Chapter 5
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow across the kitchen. Jhoanna hummed softly as she flipped the last pancake onto a plate, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cooked eggs filling the air. She arranged the food neatly on the table, glancing at the clock and feeling a rare sense of calm and purpose.
Her grandmother shuffled out of her room, rubbing her eyes and adjusting her shawl. When she saw the spread of food on the table, her eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, anong meron, nak?"
Jhoanna chuckled, pulling out a chair for her grandmother. “Wala lang, la. I just woke up feeling like today’s going to be a good day. I thought I’d start it off right by making breakfast for us.”
Her grandmother sat down, inspecting the food with an approving nod. “Ah, good mood? May nangyari ba? Did you get good news?”
Jhoanna paused for a moment, a small smile forming on her lips. “Hindi naman, la. Simulan lang natin na positive at productive ang araw na ito.” Jhoanna winks.
They began eating, the sound of clinking cutlery filling the room. Jhoanna hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and looked up at her grandmother. "La, gagawin ko na ngayon.”
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
“Aamin na po ako sa kaniya,” Jhoanna said, her voice steady but laced with nervousness. “I’ve been holding back for so long, and I’ve realized that I can’t keep it to myself anymore. Alam kong pagsisisihan ko kapag hindi ko nasabi sa kaniya."
Her grandmother set her fork down and reached out to hold Jhoanna’s hand. “Aww, that's good, anak. It takes a lot of courage to bare your heart like that. I’m proud of you for deciding to do it.”
“But what if she doesn’t feel the same way?” Jhoanna asked softly, her eyes dropping to her plate.
Her grandmother gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Then at least you’ll know, and you won’t be left wondering. Love is about taking risks, Jho. And Stacey… well, you’ve always had something special with her. Whatever her answer may be, you’ll know in your heart that you did the right thing by being honest.”
Jhoanna nodded, feeling a mixture of hope and fear. Her grandmother’s words, as always, were a source of comfort and wisdom.
“You’ve grown into such a strong, loving person,” her grandmother continued, a hint of emotion in her voice. “No matter what happens, remember that you’re giving Stacey something precious—your honesty and your love. That’s more than enough, anak."
Jhoanna smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, Lola. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
As they finished breakfast, the nervous energy in Jhoanna began to transform into determination. She helped her grandmother clear the table, feeling a sense of purpose with every step. Today was the day. No more hesitations, no more hiding.
Whatever the outcome, Jhoanna knew she was ready to face it head-on.
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Jhoanna felt the cool morning air as she stepped outside, her motorcycle keys jingling in her hand. She had spent extra time getting ready, ensuring her clothes were neatly pressed, her hair was in place, and she smelled faintly of her favorite vanilla perfume. Taking one last look in the mirror, she gave herself a determined nod and whispered, “Kayang kaya mo yan, Jhoanna.”
Before leaving, she sent Stacey a playful message: "Staku! Paalis na ako ha, wag mo na ako pag antayin dyan! Please lang." She chuckled to herself, imagining Stacey rolling her eyes at the message. Checking her phone again before starting the motorcycle, she noticed there was still no reply. She shrugged it off, assuming Stacey might be busy getting ready or just distracted.
As she approached Stacey’s house, Jhoanna slowed down, her gaze catching on an unfamiliar car parked outside. It wasn’t one of Stacey’s family cars, and the shiny black sedan stood out in the quiet neighborhood. She parked her motorcycle a little farther away, deciding to wait and see if Stacey came out. Her mind raced with possibilities. May bisita ba sila? Or maybe it’s Gino?
Moments later, the door to Stacey’s house opened, and Jhoanna’s heart skipped a beat as she saw Stacey step outside. She was wearing a simple but elegant outfit that made her look effortlessly stunning. Just as Jhoanna was about to call her name, she saw another figure follow Stacey—Gino.
Gino was dressed sharply, carrying himself with an air of confidence. Jhoanna froze, her hand gripping her phone tightly. She watched as Gino greeted Stacey’s mom politely, exchanging smiles. Then, he turned to Stacey and opened the car door for her with a gallant flourish. Stacey hesitated for a moment, then gave Gino a shy smile before stepping into the car.
Jhoanna felt her chest tighten. Her hand dropped back to her side, and she took a small step back, positioning her motorcycle to stay out of sight. She didn’t want Stacey to see her. She didn’t even want to think about what she was feeling—hurt, jealousy, disappointment. Instead, she focused on the scene in front of her. The car’s engine purred as it pulled away, and Jhoanna’s eyes followed it until it disappeared down the street.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the heavy silence. She pulled it out and saw Stacey’s message:
"Sorry, Jho, hindi ko nakita agad. Bigla bigla kasing sumusulpot tong si Gino sa labas ng bahay namin eh. Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko papapasukin. Otw na kami sa school Jho, bawi ako mamaya ha! Don't be mad, oki?"
