Chapter 3
A day had passed, and Jhoanna was still inside her condo, doing absolutely nothing. For the past few weeks, she had cried herself to sleep and woken up only to repeat the cycle.
But today, she vowed to break free from the pattern. She had to. Jhoanna had never been the type to stay idle.
Before joining BINI, she was always on the move—competing in school contests, collecting awards, and keeping herself busy with extracurricular activities. She wasn’t the kind of person who did nothing.
So, in an attempt to reclaim even a fraction of her old self, she decided to go for a run.
She left her condo in the early morning when the streets were still empty. She didn’t have the energy to interact with people—especially when she hadn’t slept at all.
The quietness of the dawn felt comforting.
By the time she reached her fourth lap, she had accumulated about three kilometers. Sweat dripped down her temples, her breath steady but growing heavier. Her headphones were on full blast, drowning out the world.
That’s why she didn’t hear someone calling her name.
It wasn’t until a soft tap on her shoulder startled her that she turned around, her heart skipping a beat. For a moment, fear flashed in her eyes.
"Ate Aiah… it's you." Jhoanna exhaled in relief.
"Yes, it's me, Jho-eynna, haha! Fancy seeing you here, my dear," Aiah greeted with her signature bungisngis smile before pulling Jhoanna into a quick hug.
The younger girl returned the embrace.
"Bored na eh, magbabalik-alindog na ako this year. Hahaha."
"Bet ko yan! May jog buddy na ako," Aiah chuckled as they continued walking side by side.
"Pang-ilang lap mo na, Jho? Ako kasi, I'm on my last. I usually do 10 to 15 laps."
"Wow, grabe naman ang 15 laps, ‘te Aiah. Ako nga, 5 lang kaya ko eh. This is my last na rin," Jhoanna admitted, shaking her head in disbelief.
Aiah just laughed at her remark.
As they reached a small clearing, Aiah stretched her arms above her head and asked,
"So, san ka after this?"
"Uwi, balik sa condo. Ikaw?"
"Are you just gonna stay in your condo for the whole break extension, Jho?" Aiah asked, half-joking.
"Actually, yes. I prefer na magpahinga lang," Jhoanna answered honestly.
Aiah nodded.
"Really? Oh well, you barely rest during workdays, so you deserve it. But…"
She suddenly grinned. "Samahan na kita sa condo mo."
"Ha?" Jhoanna blinked, caught off guard.
"Sige na, Jho! I'm bored din eh. Wala akong ganang lumabas or gumawa ng adventure. Medyo tinamad na ako magplano nung nalaman ko yung extension. Sige na, please?" Aiah clasped her hands together, her lips forming a pout.
Jhoanna hesitated. "Ah, eh… medyo makalat pa kasi sa condo, ‘te Aiah…" she said sheepishly.
"Ayos lang! I'll help you clean up," Aiah chirped.
Jhoanna sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay. Pero promise, walang judgment sa kalat, ha?"
"Promise!" Aiah grinned, looping her arm through Jhoanna’s as they made their way back.
As soon as they stepped inside, Aiah’s eyes widened.
"Ah, Jho…" she trailed off, taking in the scattered blankets, unwashed dishes, and random clothes draped over the couch.
"Sabi ko naman sa’yo eh," Jhoanna groaned, scratching her head in embarrassment.
"Hindi ko naman in-expect na ganito ka-wild, Jho! Ano 'to, war zone?" Aiah teased, stepping over a pile of books on the floor.
"Hoy! Hindi naman!" Jhoanna shot back, swatting Aiah’s arm.
Aiah giggled but quickly softened. She could see now—Jhoanna hadn’t been resting during the break. She had been hiding.
"Alright, no more teasing. Let’s fix this up," Aiah said, rolling up her sleeves.
Jhoanna gave her a grateful smile. "Salamat, Ate Aiah."
"You're welcome, Jho. Alam mo namang andito lang ako," Aiah assured her.
As they started tidying up, Aiah subtly observed Jhoanna.
She saw the exhaustion in her eyes, the way she moved sluggishly, as if she carried a weight too heavy for her frame.
Aiah knew.
She knew that whatever Jhoanna was going through—it wasn’t just about needing rest.
And maybe, just maybe, she could help her through it.
--
What was supposed to be a casual visit turned into something more.
Aiah initially planned to stay just for a few hours, but as the day went by, she found herself making excuses to linger a little longer. Jhoanna didn’t seem to mind—if anything, she looked relieved to have company.
By the time night fell, Aiah was still there, comfortably lying on Jhoanna’s couch, scrolling through her phone while the younger girl sat cross-legged on the carpet, munching on a pack of chips.
"Ano, overnight na ‘to?" Jhoanna teased, glancing at Aiah.
"Eh kasi naman, ang tamad ko nang umuwi," Aiah reasoned with a dramatic sigh. "
Tsaka ang comfy ng couch mo, Jho. Baka dito na muna ako for the next few days."
Jhoanna raised a brow. "For the next few days?"
"Bakit ayaw mo?" Aiah pouted, feigning offense.
