It's time to go.
"Ahh, sorry ha. Hindi ko napansin yung oras. I told you naman I'm with Bea," Jho whispered.
"Sorry, Ju. Marami kaming pinag-usapan ni Jho. I wasn't aware of the time," Bea reasoned.
"She'll drive me there daw. Sorry ulit." Jho sounded guilty.
"Hatid ko lang siya sa meetup place nila ni Marci then I'll catch up sa dinner, okay? Tell tita and tito I'm sorry."
They turned to each other, eyes conveying that they don't want to go separate ways.
"Okay, bye. Love you too."
"I'll take care. Love you too."
Both said the last three words uncertainly like it was the hardest thing they could possibly say.
They quietly got up and went to the parking area. Jho subtly slips her fingers in between Bea's on the way. Their hands were laced as they walked slowly, silently wishing that they won't reach the car too soon.
The ride was quiet, either of them afraid to say a word. They have felt an overpowering urge to talk about the past—how happy and carefree they were back in college and how they wanted to bring that back.
Bea idled her car in front of the restaurant and faced Jho. She gathered her courage to ask the other a question. "You were about to say something kanina. What was it?"
Jho smiled sourly then bit her lip. "Graduation ceremony had ended and you were the first one I was looking for. When I was finally in front of you, hinawakan ko kamay mo sa gitna ng gulo and there I was so sure of something."
Bea's eyes prodded her to continue. She felt braver this time.
"Sasabihin ko na sana but then naunahan mo akong magbalita eh," Jho said somberly.
"That I was seeing Jia for a week," Bea continued the unfinished statement. "Ano bang sasabihin mo?"
The morena's shoulders slumped. She exhaled before meeting Bea's gaze.
"I was supposed to tell you that I don't give a damn about my dream life—the ideal family and job. I was supposed to tell you I'm gonna risk it all, Bey."
It sent daggers to Bea's heart, hearing all the things she have prayed for every night. If she could have waited a little longer maybe they're together by now.
Tears streamed down from Jhoana's eyes, there was a momentary slip of feelings she has repressed.
"I was supposed to pull you behind the stage and kiss you. I was supposed to confirm your feelings that day even though Maddie already told me."
She paused to catch her breath and to calm her aching heart. "I was supposed to tell you I am so fucking in love with you. Sasabihin ko na sana kaso may iba na pala."
"Mahal na mahal kita, Bea. Sana naghintay ka pa..."
Bea was stunned by Jhoana's outburst that it left her speechless. It was the cue for the latter to leave and so she kissed her on the cheek then climbed down the car without waiting for Bea to say anything.
"Tangina. Kung alam mo lang ikaw pa rin," Bea said while clenching her jaw. "May iba na tayo pero ikaw pa rin gusto ko."
And as Jhoana sat in front of her boyfriend, she felt sorry for him. She may have loved the guy because he takes care of her, but she loves Bea with all her heart simply because she does.
All this time, they had locked those feelings away because they thought it was over. They thought it was too late for them.
Now, maybe it's too late. Cause when they're together, there's someone holding them back—there's someone waiting for them to come back.
A/N:
Advice: Yung setup na more than friends but less than a couple ends up pretty bad. Wag tularan. Masasaktan lang kayo.
beadelmarag -- this is for u. Sana may matutunan ka.
Anyhoo, I love writing sad stories so I hope you guys don't mind. Umuulan rin kasi bagay sa feels 😋
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