Jhoanna stared at the message for a moment, her emotions a tangled mess. But instead of letting the hurt overwhelm her, she took a deep breath and reminded herself of the decision she had made earlier that morning—to stay positive. Maybe this was a sign, a small nudge from the universe, telling her to wait.
She typed a quick reply: "Okay lang madam, di pa naman ako nakaka alis." Napaka rupok mo talaga, Jhoanna.
As she hit send, Jhoanna looked up at the sky, the sun’s rays warming her face. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she whispered to herself, "Baka hindi pa time...."
She started her motorcycle and headed straight to school, letting the hum of the engine drown out her thoughts. The timing wasn’t perfect, but deep down, Jhoanna held on to hope. After all, the most beautiful things in life often came when least expected.
Jhoanna walked into the classroom, her bag slung casually over her shoulder and a determined smile on her face. Despite the heaviness in her chest from earlier, she resolved not to let her emotions show. She spotted Mikha and Gwen sitting near the window, their heads close together, clearly in the middle of an animated conversation.
Taking a deep breath to center herself, Jhoanna strode over and tapped them both on the shoulders. “Wow, ang aga aga ang seryoso niyo diyan ah. Ano meron?” she teased, setting her bag on the table.
Mikha and Gwen immediately perked up at her arrival. Mikha leaned in closer and whispered excitedly, “Nako, may nakita kami kanina! Tagal mo kasi dumating eh!”
Gwen nodded eagerly, her eyes wide. “Para kamo kaming nanonood ng movie! Nakita namin si Maloi na binigyan ng bulaklak si Colet doon sa may fountain."”
Jhoanna blinked in surprise, the name Maloi ringing faintly familiar in her mind. Wait, who’s Maloi again?
Jhoanna tilted her head, processing the information. “Tapos ano nangyari?”
Both Mikha and Gwen’s expressions shifted from giddy to deflated. Mikha sighed heavily. “Ayun....nireject siya ni Colet.”
“Oh? Bakit?” Jhoanna raised an eyebrow, her surprise genuine.
“Yup,” Gwen said with a small pout. “We were so close to screaming when we saw the flowers, but then Colet just… said no. It was heartbreaking.”
Jhoanna couldn’t help but chuckle at her friends’ dramatics, even as an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. She tried to brush it off and play along. “Ang ganda ng umagahan niyo talaga."
Mikha rolled her eyes. “We had coffee and bread, thank you very much. But seriously, Jho, can you believe Colet said no to Maloi? Napaka perfect na nun!”
“Maybe she likes someone else,” Gwen suggested, shrugging.
Jhoanna froze for a split second, her heart skipping a beat. Her mind raced as Gwen’s words echoed in her head. Could Colet… like someone else? Could that someone else be… her?
She quickly pushed the thought aside, reminding herself that she shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Hindi naman siguro ganun kalalim yung feelings sa akin ni Colet no? Still, the possibility lingered in her mind, and she couldn’t shake it entirely.
Feigning nonchalance, Jhoanna leaned back in her chair and said, “Well, Colet’s always been her own person. Maybe Maloi’s not her type, or maybe she’s just not ready for something like that. Who knows?”
“True,” Mikha said, sighing dramatically. “But it’s such a waste. They would’ve made such a cute couple!”
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The midday sun was warm on Jhoanna’s face as she stepped outside, still feeling the remnants of the earlier conversation with Mikha and Gwen. She quickly shook off the thoughts and focused on the present moment, walking briskly toward the area where she knew Stacey would be.
When she saw Stacey standing there, her smile was instant. Without a second thought, Jhoanna slipped up behind Stacey, her hands gently covering her eyes. “Hulaan mo kung sino,” she asked playfully, her voice light.
Stacey let out a soft laugh, the sound always so familiar and comforting. “Haynako, Jhoanna” she teased, trying to wriggle free from Jhoanna’s hold. “Mga pakulo mo nanaman!”
Jhoanna, grinning widely, kept her hands in place for a moment longer before Stacey playfully pinched Jhoanna's side, eliciting a squeal from her. Stacey whirled around, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Pasalamat ka talaga Jhoanna maraming tao.” she said, clearly trying to suppress a smile.
Stacey then suggested they start walking, and Jhoanna grabbed Stacey’s bag to carry it for her.
"Ako na, ganda ganda ng outfit mo eh. Di nakaka-aesthetic pag mabigat na bag dala mo.”
Stacey’s face softened, clearly amused by Jhoanna’s playful gesture. “Daming alam nanaman,” she said affectionately, but didn’t protest as Jhoanna swung the bag over her shoulder with ease.
