Nagising si Jia sa kalagitnaan ng gabi mula sa isang panaginip. Huminga siya ng malalim at bakas ang lungkot sa kanyang mukha dahil panaginip lang 'yon. Yung makasama niya si Bea tapos magkaka-aminan ng wala sa oras, then eventually, magiging sila. Sana ganoon kadali. Inisip niya at pinilit na matulog. Lumipas ang ilang minuto at hindi siya makatulog, napa-upo siya at tumingin sa direksyon ni Bea, ngumiti siya sa babaeng mahimbing ang tulog. Dahil hindi mabalik ang antok, lumipat si Jia sa kama ni Bea at humiga sa kanyang tabi. Nilagay niya ang kanyang kaliwang kamay sa may bewang para mayakap. Minasdan niya ang maaliwalas na mukha ni Bea at hinalikan ito sa pisngi, "I love you." Mahina niyang bulong bago i-pikit ang mata at i-patong ang ulo sa kanyang dibdib.
"GIR-" Huminto sina Kim at Gizelle at nagtinginan. Pinabalik sila ni Alyssa sa Dorm dahil hindi parin gising ang dalawa. Subalit sila ang nagulat dahil sa pwesto nila ngayon. Bea's hands are wrapped around Jia's waist and Jia's free hand is on the latter's back, magkatanday pa silang dalawa at masarap ang tulog. Piniktyuran ni Kim ang dalawa tapos hinila si Gizelle palabas ng kwarto.
"What the eff..." Agad bumangon si Jia pagtingin sa kanyang relo, it's past 6 AM at late na silang dalawa. Tinap niya ang pisngi ni Bea para gumising, at sa pagdilat ng mata nito ay binulongan siya, "Wake up! Wake up! Late na tayo!"
Tumingin si Bea sa kanyang relo at mabilis na bumangon habang kinukusot ang mata saka humarap kay Jia, "Ikaw muna maligo, ako na bahala dito." Instruction niya at agad pumunta sa kanilang cabinet para kunin ang gamit.
Hingal na hingal sila pagdating sa Gym at dumeretso sila sa bench para dun iwan ang gamit. Magkahawak kamay parin silang dalawa na pumunta kay Coach Tai to apologize for another tardiness. Hinayaan sila ni Coach at dun bumitaw sa hawak si Jia nang paderetso sila ng court. Wala silang malay sa kanilang teammates na kanina pa sila pinagmamasdan, at si Jho ay patagong nasasaktan sa nakikita kaya binaling din ang sarili sa training.
Sa 'di kalayuan, makikita si Miguel at Thirdy na abalang panuorin sila. Hindi alam ng dalawa na pinanunuod sila nung dalawang lalaki at nagulat na lang si Jia at Bea nang lumapit ito pagkatapos ng training. Humiwalay ang dalawa at ngayo'y magkaharap habang tinatakpan ni Miguel at Thirdy ang kanilang tingin. Maayos na nakikipagusap pero pasulyap sulyap din, kumunot ang noo ni Bea sa pag-iba ng itsura ni Jia at kinawayan tuloy ni Thirdy nang mapansing nawawala sa kanilang usapan.
"Sorry." Ang mata ni Bea ay nakatingin parin sa galaw nung dalawa at hindi magawang tumingin kay Thirdy ng deretso, "What are you saying again?"
Ngumiti si Thirdy, "I was just asking you to go out with me, tonight. Kung pwede ka." Nilalaro ni Thirdy ang kanyang mga kamay at pinanalanging papayag si Bea sa pag-imbita niya, "This is nothing fancy, you know? But if you-"
"NO!" Napatakip si Jia sa bibig nang mapalakas ang sinabi, nadinig niya ang sinabi ni Thirdy at nadala ng inis kaya sumigaw. Clueless look ang binigay sa kanya ni Miguel, sina Thirdy din ay napaharap sa kanya, "Sorry." Mabilis niyang sabi at tumango sila.
