Chapter 48

Beatriz Del Valle POV

AFTER FIVE YEARS...

Finally!

I'm back again in the Philippines. I really missed this place although nothing has really changed here since I left. I just missed everything here. It feels like all the memories came back to me...

"Bea? Why are you still standing there? Come on. Let's go to the car." Mom said while laughing at me.

"Sorry, Mom. I was just feeling the moment since I really missed everything here."

"Really? Everything or your own everything?"

"What do you mean, Mom?"

"Do you really miss this place or you just miss someone from this place? I know you only miss Johana." Mom teased.

"Well, kind of."

She laughed at me and we both entered our car. We were picked up here by our driver.

"So what's your plan, Bea? Are you planning on proposing to Johana?"

I chuckled. "Really, Mom? Have you forgotten that I lost my communication with Johana and the rest of our friends?"

"Oh sorry, my bad."

It's quite fun and exciting that after many years, we can now talk about this stuff without any awkwardness. I think it's true that there is really a right time for everything. Maybe they cannot accept me for who I am before but as time goes by, they have learned to love me for who I am. Everything takes time.

So after eating our lunch outside, we immediately went home to rest. Our house was renovated last year so that it will be good and comfortable to live in it again as soon as we come back.

Our maids and drivers stayed here again to maintain the cleanliness of our house. I can still remember how Johana and I used to live here together for a week before I left.

It makes me miss her more.

I decided to go to my room and have some rest because my body was tired from the flight. I rested on my bed and forced myself to sleep. Unfortunately, I can't.

My mind won't stop thinking about Johana. I badly want to see her right now... I want to find her. So, I told Mom that I will go out today to find Johana. I'm glad she allowed me.

So I immediately go out and drive my car. I admit, I still don't know how to start. I don't know how will I able to find her since we lost communication. But I just found myself driving to Batangas—Johana's hometown. Hoping to see her again in their house.

When I get there, I went in front of their house and pressed the doorbell. I'm quite nervous... I don't know what will happen once I see her.

But to my surprise, someone who is not familiar for me opened the gate.

"Yes? What do you need?" The girl asked. I don't know who she is. I haven't seen her before.

"Uh... Is Johana here?" I asked.

The girl just stared at me. "Excuse me but who are you?" She asked.

"I'm Bea. Johana's friend."

"I'm sorry but I think you have the wrong address. There's no Johana living here."

"What?" I asked. "This is where they live. How come she's not here?"

"Oh! Maybe you're talking about Ma'am Lovela's daughter? I'm sorry but they just sold this house years ago. They no longer live in here." She said. Lovela is the name of Johana's mom. So, where are they now?

"Oh... Do you know where are they right now?" Damn it. I thought they're still living here.

"I'm sorry but I have no idea it has been years since we last talked to them about this house."

I nodded. "Can I ask another question?" She nodded. "Do you know the reason why they sold this house?"

"I don't know but based on what I heard from my sister who bought this house... Ma'am Lovela's daughter is getting married and they have to reside somewhere."

"O-Okay... Thanks. Sorry to bother you." I said and she just smiled and nodded.

Damn...

It's impossible for Janel—Johana's younger sister to get married because she's still young... But Johana is now in the right age. So does that mean she was the one... who got married?

I feel like someone's stabbing my chest. I could not breathe. I feel like something is heavy inside me. I don't know what to do. I can't think properly!

I instantly go home because I got nowhere to go. My heart is so heavy. I could not accept that Johana is now married. But I'm still hoping that what the girl said awhile ago is just a false information. I'm hoping it wasn't true.

When I got home, I saw one of our house helper watering the plants outside the house.

"Hi, Ma'am Bea!" She greeted me.

"Hello!" I greeted back.

"How are you, Ma'am? You still look young and beautiful."

I smiled at her. "Thank you. I'm fine."

"You know what, Ma'am? Since Ma'am Deticia told us to stay here in this house again, I always notice one stranger who always checks on this house. She visits here usually as if she's waiting for someone."

My heart skipped a beat...

"She? A girl? Really?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. I wonder why she's looking after this house. Maybe she's planning to buy it because it's too beautiful and has been renovated." She joked.

I just smiled even though I feel something weird inside me... "When was the last time she visited here?" I asked.

"Hmm... Awhile ago, Ma'am. Right after you left the house." She said.

Oh gosh. I don't know... I don't know anymore.

Is she talking about Johana? But what about the information that I got awhile ago? What should I believe? What should I do?

I can't stop thinking about it. My head hurts and I feel like I'm going to faint so I just decided to go in my room and rest.

All I can say right now is that I hope it is not too late for me to have Johana again.

** THE NEXT DAY **

"Hey, Bei. Wake up. You've been sleeping for so long." I heard my Mom say while poking my arms.

I instantly sat on my bed and rubbed my eyes. "What's wrong, Mom? What time is it?" I asked.

"It's already 4 in the afternoon, Bea.".

I immediately stood up. "What? I've been sleeping for so long?"

