. She arched her body to give him more access.
“Oh, god. Nate...” ungol niya. She couldn’t contain the pleasure inside her. Kaya inilabas niya iyon sa pamamagitan ng isang ungol. She felt this incredible heat in between her thighs that needed attention.
“Stay put, Poppy. I need to make it up to you,” ani Nate. Then, he pulled her pajama bottoms down. Her fingers slid in between her thighs and she couldn’t do anything but moan.
“Nate!” she gasped when she couldn’t hold every single pleasure inside her anymore. His tongue was too much, and now his fingers...Sweetness crap!
“Give me love, Poppy,” bulong ni Nate sa kanya saka nito hinalikan ang isang sintido niya. Ungol ang naging sagot niya rito. She couldn’t think straight. Not when Nate’s sexy voice, hot body and incredible fingers are working all together.
He gave her the pleasure she needed for a long time and she would give him everything she could. So, she reached for the buttons on his shirt, desperately unbuttoning it. She lightly touched his bare ches—teasing one of the sensitive spots on his body too—leaving hot trails on his skin that made him whimper. But the pleasure he’s giving her was just too much that she hadn’t hold on for too long and she found her intense release—for Nate—after five long years.
“Fuck, this is just so sweet,” anas ni Nate. And then, he kissed her hard—readying her for another intense moment to come. He positioned himself in between her thighs. “I love you, Poppy. It’s going to be you ‘til my heart beat stops,” Nate told her so sweetly she almost shed a tear.
Then, he entered her carefully—letting her adjust to him—as he said “I love yous” to her endlessly. But the pleasure just wasn’t enough for the both of them. She lifted her hips up letting him thrust deep inside her. And he couldn’t hold his control any longer that he withdrew and entered her again—this time, deep and hard.
It’s not really the pleasure that’s important for them—but their time together. Matindi ang pinagdaanan nila para makarating sa kung nasaan na sila ngayon kaya mahalaga para sa kanilang dalawa ang pagkakataong iyon—ang gabing iyon.
“Nate!”
“Poppy!”
They both shouted their names as they both reached their climax—sweet, intense, incredible.
And make up was all he did to her the whole night.
“Want to do it all again?” ani Nate habang nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata. Napamulagat siya rito. Kanina pa siguro ito gising at hindi lang ito nagpapahiwatig dahil nakita nitong nakatitig siya rito.
“Shit ka! Kanina ka pa pala gising, hindi ka kumikibo d’yan,” inis na sabi niya rito.
“I love looking at you staring at me,” nakangiting sabi nito sa kanya saka walang anu-anong bumangon at hinalikan siya sa kanyang mga labi.
“Quits lang pala tayo,” sabi naman niya rito.
“Call it quits again. Kiss me,” pilyong sabi nito sa kanya.
And so, she did. Pero hindi ito nakontento sa halik lang.