Chapter 10
On the next day before the sun rises Elmo drove to Antipolo. He planned to spend the weekend with his family before his movie shoot locked in on Monday.
It was past six in the morning Elmo parked his car in their garage. He didn't get out of the car right away. His back rested on the driver's seat, hands still on the steering wheel, while his mind battled if he would text Julie or not...but he texted Julie anyway.
He took his duffel bag and walked to the porch.
' It seems no one is up yet.'
He thought.
He put his duffel bag on the table in the corner before he stretched his arms and yawned but stopped when he felt his cell phone vibrating on the right of his walking shorts pocket.
He clicked on the answer key button.
" Julie? Why are you calling."
" Wala man lang ba akong I miss you love dyan? It's too early to be grumpy."
" Because you're supposed to be sleeping---"
"You texted me… Aren't you happy I woke up and called you right away?"
" There's no need to call kasi… I texted to let you know I'm already here in Antipolo, so you will not send food to my condo."
Elmo explained.
' Liar. You texted her to let her know so she will not get worried, you got home safely.'
Said his inner self but this time he didn't argue.
" I called to make sure you arrived safe and sound. Magpapakasal pa tayo Magalona, so be extra careful starting today. Okay?"
Julie couldn't help but laugh heartily.
Elmo smiled widely, this feisty Julie always caught him off guard.
" You and your craziness, San Jose. Go back to sleep, it's still too early---"
" Are you in your movie shoot location now? May I remind you to text me the exact location or else I will ask every single---"
" Okay… Okay. Not yet, I'm here at Mom's place. I'll be here until tomorrow. "
" Elmo, love when will you be in your shooting location? "
" On Monday morning. How about you? "
" Uy! He wanted to know my whereabouts too---"
" I'm not---"
" Don't worry love I'll keep you posted and we'll be in one of the mountain resorts in Rizal, but I don't know exactly where yet. "
" Oh… Rizal---"
" Mosey! You're home and early huh. "
Elmo's sentence hung mid air when his mom Pia called him… He didn't notice because he was facing the gate, his back on the main door where her mom came out.
" Mom---"
" Who are you talking to?"
Pia asked her son, smiling widely, teasing.
" A friend, Mom (Elmo answered.) Julie I'll call you back later, mom's here. (Elmo whispered before the line was cut off.)"
" Oh, friend, not Ryanne? So how are you doing son?"
Elmo took a step closer, kissed his mother on her cheeks and hugged her. "
" Thank God. I finally see you. This covid-19 pandemic thing has made our lives miserable… If you haven't had work we'll never see each other. So how are you?"
