South Africa
January 2017
Hours before the Wedding
Van is calling...
"Saan na kayo?" he asked.
"Huh?" Bea is confused.
"Wait. You aren't with Thirdy?"
"No."
"Wait. You have colds or you cried?"
"I cried."
"Beatriz, what did you do this time?"
"You know I'll just hurt him, Van."
"Choose yourself naman, Bei."
"I'm choosing myself now."
"No, you are not. You are choosing safety."
"He left."
"Well, yeah, because wedding ng brother niya."
"Ohhh, that's why."
"Arte mo, nakakainis. I'll book a flight for you and go fucking here."
"Van, I can't."
"Okay, isang tanong, isang sagot. Mahal mo ba?"
"Yes, pero..."
"Drop the pero. Mahal mo, period. Magayos ka na. Bring a dress. I'll ask someone to pick you up and bring you here."
"Uhm, Van..."
"Hep. I don't care. Just go here."
"Okay. Just so you know, I love him so much."
"I know."
Bea wore the only dress she packed for Africa. At first, hindi din niya alam bakit dinala niya to. Maybe things are like that talaga. You'll never know when you'll need it.
Bea's dress is yellow and has flowers in it. She usually doesn't wear this dress, but her mom gave it to her, so nakatago lang to sa closet niya. She didn't know this would become a memorable dress for her.
Before going to the airport, she texted Zel,
"Too late for me to run to him at the airport, but I'm going to his Kuya's wedding and tell him how I feel. Do you mind taking all of my remaining shifts? I love you, Zel! I'll treat you to lunch, promise."
And when Zel received the message, she smiled. She's so proud.
"Less mission for Bea and Zel, amen," she said and showed Cathleen what Bea said.
Amsterdam
Ravenas'
January 2017
Bea slept in their guest room. Dani and Bea are already close.
"Good morning, Ate Bea," Dani greeted her paglabas niya ng room.
"Good morning po to everyone." She smiled.
"Naku, Iha, I'm so glad that you came last night. Sorry, hindi kita masyadong naintindi, pagod na ko kagabi eh," Mozzy said.
"She won't understand you. Talk slow." Thirdy pala is listening and nakapamewang sa may pinto ng room niya.
"Hey, I did. Mrs. Ravena told me she's sorry because she was tired last night and didn't have the energy to entertain me."
They all laughed.
Bea is confused. "Why? Wrong ba?" Bea asked Thirdy, who just kissed her hair bago umupo at tumabi sa kanya sa dining table.
