Love Beyond Boundaries

Chapter 7

Mom called me on the phone and asked if I wanted to join her as she headed to New York later. She was unaware of the accident because she had been occupied, and I chose not to share to avoid adding to her stress.

"Aubrey, are you coming with me later? I have an important meeting in New York," Mom inquired.

"I'll think about it, Mom," I responded.

I had mustered the courage to tell Jhoanna about my feelings, prepared for any outcome. I messaged Jhoanna, asking to meet at the park to share my feelings with her.

"Jho, can we meet at the park? I have something to discuss with you," I texted.

"Sorry, Staks. I'm at my condo heading to Ate Colet's place. She mentioned something important," Jhoanna replied.

"Okay," I replied, feeling a pang of hurt that she prioritized something over hearing me out. However, I decided to give Ate Colet's invitation a chance, even though the purpose of the dinner remained a mystery. During the dinner, Ate Colet posed a surprising question.

"Girls, if I had a girlfriend, would you accept her?" Ate Colet's question startled me, causing me to spill my water.

"Sorry, I was caught off guard," I managed to respond, taken aback by the question.

Ate Colet then knelt in front of Jhoanna, holding her hand. "Jhoanna, can you be my girlfriend?" she proposed.

The unexpected turn of events left us all in shock.

"Yes, Ate Colet!" Jhoanna exclaimed, and they embraced, leaving me with tears welling up. Sheena approached me, placing a hand on my shoulder, but I pushed her away, then turned to face Jhoanna.

"Are you happy? I've waited for years, Jho. I love you. I apologize for only now saying it, even though I was planning to confess earlier. What am I to you, Jhoanna?" I expressed, tears streaming down my face.

"Yes, you are the reason why I got drunk the night you accepted Ate Colet's courtship. I even felt jealous of Yso, but she doesn't have feelings for you, so we became close. Even during your friendly date, I could hardly sleep from crying. I'm grateful Sheena was there to comfort me. I often picked fights with you because I didn't want my feelings to grow. I tried to forget you, but no matter what I did, I couldn't because I fell in love with you from the moment I met you. Are you toying with me, Jhoanna? If you're just playing games with my feelings, maybe we should part ways. I hope you find happiness," I stated, tears falling, before leaving to avoid hearing her response.

I returned to my condo, packed my bag, coinciding with Mom's arrival. I wiped my tears, but she noticed my distress.

"I'm coming with you, Mom," I decided. Mom sensed my need for silence and waited for me to be ready to talk.

We sat in silence on the plane for an hour until my mom finally broke the quiet.

"Staku, what's going on? It's hard for me to see you like this," she expressed her concern.

I couldn't hold back anymore, so I hugged my mom tightly and let the tears flow.

"Jhoanna doesn't love me," I confessed.

"I was in an accident these past few days. I know I should have told you, but it's my own issue, and I didn't want to involve or burden you. Ate Maloi and I drank because Jhoanna agreed to Ate Colet's courtship, then Ate Maloi's car collided with a truck. But that wasn't the most painful part, Mom. I was about to confess my feelings to Jhoanna earlier, but I didn't expect Ate Colet to propose to her as her girlfriend. The worst part is, Jhoanna said yes, and I didn't even get the chance to tell her," I shared through tears that couldn't be stopped.