Following young Liezel’s (Kolette Madelo) and Louisa’s (Mutya Orquia) confessions to each other, they spent more time together—most notably when Louisa brought Liezel to her favorite spot in the forest: the small hut that Beth (Charlie Dizon) later stumbles upon in the present.
More than a place meant only for the two of them, it was a space where Louisa escaped the chaos of Amurao—eventually becoming a haven where they could love each other freely as each other’s “bana.”
One day, Liezel gave Louisa a watch engraved with the letter “L” on the back, the same watch later falsely identified as evidence that led to young Edong’s (Renshi de Guzman) imprisonment for the alleged killing of Louisa. The letter fit both Liezel and Louisa, but it ultimately stood for “lagi at lagi,” meaning that they would choose each other again and again.
As their secret relationship continued, Liezel and Louisa realized how painful it was to keep everything to themselves. In one of their conversations, Louisa expressed her desire to tell young Mel (Reich Alim), Alice (Eliza Borromeo), Beth (Allyson McBride), and Erica (Krystal Mejes), but she was more concerned about Liezel’s fear that her father, Pastor Samuel, might find out and separate them.
Left with no choice, they carried on until Liezel’s upcoming birthday, when her family would host a charity event in the next town. Louisa wanted to spend even a few hours with Liezel, but with everything happening at once—the charity, Liezel celebrating with Angelo, tight schedules, and Pastor Samuel’s strictness—it remained an unlikely chance that still hurt Louisa.
On the day of Liezel’s birthday, Louisa decided to invite the MABEL girls to come with her to the Longos Carnival, but she was initially met with reasons not to go. She then successfully persuaded them for a rare chance to spend time together without worrying about their parents’ reactions. Although, just as everyone began to change their minds, Liezel texted Louisa, prompting her to rush off at once and leaving the group confused.
Once Louisa arrived at their meeting spot, Liezel explained that she had feigned sickness and was home alone, taking the chance to go out with Louisa. In the middle of their fun, Louisa suggested that they leave Amurao. Aware of the hardships they would face, they began talking about saving up and leaving after graduation, with Liezel expressing that, for the first time, she looked forward to her future.
Unbeknownst to the pair, Pastor Samuel already knew, thanks to a churchgoer who had seen Liezel and Louisa at the carnival. By the time Liezel and Louisa were planning to leave, he had already devised a plan to send Liezel to Bicol to take care of her sick aunt, leaving her no time to attend graduation.
Pastor Samuel’s scoldings never seemed to end, guilt-tripping Liezel about how she had been taught to be righteous, pure, and to follow the teachings of God—but she had so easily fallen for a girl like Louisa.
For the first time in her life, Liezel mustered the courage to defend herself and Louisa, earning a slap from Pastor Samuel. Shocked and hurt, she tried to leave but could not, as her father threatened Louisa, saying he would frame her and ruin her life in every way he could, even outside of Amurao, if Liezel chose to go.
Don’t miss an episode of “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, ALLTV, and iWant.