As the buzz surrounding Kim Chiu and Xian Lim’s recent breakup continues to make headlines, some fans are revisiting the past, particularly the romantic “what ifs” that could have changed the course of Kim’s love life. One such “what if” involves Simon Atkins, the former UAAP heartthrob and La Salle basketball star.

Many might not remember, but before Xian entered Kim’s life through their My Binondo Girl pairing in 2011, Simon Atkins was in the picture. In fact, Simon was known for his persistence in courting Kim after her much-publicized breakup with Gerald Anderson, which ended the beloved Kimerald tandem.

This love story began around February 2011, during the lull in Kim’s love life, pre-Xian Lim. Kim and Simon’s chemistry sparked from a simple tweet by the basketball star. Fans, both casuals and hardcore followers, started shipping them, and the frenzy escalated when their budding romance was even featured in the first episode of Gandang Gabi Vice. Fans were abuzz: from Gerald Anderson to Simon Atkins? It was a shift no one saw coming, and for many, it was an exciting one. After all, Simon was the UAAP heartthrob and a certified Candy cutie at the time.

While many doubted the seriousness of their relationship, believing it was just fan speculation, Simon’s actions told a different story. He didn’t shy away from showing his affection. Fans who closely followed Kim on the PinoyExchange forum (PEx) back in the day—an online platform popular in the early 2000s for celebrity gossip—shared stories of how genuinely close Kim and Simon were. One notable gesture was when Simon changed his jersey number from his usual 7 to 19 during his senior year at DLSU, a move that didn’t go unnoticed. Kim’s birthday is on September 19, while Simon’s is on July 19, a clear nod to their connection. Even when Simon began his PBA career, he kept the number 10—1 plus 9, again a subtle tribute to Kim.

Despite these public displays of affection, Kim and Simon kept their relationship private. Simon respected Kim’s wish for privacy, which is why their rumored romance never fully unfolded in the limelight.

Now, over a decade later, Simon has moved on, and he has a family of his own. But for longtime fans who remember those days of shipping and hoping, it’s hard not to wonder: what if Kim had chosen Simon back then? Would the trajectory of her love life have been different?

As some fans continue to hold onto old mementos from this time, including pictures from the heyday of their rumored romance, one thing is certain—Kim Chiu’s love life, from Kimerald to KimXi, has always been the subject of fascination. And while Simon Atkins has moved on, the memories of what could have been linger for those who witnessed that brief but sweet chapter in Kim’s life.