Seasons

Decide

Anntonia's POV:

It is 12:35 a.m., and I am here, frowning, staring at the lifeless beige wall of our hotel room.

Michelle had to leave just now because Fabienne called her, informing her that someone is calling her on her tab, probably her mom. I didn't want to let her go, but we have no say over her mom. It's just right that she prioritizes her mom, whom she obviously loves so much.

And I find it cute that she's a Mommy's girl, just like me.

I sighed and decided to scroll on my TikTok app because I really can't sleep. Then suddenly, my phone vibrated, indicating that there's an incoming call from an unknown number.

I've mentioned before that I am not allowed by my team to accept calls and messages from unknown numbers. I was about to block the number, but I noticed that the first two numbers are the country code of the Philippines.

Out of curiosity, I answered it. I waited for someone to talk on the other line, but it was silent. I muted the call before I cleared my throat, getting ready to change my voice to at least cover my identity if ever I am just being pranked.

Almost a minute passed, and still, no one was talking. I clicked the end button because it might be just a wrong dial, but the number called again. Without any hesitation, I picked it up, "Hello? Whoever this is, please stop pranking me."

"Ann..."

I was confused when the caller mentioned my name. It's obviously a voice of a girl from what I heard. I thought of remembering all the Filipina women I know, and they are just a few, actually.

"Ah, who is this?" I asked, taking a screenshot of the number just to make sure.

"Your voice changed a lot."

"What?"

"I missed you."

"You're scaring me, Ma'am. Whoever you are, I am sorry, but I have to end this."

"No! Please don't!" She paused; I heard a loud exhale on the other line, which I assume is from the caller.

"..." I remained silent, waiting for her to reveal her name.

"This is Max, Ann. How could you forget my voice?"

My mouth parted from what I heard. It almost made me deaf. It gave a pain that's like someone kicked me in my abdomen.

"Ann, please talk to me. Are you still there?"

"..."

"Well, I get it. Just wanna inform you that I am heading to El Salvador to watch you. I hope I'll be able to spend time with you there before you go back to Thailand," she happily said.

Hearing her laugh and energetic voice makes me want to vomit. Like, how could she easily contact me like this, as if she didn't let me suffer throughout my years of waiting for her, only to be disrespected by her when she was drunk?

I ended the call right away. I didn't have to explain why.

The past is a past, and they must stay there. I only have to carry with me the lessons I learned and the growth I earned in that process.

Despite being so sure that I am done with my feelings for Max, I really can't hide the fact that I am still affected that we ended so badly. We could've stayed friends if we only talked things out.

I covered my face with both hands when I remembered her saying that she'll come here. I don't know how to tell Michelle. Not to add that, how am I gonna focus if I'll see her after the long enough three years?