“I always thought you were the best
I guess I always will.
I always felt that we were blessed, 
And I feel that way, still.
Sometimes we took the hard road, 
But we always saw it through.
If I had only one friend left, 
I'd want it to be you.
Sometimes the world was on our side; 
Sometimes it wasn't fair.
Sometimes it gave a helping hand; 
Sometimes we didn't care.
'Cause when we were together, 
It made the dream come true.
If I had only one friend left, 
I'd want it to be you.
Someone who understands me, 
And knows me inside out.
And helps keep me together, 
And believes without a doubt, 

That I could move a mountain:
Someone to tell it to.
If I had only one friend left, 
I'd want it to be you.”
************************************************************************************************************************************************

The following day – 0800H

          Kim woke up a bit surprised that they were still wearing the formal attire they wore last night.  She slowly lifted her arms off Gerald’s chest, and took her legs off his lower body.  She took a quick shower and changed into something more comfortable before going into the mini-kitchen to check if there was any breakfast for them.  She saw a feast of eggs, sausage, fried boneless bangus, shanghai rice, and brewed coffee all set on the table. 

          Gerald felt the space next to his, and finding it empty, opened his eyes.  He immediately sought Kim’s very familiar figure and found her standing by the table, checking the food out.  He climbed off the bed and went to the bathroom to take a bath and change his clothes.

          When Kim turned to check on Gerald, he was not on the bed anymore.  She walked to the door of the bathroom and listened.  The shower was running so she guessed he was taking a bath.  She went to the cabinet and took out a racerback, a pair of boxers and denim shorts.  After fixing the bed, she laid out  Gerald’s clothes and sat beside the pile with her long legs crossed.

          Gerald went out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist.  He playfully re-enacted their scene in PNK, watching Kim’s reaction as he did.  Kim’s eyed widened in disbelief.  She jumped off the bed, and holding the ends of the towel, she pushed Gerald back into the bathroom, sternly warning him to stay put by wagging her hands.  She retrieved the clothes she prepared earlier and almost shoved it to him, her chinky eyes getting smaller with her annoyance at his action.  She got even more irritated when he chuckled, even without a sound, as if laughing at her because of her reaction.

          Kim was obviously riled with what he did, but the thought that she was jealous enough of the girls who would surely swoon at his body was enough to make him smile.  He felt happy that somehow, she was getting out of her comfort zone where their relationship is concerned.

          She was still standing near the door when Gerald got out a few minutes later.  A pinch on the tummy greeted him, showing just how irritated she was.  He tried to take off, but she held on, making the squeeze more painful.  Since he couldn’t shout, he bit his arm to show her he was really in pain.

          Not a pound of guilt was reflected on Kim’s face.  She went to the table and sat, waiting for Gerald to join him.  After a minute or so, he sat across from her, poured coffee on a mug and took a sip.  He offered the mug to her and she too took a sip, making sure she did on the very same spot where Gerald did.

          He could only laugh silently at her.  She was obviously teasing him again.  He had to be tough, after what she did last night he couldn’t afford to make assumptions about her next move.  This side of her was new to him, but he loved it just the same.

          After eating, they cleared the dishes together, blowing bubbles into each other’s hair, and simply having fun even without talking.  The way they communicated was amazing to the millions watching them at that particular moment.  Once again, they have proven that no words are necessary as long as their hearts understand each other.

          Left with nothing else to do, Kim sat on the bed, resting her back on the wall, then motioned for Gerald to lie down on the bed, to which he immediately shook his head.  She insisted, making her eyes as wide as she could.  As always, Gerald couldn’t resist her every wish, so he climbed on the bed and placed his head on her lap.  Kim began to gently his hair, smiling at him as she stared at every part of his face.

          Gerald felt conscious as Kim openly stared at him.  He sighed and yielded to whatever she plans.  He felt so tired and sleepy that in no time, he was already breathing heavily.  Kim couldn’t help but wonder, “Bakit kaya parati syang inaantok?  Pareho lang naman kami ng mga activities these last few weeks, pero parang ang bilis nyang nag-lose ng weight.  Sabagay, eversince naman, talagang matakaw sa tulog ‘to…hmmp!  Tulugan daw ba ako…naku, Geraldo, kung di lang talaga kita mahal…”  And waving at one of the cameras, she kissed Gerald at the tip of his nose.  He stirred, but he didn’t wake up.

