| Fan Fiction |
by kglove
“Are you expecting someone, Kim?” Gerald asked.
“No.” Kim got up and went to answer the door. It was one of the lobby receptionist of the building. “Yes?”
“Miss Kim sorry to bother you. A delivery arrived for you earlier. I forgot to give it to you when you came in.”
“Thank you. Are you on your way out?”
“Yes, mam. I just got off duty and I have two days off. I’m going home to Pampanga to visit my family.”
“You deserve it. Take care and I will see you when you get back. Thank you again for this.” She motioned to the small box that she’s holding.
“You’re welcome. Have a good evening.”
“Who’s that?” Gerald asked as soon as Kim is back at the dining area.
“Oh, it was one of the receptionists just giving me this package that was delivered for me.”
Gerald looked at the box that Kim was holding. “Who is it from?”
Kim read the card that came with the package and was a little reluctant to give it to Gerald. “It’s from Jeremy.”
“I didn’t know you were still in touch with him.”
“Yes, we trade emails every now and then and sometimes we IM as well.”
Gerald handed the card back to her. “I see.” He resumed eating. “How is he?”
“He’s okay. They might be back here next month for the inauguration of the new site but he said they may not be able to drop by our office. They’ll be here just for a few days.”
“Really? Just send him my regards when you write him an email.”
Kim sensed Gerald’s sudden change of mood. “Ge, this gift doesn’t really mean anything. If you want, I can just return it to him.”
“Kim, you don’t have to do that. I have to admit that I feel a little awkward since you shared something special with him.”
“I can stop communicating with him if it will make you feel better.” Kim presented.
“No, really Kim, it’s fine. I promise.” Gerald smiled. “Come on; let’s just finish our dinner, okay?”
***
The following week, Gerald decided to visit his dad over the weekend while Kim was to stay in the city since her sister, Lakam, is going to pay a visit to her youngest sister.
“I’m sorry if I messed up your plans for this weekend.” Lakam said.
“Ate, I don’t really mind. It actually feels good that I can spend some time with you for a couple of days. If only Ate Twinkle, Kuya William, Dad and JP can be with us.”
“Well, they all have things to do this weekend so I’m afraid it’s just you and me. Well, unless Gerald is going to join us.”
Kim shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. He’s not going to be back until Sunday evening.”
“You know what; you can still push through with your original plan of going with him. I haven’t been to Subic and I’ve heard some good places to visit there. That way you still get to spend time with me and Gerald. You hit two birds in one stone.”
“No, let him spend quality time with his family. Besides, I practically see him every day whereas it’s not often that you’re here in Manila.”
“Are you sure you’d rather hang out with me?”
Kim rolled her eyes at her sister. “If you’re trying to imply that I’m going to miss Gerald, well maybe you’re right. But like I said, we’re always together and I think it will do some good for both of us to be apart for a couple of days.”
“Kim, you know I don’t understand why you are delaying your reconciliation with him. I mean, it’s pretty obvious that you’re still in love with each other. Are you having second thoughts about getting back with him?”
“No, I'm not. I mean I have given our situation a lot of thought when I'm alone and I think we’re going to be a better couple this time around. Gerald’s matured a lot during the time that we were apart and I would like to believe so did I.”
“So, what’s the hold up?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I'm just waiting for the perfect moment to make it official.”
“Kimmy, there’s no such thing. It’s what you do on that moment that makes it perfect.”
Kim couldn’t help but laugh at her sister’s remark. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I mean it. Kim, I know that Gerald makes you happy and you make him happy so I don’t understand why you two aren’t back together?”
Kim couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Did Gerald hire you to be his lawyer?”
Lakam laughed. “Sweetie, I'm just trying to make you realize that you're missing out on being with him just because you're too scared that things might not work out and thinking that you might lose him again.”
“Ate, can you blame me for being a little cautious this time around? What Gerald and I went through before was really hard.”
“Okay, I'm not going to say anything more. I respect your decision and from the looks of it, so does Gerald.”
“I thought you’d never let it go. Why are you pressuring me anyway?” Kim asked suspiciously.
Lakam shrugged. “Nothing. I just want my baby sister to be happy.”
Kim’s phone rang. Her heart immediately raced when she saw it was Gerald. “Hi Ge! How was your trip? Did you just arrive? I was getting worried when you never answered any of my texts or calls.”
“Yes, I did. My phone was on silent mode that’s why I wasn’t able to answer. Plus I had to make a few stops here and there to buy some stuff but I’m good. Are you with Ate Kams already?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell her I said hi. Anyway, I have to go. I just wanted to let you know I arrived safely. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Okay. Send my regards to Tito Randy and everyone there. Get some rest, I know you’re tired from your trip.”
