One Night, Unexpectedly

7

A/N: Short. Filler Chapter.

•••

Bea's routine of driving Jia to and from work continued even after trainings for PVL began. The endearment that Bea uses on Jia did not affect the way they treat each other. Maddie and Mich discovered Bea's endearment only later when they heard her say it one time upon dropping Jia at work.

Mula nu'n ay sari-saring pang-aasar na ang inabot nila sa dalawang kaibigan at hindi tinigilan maski sa kanilang GC. Nagsimula na rin ang pang-aasar nila Deanna kay Bea at sinabihan na maglagay na muna ng label.

Ngayong araw ay ipapakilala ni Jia si Bea ng pormal matapos makabalik ang kanyang pamilya mula sa dalawang linggong bakasyon. Even though she did not tell them what transpired within the last two weeks, they still had an idea because she and Bea has been making a lot of noise in Social Media.

"Umayos ka. Huwag kang maharot."

Paalala ni Jia kay Bea nang makababa na sa harap ng bahay. Binalikan lang siya ni Bea ng kindat at nguso kaya napairap na lang si Jia dito. Napakataas ng ihi ng kumag na 'to! Pasalamat talaga siya.

"Baby, wala ka bang good luck kiss dyan?" Tinampal ni Jia ang noo niya matapos niyang marinig 'yon and gritted her teeth. Bea grinned mischievously in response while they walked towards the gate.

"Good evening!" Jia's Mom greeted and gestured for them to get inside. "You two are in time for dinner."

Jia approached her Dad and embraced him then Bea comes in to shake hands. Her Dad smiled and pointed at a vacant chair, signalling Bea to take a seat. Jia's siblings followed suit and taken their own seats while closely observing the two.

"Eh, hindi na ako magpapaligoy pa. Thank you sa pagsasama sa Anak ko habang wala kami. Pasensya na at naging driver ka pa ata."

"Oh, no need po. It's on me, I wanted to keep her company." Bea smiled in reply to her Dad.

Jia's parents were impressed and they start asking more about Bea. The latter confidently answered all questions with ease, and Jia can't keep herself from secretly staring and listening closely to her. She has a voice that can send chills whenever she spoke. Jia hardly noticed any sign of being nervous, as if Bea knew the right words to say.

"Sana lahat may confidence." Napatingin ang lahat kay Jobok na nanlaki ang mata, kunwari'y nagtataka. "Bakit po? Ay, bigla lang lumabas sa bibig ko. Pasensya."

Kumunot ang noo ni Jia sa pang-aasar ng bunso niyang kapatid subalit ngumisi lang si Jobok sa kanya. Si Bea naman ay mahinang natawa kaya mahina niya itong tinapakan sa paa at sinamaan ng tingin.

"Oh, buti si Ate Bea nakakaintindi sa biro ko." Sambit ni Jobok at ngumisi.

"Bea, I'm sorry, makulit kasi itong si Jobok minsan." Singit ng Mommy ni Jia at pinanlakihan ang mata ni Jobok.

"Hindi, okay lang po. Natutuwa nga ako sa kanya eh, palagay ko magkakasundo kami." Bea retorts and felt Jia stepping on her feet again.

"Seryoso ka ba sa Ate ko?"

"Jobok!"

Nagtaka uli si Jobok sa sabay nilang pagpigil sa kanya, "Nagtatanong lang po ako, masama po ba 'yun?"

Sa katunayan ay medyo naiinis na si Jia sa pagsisingit ni Jobok, pero maging siya ay napahinto nang marining ang tanong na iyon. Hindi niya alam pero gusto niya rin malaman ang sagot ni Bea. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay iniisip niya kung ano nga ba talaga ang intensyon ni Bea sa kanya. At kung may halaga ba sa kanya ang lahat ng nangyayari sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

Ngumiti si Bea, "Yes."

Jia looked with surprise, and smiled then looked down on Bea intertwining their hands together. Meanwhile, the rest of her family watched them in awe. At that moment, Jia felt a sense of security at mas naging panatag ang loob sa sitwasyon nilang dalawa.

After dinner, Jia's parents had Bea stay for a little longer. They appeared to enjoy having a conversation with her, much to Jia's delight. What she saw tonight was a different Bea, way different from the goofy, messy and playful one who has a habit of kissing her. She was slightly serious, proper, confident, and charming but not over the top.

Upon leaving, sinamahan siya ni Jia hanggang sa labas ng gate. Jia held her arm because she wanted to ask for a clarification on her answer to Jobok's question earlier, kinakabahan kasi siya sa posibilidad na hindi totoo ang kanyang sagot kanina. Gusto niyang makasiguro na may panghahawakan na siya mula ngayong gabi. Jia has been secretly crushing on her for almost 7 months and is aware that investing feelings will take a huge risk.

Bea looked attentively and Jia pursed her lips before speaking, "A-About your answer earlier... is it true?"

Bea nodded and cupped her cheek, "I wouldn't answer if it wasn't."

Jia smiled but deep inside something bothered her, "But isn't it happening all too fast? Three weeks pa lang tayo magkakilala. How can I be sure? I'm new to this. I have no idea about relationships... and love."

Bea shook her head and pecked her lips, "Time doesn't matter, Jia. You will feel it once you've found the right one."

Jia's eyes glimmered and is relieved from that assurance, "Okay."

"I'll keep you safe, Jia. I'd love to keep you around me as well."

Jia's heart soared and smiled sweetly, "I-I think I'd l-love to keep you around... too."

Bea smiled back, caressing her cheek, "That makes us even."

•••

A/N: Hindi pa ito ang climax. Wala pa 'to. Hahaha