Jhoanna chuckled. "Hindi naman sa ganun... pero ang weird lang, parang wala kang plano umuwi eh."
"Ewan, parang gusto ko lang mag-stay dito. Okay lang naman ‘di ba?" Aiah asked casually, but her eyes studied Jhoanna carefully.
The younger girl hesitated for a second before shrugging.
"Oo naman."
Aiah smiled. She wasn’t planning to say it outright, but she had already made up her mind—she was going to stay for as long as she could.
Jhoanna was hurting, and even if she wouldn’t talk about it, Aiah could see it in her.
She wasn’t just tired.
She wasn’t just resting.
There was something deeper going on, and Aiah wanted to be there for her.
BINI (Walo Hannggang End)
Aiah sent a photo.
It was a candid selfie of her and Jhoanna, both of them lounging in the condo’s living room. Jhoanna was curled up in a blanket, holding a hot drink, while Aiah had a goofy smile on her face.
Aiah: Gandang gabi, mga beh. I’m officially Jho’s housemate for the break extension. Hahaha.
Mikha: Oh, you did not go back to Cebu pala Ate Aiah.
Stacey: Yiee JhoAiah layag. HAHAHA 🤔
Maloi: Jhocey lubog.
Stacey: Jholet lubog.
Colet stared at her screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
She wasn’t sure if it was discomfort, jealousy, or something else entirely.
For the past days, she had done her best to avoid thinking about Jhoanna—to pretend that nothing had changed, that she could go on as if their breakup never happened.
But seeing that photo?
It was as if something in her chest tightened.
She didn’t acknowledge the teasing comments, nor did she ask why Aiah was staying there.
She just scrolled past the messages, trying to ignore the nagging thoughts in her mind.
The next night, just as Colet had started to push the uneasiness aside, Maloi suddenly sent a message in their group chat.
BINI (Walo Hanggang End)
Maloi: Guys, may nakausap akong staff ni Miss MQ. She’s been trying to reach Jho since kanina, pero hindi daw nagre-reply. @Aiah Arceta te Aiah nanjan ka pa kay Jho no?
Aiah: Yup, still here Loi. Jho’s been in her room kanina pa, masakit ulo daw.
Maloi: Oh no. Okay lang ba siya?
Aiah bit her lip. She had noticed that Jhoanna had been quiet all afternoon. At first, she thought the younger girl was just tired, but now, she was starting to worry.
Aiah: Check ko siya, wait lang.
She put down her phone and quietly made her way to Jhoanna’s room.
The lights were off, and the only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioner.
Jhoanna was curled up under the blankets, her breathing steady.
"Jho?" Aiah called softly, gently shaking her shoulder.
No response.
She frowned and reached out, brushing her fingers against Jhoanna’s forehead. It was warm.
Aiah sighed. "
May sinat ka na pala, kaya pala ang tahimik mo."
She glanced at her phone and quickly typed a message.
Aiah:Guys, Jho’s running a slight fever.
Stacey:OMG! Kawawa naman si mangga ko.
Sheena:Painomin mo na lang ng paracetamol Ate Aiah.
Aiah:Di ko alam kung saan nakalagay meds niya. Jho’s still asleep eh.
There was a short pause before a new message popped up.
Colet:May medicine cabinet siya sa bathroom, upper left side ng mirror. Nandun yung meds niya.
Sheena:Uy, alam na alam 😏
Stacey:Hmm.. Jholet layag since day 1???
Mikha:Hahahahaha
Colet felt heat creeping up her neck. Shit. She hadn’t meant to reveal that she knew such specific details. She quickly typed a reply.
Colet:Ano ba, dati ko pa kasi alam yan nung nagpatulong siya sakin mag arrange ng gamit niya. Ang kulit niyo.
Sheena:Dati? Anong dati? HAHAHAHA
Gwen: Hmm okay, defensive.
Colet clenched her jaw. She didn’t want to entertain this. She didn’t want to admit that, yes, she knew Jhoanna’s condo well—too well.
Because once upon a time, she had spent nights there, too.
Aiah, meanwhile, just chuckled at the group chat’s chaos and made her way to the bathroom.
True enough, just as Colet said, the medicine cabinet had Jhoanna’s fever meds.
As she was about to close the cabinet, she found something. A yellow medicine bottle who stood out and it looks nothing like those over-the-counter meds anyone can buy.
Curiousity got the best of her. Lorazepam (Ativan) as what she reads on the bottle.
I have no idea what this is for.
After making Jhoanna take the paracetamol and the younger almost immedietly went back to sleep, Aiah also went and take that medicine she found and search about it.
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, panic attacks, and seizures. It works by enhancing the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that calms brain activity, leading to sedation, relaxation, and reduced anxiety.
Anxiety? Insomnia? Why would Jhoanna need this meds?
She sighed and took a seat at the edge of the bed, watching over her leader with quiet concern.
And just like that, the night passed with Aiah keeping vigil, while in a different place, Colet stared at her ceiling, unable to sleep—her mind filled with thoughts she tried so hard to ignore.