“Thanks. Bye Kimmy.”
***
Kim was preparing their lunch before her sister leaves when she heard Lakam’s phone ringing.
“Ate, someone’s calling you.” Kim called out.
“Kim, can you check who it is please.” She heard Lakam said from the room.
Kim went to check on her sister’s phone and got a little confused when she saw Gerald’s name. She heard Lakam’s footsteps behind her.
“Who is it?”
Kim handed the phone to Lakam. “It’s Gerald.”
“Who? Gerald? Your Gerald?” Lakam asked.
“I don’t know, you tell me. That’s your phone. Do you know any other Gerald Anderson?”
Lakam did not react and pushed the answer button instead. “Gerald?”
“Yes, ate Kams, this is me.”
“I'm having lunch with Kim.”
Gerald immediately understood what Lakam meant. “Oh my gosh, is she asking why I called you?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, she’s right here beside me.”
“Shit! Okay, uhm, can I talk to her please?”
“Absolutely.” Lakam handed the phone to Kim. “He wants to speak with you.”
Kim got the phone from her sister. “Gerald?”
“Kimmy, hi! Sorry I wasn’t able to answer your calls this morning. I, uhm, I was out with dad doing a little walking for his theraphy.”
“I see. Are you on your way back to Manila?”
“No, not yet. But I'm about to pack my things and get ready to go back home. I miss you so much already. I can’t wait to see you.”
“I’ll see you when you get back then. Drive safely. Bye!” Kim handed the phone back to Lakam.
“Kim, I have no idea whatsoever why he called me, okay?”
“Ate, relax. I wasn’t about to ask you that. But now that you mentioned it, it makes me think that you and Gerald are up to something.”
Lakam shook her head. “I don’t know what you're talking about.”
“I don’t believe you. I know you. You're not being defensive for nothing. What is it?”
Lakam tried to ignore Kim but she can’t make her stares go away. A few minutes after, she couldn’t take it any longer. “Okay, alright, I’ll talk. Will you please stop staring at me like that?”
Kim laughed at her sister’s reaction. “Okay, talk.”
“Gerald is going to kill me for this. Anyway, Gerald called me a few weeks ago asking if I could take a leave from work and stay here with you for this weekend. Now, don’t hate him for doing this but he isn’t with his dad. He went to see dad and talk to him about you.”
“What about me?”
“Well, he wants to ask for dad’s blessing before he asks you to be his girlfriend.”
Kim was speechless when she learned what the surprise is all about. She didn’t expect Gerald to do that since he knows her dad.
“Kimmy, please, don’t be mad at him. I'm sure that Gerald really wants to do everything right this time with you.”
“Don’t worry, ate, I'm not angry at him. I'm just - I don’t know what to say. I never thought Gerald needs dad’s approval. I mean, our family has known him for years.”
“Well, maybe Gerald thinks that he made a mistake before and needs to let everyone know that he’s sorry and will do everything to win back not just your trust but everyone that cares about you. That’s how much he loves you, Kim.”
***
“Ge, can you meet me at Villa Legaspi Resort?” came Kim’s voice when Gerald answered his phone.
“Kim, is everything okay?” Gerald asked worriedly.
“Please, just go and meet me there. I’ll text you the address. Can you make it in one hour?”
Gerald looked at the clock on his dashboard. “Yes, I think I can.”
“Perfect! I’ll see you.” Kim hung up.
***
When Gerald arrived at the resort, a guy who seemed like a staff there greeted him.
“Good evening, my name is Anton. Are you Mr. Gerald Anderson?”
“Yes, that’s me. Where’s Kim?” he asked as he shook the hand of the staff.
“I’ll lead you to her. Right this way.” They followed a trail leading to where Kim was. Before they had to turn at the corner, Anton stopped and turned around. “I was asked to give you this.” He handed Gerald a cloth. “You need to put that over your eyes, sir.”
“Are you sure Kim asked you to do this?” Gerald asked skeptically. “I mean, this could be a trap or something. Why should I do this? I don’t even know you.”
“Sir, I'm just following orders.”
Kim came from behind them. “Ge, please, just do what he asked you to do. Don’t you trust me?”
Before Gerald could turn around, Kim covered his eyes. “Kim? What’s this? Can you please tell me what is this for?”
“It’s a surprise. Just put the blindfold on.”
Reluctantly, Gerald kept his eyes closed after Kim removed her hands and put the blindfold on.
