Chapter 43

Johana Morin POV

I thought everything's okay...

I thought even if we hide our relationship, we're safe. But if destiny is really trying your patience, you really can't stop it. You got to surrender everything. Why am I saying this?

It's because Bea told me that she's leaving...

(FLASHBACK)

It's been 3 weeks and Bea is no longer staying in the dormitory. She's always busy to the point that we only see each other during trainings. Each time I'm asking her what makes her busy, she would just say that they have a family problem. She would always ask for my understanding and I'm always willing to understand her.

"Is she gonna come?" Jianna asked me. We're here inside the gym and the training will start in 5 minutes.

"I don't know. She hasn't replied yet." I said.

Jianna tapped my shoulder. "It's okay, Jo. Maybe she's just late for today."

"Have you talked about their family problem?" Ella asked.

I took a deep breath. "Not yet. It is like she doesn't want to talk about it every time I'm trying to ask."

"Oh! She's here." Said Ella and we saw Bea walking from the entrance of the gym. She is holding a paper bag.

She immediately went to us. "Hi, Baby Johana." She greeted me. "Good morning." She said and kissed my cheek.

"You're almost late..." I said.

"Yeah because I prepared this for you." She said and handed me the paper bag.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Just check it, Jo." She said and she started talking to Ella and Jia.

I look in the paper bag and there's a box with freshly baked cookies. There's also a note in it saying: 'I love you baby. I hope you liked it.'

I looked at Bea and she seemed tired. She looks like she hasn't slept that much. I wonder what's her problem... I am really worried about her and I really missed her so much.

I come close to her and hugged her. She was surprised when I did that but she laughed. "Why?"

"Thank you for this." I said while holding the paper bag.

"You're always welcome, baby." She said.

"What now? Aren't you gonna give us cookies too, Bea?" Jia asked.

"Of course you all have your own. Just get it from Aisa." Bea said.

Bea is really thoughtful. That's why I really love her.

**

Our training has ended so fast. Bea asked me to come with her in their house. I feel nervous and I don't know why.

"Are your parents there?" I asked. But she did not answer so I just shut my mouth.

Bea is really acting really weird right now. It makes me nervous. I feel like my chest is getting heavier. I could not breathe well.

"We're here." She whispered. She opened the door for me and she held my hand as we both go inside their house.

As we're walking inside, I sense something heavy. There's too much silence in their house and no one is here. Even their house helpers aren't here. It's just the two of us...

And I saw three luggage in their living room...

"Where are they?" I asked Beatriz. "What are those?" I asked while pointing at the luggage.

My heart went crushed when I saw Beatriz crying... She hugged me immediately.

"Why... Why are you crying, Bea? What's wrong?" I asked while rubbing her back.

She wiped her tears and looked at me. "I'm leaving soon, Johana."

I froze for a moment and stared at her. "You... You're what?"

She took a deep breath. "I'm leaving in a week, Johana. Dad's business in the U. S is currently suffering a financial loss. He needs my help. He cannot save it alone there plus Dad is really stressed right now."

"Why didn't you tell me about this immediately?" I asked calmly.

"I was afraid to tell you... I was afraid you'll break up with me the moment you knew about this. I was afraid to tell you because I really don't want to leave you, Jo. I don't want to be away from you but my family needs me." She said as she covered her face while crying.

I bit my lower lip trying not to cry... but I couldn't help seeing her like that. It hurts me so much. Even if, I still cannot understand, I still cannot believe what she said. Even if it is still processing in my mind.

"You're not gonna break up with me right?" I asked.

"Of course I won't!" She said.

I nodded. "When will you leave?"

"I'll be leaving next week."

(END OF FLASHBACK)

As days pass by, it is slowly sinking in my mind that she will leave soon. That I won't be able to hug and kiss her again because of the distance that we will be soon have.

We only have three days left to be with each other... and we will see each other again after two years.

Bea will continue studying in the U. S while helping her family on their business. We won't be able to graduate together here...

I know she's still here but I can't stop missing her... I don't know what will happen to me as soon as she leaves... I really don't know because I'm so used to the feeling of being with her.

**

Beatriz Del Valle POV

I'm so doomed.

I still can't get over the pain whenever I remember how my Dad used to ruin me by taking away the people I really love. First, it was Kianna... Second is Johana. He really made me feel worthless during those times. He made me feel like I don't deserve to be loved because I'm gay. He hated my sexual orientation.

For how many years that I tried to prove him there's nothing wrong with me being bisexual, for how many times I asked for his acceptance yet he ignored all of those as if it was not important to him even if I was her daughter...

