In Screaming Color

Chapter 5

Jho's POV

It was quarter after two when I saw Bea holding a bucket of popcorn and heading to her flat screen television. It was a saturday so with all these clues, I think she will watch a movie to spend her afternoon.

"Can we watch a horror movie, Jho?" She asked as she scans her collection of DVDs.

"Ha? You can watch whatever you like. Condo mo naman 'to."

"I would like to watch a horror movie, samahan mo ko." She looked back at me as she raised a DVD of Insidious.

"Nako Bea, hindi ko hilig yan. Baka hindi ako makatulog mamayang gabi."

"You can sleep with me kung magiging matatakutin ka mamaya. Tsaka the sun is brightly shining, you won't even feel it."

"Anong I won't even feel it at the sun is brightly shining? Eh nakasara naman lahat ng blinds. Loko! Sige na, nood ka na dyan. Kwarto lang ako." I pointed na room and smiled, hoping I could run away from this.

But even before I could take a step back, she was already hugging my arm and pouting her lips.

"Sige na. Ito lang, and if it helps, nood tayo ng cartoons after. May Barbie ako dito. Sige na. I cooked a whole bunch of popcorn for us pa naman."

She exaggerated her imitation of puppy eyes and even if she looks funny, I didn't laugh. I'm not good with horror movies and I know this wouldn't let me sleep later. Ugh...

"Kung hindi ako makakatulog mamaya, you have to stay awake with me. Naiintindihan mo?"

She laughed and nodded. "Every second of the night. Tara?"

I nodded in approval and she dragged me towards the sofa and forced me to sit down. Grabbed the remote and pressed play.

"Ahhh!!!"

"Ano ba yan Jho, kakaumpisa pa lang eh." she chuckled

"Pwede bang pumikit nalang ako? O kaya matulog nalang?"

"You have to watch. My place, my rules. Sige na, maganda naman 'to eh."

She gave me a thumbs up and smiled like she has won a game. I obeyed not because she owns the place, and not because of her rules. It's because even with the scary circumstances, I like being with Bea.

I hugged a throw pillow to cover half of my face. It would be easier for me to hide if something happens all of a sudden.

Moments later, I felt an arm at my back and when I looked back, I saw her smiling at me.

"Relax. You're fine. Kasama mo naman ako eh."

Comforted, I found myself leaning closer to her.

Bea's POV

"Ayoko na! Ayoko na! Bea please!"

"Hey, hey. Teka."

I grabbed the remote and pressed pause before getting back at the girl who rolled into a ball in the sofa crying.

"Ayoko na talaga!"

"Please don't shout. Mapagkakamalan akong may minu-murder dito eh. Tinigil ko na. Hey..."

I rubbed her arm as I try to keep her calm. I didn't know she was this scared of horror movies. I know people who are but doesn't act like this. I felt a sting of guilt of pushing her to watch with me.

"Jho, I'm sorry. Please calm down. I didn't-"

"I told you I'm scared. Sinabi ko na ayaw ko."

"I know, I know." I sighed. "Sorry."