There was no way Jhoana would be prepared for this.
Our story goes here, some may turn blind eye to the grief for the unbearable parting.
My dear readers, I'm sorry if this goes on the way you don't want it to be. But let me finish this story.
Here we are at the cemetery, gathering all our bottled up emotion since the incident. It has been a week since then.
Everyone is agitated, tired and god knows what everyone felt, how stressful the whole week was.
It's like everyone is as if fighting for their lives to stay alive.
And yet our dearest Isabel Beatriz, fight for her life until the very end.
Before we proceed with this, let me tell what happened after the night of the incident.
Jhoana
"I can't lose you Bea pleaseee." Jhoana
"Baby, my love, I'm sorry if it had to be this way. I have loved you ever since my first day training at BEG. And now here I am, lying here beside you, asking again, Ms. Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot, will you marry me?" Bea
"Of course my love." Jhoana
I'm a crying mess. Lord I'm begging give her a third chance to be alive!
"Thank you my love for existing. Please be happy." Bea
She's starting to drift to sleep. As she cough with blood.
"No no! Bea please don't sleep, wake up my love, hold my hand pleaseee!" Jhoana
"BEAAA PLEASEEEE! I'M BEGGING DONT LEAVE ME IM NOT READY MY LOVE PLEASEEEEE! BEAAAAA!" Jhoana
Isabel already closed her eyes.
"Somebody help please!!! Bea stay with me pleaseee..." Jhoana
"Jho what happened????" Denise
"Ate Denden please help me, Bea got shot and the ambulance is still not here. She closed her eyes already and unresponsive." Jhoana
"Excuse me." Denden
She started checking her heart, her pulse.
"Put a pressure on her chest, don't let her to bleed out. She's still have pulse." Denden
"Thank God! She's still breathing." Jhoana
"Any update from the ambulance?" Denden
"They're already outside." Thirdy
"Good, we don't have a time to waste. She's on a 50:50 chance of surviving. Tell them to go here faster!!!" Denden
"Denden, be calm, it would be bad for the baby." Alyssa
"I know but Bea is on the edge of her life. I'm a doctor here and I would blame myself if I don't save Bea!" Denden
The first aid responders came.
"She still have pulse, but be careful on lifting her, she got shot on her chest, you need to conduct an immediate surgery!" Denden
The responder look at Ate Denden.
"I'm a Doctor for pete's sake! Do it faster!" Denden
I went inside the ambulance. I don't want to miss any single seconds away from her.
"Please Bea, please fight for you life. Pleaseee." Jhoana
Kasunod ko naman lahat sila.
We immediately went down when we got to a hospital.
"Ma'am you cannot go inside. You need to wait here." Nurse
"she needs me. My fiancé needs me. Please let me in." Jhoana
"I'm sorry ma'am you need to stay here, we'll try everything to save her." Nurse
"Stay with me love please. Stay with me please." Jhoana
Three hours has passed since Isabel was shot.
Everyone is patiently waiting for the doctor to come out. It's already 9pm. We're all tired and hungry but I can't seem to eat or even leave this place.
She might look for me.
"Any updates?" Bianca
"No. No updates from the doctor. But she was breathing. " Thirdy
A doctor came out from the operating room.
But unfortunately it wasn't Bea's doctor.
Tito Elmer called for the best cardiothoracic surgeon in the Philippines. Everyone is praying and crying their hearts out.
"She'll survive this. She loves you Jho, she won't leave you alone." Jia
I hugged Jia. I thought everyone's gonna blame me for what happened but they didn't.
"Don't ever think that it's your fault. It wasn't your fault. It was Nico." Tito Elmer
I hugged him and Tita Det hugged me too. They don't deserve me. All I ever did was bring pain to their daughter and look where she is now.
Six hours has passed and there's no still update from the doctors.
"What's taking so long?" Deanna
"It might be a complicated surgery." Denden
"Ate Den, you should take a rest, it's bad for you and the baby." Jhoana
"I can take it Jho, hindi din ako makakatulog knowing Bea's lying down there and fighting for her life. Ikaw you need to eat kanina ka pa walang kain." Ate Denden
"Wala akong gana ate." Jhoana
"Bea wouldn't want to see you na pinapabayaan mo sarili mo. I'll buy you food, stay here okay?" Alyssa
"Okay Thanks Ate." Jhoana
A lot of hours has passed, I can't even sleep.
"I can't take this waiting, it's torture." Jhoana
"She's gonna be okay Jho." Thirdy
"You don't know that, we don't know that." Jhoana
Which is true. I'm agitated of this situation and every hour that's passing by is eating me alive
If Bea doesn't survive this, I don't know if I would want to live.
