Book 2: Cause All I See Is You (Jholet)

The One with the Date

Friday

"Ang weird ni Jho lately." 

Colet said, resting her chin on her hand. 

She had been trying to focus on the music sheets in front of her, practicing the piece they were set to perform this Saturday night. Yet no matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept wandering back to her girlfriend, Jho.

"Paanong weird ba?" Maloi asked as she sat down in front of the sulking Colet, carefully placing the drinks she had brought on the table.

Colet sighed deeply, surrendering to her thoughts as she pushed aside the music sheets filled with notes and melodies.

"Madalas siyang tahimik." Colet began, her brows furrowed in worry.

"Si Jho? Tahimik?" Maloi repeated, raising an eyebrow. 

"Hmm... weird nga 'yan." she added, clearly surprised. Jho, who was always loud and animated, being quiet felt off.

Colet nodded, her concern growing more evident. 

"'Di lang 'yun. Parang ang lalim ng mga iniisip niya lately. She seems so distant sometimes, like there's something big weighing on her. Nagaalala lang ako na baka may problem na pala pero wala akong alam." Her voice softened, as if confessing an invisible fear she hadn't fully admitted even to herself.

"Sinubukan mo bang tanungin siya?" Maloi asked, leaning in slightly, her curiosity piqued.

"Oo naman." Colet replied quickly. "Routine ko na 'yun everyday—lagi ko siyang kinakamusta. I ask her if she's okay, if may problema ba, kung may gusto ba siyang pag-usapan. Pero these past few days, medyo naging extra ako sa pag-check kasi nga worried ako. Pero ayoko namang ipahalata. Ayokong isipin ni Jho na pinipilit ko siyang mag-open up kung 'di pa siya ready."

 She paused, her hands fiddling with the edge of the papers, her voice tinged with helplessness.

"Gusto ko lang na nandiyan ako, pero ayoko siyang i-pressure."

"Wow. That's actually a pretty healthy mindset," Maloi commented, impressed by Colet's thoughtful approach. "Pero nangyari na ba 'to dati?"

"Oo." Colet said, leaning back in her chair. 

"Si Jho, kahit maingay 'yan, she tends to bottle things up. Kung may problema siya, she keeps it to herself hanggang di na niya kayang itago. Kaya lagi ko siyang chinecheck, just to make sure she's not carrying too much on her own."

"Just be patient with her. Alam ko kung gaano ka kamahal ni Jhoanna." Maloi said, her tone soft but full of conviction. "Trust me, she won't mess this up." She gave Colet a reassuring smile, hoping to lift her friend's spirits.