Without another word, they began walking side by side toward the canteen. As they strolled, Stacey absentmindedly clung to Jhoanna’s arm, leaning into her slightly. Jhoanna couldn’t help but smile, a soft warmth spreading through her chest. She glanced down at their joined arms and found herself noting how natural it felt. Despite the confusing swirl of emotions from the morning, this—being with Stacey in this easy, comfortable way—was exactly where Jhoanna wanted to be.
“May gagawin ka ba after school?” Jhoanna asked, her tone light but her heart beating faster than usual.
Stacey paused for a moment, thinking. “Hmm, wala naman. Why?” she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.
“Baka lang gusto mong kumain sa labas eh,” Jhoanna said, her voice casual, though inside, her nerves were already picking up pace. “Pero kung ayaw mo, okay lang din naman.”
Stacey raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Wow ah, ang bilis magbago ng isip.”
Jhoanna chuckled, feeling a little more at ease. “Syempre, minsan lang to no.”
Stacey smiled knowingly, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “Well, if you’re treating, I guess I can’t say no. Siguraduhin mo lang sa masarap tayo kakain Jhoanna ah, sinasabi ko sayo.”
Jhoanna couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and genuine. “Deal,” she said, the warmth in her chest growing. “I’ll take you somewhere good.”
As they approached the canteen, Jhoanna’s heart still raced, but now it wasn’t from nerves—it was from the ease of being with Stacey, the comfort of their shared laughter and the promise of spending more time together.
As they settled down at a table, Jhoanna took a deep breath before asking, “Nabalitaan mo yung nangyari kanina? Yung sa may fountain."
Stacey paused, looking thoughtful as she picked at her food. "Yeah, I heard. I actually know Maloi," she said, surprising Jhoanna. "We were once teammates in a math quiz bee back in high school. Matalino yan tsaka sobraaang bait." She leaned back in her chair, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Kaya nagulat ako nung nalaman ko yung kanina eh, kala ko kasi she's not that typeof girl to do that." Stacey’s voice trailed off, and her gaze became distant for a moment, as if she was contemplating Maloi’s actions more deeply.
Jhoanna nodded, trying to process the situation as well. "Ahhh," she said softly, her mind racing. "Ang unexpected din kasi. But then today, out of nowhere, she confesses to Colet like that."
Stacey raised an eyebrow, clearly interested in the whole scenario. "I mean, I guess everyone has their own reasons for doing things like that. But it must’ve caught Colet off guard, right? I can’t imagine being in her shoes, especially if she didn’t feel the same way."
Jhoanna nodded again, but before she could say anything else, her curiosity got the best of her. "Kilala mo ba si Colet" she asked, watching Stacey closely.
Stacey shook her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she thought. "Hindi masyado....," she admitted. "Pero nakita ko na ata siya once nung tinuro mo siya sakin," She smirked, as if teasing Jhoanna, "Madalas mo siya nababanggit eh."
Jhoanna blinked, a bit caught off guard by the way Stacey phrased it. "I... I talk about her?" she said, feeling a little self-conscious. "I didn’t realize I mentioned her so much."
Stacey chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "Okay lang naman yun," she reassured her, her voice light. "You talk about her like she’s one of your closest friends, so I kind of knew who she was." Then, her expression shifted slightly, and she added, "Actually, I saw Colet’s name pop up on your phone a few times."
Jhoanna’s heart skipped a beat. "Ahh, nagtatanong lang yun about schoolworks." she asked, trying to keep her voice casual, but there was an edge of nervousness in her tone. Bat ba ako nag e-explain.
Stacey, oblivious to Jhoanna’s inner turmoil, shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I just happened to glance at your phone the other day. You were getting a text from her, and it caught my eye. No big deal." She smiled and took a sip of her drink, unaware of the small pang of anxiety growing in Jhoanna’s chest.
Jhoanna’s heart sank. She felt a pang of guilt. She looked down at her hands, feeling a weight settle over her chest. "I... I tried calling you first," Jhoanna admitted, her voice quiet. "Pero di ka sumagot kaya I called Colet after that because I didn’t want to be alone in dealing with everything." Baka kasi makaistorbo ako sa date niyo ni Gino.
Stacey’s eyes softened, and she bit her lip, clearly feeling bad for not being there for Jhoanna. "Oh, Jho," she murmured, leaning slightly forward. "I didn’t know. I’m so sorry I missed your call. I would’ve wanted to be there for you. You know that, right?"
Jhoanna nodded, but the sadness in her heart lingered. "It’s not your fault," she said, trying to reassure Stacey. "Alam ko naman na busy ka and may buhay ka rin outside this friendship."
