“So how’s married life treating you?” Mr. Lopez asked before he took another bite of the mango tart served for their dessert.

It was Saturday night and Kim and Gerald arrived at the Lopez’s residence together, hand in hand. Gerald fetch Kim at her place by six in the evening.

Napatingin si Kim kay Gerald. Gerald knows she doesn’t want to be in a converstion like this.

“Oh… Ahmm.. It’s.. uhmm.. great! Yeah! It’s great!” Gerald managed to answer

“That’s good! Alam niyo nung nagsisimula pa lang kami ng tito niyo, mahirap sa umpisa kasi syempre hindi pa kami masyadong nakakaipon noon. Pero habang nagsasama kami, mas nagiging msaya yung buhay kahit may problema kasi alam naming nandiyan lang kami para sa isa’t isa at walang iwanan.” Mrs. Lopez confessed

Kim bit her lower lip. She was somewhat affected of what Mrs. Lopez said. Gerald noticed her and he just smiled at the two elders.

“Iha? Okay ka lang ba? Ayaw mo ba ng tart? Eto, cake na lang..” Mrs. Lopez offered her the plate

“Ayy.. Okay lang po ako.. Ang sarap nga po ng mga luto niyo.. Salamat po” Kim answered

“Siya nga pala, Kamusta pala yung bahay na pinapatayo niyo Gerald? Nabanggit sa akin ni Randy na two years mo na raw binubuhos ang oras mo para dun sa bahay niyo. Nkalipat na ba kayo dun by now?” Mr. Lopez interrupted

When Gerald heard his question, bigla siyang nasamid at inubo sa inuming iniinom niya. Kim his back to help him compose himself. She was staring at him waiting for his answer. She doesn’t have any idea about this house Gerald bought.

“Ahem…. Ahem..” He cleared his throat… “Ahhmm.. Ano po eh… Ahmm…”

Suddenly, Michael Lopez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lopez arrived “Hi guys!”

“Iho! Halika sabayan mo kami… Remember Gerald and Kim? Si Gerald yung anak ng Tito Randy mo..” Mrs. Lopez introduced them.

“Oh yes! I remember them.. Di ba sila yung bagong kasal?” Michael asked as he settles down

“Oo pare.. Mag oone year na rin..” Gerald said

Nakahinga ng malalim si Gerld when Michael arrived. Hindi na kasi na open up ulit yung topic about sa bahay nila. Their night went well. He just noticed Kim to be quiet. “Naku! Patay na! Pano to? Alam niya na yung tungkol sa bahay!.. Hayy.. Bahala na nga!”

Kim, on the other hand ay napaisip rin about the house. “Did he buy a house for us? Was he planning to surprise me when I give birth? Oh Lord! I feel so sorry for him.. I know he loves me and our daughter so much! I feel like I’m an unfair wife to a loving husband after all what I did to him! Hayy..”

The dinner went fast until they called it a night. Kim and Gerald thanked the Lopez family for their hospitality.

Inside the car…

“Kanina ka pa tahimik ah…” Gerald approached Kim who looks directly out of nowhere from her window

Long silence…

“Kim?”

Kim really wants to ask him about the house but she told herself not to. “Don’t mind me. Just keep going”

Gerald sighed and kept driving.

When they reached home, Gerald opened the car door for her and she stepped out. “Goodnight Kim” then he left

“Goodnight Kim? Wala ba siyang sasabihin? Oh.. Come on Kimmy.. Bakit mo pa kasi pinapahirapan?... Mrs. Lopez is right… A husband and wife should work on things together… For better or worse…. Hayyy…”

That night. Gerald received a call from his mom that tells him to go back in Manila. His dad was rushed in the hospital due to heart attack.

“Whaaat?!” Gerald was shocked and crying at the same time

“RJ, He needs you right now..”

“Alright.. I’ll take the last flight tonight…”

“Take care son…” then she ended the call.

While packing his things, Gerald can’t help but cry… He can’t afford to lose the most important man in his life… He already lost his daughter… He almost lost his wife… And now, he won’t be taking it anymore if he’ll lose his dad.

He arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Manila by three in the morning. He was fetched by their family driver and they turned to the hospital.

“Mom!!! Mom!!! Where is he? Kamusta na siya???”

“RJ, will you please calm down?… He’s been transferred in a private room from the ICU just a moment ago. Right now, the doctor said he’s fine…” Vangie said

Gerald sighed “Thank you Lord! Thank you!”

He came inside his dad’s room and there, he saw him awake.

“Dad…”

His dad smiled at him. He then came near to hug him tight.

“I missed you son. How’s Kim?”

Gerald sighed “She’s doing well in Cebu”

“Have you talked already?”

“Yeah… I’m trying to win her back”

“You should… In no time, she’ll be back again in your arms” he then winked at Gerald

Gerald smiled at him… “I know what you’re thinking dad! That’s why I can’t lose you.. I still need your advice for the Anderson’s dirty tricks” he joked

Their conversation was interrupted by the nurse who would do some tests on him so Gerald decided to just go outside.

Gerald slept in the hospital together with his brother Ken. Their mom went home to prepare food and rest.