          Although her legs are already getting cramps, she didn’t want to disturb Gerald.  He looked so peaceful as he slept on her lap.  She embraced him before giving him another kiss on the forehead.  Then Kim decided to take a nap herself.

          An hour and a half later, they woke up to the theme songs of Tayong Dalawa, My Only Hope and Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo.  Gerald stood up, went to the bathroom to wash his face.  Kim followed suit.

          Big Brother:  Kim, Gerald, pwede na ninyong kuhanin ang mga maleta sa ilalim ng kama.  Ihanda ang mga gamit ninyo at may haharapin pa kayong mga pagsubok.  Hindi pa rin kayo maaaring magsalita.

          Silently, Gerald pulled out the two suitcases from under the bed while Kim got their clothes out of the cabinets.  She motioned for Gerald to sit back on the chair as she packs their things.  He did as he was told, and sat on one of the chairs they use when eating.  He watched her pack, amused at how she arranged their clothes on the suitcases:  His contained all their undergarments, his shirts and her tops combined.  Kim also placed their toiletries in just one bag.  Kim’s suitcase was filled with his shorts and her skirts and short shorts.

          Gerald felt happy that somehow, Kim was already giving hints about how close they already are.  If her packing was any indication, he’d bet his life’s savings that the viewers would think that something was really up with the two of them.  Geez, they looked like a young couple preparing to leave after their honeymoon.  He felt ecstatic.

          Kim was already finished packing, aware of Gerald’s gaze following her every move.  She couldn’t help but smile at herself.  She knew he noticed what she did and she blushed.

          Big Brother:  Kim, buksan mo ang pinaka-dulong drawer sa cabinet.

          Kim did and found a thick leather-bound album.  She raised it up for Big Brother to see.

          BB:  Iyan nga.  Ilabas mo at ilagay sa ibabaw ng mesa.  Gerald, samahan mo si Kim sa kanyang pwesto.

          Once they were seated, BB gave them permission to open the album.  The two were surprised to see pictures of the two of them taken during the PBBTE and arranged in chronological order, from the auditions, to the days inside the house, and the different tasks they did with the other teen housemates.  A new chapter began with the time they really started getting to know each other:  their dishwashing moment.  The pictures that followed were like anecdotes in itself, telling the story of two people who met in an unusual circumstance, became each other’s bestfriend, and fell in love without them realizing it.  The two were already getting misty-eyed as they walked down memory lane through the pictures in front of them.  Even in silence, they were in sync with each other’s feelings, and unconsciously, they reached out to each other, just the way they   always do.

Their Hundred Islands adventure showed a different story.  It was as if the two of them were really destined to meet, because they seemed to have transcended to another level in just a matter of months.  If one would look closely at their pictures, their body language spoke volumes, of how close they have become, of how protective of each other they have instinctively been, and of how they simply blended and completed each other.

They were both in tears as Kim closed the album.  Gerald hugged Kim tightly, silently conveying his gratitude for having her in his life.  Kim returned his hug, thinking how important he has become in her life in a matter of 4 years.  He has become her pillar of strength, her protector, her confidante, her adviser/mentor, her bestfriend, her critic, her “mirror”, her life….

Big Brother:  Sorry to break your moment, it’s time to leave.  Bawal pa din kayong magsalita.  Kim, kuhanin mo ang blindfold at takipan mo ang mga mata ni Gerald.  Siguraduhin mo na hindi nya ito maaalis na mag-isa.  (After Kim finished) Gerald, ikaw naman ang mag-lagay ng blindfold kay Kim.  Somebody will assist you.  Hintayin nyo na lamang.

After a while, they found themselves being helped into a vehicle where they sat, holding each other’s hands, pretty much like the way they did during their brief helicopter ride to Hundred Islands four years ago.

It was a long ride and Gerald felt quite dizzy with the winding road that the car was treading so he decided to slouch and lean his head on Kimmy’s shoulders.  Kim propped her head on Gerald’s and closed her eyes.  Soon, the two were asleep as the car inconspicuously made its way to Anilao, Batangas.

************************************************************************************************************************************************

          Outside of the PBB house, Toni, Bianca and Mariel were still on air as Kim and Gerald made their way out of the house for the nth time.