Deanna just came to get me clothes at the resort.
"Mami Jhow, here's your clothes. Do you want to go the bathroom first and clean up?" Deanna
"I don't want to leave her here." Jhoana
"I'll be staying here and call you agad if any updates. Alagaan mo sarili mo Jhoana." Jia
"Come on Ate Jho." Deanna
I have no other choice but to obey them. Tito Elmer got us a private room. Para sa mga nagbabantay. And I haven't eaten anything or took a bathroom rest.
As I enter the bathroom to take a bath. Tears are rushing in. I'm breaking down. Damn.
"Ate Jho are you okay? Can you do it? Or you need some help? I can ask Jema." Deanna
"No no, I'll be fine, I just need a minute for myself." Jhoana
I immediately fixed myself, I don't want to waste any single second. I might lose her. In a span of 30 minutes. I got myself to take a bath and eat a meal.
Jia was right, Bea would be mad if she sees me in this situation. But I can't help it, I tried to eat as many as I can but I really don't have an appetite.
"Let's go?" Deanna
I nod and smile at Deanna.
We walked down at the waiting room again.
Six hours since Isabel was shot.
All of us are still waiting for any update. Sone of us are pacing down the hall.
The operating room door opens.
A woman in her scrub approach us.
"You're here for Isabel Paras?"
"Yes, how is she?" Jhoana
Ate Ells, hold my hand. As if she's saying, that everything will be okay.
"Are you family member of Isabel?" Dra.
"I'm her fi—friend." Jhoana
I was about to say fiancé but they don't know that. I could be out of line, Jhoana what were you thinking!
"Who are the parents or immediate family member? " Dra.
"We're here." Tito Elmer
"I'm Dra. Lewis, I'm part of the trauma team. Right now She's in critical condition. The bullet missed her heart but it transected some major pulmonary vessels. There's a lot of bleeding in her chest, we're still strying to stabilize her." Dra. Lewis
"But she uhm.... is she gonna be alright?" Jhoana
"Honestly, we don't know yet. Are you her girlfriend?" Dra. Lewis
"I'm her fiancé." Jhoana
Everyone was shocked of what I just said.
"Here, you should hold onto this" Dra. Lewis
She brought out a ring. The ring I gave her on the night she proposed to me at Antipolo. The one we exchanged vows, just because we want to hear what would each other would say at that moment. No practice, no written, just pure words coming from our hearts.
Author's Note: You know, If this were a romance novel, right about now I'd need to put the book down and take a break.
I hold onto her ring as I sit down and take a deep breath.
Tito Elmer approached me.
"How are you nak?" Daddy Elmer
"I don't know Dad. I'm sorry." Jhoana
I cried harder, and seems like I don't have a reason to stop the tears that I've been meaning to let go since the doctor talked to me.
And here's Daddy Elmer asking me How I am? How am I supposed to know?
"This wouldn't happened if I didn't leave her and wait for Thirdy to arrived." Jhoana
Daddy Elmer hugged me.
"Shhhh. I told you, it's not your fault. Isabel made her own decision to meet Nico. And I guess she underestimated him without talking to us first. We checked her phone and we saw a conversation. They planned to meet at Antipolo where it all started. And I heard that you were there last night. Before things happened and got out of hand. Bea didn't message us about her flight details. And all I know is that Nico texted her to finish things once and for all. And she agreed to meet in Antipolo." Daddy Elmer
"B-but I was there? How come I didn't noticed it." Jhoana
"The things is, Bea went to Antipolo hours earlier before their meet up. And she saw you and Marci unexpectedly. We found this letter at her luggage. I think this is meant for you to read." Daddy Elmer
I hugged him.
"She'll overcome this, she's a beast. Let's pray for her stability and fast recovery." Daddy Elmer
"Thank you Daddy." Jhoana
"Tulog muna kami ah? Take a rest Jhoana. Update us from time to time okay?" Mommy Det
"Yes mommy." Jhoana
"Wag mo pabayaan sarili mo Jho, magagalit si Bea niyan." Mommy Det
"Opo." Jhoana
I hugged her. And said my good bye.
Nagpaiwan naman uli ako sa waiting room. Eagerly praying for a miracle.
Nagshishift naman ang ibang ALE kung sinong sasama sa akin.