Stacey pouted slightly, clearly feeling a mix of guilt and sadness. "Still, I should’ve been the one to help you. I know how much lola means to you."
Jhoanna looked up at Stacey, her heart aching at the genuine remorse in her friend's eyes. "Stacey, it’s okay," she reassured her softly, trying to push the feeling aside. "I understand...."
Stacey, lost in her thoughts, couldn’t shake the feeling that Colet might be replacing her in Jhoanna’s life. The thought of Colet spending time with Jhoanna’s grandmother, making her favorite dishes, or even forming new bonds with Jhoanna made Stacey feel a pang of insecurity. She knew it was silly—after all, Colet was just a friend—but the idea that someone else might take her place in Jhoanna’s life seemed to cut deeper than she expected.
Jhoanna, sensing the shift in Stacey’s mood, immediately wrapped her arms around her in a comforting hug. The warmth of her embrace seemed to quiet the whirlwind of thoughts in Stacey’s head, if only for a moment. Jhoanna’s gentle touch and reassuring words calmed Stacey more than she had anticipated.
"Staku...." Jhoanna murmured softly, "Wag mo na isipin yun," She pulled away slightly, holding Stacey at arm’s length so she could look her in the eyes. "I know how much you mean to me, and that won’t ever change. You don’t need to feel like you’re being replaced or that Colet’s taking over anything."
Stacey’s gaze softened, but she still seemed troubled. "What if she... becomes the one you rely on more than me?"
Jhoanna smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair from Stacey’s face. "Staku, ikaw ang pinaka best sa lahat ng best. No one could ever replace you in my life, not even Colet. I know you’re worried, but nothing between us will change. Colet’s a great friend, but that doesn’t take away from what we have. You’re my number one, always will be."
Stacey blinked, the weight in her chest easing with each word Jhoanna spoke. She tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill, feeling a mixture of relief and embarrassment. "I just... I don’t want to lose you, Jho." Her voice was soft, vulnerable. "You’re the one person who’s always been there for me, and I guess I was afraid of losing that."
Jhoanna’s heart ached for Stacey, feeling how much she cared, how deeply she valued their connection. "You’re not going to lose me, Stace," Jhoanna whispered, pulling Stacey back into a tight hug. "I promise. We’ve been through so much together, and no one will ever change that. You don’t need to be worried about anyone else taking my attention away from you. You’ll always be important to me."
Stacey nodded into Jhoanna’s shoulder, grateful for the reassurance. The doubts that had been clouding her mind slowly began to dissipate. She pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t know what I’d do without you, Jho."
Jhoanna smiled softly, squeezing Stacey’s hand. "You’ll never have to find out," she said gently. "We’re in this together, always."
Stacey gave a small, relieved laugh, feeling her worries ease. "You’re right," she said, her voice steadier now. "I guess I just needed to hear that."
They stood there for a moment, both silently reaffirming the bond they shared, knowing that despite the worries and uncertainties, their friendship would remain unshaken. As they continued their day together, Stacey no longer felt the heavy weight of insecurity, and Jhoanna felt a sense of peace knowing that she had reassured her best friend.
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Jhoanna leaned against her motorcycle, staring at the message from Aiah on her phone. She felt her heart sink. Stacey wasn’t coming. The excitement she’d been holding onto all day—thinking about how she’d finally confess her feelings—slowly dissipated. Jhoanna sighed, trying to brush off the pang of disappointment and convince herself that it wasn’t Stacey’s fault. Schoolwork was important, and Stacey probably hadn’t anticipated the last-minute urgency of the project.
Still, Jhoanna couldn’t help but feel the weight of waiting for over an hour, replaying the hopeful scenarios she had imagined while standing in the parking lot.
Jhoanna stared at Stacey's message, her heart sinking further with every word. "Gino joined our group, and I had no choice but to hitch a ride with him." It wasn’t that she didn’t understand; Stacey had her reasons. But it was hard not to feel like fate was conspiring against her. Every time she built up the courage to confess, something got in the way.
She typed a response: "It’s okay, Staks. I understand. Get home safe nalang, okay?" Her fingers hovered over the send button. She considered adding something else—something that hinted at her feelings—but ultimately decided against it. She hit send and placed her phone face down, trying to push away the growing frustration and sadness inside her.
Jhoanna sat in her room, her thoughts racing. "Why does this keep happening? Is this a sign? Lord, karma ko ba to?" She replayed all the failed attempts in her mind—the parking lot wait, the messages left unanswered, and now this. It felt like every time she tried to take a step forward, the universe pulled her two steps back.
As she stood there lost in thought, her phone buzzed with another message—not from Stacey this time, but from Colet.