In Screaming Color

Chapter 28

The resort was almost magical, it had a perfect view for debuts and wedding ceremonies. With the perfect sunset to go with its infinity pool, what more could you ask for? It almost didn't fit in near the city, it is as if in a paradise built with concrete walls to provide comfortable areas to sleep in. Jho could live in a place like this. Or somewhere Man could meet nature, something you can hardly find in a world we live in.

She loves the trees and the seas. She loves earthy colors that she almost feels she belongs. No wonder she was dark skinned, God probably knew it was something she would fall in love with.

She fell in love with the waves the same way she fell in love with her dog, and she loves her dog bad. She loves the way it runs and crashes into you, making you stumble hard or challenging you to gain balance.

She remembers all their family getaways, driving at the middle of the night and arriving at the beach just before sunrise. The water would be so calm and as the time would pass by, it would go stronger. Braver.

Her excitement for hiking is the same excitement she felt when she found out she's going to have a baby sister. And having a baby sister is something she waited for years, she have completed a series of simbang gabi for that. The idea of hiking made her feel giddy at the same way.

She loves challenging herself and going into the wild. It almost made her feel free, from judgements and expectations. Nobody would judge you when you stumble upon the big slippery rocks, because they probably had worst struggles than you. You'll never be depicted as a weak person.

In the wilderness, everybody was an equal. No boss, no employee. Just a battle for survival.

But her love for the sea and the forest were nothing to her love for the sky. That one thing she couldn't touch, couldn't feel. It was always miles away but it's always there. And she kept loving it from afar. No matter in what form it shows itself: dull yellow, bright, red, purplish sunset, orange, gray, dark, scary...

Bea was her sky. She can show up in any color and Jho would still be in love with her. Bea was something out of reach, someone that was not meant for her. She would always be admiring Bea from a far because the sky was never meant for the ground.

"Hey. Hinihintay mo si Ri?"

She was distracted by Therese who lightly bumped her shoulder and sat beside the couch.

"Ah, oo. Naiwan niya kasi yung cap niya. Nakabalik na kayo? Bilis niyo ata."

"Nah. Bea had to take a call."

She pointed Bea at the hotel door who was busy talking with someone on the other line. Jho nodded and didn't plan on making the conversation longer than it is. But Therese thought otherwise.

"Jho, okay na kayo ni Bea diba? I mean after I saw you in her condo-"

"It was an accident. I didn't know she was sick then, napagutusan lang ako ni Ria to get some files tapos naabutan ko siyang nanginginig. I just couldn't leave her like that, Trey."

"Hey, no need to explain. Thankful din naman ako na nandun ka at inalagaan si Bea. What I was just asking is kung okay na kayo.."

"Uh.. oo, okay naman kami."

"Good.. So okay lang kung magkabalikan kami?"

Jho stared at Therese, trying to confirm if what she heard was true and the latter was so serious Jhoana's heart started to beat so loud she almost had to touch her chest. But settled on touching her necklace..

"Yeah. Of course, I'm happy for the both of you."

"Talaga?"

Therese's eyes were hopeful. It was overflowing with happines while Jho was at the verge of crying.