Chapter 3
" Hello? May I know who this is? "
He instantly recognized her voice. Now he couldn't deny how much he missed her...just like the old days her voice always brought him comfort that nobody else did but he just shrugged with the thought.
Deep emotions stirred…he had to take a deep breath to suppress his tears. And their last meeting in June 2019 flashed on his mind, when he swallowed all his pride and begged for a last chance in front of her that she refused repeatedly.
In his loneliness the love he had for her turned to anger…that's when he decided to give him and Ryanne a try a week after their break up. On that very same night she saw Julie Anne on his peripheral vision in her car watching him and Ryanne get out of the elevator. Part of him wanted to go and talk to her but his anger was more stronger than the love he felt this time…because if she loved him as much as he loved her, she would listen to his plea and give each other a chance.
He was out of his trance when she spoke again…
" Hello?"
This time he answered.
" This is Elmo Magalona speaking? May I know who this is please?"
Elmo in his apathetic tone.
Julie Anne felt a strong pang on her chest…He already forgot her…hindi nakilala ni Elmo ang boses niya? Pero siya kahit boses lang, nakilala pa rin niya ito. The happiness she felt when she heard his voice turned into sadness abruptly.
She bit the side of her lips and blinked twice para pigilan ang nagbabadya ng mga luha. She couldn't speak, there was a long silence before she spoke again.
" I..I"
She could barely utter the words.
" Miss, whoever you are? Look, I'm busy… If you have nothing to say, I'm going to end this call. It's just a waste of time. Bye."
Elmo ended the call. He put back the cell phone on the coffee table.
The emotions he tried to avoid since the break up with Ryanne slowly took over him… Ayaw niyang e entertain baka kung ano pa ang nagawa niya sa sarili, kaya dahil nag iisa lang siya sa condo niya iniiwasan niyang maging emotional. He couldn't even go out and have fun with his friends to somehow forget…ang pag inom lang ang tangi karamay from all the hurt and pains he went through...but not tonight, hearing Julie's voice and the painful memories of their break up, he gave in...Burying his face in his hands, he started crying like a child.
She could feel the irritation and anger in his voice…the thought that Elmo completely moved on and forgot her tore her heart. She dropped the phone on the bed, tears spilled fast from her eyes as she crawled into the bed and curled up in a ball and began crying quietly… She cried and cried until she was too tired to cry more…she fell asleep.
Elmo went back to his room swaying, almost two in the morning.
As soon as he entered his room, he stripped off with his shirt and shorts and tossed it on the floor and threw his cell phone on the bed. He crawled up to his bed, and rested his back on the headboard. He reached for his cell phone and redialled the number on the caller list...with eyelids half closed.
His heart grew heavier in his chest as the seconds passed.
Julie answered the phone, without checking who the caller was.
" Ju---lie? "
He said in his hoarse, semi whispered tone.
He held his breath for a moment.
