Run to you

First date

Fine has been doting on Knight, the black cat, for days already while Gale stood by, pitiful, at the side. "I'm kinda regretting the decision to adopt him." He said. Fine looked at him and chuckled. She turned to Blue who was lying on the floor. "Come here Blue, come here." The pitbull wagged his tail and walked towards Fine. She patted his head and tapped on the space beside her and Gale. Blue jumped and sat beside then and sniffed on the cat who was as gentle and friendly as he is. "You cuddle with Blue, I cuddle with Knight." She said then chuckled. Gale squinted his eyes on her and patted Blue's head. "What do you think Blue? She loves Knight more than us." Gale said then looked at Fine with his puppy eyes. Fine laughed at him, "Aren't you going to the cram school? I don't have a class today." Fine said. "How could I go with a broken heart?" He said while staring at the cat. "Really?" Fine scoffed. "Let's have a date. We've never gone out." He said then Fine looked at him. "You know why we can't right?" She said. "I know but we could be still hide it. The magic of disguise." He said, matching his words with the fluttering of his fingers as if presenting a magic trick. Fine laughed at him, "You've been watching too many movies. Alright, let's go, but don't you have a class today." She said. Gale shook his head, "No, Some of my schedules were given to Tina." He said. Fine raised her eyebrows, "Tina? Is that so?" She said while nodding her head. It came to her that she has not asked him about Tina yet. Gale squinted his eyes and grinned at her, "Are you getting jealous? Don't worry there's nothing between us." He said. Fine scoffed at him, "Why would I be? You're head over heels for me." She said then Gale chuckled. "Damn right." He uttered.

Gale brought her to a sea side restaurant he frequent to before. "I like it here. It's peaceful. How did you come to know this place?" She asked. "Gale looked at the sea, reminiscing the days he spent there. "I love the sea you know, and this place holds a lot of memories when I was young, when I was still innocent of my parents' crafts." He said. Fine felt the longing in his eyes. "It was actually my first time for a very long time here again. I do not go here anymore because of reasons you already know." "Then why'd you bring me here?" Fine asked. Gale gazed at her eyes, "Because I'm with you" He said. Fine smiled at him, "You. You really are a romantic person aren't you?" She said. Gale smiled, "I am" He said, keeping in his heart that the last of his breath will be with the woman he is currently with. "You should prepare your heart as long as you live." He added which added to Fine's joy. "If we are destined then." She said. Before their happiness went on, Fine noticed a familiar woman entering the restaurant. She finally recognized him when she saw the man with her. "Gale, your parents are here." She said. Her body was stricken with nervousness. Gale turned and saw his parents together with his father's colleagues at the university. Gale turned quickly, avoiding their vision, "Gale, we have to get out of here. My adviser is also there." She said. Gale nodded, "let's go quickly." He said then they both stood up, covering their faces. Gale cancelled the food he ordered and paid for the fee but his mother noticed him. The couple walked quickly towards the car when his mother caught up to them.

"Gale!" his mother exclaimed then he turned to her. "Mom. I didn't know you were also here." He said indifferently. "Lies. I know you saw me." She said sternly then she looked at Fine, raising a brow at her. "Who is she?" She asked but Gale would not answer. "Who are you?" Gale's mother asked Fine. "I-I-" Gale pulled her arms. "It's none of your concern. We'll take our leave now." He said then he turned around and pulled Fine by her arm. "Stop right there Gale! How could you treat your own mother like this? You left the house and won't answer my calls. You don't even visit us. What kind of child are you?" His mother said indignantly. He turned to her. "You turned me into this so I'm not the one who you should be asking." He said then he turned again, leaving his mother speechless. It was only then that Fine realized how much Gale scorns his parents.

"I'm sorry our date was ruined." He said while driving off to another place. "It's alright. I learned more about you. I love it when I see other sides of you, it makes me want to hold you." She said then Gale smiled. "How could you lift the weight in my heart just now that easily?" He said. "Simple." Fine scoffed then they laughed. "I know, why don't we just stroll a park like other couples do?" Fine said then Gale nodded. "Alright, I know a good park." He said. They went to a small and simple park to avoid the chances of meeting someone they know. They bought and ate snacks while strolling the park then they saw a fountain. "Do you want to make a wish?" Gale asked then Fine nodded. "How about you?" She asked. "I already got my wish." He said, smiling. "I'm gonna make a wish then." She said then she closed her eyes and threw a penny on the fountain. When she opened her eyes, Gale has his eyes closed, also making his wish. After he threw the coin and before he opens his eyes, Fine stood at the ledge of the fountain and kissed Gale on the cheek. Gale opened his eyes in surprise, seeing Fine standing in front of him. Fine was avoiding his eyes, embarrassed at what she did. "I-I'll get off now. I just felt like doin-" Gale wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her for a deep kiss.