“Thank you, Anton, I’ll take it from here.” Kim said. “You can’t help being a little stubborn, huh?” Kim teased him while helping him through the path leading to the gazebo.
“You can’t expect me to just follow orders from someone I don’t know, Kim.”
“That’s exactly what I thought that’s why I felt the need to personally ask you to put the blindfold on.”
“You know me too well.” Gerald laughed. “Kim, can you please tell me what this is for? It’s not my birthday.”
“Be patient. You will get your answers in a few minutes.”
Kim led Gerald to his chair and asked him to sit down. “Okay, I'm going to remove the blindfold but promise me to keep your eyes closed until I say so. Can you do that?”
“Do I have any choice? Besides, I've been following orders from you for the past hour.”
“Trust me, if you do everything I say in the next few minutes, it’ll all be worth it.”
“Sounds good to me.”
She slowly removed the blindfold. She went to the other side of the table and sat down before she asked Gerald to open his eyes. It took a few moments for Gerald to adjust to his surroundings before he realized where they were. The gazebo was decorated with flowers and candles and the floor was sprinkled with petals.
“Kim, what’s all this about?”
Kim smiled at Gerald. “Did you like it?”
“Are you kidding me? I love it. But you haven’t answered my question. What’s the occasion?”
Kim shrugged. “Nothing. I just want to let you know that I missed you while you were gone.”
“Is that it? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you doing this for me but something tells me you didn’t prepare this just for that reason.”
“Well, maybe there’s another reason behind all of this.” Gerald just stared at Kim, waiting for her to continue. Kim took a deep breath. “Ge, I've been thinking a lot about our relationship. I know I asked that we take things slowly so that we can be sure of our feelings for each other. But truth be told, I was scared to formalize our relationship because I don’t want to get hurt again.”
Gerald stood up and went over to where Kim was seated. “Just let me know what I need to do to make your fears go away. Kim, I can be the man that you want me to be. I know I can.”
“What I want is for you to continue being the person that you already are because that is the Gerald Anderson that I fell in love with.” Kim held Gerald’s face. She then looked at the waiter standing nearby and gave a slight nod. The waiter immediately understood what Kim meant and walked over to where the sound system is located.
Gerald furrowed his eyebrows at the silent communication happening between Kim and the resort staff. “Kim, what’s going on?”
A song slowly played on the background. Kim smiled.
The best thing about tonight’s that we’re not fighting
It couldn’t be that we have been this way before
“Aren’t you going to ask me to dance, Gerald?”
Although still confused, he obliged and held his hand in front of Kim. “Can I have this dance, Kim Chiu?”
I know you don’t think that I am trying
I know you’re wearing thin down to the core
“Of course, Gerald Anderson.” She took his hand and they started to dance. Much to his surprise, Kim released his hand and put both of her hands around his neck instead. He had no choice but to put his other hand on her waist. “You look a little flustered. Is there something wrong?”
“No, not at all. I'm actually enjoying this moment.” Gerald said to a smiling Kim.
Kim started singing.
Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don’t make me change my mind
I won’t live to see another day
I swear it’s true
Because a guy like you is impossible to find
You’re impossible to find
“Gerald, I'm tired of being afraid. Ever since we broke up, that’s all I have ever been, afraid. But like the song says, tonight, I'm ready to risk my heart once again.” Said the teary-eyed Kim.
So breathe in so deep
Breathe me in
I’m yours to keep
And hold onto your words
‘Cause talk is cheap
And remember me tonight
When you’re asleep
At this point, Kim was surprised when she heard Gerald singing as well.
Tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don’t make me change my mind
I won’t live to see another day
I swear it’s true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You’re impossible to find
“Kim, I am so in love with you, I can’t even begin to put it into words. But I can tell you this much, I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I really do.”
“I love you too, Gerald.” They hugged each other and remained in that position for quite a while, getting used to the warmth of their bodies against each other once again. When they parted, Gerald wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I have to be honest, I never expected any of these from you.” he teased.
Kim couldn’t help but laugh. “It took a lot of guts and help from Ate Kams.”
“Ate Kams helped you?”
“Yes, she did. If you must know, she told me everything. But don’t be mad at her because if she didn’t tell me what you did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You wouldn’t be holding me in your arms as your girlfriend tonight.”
“I guess I owe your sister for all of this. Remind me to call her later. But for whatever it’s worth, thank you for giving me another chance.”
Kim looked at Gerald. “Thank you for being worth it.”
Gerald held Kim’s face and slowly, their lips met for a searing kiss, signifying the start of a new chapter in their lives together.