          Toni:  Hello Philippines and Hello World…kanina nga ay tinapos na ni Kuya ang special task na ibinigay nya sa isa sa pinakamainit na loveteams ngayon, sina Kim at Gerald.  Bagaman at hindi sinabi ni Kuya sa kanila na tapos na ang kanilang sakripisyo, ibinalita naman nya sa dalawang housemates ang tagumpay ng Kimerald.  Watch this…

          BB:  Jason at Johan, pumasok kayo ngayon din sa confession room…

          Inside the confession room…

          BB:  Tapos na ang taning na aking ibinigay sa dalawang taong tumulong upang maabot ninyo ang inyong pangarap na bahay.  Panoorin ninyo sa TV na nasa harap ninyo ang buong kaganapan…

          Jason and Johan watched everything that happened from the time Kim and Gerald went on a double date with Melai and Jason, up to the time they went out of the house just a few minutes ago.  The two were shamelessly shedding tears as realization hit them.

          Jason:  Pare, ibig sabihin nanalo tayo?

          Johann:  Siguro, di ba pinaalis na sina Gerald?

Jason:     Oo nga.  Naku, paano na yun?

BB:  Ano sa tingin ninyo ang kinalabasan ng sakripisyo nina Kim at Gerald?

Jason:  Panalo po kami!

Johan:  Panalo po kami!

BB:  Tama kayo, panalo nga kayo dahil nag-tagumpay sina Kim at Gerald sa pagsubok na ibinigay sa kanila.  Ano ang inyong masasabi?

Jason:  Mga idol, maraming, maraming salamat (tears flowed anew) sa inyong dalawa.  Sana mas tumibay pa ang inyong samahan dahil sa lahat ng nakita kong malalaking artista, kayo ang pinaka-totoo.  Salamat talaga!

Johan:  Kim, Gerald, maraming salamat!  Hindi ko akalain na ang mga katulad ninyo na sobrang sikat ay mag-sasakripisyo para sa katulad namin ni Jason.  (Starting to get teary-eyed again)  Sa ginawa ninyo, talagang pinahanga nyo ako, sampu ng aking pamilya.  Tatanawin kong napakalaking utang na loob nito.  Salamat talaga.  Sana kayo na talaga hanggang sa huli, ipagdadasal ko yan!  Thank you!

Same day – 1700H

          As the sun was setting on the horizon, Joven who was driving Gerald’s Expedition, was passing through the wide arch with the name “KIMERALD COVE” on it.

          “Welcome home, guys…”

          Kim jumped at the voice that greeted them.  She immediately took off the blindfolds and was tongue-tied as she saw the beauty of nature that welcomed her.  Joven pressed the controls and the windows were lowered.

          “Ge, gising…ang ganda o!”  Kim exclaimed, referring to the sunset, a glowing mixture of orange, red and yellow.

          “Wow…”  Gerald could only stare at Kim, her face radiant with obvious exhilaration.

          The car slowed down a bit when it came to the rotunda where a 3-layered circular fountain made of bricks stood.  On top was a pair of miniature statues that resembled Kim and Gerald facing each other, their arms encircling each other’s waists.  Three mini-spotlights were focused on the statues, giving the fountain an impression of magnanimity.

          The expedition came to a full stop. Gerald opened the door and made his way to Kim’s side to open the door for her.  She stepped out, still in awe of the magnificent surroundings.  She looked around and took in the wonderful view of the sea right behind the huge cabana in front of her.

          The lights suddenly came on, and Kim almost shrieked as her eyes caught the name on one side of the wall that greeted them as they hiked the three steps to the foyer.  There, artfully crafted in stainless steel, sturdily nailed to the concrete façade, was an Ode to a Past hopefully transcending to the Present and the Future:  “PBB-Anilao:  KIMERALD COVE”.

“Welcome Home, Kimmy…”  Gerald kissed her passionately on the lips as they stood below a colorful Moroccan lantern with the words “Love conquers all” embedded on it.   

It was a kiss that would have probably made it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the length and the passion, if only Kim didn’t think that a camera might be installed and they were being watched.

“Uhm…Ge, ang bait naman ng ABS-CBN ano?  Pinangalan pa talaga saten ang bagong PBB House!”  She said excitedly as she broke from their embrace.