Beautiful Escape

love

She's staring at me from across the room.

"What? Anong iniisip mo?"

"Nothing. I'm just admiring the view."

"Weh? Kanina ka pa dyan, di mo 'ko kinikibo."

"I'm still really curious with your ex. Ba't di mo masabi? Was it a bad break-up? Naging straight ba ulit? Haha!"

"No, it wasn't that bad. Naging okay naman kami eventually. It is just that, ayoko lang balikan."

"May I know, why?"

"After this." She pointed at her laptop and continued working.

It was past 8 in the evening when we arrived at her condo. We spent the whole day with Mama and Jaja.

And now, I'm still thinking about how Jaja was so silent and "protective" kanina. Nakakapraning.

I took a deep breath. I put on my headphones and made myself comfortable at the sofa.

⏪

"Bea, kain ka pa. Huwag kang mahiya. Anak, bigyan mo pa ng rice."

Inabot ni Tita kay Jho yung rice at nilagyan naman niya ng kanin yung plato ko.

I can't take my mind off what Jaja said a while ago. Sabi ni Jho later na daw.

"San ka nagwo-work, Bei? Di niyo pa nakukwento sakin kung san kayo nagkakilala."

"I work at an investment firm po." I smiled and continued eating.

"We met through common friends, Ma. Yung pinagtatrabahuan ko ngayon - yung boss ko, barkada niya."

"Ahh. Eh ba't nagustuhan mo 'tong si Jhoana? Sobrang sungit neto. Di pa ngumingiti!"

"Hahaha! Grabe ka naman, Ma!"

"Ay nako, di rin po kami magkasundo dati. Hehehe!"

"Ehem. Narinig ko na yan dati."

Lumingon kaming dalawa kay Jaja.

"Anong sabi mo?!" Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Jho.

"Wala. Sabi ko paabot ng kanin!" Jaja smiled at me pero it made me uncomfy.

Our conversation went on and I must say, nakakasundo ko naman si 'Mama'.

"Jho, magsi-siesta na muna ako. Ipasyal mo muna si Bea sa labas at ipakita mo yung mga kuha mo dati."

I looked at Jho with a confused face. Clearly, she's my girlfriend na but I still don't know her past, her family, her childhood. But, I'm willing to know everything.

Everything.

"Sige po."

Pumasok ng kwarto si Mama and we're left with the dishes and with Jaja, cleaning the table.

"Dun ka na sa sala. Kami na ni Jaja dito."

"No. I want to help."