In Screaming Color

Chapter 20

"Beatriz, can we talk?"

Bea almost flinched when her Mother walked passed her and went into the room. She wasn't really sure what she expected. Perhaps a slap? A shout of thousand judgemental words?

She walked closer to Jho and rubbed its arm. She wanted to console the latter and to tell her everything will be fine. But deep down inside her, she wanted Jho to tell her that she has nothing to worry about. That their secret of staying under one roof shouldn't ring such alarm to her mother.

"Beatriz."

But when she heard her name once again, she felt herself shiver. Her mother's voice was stern, demanding and soulless. She has again felt like she was in highschool, where her father was in a business meeting abroad and she has no one's back to hide to.

"Punta nalang muna ako ng convenience store, Bei?"

Bea forced a smile and nodded. She playes with Jho's hair before rubbing her back and letting her go. Once the door was closed, she took a deep breath and walked into her room. Finding her mother staring at her.

"Close the door."

"We don't have to. Umalis na siya."

"See! That's the problem. Ang simple simple ng pinapagawa pero you always have something to say. Something to contradict. Why are you such a hard-headed girl, beatriz?!"

"I do what makes me happy, okay? And so far my choices has brought me to good places. Unlike you."

"And what's that suppose to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Basta ako, wala akong regrets of my decisions in life. Kasi masaya ako at wala akong inaapakang tao."

"You're her boss, Bea! You own the company! You can't be in an affair with the person who works for you."

"Don't lecture me about work ethics, Mom. Up to what extent is it even applicable? And I am not in an affair with Jho. We are good friends and that's that."

"Friends with a girl you live with?! Sino ang niloloko mo. Tell me honestly that you're not in love with her!"

The room went silent. Even if Bea knew that the words her Mother has asked from her is the only way to save them through this, she just couldn't make herself say it.

She loves Jho.

She loves her very much that she can't make herself deny what she felt.

"Now tell me, mali ba ako na pagdudahan kayo?"

"You liked her."

"I liked her as your friend, as an employee but not as your lover, Beatriz. You have a big future in front of you. What can Jho do to help you make it bigger?"

"She could actually put happiness in it. Something I wasn't able to have because of your poor choices in life. Mom, please, do not take her away from me."

Her mother stares at her daughter. Weighing in her choices. If only she had the heart to choose her family first, she could've just give in to her daughter's request.

But she didn't.

"Stop this nonsense, Bea. You stop this or I'll stop it myself. I only want what's the best for you."

"What do you know about my own good?! Ni wala ka ngang nagawa nung sinira mo ang lahat! You only expected everyone to heal and now this? Just when I'm starting to be okay, you come knocking on my door and threatening me of taking my happiness away again? Ano kang klaseng ina?"

Bea cries were followed by a loud slap on her left cheek. She knew then it would leave a mark for Jho to worry about. She smiles, all of these and she still thinks of Jhoana.