New York
January 2017
De Leons'
The De Leons, together with Thirdy, are having fun in the pool area. Bea is sipping her drink when Thirdy goes to her.
"Hello. You're so pretty. Do you have a boyfriend?" Thirdy asked.
"Yep. He'll punch you in the face when he sees you this close to me, so go away," pagsusungit ni Bea.
"Wow, good job. That's my girl," Thirdy said, and when he tried to kiss her cheek, umiwas si Bea.
"Excuse you? I said go away."
"Hey. Why are you still in character? I'm your boyfriend," Thirdy said with frustration in his voice.
Bea laughed and hugged him.
"Overacting," she said.
"Tomorrow's my flight. Have to test all the menu," pagpapaalam ni Thirdy.
"Yeah. Thank you so much for coming. You're like Superman."
"Actually, Tito Elmer covered all my expenses. Surprise gift niya daw ako sayo."
"Wow. Dad is like giving me to you already."
"Maybe because he knows I love you."
"You do?" Bea asked, trying to act like she's surprised.
Thirdy tickled her, and noong naghahabulan na silang dalawa sa poolside, Loel pushed Thirdy into the pool. When Bea laughed at him, Elmer pushed his daughter into the pool as well.
Elmer, Det, and Loel are all happy to see that Bea finally decided to allow someone to make her feel loved. They've been praying for this moment ever since she ghosted everyone.
Thirdy slept in Bea's room because his girl was super clingy and drunk last night. He promised kay Loel and Tito Elmer na wala munang apo at pamangkin, so they allowed him to sleep beside her.
Thirdy woke up, but Bea was still asleep and snoring. He smiled and kissed her forehead. He went down to the kitchen to cook breakfast. After a few minutes, Bea went down na medyo antok pa and scratching her eye.
"Morning," she said in her sleepy voice.
"Hello there, cutie! Taste the mashed potatoes. I feel like it lacks something. I don't know."
Lumapit naman si Bea and sinubo yung spoon na inaalok ni Thirdy.
"It tastes fine, Chef!" she said while tying her hair up.
Thirdy smiled at the view in front of him and kissed her lips. They're kissing deeply when Bea remembered something.
"Don't cook too much. They don't usually eat breakfast. Remember?" Bea said.
Thirdy didn't reply and kissed her again. He lifted her up and inupo sa island table.
Bea broke the kiss again and said jokingly, "What happened to not sitting on tables, Chef?"
"Fuck it," he said and went back to kissing her.
The whole morning, all they did was taste whatever Thirdy was cooking. Bea stayed close to him by the kitchen island, stealing little bites in between kisses. Every time Thirdy tried to go back to cooking, she would pull him closer again, and somehow, they ended up tasting each other's lips more than the food.
Thirdy and Loel's flight will be later at 5pm. Of course, Loel's surprise was already spilled.
"Sweetcheeks," Thirdy called her while she's inside her room studying.
"Yes po? You can come in, but keep the door open."
Thirdy chuckled. "Still studying?"
"Just reviewing some case studies."
"Ohh, okay. You'll drive us to the airport, right?"
"Yes."
"You sure you won't come?"
"Hey, I'm really sorry. Bawi ako, promise."
"Nah. I know. Just trying out my charms lang," Thirdy said.
Bea gave him a peck.
"I'll help Loel pack," paalam ni Thirdy before leaving her room.
After eating lunch, Elmer went to Bea's room.
"Angel."
"Oh, hello, Dad!"
"Where's Chef?"
"Maybe in Kuya's room playing PS4."
"Oh. I want to ask you something."
Bea put down her notes and looked at her dad.
"You're serious about not ghosting us again, right?"
"Uhm, yeah? I hope so."
"Anak, I love you, and you leaving because it makes you feel peaceful is okay. You know that. But please, I see how hard Thirdy works so he can be with you. The kid is so close to my heart too. I don't want to see both of you in pain, so whatever the struggles are, always keep your friendship safe, okay?" Elmer said.
"Yes, Dad! I love you."
"Please, no more ghosting," Elmer whispered to his daughter while hugging her.
When they were at the entrance of the airport, Loel put down his and Thirdy's bags while the couple was clinging to each other.
"Beatriz, when you need someone, call me, okay? You can call me anytime. Fuck different time zones. Call me when you need me, when you miss me, okay?" Paulit-ulit na sabi ni Thirdy.
"Yes, Chef!" She chuckled.
"And hey, I know everything is new and that you are not used to this. Like I told you in South Africa, whatever it is you can offer, I'll accept it with open arms. You're my ghost, okay?" Thirdy added.
"Yes, Mr. Ghostbuster! I love you." She hugged him tighter.
"Hep, hep, hep. Ang landi, mahuhuli na kami," reklamo ni Loel.
The couple broke the hug and Bea said goodbye to her kuya.
"Guard him. Block the other girls, okay?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Loel smiled and gave Bea a salute.
She kept waving and watching them until she couldn't see them anymore. She put on her seatbelt and drove towards her mom's office. When she was near, she dialed her number and put her on speaker.
"Mom, I'm coming to you. Let's talk about the Philippines."
Love is a miracle you'll always hope for, something you keep praying for without even realizing that what's happening in front of you is already a miracle.