"You guys can take a sleep, kaya ko to." Jhoana
"Hindi ka namin iiwan mag isa dito Picasso. You got us. We're worried too. Wag mong solohin, we're here for you and Bea." Ella
"Thank you Donya." Jhoana
"Anything for you, Picasso." Ate Ella
I looked at the envelop that Daddy Elmer gave me.
For Jhoana.
By the time you are reading this, things got out of hand. I'm sorry mahal kung hindi ko nailaban yung pag-ibig natin. I'm sorry kung nagdesisyon ako na hindi sabihin kana Daddy ang pakikipagkita kay Nico. Forgive me my love.
Patawarin mo ako sa limang taon na hindi mo ako kapiling. Patawad sa lahat ng lungkot at galit na ipinaramdam ko simula nung nawala ako hanggang sa bumalik ako sa piling mo.
Mahal, pasensya ka na kung umabot sa ganito. Hindi ko naman aakalain na hindi ko kakayanin.
I tasked Deanna to give this letter when things get out of hand. And here you are reading this. But don't worry mahal, lalaban ako hanggang kaya ko.
Hindi kita hahayaan mag-isa.
Maybe I'm fighting for my life right now, but I want you to know na ikaw pa din ang laman ng puso ko.
At kung mabubuhay man ako, liligawan kita nang paulit ulit hanggang makamtam ko ulit ang matamis mong oo. Pupunan ko lahat nang pagkukulang ko sa loob ng limang taon.
Lalaban ako mahal para sayo.
Lalaban ako para di mo maisip na iniwan na naman kita.
Wait for me my love. And If I didn't make it.
Always remember that I love you Jhoana Louisse.
Ikaw pa din hanggang ngayon ang nag mamay-ari ng puso ko.
Mahal kita. Mahal na mahal.
I am sobbing real hard as I read her messages.
"Nabasa mo na pala Ate." Deanna
"Deanna kelan pa?" Jhoana
"She left me an email last night. Asking me to do things. Pero she never said what she would do. I'm sorry ate." Deanna
"Don't be. Alam mo naman si Beatriz." Jhoana
"Lalaban siya ate, sure akong lalaban siya para sayo. Kapit lang." Deanna
The sun is glowing upon my face. Nakaidlip na pala ako kakaintay. It's 5:15 in the morning as I look at my wrist watch. Deanna is also sleeping beside me. Ganon din si Jema.
They stayed the night with me while the rest are sleeping.
"Good morning are you the family of Isabel Paras?" Doctor
"Yes we are her friends." Jhoana
Deanna and Jema suddenly woke up. Saktong kadadating lang din naman nina Tito Elmer.
"They are her parents." Jhoana
"Good morning Mr. De Leon I'm Dra. Kim and I'm the cardio thoracic surgeon assigned to your daughter. I believe we talked on the phone last night." Dra. Kim
"Ah yes I remembered." Daddy Elmer
"Dra Lewis and our team stabilize the patient. She's now stable but unfortunately we saw more than damage than we ever thought. The bullet caused an internal bleeding damaging the heart with minor cuts. We didn't proceed because it's a protocol, we managed to take out the bullet. We will proceed the operation as soon as you approved this letter. We don't know if she will stabilize again if we don't operate her now." Dra. Kim
I saw Mommy Det agreed and also Kuya Loel.
"Jho?" Daddy Elmer
"Bakit po tito?" Jhoana
"Do you think Bea would want this?" Daddy Elmer
"Elmer?" Mommy Det
"Dad this is Bea's life on the line are you seriously having doubts?" Kuya Loel
"We need your asap decision." Dra. Kim
"Jhoana?" Elmer
"Daddy, I want to be with your daughter again. Let's do what we can do." Jhoana
"Where can I sign?" Daddy Elmer
"And this is another paper. If you want to have a DNR." Dra. Kim
"No, do everything in your power to bring back my child." Daddy Elmer
"Will do Mr. De Leon. The operation will take place at 3hours max. I'll give you an update from time to time." Dra. Kim
"What was that?" Mommy Det
"I just don't want her to suffer anymore. You know what she's been through from her cancer and now this." Daddy Elmer
"But she's our daughter! She deserves to live!" Mommy Det
"She does! Alam ko yon Det! I was just afraid that this might cause another problem. And I don't want to see her suffer. I'm sorry hon." Daddy Elmer
We all went silent. May point si Tito. Bea's been hell ever since. And it's all because of one person.
I left them.
"Jhoana saan ka punta?!" Kuya Loel
"May kakausapin lang kuya, I need to finish this." Jhoana
I walked down the hall of this hospital to find Nico's room.
I heard he's in critical condition too.
He was shot near his heart.
