Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Chapter Twenty-Three

23 - Anywhere

Reizo didn't call me the time he was back in Australia. I called and messaged him every day, hoping that he will answer back but nothing happened.

Christmas. Saavedra's Annual Gala. Those fruitful celebrations came but Reizo didn't come back.

New Year's Eve came and I was here on my balcony, watching the fireworks from the sky. The moon is majestically displayed in the vast sky.

Reizo... are you fine where you are now? I miss you so much.

I bit my lip hard to refrain my eyes from crying but it was unsuccessful. Naramdaman ko na lang ang luhang dumaloy sa mukha ko.

My phone rang. It was an unknown number. Kumunot ang noo ko pero pagkaraan ng tatlong rings ay sinagot ko.

"Hello?" I answered. I heard something in the background but I can't seem to recognize it due to the sounds of the fireworks.

"Hello, who is this?" I asked again because no one was answering.

I looked at my phone to see if the caller dropped the call already but it's still going on.

My mind flashed Reizo's face. I sat properly and felt my heart pounded wildly thinking that it might be him.

"Reizo?" My voice laced with hopefulness.

Umaasa ako. Even though it was not an international call, I'm badly hanging to that hope that it was him. Reizo...

Ramdam ko ulit ang pagbagsak ng luha ko. "Reizo, is that you?" My voice broke after saying that.

Kung hindi man 'to si Reizo, okay lang. But if this is him, I want to take this chance to let him know what I feel. Kahit umaasa lang ako na siya 'to, kukunin ko na ang pagkakataon na 'to para maiparating ang nais ko.

I looked at the moon again, which reminds me of Reizo always. Nasabi ko sa kanya noon na kapag wala siya ay sa buwan ko sinasabi kung gaano ko siya ka-miss at kamahal. Na sa pamamagitan ng buwan maiparating ko man lang ang gusto kong sabihin sa kanya.

I wiped my tears on my face but they continued to stream down on my face.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Reizo... U-Uwi ka na, please. Hear me out, love. I know... I know I was wrong. But, please, come home now, baby. I love you... Hear that? I love you, Reizo. Don't let that go, Reizo?"

I sobbed and clamped my palm on my lips to prevent the caller from hearing my cries.

"R-Reizo, if this is you, r-remember that I love you. I am in love with you. Always hold on to that, Reizo. Never let that go. Never let me go..." Tumigil ako dahil ramdam ko ang nginig sa boses ko habang sinasabi 'yon.

I was hoping that the caller talk on the other line but there was only silence. I breathed deeply and continued...

"I can't handle feeling this anymore. Uwi ka na, love. C-Come home to me now. Please, Reizo. I want to see you... I can't handle it... I can't handle you being gone."

My head always screaming at me. Telling me that he isn't coming back. But my heart always crying that he has to. He has to come back to me. I am his home. I am. Please...

Despite the hardships, regardless of my brain saying that he isn't coming back anymore, my heart still aches and hopes for the fact that he has to. He has to come back.

"Please, Reizo, come back to me now..." I told him until I heard the sound that the caller ended the call already.

Stay strong, Kaela. Hang in there. I know it will be scary but I know it will all be worth it in the end. Reizo's waiting in the end. Kaya pa.