Their bliss however was cut short when they heard a woman scream. They quickly went to where the scream came from and they were surprised to see it was Sally. She was crying in front of a man who they witnessed to have slapped the woman. Gale wanted to confront the man hurting her but Fine stopped him. She was afraid of his safety, still, Gale went to confront the man. Fine stood beside Sally who was crying then Gale stood in front of the man. "What's the problem man?" He asked. The man pushed him. "Who are you? Why are you sticking your nose in other's business?" The angry man said. "But you're hitting the woman. I can't just stand by and watch." Gale said then the man punched him strongly which he was barely able to avoid. He turned around quickly and pulled Fine and Sally. They ran as fast as they could towards his car and left the man. "Who's that man Sally?" Fine asked while Gale drives off to a safer place. "He was my boyfriend." She answered, sniffling. "Why did he hit you?" Gale asked. "He wants to get back. He's crazy." She said. "Must be obsession." Fine said then Sally nodded. "Gale, can you drop us off at my house?" She asked in Gale's surprise. She just nodded to him then he nodded back.

The sun has almost set when they arrived at the house. Fine first let Sally rest at the living room while she walks Gale out of the house. "Don't worry. I have clothes here. I'll have to stay here until she's safe." She said then Gale nodded. She walks him to his car but before he gets on his car he stole a kiss from her. "I'm not ready." Gale whispered then Fine chuckled. "But we can't do anything about it." She said. "Still-." He said. "Go now. There are Knight and Blue." She said. "Alright, but this is really sudden." He said then Fine laughed at him and closed his door. "Bye." She said then he smiled at her and drove off. Fine went back to the living room where Sally was still crying. "Are you alright with a delivery food?" Fine asked then Sally nodded. "Fine, are you sure it's alright for me to crash into your house?" She asked. "Of course, I live alone so that's really fine for me." She said. "Thank you Fine. I have been running away from that man but he keeps on finding me so I won't stay here for too long." She said. "Why don't you go to your family at the countryside?" Fine asked then Sally shook her head. "They are the ones who wanted to marry me off to that guy." Fine gaped at the newly learned information. "What? Why?" She asked. "Tradition." Sally uttered. Fined gaped in disbelief. "That still exists?" She said then Sally nodded. "He was fine before then he got into using drugs then he started abusing me. I told my family about it but their family has more power and influence. They kept silent about it." Sally said. Fine never knew that her easy going friend has this kind of life. "You can stay here for as long as you need to." Fine said then Sally nodded. "Thank you Fine, really." She said. "I have extra clothes so don't worry for the night." Fine said. "Thank you. I'll buy what I need tomorrow. I'm sure that guy is waiting at my apartment. Would you come with me tomorrow?" She asked then Fine nodded and smiled at him. "Really, thanks. Why are you so kind?" She said. "Oh right, why were you with Gale?" She asked. Fine sighed at her sudden change of emotion. "Oh, you're back my friend." Fine said then they both chuckled.

"I just happen to carpool with him." Fine said. "At the park?" Sally asked, doubtful. Fine nodded her head. "Yes." She said and since then she kept on avoiding Sally's inquiries on her relationship with Gale. The next day came when the two spent time in leisure at the market. "It's my first time here! I love the clothes. Plus the low prices." Sally said while handing the saleslady the clothes she picked out. "And you can bargain for a lower price too." Fine said. "Do you frequent in this place?" Sally asked, already paying for the clothes she shopped. "I buy my clothes here. I don't have much money to spend because I need to save a lot." She said. "But you bought that house right?" "I did. Half of it was paid by my sister. The down payment was from my savings." She said. "You're a scholarship student right?" "I am that's why I was able to save up. My job at the cram school also helps a lot. I have already talked to Professor Mengu about continuing teaching depending on my schedule this coming year. May be on weekends? The salary is still good." She said. "Right, it's your last year at pre-med. I hope you get another recommendation for scholarship in med school." She said then Fine smiled at her. "I hope so." "Do you want to have a foot massage? My treat." Sally said, staring at the spa house across the street. "Sure, you're treat right?" She said. "Of course. It's the least I could do after crashing at your house." She said. "Don't worry about that. We're friends." Fine said then Sally smiled at her.