| Fan Fiction |
by kglove
“Yeah, I'm fine dad. Maybe I'm just tired.”
“Are you sure?” Kim nodded and smiled. “Okay. So what do you want to do today?”
“I was thinking of visiting Tita Vangie. I promised her I’d have lunch with her.”
“Which reminds me, why aren’t you with Gerald?”
Kim bit her lip before answering. “He’s busy, dad.”
“Is he? I thought you both have weekends off from work.”
She tried to change the topic. “What time will they arrive anyway?” referring to her siblings.
“Well, they should be here around lunch time. But you might not be here since you said you’re going to see Vangie, right?”
“I should be back before dinner so we can all get together.” Just as she finished her sentence, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Gerald who was calling. She pushed the reject button. “I'm going to take a shower, dad. Maybe if I go to Tita Vangie’s now, she would allow me to go home early.”
“Okay. Do you want me to drive you there?” Mr. Chiu offered.
“No, thanks. I can manage. See you, dad.” She kissed her father before walking out of the dining room.
***
Gerald heard a knock and reluctantly opened the door.
“Bro, why are you still on your freakin’ PJ’s? We are supposed to meet Xian in half an hour.” David pushed Gerald inside the bedroom when he didn’t answer. “Go take a shower. I’ll wait for you here.”
“David, I think I’ll pass today. You and Xian can go without me. I'm not feeling good, man.”
“What? But you planned all of this, Gerald. You were the one who asked us to clear our weekend so that we can go wakeboarding!”
“I know that. But I'm really not feeling well. Don’t worry, I already called my friend and he knows you’re coming in today. He’ll take care of you there. Sorry.”
David looked around and noticed that the apartment was cluttered than usual. “Where’s Kim?”
Gerald sat on the sofa. “We had a fight last night. She went to her dad’s house last night.”
“Is that the reason why you don't want to go?” Gerald eyed him for a while before nodding. “Why, what happened?” David sat across Gerald.
“She got upset when I totally forgot about our plans to visit our parents. Apparently, she talked to me about it last Monday night. It slipped my mind because I was watching a game when she asked me about it. And to make things worse, I even accused her of being jealous over basketball.”
David chuckled. “You’re my friend, bro, but you can be such a dumb-ass sometimes.”
“I know. I’ve been trying to call her since last night but she wouldn’t pick up. She won’t answer my texts even.”
“Can you blame her? Kim has been a very good girlfriend to you and this is how you repay her? You’re crazy!”
“That’s why I'm not going with you, David. I don’t want Kim to think that I enjoy being without her, especially when we are fighting. Last night was rough, dude. It was the first night that I'm not sleeping beside her since we moved in together.”
“Gerald, if that is how you feel, I don’t understand what are you still doing here. Shouldn’t you be on your way home and apologize to her in person?” David stood up and turned to leave. “I’ll go ahead.”
***
“Do you really need to leave this early, hija?”
“I wish I could stay longer, tita, but my siblings are expecting me to join them for dinner. I'm so sorry.” Kim said apologetically.
“Of course. I understand. When are you leaving for Manila anyway?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. I promise to drop by before I leave.”
“Thanks, Kim. I really wish RJ was here as well. I miss that boy.” Kim avoided Mrs. Anderson’s gaze. “Honey, is everything okay? You know, I know my son well enough to assume that he would never allow his girlfriend to drive herself alone, especially at night.”
Kim knew it’s useless to lie. “Tita, Gerald and I are just having some minor problems. Every couple goes through it, right?”
“But are you guys going to be okay? You’re not breaking up, are you?”
“I hope not. I love your son, you know that. And I know that he loves me, too. But there are some things that we need to iron out.”
“Well whatever it is, I sure hope that you settle it as soon as possible. And please, Kim, forgive my son for whatever it is that he did. He’s a good boy but sometimes, he makes stupid decisions.” Mrs. Anderson told Kim, who was fighting back the tears. “I never doubted that you are the right girl for my son. I would definitely be upset with Gerald if he lets you go.”
Kim smiled. “Thanks, tita. And don’t worry; you’re not going to lose me. Whatever happens, I’ll still come by to visit.”
Mrs. Anderson hugged Kim. “You better get going. I don’t want to keep you from your family any longer. Send my regards to them.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to join us?”
Mrs. Anderson shook her head. “No, thank you. I'm expecting Ken to show up anytime soon.”
“Okay. Bye Tita. See you tomorrow.” She kissed her goodbye and left.
***
Kim feels so exhausted after a long day. She has her eyes closed for quite a while now but her thoughts remained wide awake. She never admitted it in front of her family, but she’s worried about Gerald. She excused herself from dinner earlier and called their apartment but nobody answered. Even David and Xian doesn’t know where Gerald is. She texted both of them earlier and informed her that Gerald didn’t go with them to Batangas. After debating with herself for quite a while, she finally dialed Gerald’s number but his phone is out of reach. For the longest time that they have been together, it is not like Gerald to turn off his phone or lie regarding his whereabouts, especially if they are having problems like this one. Kim is getting more upset by the hour and at the same time concerned.
