Love on Board

Chapter 43

Third Person

Binubuhat nang dahan-dahan ni Bea si Jho, pero nagising si Jho.

"Ayan na pala, no need na buhatin," Ella said.

"Get some rest, Jho. Do you want me to carry you pa ba?" Bea asked. Umiling lang si Jho at nag-nod naman si Bea. Hinawakan ni Bea yung kamay ni Jho.

"Sama ka muna sa'kin. Ate Ella, Ji, kayo muna bahala dito. Sama ko muna si Jho," nagtataka man si Jho pero sumama pa rin siya. Hinila-hila niya si Jho malapit sa stairs, bitbit pa rin niya yung isang plastic ng McDo takeout niya for Jho.

"Jho, rest ka muna. Look, you don't have proper rest. Tara muna sa room mo, eat this, and take a rest, please."

"But—"

"No buts." Hinila ni Bea si Jho paakyat papunta sa room.

"Sit down," pinaupo ni Bea sa bed si Jho at binuhat naman ni Bea yung movable table ni Jho sa room at nilagay yung takeout food.

"Now, eat," natawa naman si Jho.

"Why are you laughing, Jho? I'm serious—eat, or gusto mo ako pa magsubo sa'yo?"

"Nothing, hahaha. I just remembered something—you never change," malungkot na sabi ni Jho, being emotional.

"Hey," umupo si Bea sa tabi ni Jho.

"Jho, look at me," Bea held Jho's face and iniharap sa kanya. Bea used her thumb to wipe Jhoana's tears flowing down her face.

"I know you're thinking about me, about us, but set that aside for now. We’ll talk about it later, hmm? Unahin mo muna sarili mo—you need to rest," Bea said. She kissed Jho on her forehead and hugged her tight. While Jho's head was on her shoulder, umiiyak pa rin si Jho. Niyakap na rin pabalik ni Jho si Bea.

"Hush now," Bea said, kissing the top of Jhoana's head.

Jhoana's POV

After 5 years, I feel comfortable. Even though Papa's gone, I feel complete because of this hug. I hugged Bea tight, feeling her kiss my head before she ended the hug.

"Eat this muna. Don't worry, I'll stay here," she said habang inaayos yung McDo sa movable table ko.

I watched as Bea carefully arranged the food on the table, her focus entirely on making sure everything was set up just right. It was one of the many things I loved about her—how she always took care of the little details, even when I didn't ask her to. After everything that had happened between us, seeing her here, taking care of me like this, felt both comforting and bittersweet.

As she finished setting up, she looked back at me and smiled, a warm and gentle smile that made my heart ache with a mix of emotions. I started to eat the food Bea prepared for me, even though I didn’t have much of an appetite. She sat beside me, watching closely, making sure I ate every bite. Her presence was calming, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

“Thank you,” I said softly after a few bites, looking up at her.

She smiled, “For what,?”

“For everything—for being here, for caring,” I replied, my voice almost a whisper.

Bea reached out, taking my hand in hers. “Jho, I’ll always be here for you. No matter what happens, you’re never alone.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. The years had been difficult, but having Bea by my side, even now, was something I never thought I’d experience again.

“Finish your food, okay? Then we’ll get some rest,” she encouraged.

I forced a small smile and continued eating, though the food felt heavy in my mouth. Bea kept her hand on mine, her touch gentle yet firm, reminding me that she was real, that this moment was real.

After I finished, Bea took the tray away and came back to sit beside me. She looked at me with those eyes full of concern and affection, the same way she always used to.

“Lie down,” she said softly, patting the bed beside her. “You need to sleep.”

I hesitated for a moment, but then I nodded and did as she asked. As soon as my head hit the pillow, Bea pulled the covers over me and lay down beside me, wrapping her arms around me.

“Just rest, Jho. I’m here,” she whispered, her breath warm against my ear.

I closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink into the comfort of her embrace. For the first time in years, I felt safe, like maybe things could be okay again.

As I drifted off to sleep, I could feel Bea’s steady heartbeat against my back, grounding me in the moment. And just before sleep claimed me, I whispered back, “Thank you, Bea. I missed this... I missed you.”

Bea’s arms tightened around me,
As I drifted off, I couldn’t help but think about how much I had missed her, how much I still loved her. Maybe we’d never get back what we had, but right now, having her here was enough. It was more than enough.

And with that comforting thought, I finally let sleep take me, the sound of Bea's soft breathing the last thing I heard before everything faded to black.

Bea's POV

When Jho fell asleep, I carefully unwrapped my arms from around her. I needed to go downstairs to check on things, but I planned to return later. Before leaving the room, I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Sweet dreams, baby," I whispered, mimicking her playful tone. I couldn't help but smile; she always teased me with that voice when I acted like a baby around her. Gently, I slipped out of her room and made my way downstairs. Ate Ella spotted me as she came out of the guest room.

"Oh, asan na si Jho?" Ate Ella asked, smiling back at me.

"She's asleep, Ate Ella. Hehe," I replied.

"Lintek na yan, kailangan ikaw pa ang lalambing para lang matulog, ganon? Kanina pa namin pinipilit yon," she said, and I laughed.

"Anyway, thank you, Bei, for taking care of Jhoana," she added before giving me a hug and a pat on the back. We walked together towards where Jaja was sitting with Tito. Ate Ella took a seat beside Jaja while I went straight to Tito and hold his coffin.

"Sorry, Tito, I know we had an agreement about having grandchildren, but I wasn't able to fulfill it. But don't worry, I'll take care of Tita, Jaja, and especially my Jhoana," I said, my voice steady but filled with emotion.

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A/N: I apologize for any typo and grammar errors you may have noticed. :D

Bahala na ulit kayo di ako nagproofread😭😆