In Screaming Color

Chapter 19

Bea and Jhoana were giggling as they were making coffee for each of them. They were talking about nonsense when they heard the sound of heels tapping against the floor until it came into a halt. Bea looks back only to find her Mom staring at the two of them.

"Good morning, Mom. Were there papers I missed to submit?"

Bea asks, suddenly confused of her Mom's appearance. Det waves her hand and shakes her head as she comes closer to the two. By this time, Jhoana has held into her cup of coffee. Ready to leave any time soon.

"No. I just came by to check on your department. Wondering if everything is okay or you're going into problems. Perhaps employees who's not doing there job? Late submissions, delays, absences... Love stories blooming behind your back? Or maybe in front of you that you choose to ignore."

Bea's eyebrows meet in between as she tries to read and understand what her Mom was thinking and trying to say. Secretly, she found her self guilty of the last situation her Mom has mentioned.

"Walang ganon dito. No, I don't think so."

"Good." Det smiles and looks at Jho, staring at the cup of coffee she was holding. "Good morning, Jhoana. I still hear good comments about you. I hope you keep it up and don't ruin anything at all."

Jho felt tense. She can't even find a hint of the friendly Det De Leon she first met to the person who greeted her now. Perhaps, Bea was right about her Mom.

"Good morning din po, Ma'am. Thank you po at makaka-asa kayo. Ma-iwan ko na po kayo-"

"Wag na, Jho. We'll head to my office nalang. Please do enjoy your coffee." She smiles and nods. "After you, Mom."

Bea and Det sat across each other as they were surrounded with silence. Bea was still wondering what is going through her mother's mind as of the moment as it quietly looks around in her office, as if it's her first time or like an investigator looking for an evidence.

"What made you come here and I wan't an honest answer."

"Don't talk to me like I'm a nobody, Beatriz. I'm your Mother so please use a better tone."

Bea sighs and asks her Mom again, this time politely. Her Dad hates them fighting, that's what makes Bea give in sometimes. Just sometimes.

"That's better. Well, totoo naman na kinakamusta ko lang ang department mo."

"Okay, sige. We are doing fine, great rather. You have nothing to worry about."

"I hope so, Bei. I really hope so. Lunch?"

...

Jhoana was sitting comfortably at the edge of Bea's bed as the latter scrambles on her bag.

"Am I bringing enough clothes? What if we do things at magiging pawisan ako? I would smell and and and gosh! I wouldn't like that. Hala! I almost forgot my deodorant!"

Jho smiles as she watches Bea looks for her deodorant while she knows it's already in the bag. Bea has mentioned it for the third time now. It's extremely adorable for her to watch Bea lose her cool just to impress or maybe just not to gain negative opinions from her family. But she's pretty confident her family would love Bea.

What's not to love, really?

"I CAN'T FIND IT! WHAT THE HELL!"

"Can you calm down? Nasa bag mo na kaya. And for God's sake, you never smell bad."

She chuckles and hugs Bea. Hoping that it would calm down the tall girl. She was successful though. Bea sighs to stop herself from tensing up. Tomorrow will be the big day that she would meet the parents of the lovely girl she lives with- the girl she loves.