FAKING IT (JhoBea)

Pilot

B E A

Finally, here we are again.
THE finals. We've worked so hard to get this far and our perseverance has paid off. Nandito kami sa Araneta Coliseum for our first game against La Salle and I don't know if I'm feeling nauseous or excited but I can barely stand still. We are now here on the court doing warm ups while the arena slowly filled with fans from both sides. I looked around with pride and glee. This is what we've accomplished.

"Huy. Sino namang tinitignan mo diyan?"

I was so busy looking at the crowd that I didn't notice her standing in front of me.

I smiled and hugged her. She smelled like flowers.

"Natutuwa lang kasi ako sa crowd. They're all here because of us." I commented.

"Gaga, siyempre yung iba dyan La Salle." Jhoana smacked me. "Nakalimutan mo yung chocolate mo, beh."

She suddenly hugged me again and whispered in my ear. "Nakatingin sila Tito."

Jho opened the Cadbury she was holding tapos sinubo niya sa akin yung laman.

"Dagdag points, di ba?" She winked.

Afterwards, she held my hand and proceeded to walk towards my parents who were seated sa patron.

"Anak! Galingan niyo ngayon, ha!" My dad engulfed me in an embrace.

"Basta be inspired and do your best" My mother held both our faces.

"Inspired yan, syempre! Kasama niya naman sa court yung girlfriend niya eh." Kuya Loel chuckled.

Jhoana just smiled and held my waist.

I plastered on a smile and looked at the team who were now retreating to the side to huddle. "Hinahanap na po ata kami. Tara na Jho."

I tugged at her and she followed suit, but not before giving my father a hug.

"Good luck, girls!" They waved at us one last time and headed towards their seats.

"Jho, I really don't get why we still have to do this." I sighed

"Bea, tignan mo nga kung gaano kasaya yung pamilya mo. Promise, worth it naman yung pag pretend nating maging mag jowa." She looked at me and smiled. And just like that, my heart fluttered.

"I promise it's worth faking it."

. . . . .

I sighed again as the start of the match got nearer and nearer. About 10 minutes ago, the game was all I could think about. Now, it's the furthest thing from my mind.

Bakit ba kasi? Bakit ba ako pumayag na maging fake girlfriends kami sa magulang ko? How the hell did we even get there?

[Flashback]

Jho and I were here at our house, eating dinner with my family. It was not the first time she slept here, so the night was pretty routine. We were just casually talking about our teammates when my dad butted in.

"Kamusta na si Jia? Bakit parang lagi siyang may kasamang lalaki sa Instagram niya?" He asked.

"Dad! Why do you stalk my friends on Instagram?" I complained.

"Boyfriend niya yun, tito. Si Miguel." Jho said.

"I thought so. Ang sweet nga nila lagi sa pictures nila eh." My mom smiled.