Love on Board

Chapter 67

Jhoana's POV

I gazed into Bea's eyes, overwhelmed by the moment but also finding comfort in the familiar warmth of her gaze. I could still feel the tears threatening to spill, but at the same time, I couldn't stop smiling.

"It's too much, baby," I whispered, holding her hands tighter. "You really planned all of this?"

Bea laughed softly, her voice still shaky with nerves. "Alam mo gagawin ko lahat para sayo, love. One week ko 'to tinago. Ang hirap kaya! Halos mabaliw na ako sa kakaplan para hindi ka makahalata. But hindi ko magagawa 'to without them, especially Maki and Jia."

I shook my head, a playful grin forming on my lips. "Kaya pala kung anu-ano yung mga excuse mo lately. Akala ko may iba ka nang pinagkakaabalahan!"

Bea smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Siyempre, ikaw lang ang pinagkakaabalahan ko. Ano ba, ayaw mo?"

I chuckled, feeling my heart swell. "Ang sabi ko lang, magaling ka talaga sa surprises, ha!"

She grinned, a bit of her usual confidence shining through. "Gusto mo ba yung surprise? Kasi kung gusto mo, baka pwede ko gawing weekly 'to."

"Nako, wag naman weekly," I teased, shaking my head. "Baka maubos ang savings mo!"

The people around us laughed, especially Jia, who was watching us with an amused expression. "Kaya pala sobrang tahimik nitong si Bea kanina. Akala ko may ginagawang kalokohan, 'yun pala proposal na."

I turned to Jia and mock-glared at her. "Ikaw din, ha! Kasabwat ka pala."

Jia just shrugged, grinning widely. "Siyempre, best friend duties."

The moment felt light again, the tension of the proposal slowly fading into laughter and shared joy. Bea leaned closer, whispering in my ear, "Paano na 'yan, soon-to-be Mrs. de Leon ka na?"

I blushed, still not used to the word, kasi akala ko wala pa siyang balak sa kasal. "Edi tatlo na tayong de Leon."

She pulled back slightly, her eyes twinkling. "Let's announce later that we're having a baby."

I nodded and hugged her, my heart feeling full. "Thank you so much, baby."

"Shh, don't cry," Bea said softly, her thumb brushing over my hand. "Lahat ng 'to para sa'yo."

Before I could respond, Ate Ella interrupted again, "O, Bea, Jhoana, alam kong sweet kayo at all, pero gutom na kami. Kain na muna bago kayo magharutan ulit!"

Everyone laughed, and I felt my cheeks heat up as Bea snickered beside me. "Oo nga, love, baka magalit alaga ni Ate Ella pag di natin pinakain."

I playfully nudged her. "Fine, fine. Pero after kumain, wala nang makikialam, ha? Gusto ko nang sulitin 'to."

Bea winked at me. "You're so pretty and sexy, my love."

"I know, hahaha."

"Daming langgam sarap magspray ng insectiside," sabi ni ate ella kaya tumawa nanaman lahat

"Kayo talaga," sabi ni tito Elmer habang nagtatawanan sila nila tita Det and mama

We both turned toward the beautifully set table, hand in hand, ready to share this unforgettable night with the people we loved most. Everything felt perfect—simple, full of laughter, and surrounded by love. This was the start of the rest of our lives, and I couldn't wait for what was next.

As we sat down at the table, I couldn't help but glance around. The fairy lights twinkled softly above us, casting a warm, golden glow on everyone's faces. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mixing with the aroma of the food being served. Everything felt surreal, like I was in a dream, and I was still trying to wrap my head around it all.

"Okay, now I can breathe," Bea whispered beside me, smiling as she squeezed my hand under the table.

I giggled, still feeling giddy. "You did amazing, love. Sobra akong na-overwhelm. I didn't expect any of this."

"Well, I wanted to make sure it was special," she said, her tone soft and sincere. "Para alam mo how much you mean to me."

My heart fluttered at her words, and I turned to her with a smile. "You don't have to do grand gestures, Bea. Kahit simpleng dinner lang with you, masaya na ako."

Bea laughed softly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know, pero gusto ko rin namang ipakita sa'yo na kaya kong mag-effort katulad ng dati. I wanted you to have this moment—something to remember."

"Mission accomplished," I said, grinning at her. "Kahit nag-overthink na ako dahil sa mga kilos mo, it was perfect."

Bea beamed, clearly relieved. "I'm sorry, love. It's not my intention, I just wanted to make this memorable and perfect for you. That's all I wanted."

As we began to eat, the conversation around the table picked up. Jia, ever the joker, was making everyone laugh with her usual antics, while Ate Ella was busy teasing us whenever she could.

"Pero nagtatampo pa rin ako, Bea," Ate Ella quipped, her fork in hand. "Hindi mo ko sinabihan na proposal, sabi mo lang dinner!"

Bea chuckled, shaking her head. "Sorry na, Ate Ells, ayaw lang kita guluhin. Edi nadagdagan pa stress mo sa sariling lovelife mo, hahaha. Hirap pag si Jhoana, katakot magtago sa kanya."

Everyone at the table laughed, and I couldn't help but join in, feeling my face flush. "Hindi naman! I just know when something's up."

"Magaling ka kasi mang-sense, love," Bea said, smirking. "Buti nalang hindi mo nahulaan 'to."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Fine, fine. Na-surprise ako, happy?"

"Super happy," Bea teased, taking a sip of her drink, clearly enjoying herself now that the proposal nerves had passed.

As the night went on, I kept stealing glances at Bea. The way the candlelight flickered on her face, the soft smile she wore—everything about her felt so right, so familiar. I couldn't believe we were engaged now. The word still felt foreign, but it was the best kind of unfamiliar. It was like stepping into a new chapter, but with the same love I've known for so long.

While everyone was chatting and enjoying the dinner, Bea leaned in closer to me. "Do you feel weird now, love? Na-engaged na tayo?"

I chuckled, turning to her. "A bit. Parang... sobrang big deal, tapos surreal pa rin."

Bea smiled, looking thoughtful. "Ako din. Parang it's just us pa rin, but at the same time, alam mo na, future na 'to—with you and our little pumpkin."

I nodded. "Yeah, parang dati lang, nag-aaway lang tayo kasi babaero ka. Tapos eto na."

She grinned. "Nagbago na kaya ako, hehe. Hindi ka na makakatakas sa'kin."

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Ikaw nga ang hindi makakatakas sa'kin."

She looked at me, her eyes softening. "Sabi ko nga po, boss, pero hindi naman ako tatakas."

I felt my heart swell again, and for a moment, it was just the two of us in that candlelit garden, despite the laughter and chatter surrounding us. I leaned in, resting my head on her shoulder, content in this moment.

"I love you, Bea," I whispered softly, my voice barely above the breeze.

She pressed a gentle kiss on my head. "I love you more, Jho."

At that moment, I realized that everything—the proposal, the dinner, the laughter, the love—was just the beginning. Our future together stretched out before us, and I couldn't wait to live it with her by my side.

Tumayo si Bea sa upuan niya, may idea na ako kung bakit.

"Love," she offered her hand, kaya tumayo din ako.

"Guys, me and Jho have an announcement," sabi ni Bea habang nakatingin sa family and friends namin.

"DAMING PAKULO, BEADEL!" ate Ella shouted

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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😭😆