If Fate is What You Call It

Fanfic of a Fanfic [III]

Hello everyone. I would just like to thank you for continuing to support Dani and RJ up until this very day. Do know that all of your comments warms my heart so deeply. I know I haven't been writing much, mostly because I've been so busy. But for those who have fallen in love with Dani and RJ, I've decided to write a new chapter in their parallel universe. This was a collaborative effort with a good friend, the same friend who gave you the previous two chapters of the DanChard Universe. I hope you guys enjoy. 

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It was a week before RJ's supposed trip to the UK for his new film. A part of him was excited because it has been a while since he last worked as an actor, but more than his anxiousness, he felt an overwhelming fear most of all. He was going away for almost a year and he wasn't too happy about that fact. One, because he didn't want to leave his family for that long and two, he was going to miss her way too much.

Speaking of her, there she was walking down the building towards his parked car. After a few months of containing the PR nightmare Dani had to go through at work, the company, or her boss Toni for that matter, has finally decided that Danielle Santiago was too important an asset to let go. And so there she was, wearing her pencil skirt with her hair tied up, her reading glasses on, strutting her stuff like a boss. People looked at her as she passed by, after all, she had grown infamous because of her relationship with The Richard Faulkerson Jr., but it looked as if she couldn't care less about what they thought.

It didn't matter to her, because what was more important was the man who was now stepping out of his car to open the door for her, all smiles as if he hadn't seen her in forever.

"Hi Nin. How was work?" he said as he tucked her seat belt in just as he always had.

"Hi Warty, it went well. Just the same daily grind. You? How was the script reading with the rest of the cast?"

"It was okay. I still wish you would come with me though."

"Really? We're starting with this again? Warty naman eh we talked about this way too many times at this point already. I can't go because I have work now."

''I just thought I'd give it another shot."

She breathed out a sigh and then looked at him as he drove, his eyes all droopy and his lips pouty, she smiled then at his childlike face. If only he knew what she would give to just be able to follow him around all day. But she knew he needed to do this on his own just as she had started to get her work life in order too.

"Warty, I'm going to miss you like crazy too okay. There's always skype naman eh.''

''It's not going to be the same."

''I know, but kayang kaya mo yan okay? This could possibly be the best opportunity of your career, don't let me hinder that for you okay? When you get there, you have to give it your 100%. Alright?''

''Yes, yes. I know. Thank you for believing in me Nin. Kung hindi dahil sa'yo."

''Oh shut it Warty. This is all you, okay? I had nothing to do with it."

"Hays. Kung alam mo lang." he whispered as he sighed.

''Ano yun?"

''Ah sabi ko tumawag na ba sa'yo si Dad?"

''I texted him na papunta na tayo so we should be good."

''Okay then.''

His father, Richard Sr., was throwing a going away/congratulatory party for his son that day and Dani was more involved in throwing that party than anyone else he knew. But RJ had no idea. He thought it was a simple dinner party with his family and hers but when they got to his house in Laguna, the full cast and most of his trusted friends were there, jumping from the corners they hid to surprise the unsuspecting RJ.

"Hala? Ano to?" he looked around for any sign that could give it away. Then he saw the banner and now it all of a sudden made sense.

"Hello Son." his dad walked up to him, all smiles.

"Dad, you really didn't have to do this." he said tearing up as he embraced his ever loving father.

"Oh, don't thank me anak. This was all Dani's idea."

"Tito, shhhh!" she said, blushing with this remark.

"This was your idea?"

"Well not really. Well actually, yeah. Your dad helped me a lot though."

"Hmmm come here you psycho." he said as he gave her a hug. Now he was really balling because damn it, he had no idea how he was going to survive the next months without her.

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"Daniella, I'm already getting ready to go to the airport and if I don't see you there, I am not getting on that plane do you hear me?" he said shouting on the phone, his tears free flowing.

"Stop being so dramatic Warty, I already told you I don't want to see you off, okay?"

"Napakatigas ng ulo mo Daniella hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko sayo."

