Mágoa | SB19 Josh [SB19 Series #4]

January 2026
Josh's POV

Christmas had passed. I went home to spend it with my mom and my sister. We had given each other gifts. Ate Yuna got me a new keyboard, which I was grateful for. My old keyboard was still functional- but then, it looked used and abused now.

My mom gave me new bed sheets and curtains. She chided me that I should change my sheets more.

Okay, point taken, mother.

Grace had avoided me like the plague. I had tried texting her so many times that we should talk. I tried calling her, and I even left Dunkin Donuts on her doorstep.

I think she ate the donuts. Or probably gave it to her workmates, I don't know. The donuts were always missing from her doorstep each time.

I hope she ate it. Grace has a sweet tooth.

But, she still did not reply to my messages, or answer my calls, or open her door.

I was beginning to lose hope.

Which was why I was drinking alone at our condo unit, bright and early on January 1.

What a way to start the year!

I could hear SB19 talking about my drunken state. Paulo had called for a meeting and they were gathered in our unit, discussing about our comeback. I could hear Gab scolding me for getting drunk so early in the morning.

I didn't care.

I was hurt.

Why was Grace not answering my calls? Why was she ignoring me? I thought she liked me? Why was she like this?

"Why is she ignoring me?" I whined. I was sprawled on my bed, unaware that the boys had transferred me in the bedroom I share with Justin. I was kicking my legs in the air, frustrated at Grace.

If she would just let me explain, if she would just give me a chance to talk, then I would have told her that I was with Jillian. I would have explained well.

Why was she making things difficult?

I had woken up, unaware of what time it was. I walked out of the bedroom, bleary eyed. The room was dark, only illuminated by Ken playing PUBG in the corner. I didn't realize that it was already evening. I had wasted the whole day doing nothing.

"How are you?" Ken asked me when he saw me leave the bedroom.

I ignored him and sat down on the sofa, looking around the room. "Ang dilim," I complained. "Why don't you turn on the lights? Aswang ka ba?" I was irritable.

"Tinatamad ako," Ken answered.

I lay on the sofa. Tinatamad din. "I wasted the whole day doing nothing," I told Ken. I could hear my stomach growling but I ignored it.

"There's food in the fridge. Doc Gab made a New Year feast. I swear, she and Pablo are already acting like a married couple. It sucks," Ken commented. Probably the longest commentary I heard from him in years.

I grunted. I was in no mood to get up and eat even though I was hungry.

"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be with your family?" I asked. Ken's parents had flown from Malaysia to be with Ken. He spent Christmas with them.

"They went to Pagadian," Ken replied.

"Oh."

"So, I'm back to staying here. What about you, Josh? Won't you sleep at Grace's condo?"

I groaned. No. I can't sleep there. She's been ignoring me far too long and it's driving me crazy.

"Ah," Ken commented when I did not say anything. "LQ pala kayo. Kaya pala naglasing."