In which Neve keeps texting her deceased friend's number, at first in order to cope with the loss, and later on, as a force of habit. After four years, she is about to stop, but suddenly, the number responds.
***
An MNR epistolary collaboration wit...
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SUN | 8:44 PM
Sarah: You were right When you think like that, it becomes easier So thanks
Neve: Buti naman nakatulong kahit gano'n lang sinabi ko.
9:17 PM
Neve: May tanong pala ako, kung okay lang.
Sarah: Fire
Neve: Bakit pala nasa 'yo number ni Sarah?
Sarah: You're only asking now?
Neve: 😅
Sarah: Took you a while huh Jay's my friend He left the phone with me when he went to the US
Neve: 'Di niya sinubukan ibalik kay Tita?
Sarah: He couldn't Family emergency and he had to leave suddenly There was no time to do it
Neve: Eh ikaw? Bakit 'di mo sinubukan ibalik kay Tita Shie?
Sarah: The truth? I forgot I even had the phone I remembered only after I returned home Tried locating her mother but they moved and I couldn't find her anymore
Neve: Pwede mo naman hingin yung number ng mama niya? O kaya kunin d'yan sa phone mismo ni Sarah?
Sarah: I did She never returned my texts
Neve: Gano'n ba? Sorry, pinagdudahan kita. Isa pang tanong. Lalaki ka ba?
Sarah: Do I sound like a girl?
Neve: Kino-confirm ko lang naman. Pwedeng ako na lang ang magsoli ng phone ni Sarah kung gusto mo?
Sarah: How? You want to meet?
Neve: Hindi! I mean, hindi... Ganito na lang pala. Bigay ko na lang sa 'yo number ni Tita? Tapos kayo na ang mag-usap siguro.
Sarah: Don't wanna meet a stranger? Smart girl 😉 Sure, connect us
Neve: Oki. Papaalam ko lang muna sa kanya.
Sarah: I can still keep your number, right?
9:25 PM
Neve: Sure ka ba? Parang no sense kasi na mag-usap pa tayo. Wala naman na tayong pag-uusapan pa.
Sarah: Why do you say that? You never know when an advice could come in handy
Neve: 🤔 'Di rin naman talaga ako sure kung makakatulong ba talaga ako sa 'yo at sa totoo lang, naiilang din kasi ako makausap ka.
Sarah: Because of the texts?
9:36 PM
Neve: Yes...
Sarah: Look, I'm sorry I read them I tried to tell you the truth but I just didn't have the heart to take your safe space away from you I know how important that is to people
9:42 PM
Neve: Kaya ba binasa mo na lang? 😓
Sarah: I didn't, at first I read your messages by accident at first I had no intention to keep doing so but you worry me sometimes It's no excuse but I wanted to make sure you were going to be okay
Neve: Never ka naman nag-reply din. Paano mo naman gagawin 'yon? Saka wala ka namang obligations na gawin 'yon para sa 'kin.
Sarah: I know But my mind will never let me sleep if anything happens to you and I didn't do anything about it Why didn't I contact you until now? You never needed me until now either
10:01 PM
Neve: 'Di ko alam kung ano ba dapat isagot d'yan. Misunderstanding lang naman kasi 'yon. Pero na-a-appreciate ko yung concern kaya maraming salamat talaga.
Sarah: I know this must sound odd It's only days for you But it's been years for me I'm a stranger to you but I feel like I know you somehow You almost feel like a friend or a family Call it whatever you want
Neve: Kahit 'di mo pa 'ko nakikita kahit kailan?
Sarah: I don't need to see you to care
10:12 PM
Sarah: Listen We don't need to talk if it makes you feel uncomfortable But keep my number You never know when you'd need me
Neve: Bakit mo ba sinasabi 'to? 😅 Masyado ka yatang mabait para sa stranger na nakilala mo lang naman sa text?
Sarah: Like I said You feel like a friend And I've gotten attached to you somehow