As I enter his room. He's in deep sleep after his operation. He immediately stabilize but according to his doctor. He might not wake up soon.
"Bumangon ka diyan Nico! You don't get to get away with this okay? Hindi mo deserve na mamatay! Never mong magiging deserve to! Lahat ng kasalanan mo sisiguraduhin kong pagdudusahan mo. I'll make sure your life would be a living hell. And even if I have to drag your family into this, I don't care! Hindi mo deserve mabuhay at hindi mo din deserve mamamatay!
Whyyy did you do that? All I ever did was to bring back the love you give? Why did you do all this things? Why???" Jhoana
"Jho." Kiefer
I saw him entering this room with Miguel. They are both escorted by the Police.
"I'm sorry, we didn't came sooner. Sorry kung late na namin naligtas si Bea. And I'm ready to pay all of my sins sayo, sa pamilya mo at lalo na sa pamilya ni Bea. I'm really sorry, I was just blind by the money he offered. I'll tell everything to police, from your accident at the crossing and the accident at the beach party. I'm really really sorry Jho." Kiefer
"Me too. I'm sorry Jho. Panghabang buhay namin pagbabayaran lahat ng kasalanan namin." Miguel
"Let's just wish he stay alive and Bea to wake up." Jhoana
"Mauna na kami Jho. Madami pa kaming ipapaliwanag." Kiefer
Lumabas na din naman ako sa room ni Nico.
Deanna asked me to have breakfast with them kahit wala akong gana. I don't want naman na mag aalala sakin si Bea the moment she wakes up at makita niyang namayat ako.
"What do you want ate?" Deanna
"Tapsilog na lang." Jhoana
"Same na lang din sakin bb." Jema
"How you holding up?" Jema
"I don't know Jema. Hindi ko na alam. Natatakot ako na matulog kasi baka pag gising ko wala na siya. I don't want to miss any single moment. Because even one second I'll regret it for the rest of my life that I am not by her side." Jhoana
"Let's pray for her okay? Kumain ka din para naman may lakas ka pag nakipaghalikan ka na diyan sa fiancé mo." Jema
"Naisingit mo pa talaga yon!" Jhoana
"Kilala ko kaya yang diamante na nasa kamay mo. Nagpasama samin ni Deanna yon. For emergency purposes daw hehe." Jema
"Ayoko nang ganitong klase ng emergency niya ha. Dapat bumangon siya at bigyan niya ako ng maayos na proposal hindi yung life and death situation." Jhoana
"Sige na kumain ka na diyan, ubusin mo yan ah para makabalik tayo agad doon." Jema
As we are enjoying our food. I heard my phone ring. Buti na lang tapos na kami kumain.
"Jho, get back here." Alyssa
Hindi na ako nagtanong pa at dali daling tumakbo.
"Ate Jho! Wait!" Deanna
I couldn't care less tumakbo na lang ako ng tumakbo.
I reached the floor within five minutes.
"The operation is successful, she's now in ICU for recovery. For now we have to wait." Dra. Kim
"Can I visit her?" Jhoana
"You only have few minutes per person." Dra Kim.
Nauna nang pumasok sina Tito Elmer.
And now it's my turn.
I saw how many tubes and wires are connected to her.
I sobbed as I see how she looks right now.
"Hi! I miss you. I won't ever say good bye to you because this isn't the end of our story. Do you hear me Isabel? You're gonna wake up and you're gonna be okay. And we're gonna move into our dream house. And we're gonna live there until we outgrow it. Because I'll be pregnant with our child, we're gonna grow our family there. It might seem overwhelming but I know we got this. We're gonna be a family. Oh and we're gonna travel outside this country. And we'll go every year and that trip will be a tradition. You, me and our future family. And we're gonna be that old couple that sit on the front porch reminiscing, arguing over details. And we'll get a stupid cat because that's what you want before George and you convinced me to get one because I love you and you are annoying. And we're gonna be happy Isabel.
We're gonna be happy." Jhoana
"Okay it's time." Dra. Kim
I kissed her forehead and her lips before I go.
"When can I comeback again?" Jhoana
"You can comeback tomorrow." Dra. Kim
"I love you Isabel, always. Please stay with me. I'll be back tomorrow mahal..." Jhoana
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Izza prank di pa siya tapos! 🤪 batiin niyo muna ako ng Happy Birthday nang natutuwa ako sa inyong lahat! Para iextend pa natin tong story hanggang sa kayo na yung magsawa sakin.
Joke lang, any comments and violent reactions and QUESTIONS regarding the story will be entertained. 😬