Another hour passed and still no news about Gerald’s whereabouts. Xian called her because they promised to drop by the apartment to check on Gerald. He told her Gerald’s car is still there but the landlord saw Gerald leaving just before nightfall.
She tossed and turned on her bed. Checking her phone every now and then and trying to call Gerald was the last thing Kim remembers when she woke up. She immediately checked her phone and when she saw that Gerald still hasn’t called or texted her, she decided to take a shower and go home that morning. After packing her bag, she went out of her room to join her family for breakfast and to tell them about her plans to go home earlier that expected. When she stepped into the dining room, she stopped dead on her tracks when she saw Gerald having coffee with Mr. Chiu.
“Good morning, Kim. Come join us. What do you want for breakfast?” Mr. Chiu asked her youngest daughter.
Kim stood there frozen, looking at Gerald. They were staring at each other for a few moments before they were interrupted by Lakam. “Good morning!”
“Kim? Are you okay, sweetie?”
“Kim blinked a few times before answering her father. “Uh, yes, dad. I'm fine.”
“Gerald arrived late last night, but you were already sleeping. And he refused to wake you up and dad didn’t allow him to go home. So I told him he can sleep in JP’s room.”
Gerald smiled at Lakam. “Thanks ate.”
“What are you doing here, Gerald?” Kim’s question surprised everyone.
Gerald stood up. “Tito, ate Kams, do you mind if I talk to Kim alone?”
“Sure, I think you two have some issues to talk about.” Mr. Chiu said considerately.
Kim turned around and Gerald followed Kim to her room. He closed the door and found Kim standing near her bed with arms crossed.
“I'm going to ask you again, Gerald. What are you doing here?” Kim asked irately.
“Baby…”
“Don’t baby me, Gerald.”
“Okay. I understand you are upset with me, Kim. But please listen to me.” Gerald took one step closer to Kim but she backed up.
“I asked you a question, Gerald.”
“I'm here to apologize for being a big-time jerk the other day, and for all the other days that I acted like one. I'm so sorry, Kim.”
Kim remained standing, not saying anything. Gerald took a deep breath and composed himself.
“Look, I'm willing to beg if that’s what it takes for you to forgive me. It was very wrong for me to ignore you and I feel even worse for accusing you of being jealous over basketball. You’re right; I do love the game very much. However, I love you more Kim. I can let go of basketball but I don’t think I can ever let go of you. Not if I can help it.” Kim’s stance softened and Gerald took it as an opportunity to move closer and hold her hand. “You’ve been very good to me. The best girlfriend I can ever imagine. I'm very sorry. I love you.”
Kim’s tears fell as Gerald kissed her hand. “I will never ask you to stop playing basketball because I know how important it is for you. I was just disappointed and hurt.”
“Ssshhh. Stop crying, please. I promise you that will never happen again. From now on, you are always my first priority. Always, baby.”
“Gerald…”
He wiped her tears with his free hand. “Just tell me what you need me to do so I can be forgiven. Anything, Kim.”
Kim let go of Gerald’s hand and hugged him. The act surprised Gerald but hugged her nonetheless. “I'm sorry Kim.”
“I'm sorry too. I shouldn’t have ran away like that.”
“You don’t have to be sorry about anything. It was my fault. But no worries now, I'm here.”
Gerald’s words seem to strike something from Kim’s memory and she stepped back from him.
“What?” Gerald asked, confused by Kim’s actions.
“That reminds me. Where have you been yesterday? I talked to David and Xian and they told me you didn’t go to Batangas with them. But I couldn’t get hold of you. Where were you?” Kim demanded.
“After David left, I decided to come here and apologize to you personally because you never returned any of my calls or texts. Unfortunately I got on the wrong bus. That’s why I arrived here just before midnight because I have to travel all the way back. I thought about staying in my mom’s house but I needed to get to you first. When I got here, your dad and ate Lakam was about to lock up. They told me you’re already sleeping and offered to wake you but I told them that I’ll just talk to you in the morning. Like what your sister said, Tito wouldn’t let me go home so I slept in JP’s room. I came in here to check on you, though.”
“Wait a second. You got on the wrong bus? Are you telling me you went all the way here riding a bus?” Gerald nodded. “Why? Where’s your car?”
“I left it in the apartment.” Gerald said. “I needed to show you how truly sorry I am. You know how I have never used the public transportation ever since, right?”
“And you did that just to apologize to me? You could’ve just called me until I answer or wait until I get back.”
“I can't wait any longer. I need you back.” Gerald smiled.
“You had me worried, did you know that?”
“You were worried? I knew it! You’re afraid to lose me.” He had a wide grin on his face.
“Get a hold of yourself, mister. Do you want to ride on a bus back to Manila?” Kim said, annoyed.
“Okay, okay. I'm just happy that even though you are mad, you’re still worried about me.” Gerald pulled Kim closer to him once again and kissed her temple. “Are we okay?”
Kim smiled and nodded. He grinned as he cupped her face with both hands. “I love you.” he slowly lowered her lips and kissed her tenderly.
“I love you too.” Gerald rested his forehead against hers before leaning in again for another kiss, this time more eager than the first.