"Just go to the airport already and call me when you get there, okay?"

"No. You go to the airport and I'll see you there or else.. or else.."

"or else what?"

"or else hindi ako aalis."

"Sipain kita eh. Para kang bata. I'm not going, okay?"

"Hindi kita maintidihan. Why the hell won't you see me off ba?"

"Basta"

"Anong basta? Ang sabihin mo di mo ko mamimiss kaya ka ganyan."

"Gago ka pala eh. Don't you know me at all?"

"Then what is it?"

"Ewan ko sa'yo. I have to go. Call me when you get there."

"Dani. DANI!!!!"

But his cries were too late. She had already hung up the phone. With a heavy heart, he loaded his luggage in the back of his car and drove off. Meanwhile, Dani was pacing back and forth in her room. She was ready to go, but she continued to tell herself she shouldn't. She didn't like the idea of watching him turn his back and walking away from her. The last time she waved her dad goodbye, was the last time she saw him conscious. But did she really not want to see him before he goes off?

She started watching the clock tick as she sat fidgeting on her bean bag.

"Siguro malapit na sa Pasay yun."

She then checked for the traffic update and found that the road was clear. It was after all a Sunday.

"If I left now, I could still make it." she said as if her car keys were tempting her to go.

"Oh fuck it!"

And then she bolted as if her life depended on it. She drove to NAIA like a mad woman. She had approximately 30 minutes before that abnormally always early person made it to the airport and boarded. He was calling her, but she was too busy avoiding cars as she drove past them.

She parked her car as if it were a scene in Tokyo Drift and she ran towards the departure area, hell bent on trying to catch up to him. It was her who was calling him this time, but he wasn't answering his phone. He was already in line towards the boarding area.

"Damn it." she screamed, frustrated at her stupid pride.

and then she saw them, Richard Sr. and his sister Riza already walking towards their car.

"Tito, naka alis na si RJ?"

"Oh anak, nako hingal na hingal ka. Nanduon na sa loob eh. Tinawagan mo ba?"

"Hindi sumasagot eh."

"Ah baka nakaboard na nga. Oh sya, anak tara na kumain na lang muna tayo mukhang pagod na pagod ka at tutal nandito na rin naman na tayo."

She nodded as her tears flowed from her eyes to her cheeks. She knew she shouldn't be crying. He was going to be back anyway, and it was her stupid idea not to see him off. She had no right to cry, and yet there she was, unable to cease.

"Ang tigas kasi ng ulo mo eh. Tapos ngayon iiyak iyak ka." a voice from behind her spoke.

She was stunned and thought she might have been hearing things, but looking at his father's ridiculous smile, she knew exactly who it was who had said those very words.

She turned and jumped at him to give him a final hug.

"WARTY!"

"For a second there akala ko talagang matitiis mo ko." as he closed his eyes to engulf himself in her presence. He was going to miss this, her cucumber scent, the warmth of her hug, her breath taking smile and her annoying remarks.

"I didn't want to see you go, but I couldn't help it." Dani responded as she tightened her hold on him even more.

"You and your fear of goodbyes."

"Hey don't say that. Don't you dare say goodbye to me Richard Faulkerson Jr."

"I wasn't going to." he said as he drew her away to get a glimpse of her face. She could see the sorrow of parting in her eyes and it made him weak. It gave him every reason not to go.

"Stop crying, will you? Parang ayoko tuloy umalis."

"Kaya nga ayoko sanang pumunta eh. Pero selfish ako."

"Ssh! Don't say that. I'm glad you came." wiping her tears as if he was trying to be strong, even though he was dying on the inside.

"Oh Nin, pano. I really have to go this time. Will you be okay?"

"Yes, I will. Don't worry. You kick ass out there, okay?"

"Haha yes yes, I will. God, I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

"Kumain ka ng maayos okay? Kapag walang pag-kain pumunta ka nalang sa bahay. Or if you miss me call me anytime alright? Ako na bahala sa phone bills mo."

"Opo sir."

