Late ng nakauwi si Kim.........madaming bilin ang doctorl kay David sa hospital...... hindi pala sanay ang katawan nito sa alak........sa sobrang hang-over......na dehydrate na ito kakasuka.........

She was entering the house ng mapansing nasa may living room ang kuya niya at si Gerald.......mukhang inaantay siya...

"KUya?"......bati niya sa kuya niya.....

She look at Gerald....he smiled at her.....she saw a relief on his face.........

She was expecting him being upset....inaasahan niyang magagalit ito.......pero hindi iyon ang nakikita niya.....he was calm...and quiet in the corner of a chair.....

"Ano ba naman Kimberly......bakit di ka sumasagot ng phone mo?".....galit na tanong nito.......

"Eh kasi kuya.....bawal ang cellphone sa hospital.....tapos....na low batt pa ako..."...paliwanag niya......pagod na pagod siya.......mahirap palang magubos ng oras sa hospital.....habang nanonood ng taong natutulog........Pakiramdam niya ay isa na siya sa mga pasyente.....

Lumapit siya kay Gerald.......he was sitting in the couch..... She stopped in front of him....and look at him.......

He was also looking at her.....then he grabbed her from her waist.....and rested his head to her stomach......putting his arms around her waist.......

She grabbed his head....and tried to massage it......"I'm sorry!"....she whispered.....

Gerald massage her back....."Are you tired?"....he asked instead....

Kim closed her eyes.........she nodded.......she was indeed tired.........

Gerald guide her in his side.....and start massaging her head........."Tough day?".........he whispered...

Napakunot noo siya....."Hindi ka galit?"...she asked.......

"Galit!!.....galit na galit!!..........alam mo bang bugbog sarado si Bam......!".....sabat ni Kuya Vhong....

"What?".....her eyes widened......

Kuya Vhong stood up...."Pano....lokong Bam....sabi ba naman eh may kasama ka na daw na iba.......... ayun....nasapak ng hindi oras!"....iiling-iling na sabi ni Kuya Vhong...."Sige...diyan muna kayo maglampungan....at titignan ko kung okay na si Bam!"......he left...

Kim grabbed Geralds hands.....tinitigan niya ang kamao nito....the right knuckles were slightly swollen...Hinatak niya ito papunta sa kitchen.....

"Ano ba ang ginagawa mo?"....she guided him in the chair.....and took out some ice on the fridge....... She put the ice on his knuckles......

Gerald just look straight in her eyes......his eyes were trying to express a thousands words..........

"hoy!!.......ano ito?... silent treatment?........ hindi mo ba ako kakausapin?.....".....naiinis na siya.......mas gusto niya pang sigawan siya nito.....kesa manghula siya kung ano ba ang iniisip nito.....

Gerald grabbed her hand.....and kiss it......"i love you!".....he whispered....

Natahimik si Kim.......tinitigan niya si Gerald......"can I ask you something?".......

"Anything!"....he said....

"How much do you love me?".....

Napatingin si Gerald sa kanya........"If I answered your question.......are you ready for it?.... Will you promise not to run away again?".....

Kim grinned.........ano ready ka daw ba?........kaya mo pang i-take ang sagot niya?.........she closed her eyes...."i......"...

Gerald put his fingers on top of her lips...... "Sssshhhh.... Don't push yourself...... Hindi ako nagmamadali... We'll take it slowly....one step at a time... I don't have to hear it.....kasi....ang gusto ko....kapag sinabi mo na mahal mo ako.... it came from your heart...... and not just pretending you do...".... Gerald kiss her on the forehead.... "and when the day comes na ready ka na..........expect me to be there......loving you still!!"....

"b-but....."..... gusto niyang umapila........ano yan jury?.......makakapaghintay kaya ito...... pano kung hindi!...... pero ayaw naman niyang paasahin ito...kung may pagaalinlangan pa rin sa puso niya........ She hated herself...... truly hate herself..... dapat lang!!

"HEy!! It's okay!!".....he kissed her on the tip of her nose...."Don't hate yourself......... and I don't want you pretending that you love me.... It's okay...kung hindi ka pa handa.. Hindi ako nagmamadali... ".... Gerald pulled her...and guide her on his lap..... putting his arms around her.... "Plus.... I have all the time in the world....to prove to you na mahal kita...... siguro naman by that time.......you can't resist this gorgeous face!"....ngumisi ito...

Kim Chuckled....."Kaya nga hindi kita maresist eh.......dahil diyan sa kakapalan mo ng mukha!!"....she pinched his cheeks....

"Naks....if I know....patay-na-patay ka sa kagwapuhan ko..... kaya nga nagtyatyaga akong mahalin ka..... kasi alam ko...mas mahal mo ako!".....nakangising sabi nito....

Kim laugh......"Grabe....lakas ng bagyo!"...

Gerald touch her cheeks....and turn her head to his..... he kiss her forehead......down to her eyes.....to her nose..... and ended on her lips.......

It was a very gentle kiss......she put her arms around him.....

"EHEM.......mag motel nga kayong dalawa!! Pati kusina ko...di niyo pinatawad!"...sigaw ni kuya Vhong.......

Gerald let go of her lips....pero hindi siya nito binitiwan...... He carried her....."Sige kuya....good night!!"...paalam nito sa kuya niya.....

Kim's face was all red.......lalo na ng makita niya ang kuya niyang nakangisi sa kanila......

Gerald carried her to her room.........guide her in her bed..... at kinumutan siya...."i know you're tired....tulog ka na!"....he said..while sitting on her side....

"Eh ikaw?".....tanong niya.....

"I'll be fine here.....sige na tulog na!"....he comb her hair using his fingers...

Kim felt relaxed.........she closed her eyes.......pagod nga siguro siya.......pero...teka.......diba dapat may bataan session ngayon?.....bakit ready ba ang booth?......... anong booth?......eh di kissing at baby booth....... ewan ko sayo!!

She fell asleep........while Gerald still watching her..........

He was tortured at the moment.....not being able to touch her........pero......he would make a promise to himself....not to go further with Kim again....until she's ready to love him back...... Love him back?......kaya mo bang maghintay?.....

Gerald grinned.....bahala na.........we're as good as a couple anyway......so why ask for more.....baka mawala pa siya ulit.....yun...ang hindi ko kakayanin..!!