"Yes, Bea. I think it's because you were tired from the flight and your body clock is still adjusting. So fix yourself now and eat your food so we can go out for grocery."

I just nodded and instantly took a bath. Damn it. I should have woke up early to find Johana again. I just wasted my time sleeping. Maybe I'll just find her again tomorrow.

After freshening up, I ate my food and go with my Mom to the mall. She wanted to do groceries today so we can have enough stock of food at home.

"Mom, I really miss Johana. I badly want to see her right now." I said as we're walking to the grocery.

"Don't stress yourself too much, Bea. Just be calm and I know you will see her again." Mom said and tapped my shoulder.

As we're walking, Mom asked me to go find a tissue paper so I did. I was searching for that section when I saw a little cute girl reaching something she couldn't reach. So I went to help her.

"Hey. What do you want?" I asked the kid.

"I want to get the lollipop." The kid said innocently.

"This one?" I asked and get one pack of lollipops.

"Yes! But my Mom told me not to accept food from strangers." She said while pouting. I don't know but I suddenly remember Johana.

"Your Mom is wrong. Always remember that when someone is trying to help you and give you something, you should accept it and say thank you." I told her and smiled at her.

She smiled at me too. "I knew it. Mom's wrong again." She said and pouts again.

"It's alright. Just tell your Mom about that, okay?" I said.

She smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

I just nodded and turned around... I was about to walk away when I heard that very familiar voice...

That voice that I was longing to hear again.

That voice that calms everything in me... until this day.

After hearing her voice, I feel like something is stabbing my chest. I can't accept it. I don't want to accept what I heard.

"Baby Eula! Why are you here? I told you not to go away from me... Daddy is now looking for us."

Baby Eula? Daddy? Did she really build her own family? Did she really forget about me? Our plans? I thought she will always love me? I thought she just took a rest from what we had? I thought... She's still willing to wait for me? Or I thought wrong?

"Uh... Excuse me miss---"

I turned around to see her. I can see it in her eyes how surprised she is right now. She's just staring at me.

We just stared at each other as if we're the only ones in this room. As if it's really just the two of us.

"B-Bea..." I missed how she says my name. But I think this will be the last time.

"Y-You're here..." She said while staring at me. "When did you come back?"

I forced myself to smile. "Yesterday."

She nodded... "It's been some---"

"Mommy Jo! Daddy's here! Come on! Let's go to McDonald's! I want to have my happy meal. Come on, Mommy!" Her daughter said while holding her shirt.

But she just looked at me. "Bea, I'm - - -"

"Am I really too late, Johana?" I asked again. I know it's obvious but I wanted to hear it from her.

"Mommy! Why do you keep on standing there? Daddy's waiting!" I looked at her daughter and smiled.

I saw her husband walking towards us...

I forced myself to smile. "I already got the answer, Jo. It... it was nice seeing you... again." I said and immediately wiped my tears and started to walk away.

I heard her call my name but I didn't bother to look back. I will just hurt myself if I did. I cannot attempt to see her with someone else...

I cannot afford to look at her while she's with her own family. Because it hurts so much!

I guess, it's game over... I guess, I was really too late.

**

Weeks have passed since I found out the truth and I am still devastated about it.

I've been staying here in Ria's house for weeks and it's just fine with her. I don't want to stay at home, I don't want my parents to see me like this.

Ria and my other friends already know about it. I told them that Johana already got her own family... at first they also couldn't believe about it... but yep, that's the truth. They even asked me where did I get the information and I just told them about what happened in the grocery.

My friends told me maybe it was just a mistake, maybe I just misinterpreted everything but I told them I saw it on my own eyes and it was real.

"Aren't you gonna go home, Bei? It's not that I don't want you here but your parents must be worried about you." Said Ria.

"I don't know, Ria. The pain is too much. I still couldn't accept the fact that she just threw away our plans... our dreams..." I said. F*ck my tears! It won't stop!

"Bei, stop crying. Will you? It won't change the fact that Johana has her own family now. Just move on and don't waste your time crying over something you can't change."

And with that, I stopped crying. Maybe she's right. Maybe I should stop this craziness. Maybe it's time to move forward.

"Thanks, Ria. For everything." I said.

"You will be fine again soon, Bea. Trust me. Everything will be okay." She said and tapped my shoulder.

After fixing myself, I decided to go home. But when I got home, Mom wasn't here, as well as Dad even if I was informed that Dad has already arrived here last week.

I saw a note that was left by Mom. It says there that they had an urgent business meeting. Great. They didn't even bother asking me if I was okay...

I just took a deep breath. In times like this, where I have no one to lean on, I would go visit my grandmother in the cemetery. I would just talk to her as if she's right here with me and everything will feel alright again.

So I decided to drive first to a flower shop so I have something to give my grandma. But when I entered the flower shop, it's like destiny is really playing games with me. I saw Johana's husband and daughter...

I looked for Johana and she's not here. So I just pretended I didn't see her husband and daughter. But as I was choosing a flower to give to my grandma, the kid noticed me...

