Bea's POV
The day for Tito John’s farewell was heavy with emotion. The weather matched the mood, with clouds casting a gray light over everything. The cemetery was quiet, and people gathered in small groups, offering comfort and sharing stories about Tito John.
Jhoana stood close to me, her hand firmly clasped in mine. She looked tired, her eyes red from crying. I kept close to her, trying to offer as much support as I could.
Ate Ella, Jaja, and Tita were nearby. They moved around with a somber grace, comforting each other as they prepared for the ceremony. Tito John had been an important figure in Jhoana’s life, and his passing was deeply felt by everyone.
The priest began the service, speaking softly and reverently. Jhoana looked at the casket with a mix of sadness and respect. I squeezed her hand and whispered, “I’m here for you, Jho. You’re not alone.”
When it was time for everyone to lay flowers on the casket, Jhoana hesitated but eventually walked forward with me. She placed her flower gently on the casket and wiped away a tear. “Thank you for being here,” she said quietly.
“Of course,” I replied. “I’m here for you.”
As the casket was lowered into the ground, Jhoana finally let herself cry. I held her close, offering her as much comfort as I could. “It’s okay to feel sad,” I said. “I’m here with you.”
Jhoana took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice soft. We walked back to the car together.
Bea's POV
Tahimik lang si Jho sa byahe kaya hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. Tumingin siya sa akin. I just smiled and continued driving.
Pagdating namin sa bahay nila, agad akong bumaba para pagbuksan siya ng pinto. As she got out of the car, I smiled at her and held both her hands as I kissed her forehead. Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit at siniksik ang ulo niya sa leeg ko.
"Thank you so much, Bei," she said.
"Shh, tara na sa loob, kanina pa nila tayo inaantay nila Ate Ella," I chuckled, kaya pumasok kami sa loob.
"Oh, ayan na pala sila, pare," Tita Lovel said. Nandito pa pala sila Dad; akala ko bumalik na sila sa Manila.
"Lovebirds na ba ulit, Bei?" Ate Ella said.
"Yieee!" sabay sabi ni Jaja at Jia, pati mga pinsan ni Jho. Tinignan ng masama ni Jho si Ate Ella.
"Oh, sorry na. Ang lulungkot kasi ng mukha natin dito. Kung nandito si Tito John, magagalit pa 'yon," she said, ginamit pa si Tito John.
"Haha, tama ka diyan, Doc Ella. Pero, mare, kailangan na namin umalis, baka gabihin kami. Kapag may kailangan kayo, sabihan niyo lang kami. Hindi na kayo iba sa amin."
"Sige, pare, salamat ng marami. Mag-iingat kayo ni mare," Dad nodded. Niyakap naman ni Mom si Tita Lovel.
"Isabel, luluwas ka ba pabalik ngayon o hindi?" Dad asked.
"Ah, baka bukas na, Dad. Samahan ko muna sila Tita dito," tumingin sa akin si Jho. I just smiled at her.
"Tita, kami din ni Jia, gusto man po namin mag-stay pero need namin dumuty na. Balik na lang po kami after duty, dito na lang kami magpapahinga," Ate Ella said.
"Opo, Tita, bawi kami," Jia added.
"Wag kang mag-alala, Jho. Kami bahala sa shift mo. Dito ka muna sa inyo," magsasalita sana si Jho pero inunahan siya ni Jia. Wala na siyang nagawa.
"Thank you, Ju, and Ate Ella," she said at niyakap sila ni Ate Ella.
"So, paano, sabay-sabay na tayo," Dad said. Nagnod naman sila Ate Ella. Hinatid namin sila sa labas.
"Bei, ikaw muna bahala sa kanila," Jia said. I just nodded and smiled. Agad na silang umalis dahil baka gabihin sila masyado.
Pagpasok namin, agad na umakyat si Jho. Susundan ko sana siya.
"Bea," tawag sa akin ni Tita kaya bumalik ako.
"Maraming salamat," niyakap ako ni Tita.
"Wala po dapat kayong ipagpasalamat sa akin, Tita. Pamilya ko na din po kayo."
"Limang taon na ang nakalipas, hindi ka pa rin nagbago. Kaya hindi ko din masisisi si John kung bakit gustong-gusto ka niya para kay Jhoana," hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko.
"Sundan mo na si Jhoana sa taas para makapagpahinga ka din," Tita said at pumasok sa kwarto nila ni Tito.
I went upstairs, kumatok ako sa room ni Jho, and dahan-dahan pumasok. Tahimik siya sa isang gilid, tulala.
"Hi," I said. Tumingin siya sa akin. Lumapit ako sa kanya.
"Bakit hindi ka pa nagre-rest?" I asked.
"Wala, ayaw ko pa. Why didn’t you go back to Manila?"
"Because I want to stay here... with you," umupo ako sa tabi niya and hinawakan kamay niya.
"Mukha mo," sabi niya. Nakita ko nagblush siya, haha.
"Hahaha, why are you blushing?"
"Huh?! Hindi noh, ang init lang kaya," palusot niya.
"Haha, what? Eh, your aircon is on naman?" Inirapan niya ako.
"Haha, I'm just kidding. Seriously, I want to stay here for you. I want to be sure that you're okay," I kissed her forehead. She sighed.
"Beii, if naaawa ka lang sa akin, don't be. You can go home, kaya na namin 'to. Don’t worry, I'm okay." Tumayo siya at pumunta ng restroom. Sumunod ako pero nakalock.
Jhoana's POV
Pumasok ako ng restroom kasi ayoko makita niya na umiiyak na naman ako. Baka naawa lang siya sa akin kaya ganito.
"Hey, Jho," tawag niya habang kumakatok, pero hindi ko siya pinagbuksan.
"Jhoana, please," but still, hindi ko inopen.
"Okay, okay, if you don’t want to go outside, just listen to me. Seriously, I'm here because I want to talk to you, but I think it's not the right time to talk about it. Kakalibing lang ni Tito," she said, but still, di ko binuksan.
"But if you want to talk and listen to me, I'm ready naman. Kaya please, lumabas ka," dahan-dahan kong binuksan yung pinto. Gusto ko na umusad, gusto ko magpakatatag. She hugged me agad-agad pagkalabas ko.
"Hindi naman ako naaawa, like what you're thinking. I know you're brave enough. I'm just thinking baka you're not ready pa."
"I'm not pitying you. Mahal kita, you—"
Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at hinalikan ko siya agad. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko 'yon ginawa.
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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😭😆
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Love on Board
FanfictionStrangers unexpectedly meet on a flight. Is it just a fleeting moment in the sky, or could it become a romantic relationship?