"Okay ka kang ba? You seemed uneasy." Hinawakan ni Miguel ang balikat ni Jia. Binaba ni Jia ang kamay niya tapos hinawakan, she shook her head and smiled right after, "Good. Later ah? I'll pick you up." Ngumiti lang ulit si Jia at niyakap siya ni Miguel bago umalis.
"S-San ba tayo pupunta?" Nauutal na tanong ni Bea, she's busy observing Jia who is sitting on the bench. Hindi niya alam ang nararamdaman niya but the look in her eyes wants Bea to declined Thirdy's invitation.
"I'll say it's a surprise." Nagsimulang kabahan si Bea doon at saktong dumako ang tingin ni Jia sa kanila. Tumango at ngumiti si Bea biglang pagpayag, "Alright, I'll see you later." Hinawakan ni Thirdy ang kamay ni Bea at sinara ni Jia ang kanyang kamao.
When he left, Bea facepalmed herself and gasped. She felt that it's a bad decision going out with him but she has no choice. Bea sat beside Jia who crossed her arms in irritation. The latter rested her head on Jia's shoulder though it stiffens her posture. Bea remembered Jia hates Thirdy for her kaya inalis niya ang sariling ulo and made Jia face her. Jia avoids her eyes 'cause she finds it deceiving and she might end up staring instead of getting mad. Subalit makulit si Bea at hinarap ang mukha nito sa kanya and let their foreheads touch. Both can hear and smell their breaths while Bea takes her hand and places it on her chest, to let Jia feel her heartbeat.
From afar, is a girl who was keen at observing them. She drastically closed her eyes in hurt while watching the two drew closer for a hug. Jho pretended that it's nothing and went upfront to ruin their moment, "Dito pa pala kayo. Anyway, I'll go ahead." She fakely smiled at them and walked quickly out of the Gym then sighed and closed her fist, "This is not the end."
--
"You can always ditch him." Bea laughed at Jia's words then cupped her face, "You can ditch him now." Bea was still laughing kaya sinuntok niya ang tiyan nito, "I can't believe you are going out with him!" She groaned.
"Bakit ang possesive mo?" Bea joked and played with Jia's chubby cheeks. Jia pouts and arched her brow, "Just this time, and I won't go with him again." She assured and smiled. Her eyes caught the attention of Jia's outfit, she smiled because Jia's always beautiful even with that dress, "Ganda mo."
Jia was flattered and smiled shyly, "You too." She said and Bea did the same. Her phone rang and she answered it, "Hello? Sige, bababa na ako." She cuts the call from Miguel and kissed Bea's cheek, "Don't get too touchy." Bea smirked and pinched her cheek before Jia went out.
Minutes later, Bea got a missed call from Thirdy and she takes a deep breath before going down. While going out, she felt cold even though the weather is a bit humid. As if telling her not to go on that date. Bea dismissed the feeling and smiled as Thirdy approached her. Thirdy smiled and stared for a while until his attention was called.
"Let's go."
Thirdy was careful in assisting Bea to his car. He admired how beautiful she is despite her background of being boyish. He smiled once more before starting the engine as they left. Upon reaching the destination, Bea saw a familiar car in front of them. Napansin ni Thirdy and panay titig ni Bea sa malayo kaya hinawakan ang kamay, nginitian siya ni Bea at tinignan ng pang-huling beses ang kotseng 'yon bago sila pumasok sa Restaurant. They were already seated inside and waiting for the waiter to give them a menu. Thirdy efforts to keep Bea in the loop and entertained as they waited for their orders. Thirdy's attention shifted when someone tapped his shoulder.
"Dito rin pala kayo?"
Bea's looked up after hearing that familiar voice. Tila binuhusan siya ng malamig na tubig matapos makitang galing kay Miguel ang boses. Kinawayan siya ni Miguel at ganoon din si Bea. Thirdy and Miguel were talking when Bea's eyes became glued on a girl who was standing at the side on the Comfort Room. Hindi siya napansin nung isa hanggang sa matigil ito sa paglalakad, at nagkatitigan sila.
Thirdy seen her from Miguel's side and smiled while waving, "Hey, Jia!"
Bea found out that it was Miguel's car that's in front of them earlier and her heart raced with shock.