And now, he is asking for my help because his business is failing. And fact that it was so hard not to refuse him is really killing me because after all that he has negatively done in my life, I still think of helping him. I still think of saving my family... even if they didn't think of saving me during those times that I was drowning from my past.

I still love them so much that I don't want to see them fail even if they have failed me a lot of times. I guess, it's really a tough love and unconditional love between me and my family.

I'm glad that Johana understands me. That she understands everything... but even if I want to help my family, I can't afford not being with Johana for two years. I always want her beside me.

But I guess I'm really a selfless daughter, I'm still here to help them even if it will affect my relationship with Johana.

"Bub, what are you thinking?" Johana asked. She's right here with me in my room. We're in our house. We decided to stay here for the rest of the days that I'm still here.

"Nothing much. Hey, do you want to eat something?" I asked.

"Let's order pizza!" She said.

"Alright. Pizza for my baby!" I said and get my phone to order online.

I suddenly felt Johana's arms wrapped around my waist. She's hugging me so tight.

"Why? What's wrong baby?" I asked.

"Can you stay a little longer here?" She asked. "I don't know what will happen to me as soon as you go in the U. S — so, can you stay a bit longer here? Since we only have three days to be together..."

I bit my lower lip when I hear her voice cracked. Ever since I told Johana that I will be leaving soon, she would always ask for me to stay a little longer here. She would cry whenever she feels sad, whenever she overthinks. I don't want to leave her like this because it hurts me... but I really have to.

I hugged her tight and kissed her hair. "I love you so much, Johana. Two years will be surely fast and easy. We're strong right? We can do long-distance relationship right?"

She nodded. "But I will miss you, Bea. I will miss being this close to you. I will miss your hugs, your kisses... I don't want to be alone when you leave. I don't want... Ugh! I'm sorry Bea if I'm such a cry baby but... I can't stop myself from being sad."

I tried to hold back my tears because it is also hard for me. I don't want to be away from her... but our relationship is being tested all the time. I hope Johana won't give up on me.

"It's okay, baby. Just let it all out... so you can now breathe. Just always remember that I love you and whatever happens, I am yours only. I am yours forever, Johana."

I tried comforting her, I let her eat our dinner, and now she fell asleep. I just stared at her beautiful face... I will surely miss her. This may be challenging for us but I will keep on fighting for her.

I will fight the loneliness of not being with her. I will do my best to help Dad's business so I can easily come back here in the Philippines.

I went downstairs when I heard the doorbell ring. I know it was Jianna and Ella. I invited them to go here so that Johana would stop being sad... but my girlfriend's already asleep.

"Hey, Bei! Where's Jo?" Ella asked.

"She's in my room. She fell asleep." I said.

"What? It's so early! It's only 8 PM!" Jianna said.

I smiled. "Her eyes got tired from crying that's why."

Jianna took a deep breath. "Is my bestie alright? We're so worried about her."

"Don't worry, Jia and Ella... I'm doing my best to make her feel okay." I said.

Ella tapped my shoulder. "But how about you? Are you still alright, Bea?"

I bit my lower lip and shook my head. "No... it pains me to see her like that."

I looked at them. "Can I ask for a favor?"

"Sure... What is it?" Ella asked.

"Can both of you take care of Johana as soon as I leave? Can you hug her for me whenever she feels sad? Can you buy her some food whenever she's hungry? Can you accompany her when she's alone? And... when the day comes that, she got tired of waiting for me... can you tell her that it's alright? That she deserves to rest? That... that I will surely understand and respect her decision.... Just be her comfort." I said between my sobs.

I could not stop crying... Jianna and Ella were crying too. They both hugged me.

"Shh... Bea... It's okay... We promise to be with her always. We will take care of her. Don't worry... And please don't say that thing. I know that Johana will keep on fighting for you." Ella said.

"Can we... really do that, Ella? Seeing Johana sad makes me sad too. How can I cheer her up?" Jianna asked while wiping off her tears.

"Jia, that's why we're. We're Johana's best friends. It's our role to be with her and take care of her when Bea is not around. Just believe in yourself." Ella said and tapped Jianna's shoulder.

"Alright... for Johana and Bea!" Jia said while smiling.

We all smiled and had a group hug. "Thank you so much, Ella and Jia. We're so lucky to have you. I will surely miss you both." I said.

"We'll miss you too!"

And now that there are few remaining days for Johana and I... I will make sure that we will enjoy everything. I promise to make her happy and to take care of her...

I will make sure that she will feel all the love that I can give while I'm still with her. We will make the most out of it.

And I swear, this will be the last time that we will be away from each other. And as soon as I came back, it will be all different.