"and don't cry when I'm not here okay?"

"I won't."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

He gave her one final hug and started to walk away. She watched her as he left, a ridiculous look of half triumph and half longing painted all over his face and before he could completely disappear from her view, he turned around just to say.

"Don't you dare go to Jason's to get food, you understand me Daniella?"

and then she just smiled. What a jealous friend he turned out to be. It was annoying at times but today, it was if he had told her he loved her and that she was his, and his alone.

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

It's been three months since he's been in England. It has definitely been quite the whirlwind adventure. He was once more honing his craft and enjoying it at the same time. He was laughing with the crew, he enjoyed tea time just like he used to. But as he walked the streets of London every night, he always wished she were there. The fact that she wasn't often made him want to get on a plane and see her. But he couldn't and she wouldn't let him. Not because they didn't miss each other. They did, more than each could ever say, but Dani always was strong willed and urged him to keep on. That was by far, the only thing that has kept him sane.

He checked the time, it was just about 15 minutes before his scheduled bi-weekly skype time with Dani. He walked up to his hotel and the excitement had him grinning to his ears. He was tired as hell after an agonizing day of shooting, but he couldn't mind one bit. He was going to see her smile, hear her laugh, and listen to her nonsense. It was always the best part of his week.

He was already logged into his computer and he sat there waiting for her to call. But that offline icon beside her user name remained unchanged for 5 more minutes. He was calling her phone, but it was out of reach. He called his dad but he also wasn't picking up. He checked the time, 20 minutes have already passed and still, she was offline.

He was freaking out. She has never missed their skype date. Even if she was too tired and would fall asleep in front of him, she still was always there. Her being in the night shift meant they both were in syncing time zones, but where was she? He was being paranoid now, thinking bad things may have happened. He was almost close to booking a ticket but he was calling his friends, none of which had any idea what was going on. Did something happen? Was she with Jason? What in the world could she have been doing that was so important that she couldn't even send him a message.

..and then he remembered.

"She sent me a snap today di ko pa pala nakikita. Baka malaman ko kung saan sya."

..eagerly, shaking, he opened his snap chat.

He was confused. He didn't know where it was and yet, it looked familiar. She had sent him multiple snaps and he couldn't figure out where it was.

"Teka. I know this place."

He looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing the same scarf and jacket as the guy behind her.

Then finally, there it was. The caption and the face of the man that made sense to it all.

"You're so in your element. I'm glad to have witnessed it first hand."

More snaps came in, countless pictures of him on set and her wearing a silly disguise and laughing her ass off as she watched him from afar. Some were even taken a few days back.

He tried calling her again, and again, and again, until finally, her phone rang and a weak voice answered hello.

"DANIELLA! MAGPAKITA KA! MAGTUTUOS TAYO!!!!"

"Warty, damn, I was about to sleep, anong meron?"

"Anong "anong meron'? I could barely keep my wits together because you're not around, and then you tell me you've been here for awhile? Ano ba, Dani? What's this stunt you're trying to pull? Where are you staying? If you play all mysterious now, I swear to God..."

"Geezuz, RJ, pipe down. I'm here for training, ok? Toni sent me here to train for the new account we will be launching in the Philippines and I didn't want to disturb your work, so yah. I'm in the Crown bed and breakfast, you can drop by tomorrow since you said it's your off day."

"Anong tomorrow pinagsasabi mo? I'm going there now!!!"

"Warty, ang OA mo. You've had a long day, ok? Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow, all bright and rested, ok?"

"DANIELLA!!! DON'T YOU DARE..."

And she hangs up the phone.

RJ almost threw the phone down in frustration. What is this crazy girl trying to do? It annoyed the hell out of him that she seemed unperturbed that she was right there near him, but didn't feel to urge to walk up to him, to be with him, to tell him she was there.

"WHAT THE HELL, DANIELLA? DAMN YOU!!!"

He didn't care about what she said about sleep. He grabbed his trench, stormed out of the hotel, and hailed a cab going to the Crowne.