"Hi!" She greeted. I just smiled at her. Seeing her makes me miss Johana even more.

"Why are you alone again? Are you here to help me again?" The kid asked me innocently. She's too adorable. I wanted to hug her but that would be creepy.

"I'm here to buy flowers for my grandmother." I told her.

"That's so sweet." She said and giggled.

"What about you? Why are you here?" I asked.

"Mommy and Dad had a fight and we're buying flowers for Mommy." She said but then her Dad noticed us.

"Eula! Why are you bothering her? Come on, say sorry to her." Her Daddy said.

I looked at him and forced myself to smile. "No, it's okay." I said.

The guy stared at me for some time... "Wait, are you Beatriz Del Valle?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yes... How'd you know?"

He smiled at me. "My wife would always tell me about you. You're her best friend right? Have you two meet again?"

What? Best friend? Is that how Johana talk to others about me? Just her best friend? I did not exert all the efforts just to be labeled as her best friend! I did not love her for years just to be labeled by that!

"Anyway, since you're her best friend, can you help me which flower should I give her?" He asked.

"You're his husband yet you don't know her favorite flower?" I asked. Did you really replaced me with this fool, Johana?

He laughed. "My wife doesn't really like flowers she would prefer food than this but I just feel like giving her one."

"What's her favorite food?" I asked trying to test what he knows about Johana.

"Almost everything." He said and laughed. Stupid! Her favorite food is french fries with sweetcorn flavor.

"Really?" I asked and forced to smile at him.

"So, can you help me now? What do you think suits her?" He asked again.

"Sunflower is Johana's favorite flower because I was the one who first gave it to her." I said.

He looked at me as if I said something wrong. "What? Johana? Why are you suddenly talking about her?"

"You're asking what was your wife's favorite flower right? Johana likes sunflower. Your wife likes sunflower."

He laughed at me. "Are you joking Bea? Johana is my wife?"

I don't know but I suddenly feel nervous.

"Yes. She's your wife, right?"

He laughed again. "And who told you that?"

Damn it... I feel my palms sweating.

"I saw both of you... in the grocery last time. Eula called her Mom... and she called you Dad." I said looking at Eula who's busy eating her lollipop.

He laughed so hard this time. "Is that so? Johana is not my wife, Bea. I'm married to Ella. It's just that Eula loves Johana so much since Ella and Jo are always together. That's why Eula learned to call Johana her second mom." He explained.

"Eula and Johana were really close because Johana would always spend her free time with Eula. Maybe that was the time you so us together." He said.

"Dad I miss Mommy Jo, can we go visit her? I want happy meal." I heard Eula say. I just stared at her and... why do I feel like throwing this kid away?

Damn it! Damn!

"So... Johana is not your wife? Ella was the one who got married and it wasn't Johana?"

He nodded. "Yep. Johana is still single. She doesn't want to date anyone even if she has suitors. I always ask her why but she would just ignore me and Ella would just say that Johana is still waiting for someone."

What the actual f*ck. She kept her promise. She's waiting for me!

I hugged him immediately. "Thank you so much! Do you know where can I find Johana?"

"Aren't you aware of your team's reunion in Palawan? Aren't you joining them?" He asked.

"What? When?" I asked.

Damn it! I'm missing so much!

"It will start later at 10 PM. As far as I know you will be staying there for three days."

"Alright. Thank you so much! Uh, before I leave, can I ask for a favor? Do you have Johana's contact number?"

"Oh sure yes, I have." He said and gave it to me.

"Thank you so much. I have to go. Well, anyway, you can just order pizza for Ella. She loves that but if you insist on giving her flowers, as far as I remember, she likes roses." I said.

"Okay, that's great. Thanks, Bea!" He said.

I looked at Eula. "Bye, Eula!"

She waved back at me and then I left the shop.

Damn it! Did I really messed up this time? It was so embarrassing!

I even told everyone about my false information. Oh god. I wasted weeks crying for nothing. What a stupid creature, Bea! But I'm so happy! Darn! I can't wait to see her again!

I immediately went home and packed my things up and went to the airport. I should not miss this chance. It is now or never.

So, Ella was really the one who got married and it was not Johana. Maybe the girl who I talked before in Batangas had mistakenly thought Ella as Johana's sibling since they are always together. Damn! I was so stupid!

I was about to go to the ticket booth when someone tapped my shoulder..

"Here's your ticket."

"Ria?! What the heck are you doing here?!" I asked.

"Planning to go with you in Palawan." She said.

"Wait... did you know that Johana's not married?"

She nodded. "Yep."

"What?! Why didn't you tell me?!" I frowned.

"You didn't even bother to ask me. You would always speak about what you know. We tried telling you to check your information but you never listened to us. You're so broke for nothing." She said while laughing.

"Damn. I was so stupid."

"Yes you are. Don't worry, I still accept you as my friend. Let's go?"

"Let's go!"

It was such an epic fail but I'm still happy. I waited so long for this moment and it's now coming. Johana, wait for me. I will surely make it up to you...

This is it!