Elora's POV

MY eyes squinted when rays of sunshine slipped past through the small opening of the curtain and shone straight on my face. I slowly sat up on my bed and stretched my arms. A smile touched my lips when I remembered the date I had with my parents yesterday.

After getting discharged from the hospital, we had a spontaneous family outing. We went for a day trip at a beach resort and country club in Batangas. They wanted me to relax so they brought me out to have fun.

My parents wanted us to stay overnight but my father had an important client to meet the next day, while I also had to attend school. So when we were on the way home, we planned for an overseas trip to a close Asian country.

Mommy was so excited. Magpapaalam na siya kaagad para sa isang linggong leave na balak niya. She also urged my father to do the same. Hindi na rin ako makapaghintay na dumating ang aming bakasyon.

Still wearing a smile, I reached for my phone. It was only seven in the morning. After lunch pa ang pasok ko kaya mahaba-haba pa ang oras. Pagkatapos kong tingnan ang oras ay bumaba ang aking tingin sa notification na natanggap.

The curve on my lips shifted downwards. There was a voice message notification from Alter which was sent by Elrond. Matapos ang halos isang linggo ay saka lamang siya ulit nagparamdaman sa akin.

Sumandal ako sa headboard ng kama. Kumuha pa ako ng unan upang yakapin at saka napagdesisyunang pakinggan ang kanyang voice message.

"Yoh Elise—este Elora."

Napakunot ang aking noo sa kanyang boses at bungad sa akin. Who's Elise? Is he drunk?

"Galing akong bar ngayon, medyo naparami ng inom. May naging kaibigan pa 'kong indianong Briton, si Sanjay, daming kuwento ni bumbay. Bakit? Bakit mo naman ako niloko? Hinanap ko 'yong CCTV footage sa bar, pero wala ka naman. Gusto mo ba i-send ko sa 'yo?"

Muli akong napaupo nang maayos. Binitiwan ko ang unan at inilapit pa lalo sa aking tainga ang cellphone para mas madinig ko nang mabuti ang kanyang sinasabi.

CCTV? He went to get some footage from the bar but he didn't find me there? What's happening?

"Tapos... Tapos nakita kita. Ang saya-saya mo sigurong maging kaibigan dahil ang lakas mong tumawa. Sana pala nilapitan kita, ano? Para hindi na ako nagdadrama nang ganito..."

"What is he talking about?" I whispered to myself while I was filled with nothing but confusion.

Ano ang sinasabi niyang nakita niya ako sa bar at nakikipagtawanan sa mga kaibigan kagabi? I went to sleep as soon as we got home last night from our trip!

Pinakinggan kong muli ang voice message dahil baka namali lang ako ng dinig. However, even when he sounded drunk, I heard him very clearly. He was accusing me of fooling him when I was the one who had problems with him last time.

Just when I finally decided to give him a second chance, I couldn't help but develop ill feelings towards him. I was hurt and angry that he was accusing me of something I didn't do. I felt wronged. But then I realized, who am I to feel that way? I did the same thing to him.

Wanting to be rational and talk things out with him, I pressed on the record button.

"What are you talking about, Elrond?" I asked him, very confused with his narrative. "Wala ako sa bar kagabi. Kalalabas ko lang ng ospital kahapon. I went on a trip with my parents and slept right away after we got home," I explained and defended myself. "And you checked the CCTV footage from that night? Wala ako? I was there! I even talked to you. Pinakilala ako nina Karina at Jack sa 'yo."

If I sounded very frustrated and desperate, I really felt that way. Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi habang hinihintay siyang magreply. Isang oras na ang nakalipas ngunit hindi pa rin siya nag-o-online. He sent the voice message after midnight. He must still be sleeping if he was really drunk.

Sinubukan kong hindi muna isipin ang pang-aakusa sa akin ni Elrond. Tumungo ako sa banyo para maligo na. Nakakain na ako't nakapag-ayos bago pumasok pero hindi pa rin siya nagigising. I went to school with an uneasy heart and a troubled mind.

Habang nasa klase ay hindi ako mapakali. Pasimple kong tinitingnan ang aking cellphone para makita kung mayroon ng reply sa akin si Elrond. I sighed heavily every time I found nothing. Karina was watching me intently because of my disturbing movements and reactions.

"Kanina ka pa parang hindi mapakali at problemadong-problemado..." puna niya nang hindi na mapigilan ang kuryosidad. "Did something happen? Is this about Elrond?"

Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Bigo akong tumango. Agad na lumipat ng upuan si Karina upang tumabi sa akin.

"Ano'ng nangyari?" nag-aalala niyang tanong.

Napabuntonghininga ako. "Pumunta raw siya sa bar kung saan ginanap ang birthday ni Jack. He asked for the CCTV footage but he didn't see me there."

"Ha?" Kumunot ang noo ni Karina. "Paano mangyayaring wala ka roon? You were there! I was with you!"

"I know... But I was more concerned of what he saw last night..." I trailed and gripped on my phone. "Pumunta siya ulit sa bar kagabi. He said he saw me there. Nakikipagtawanan pa raw ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Based on his story, it seemed like I was having the time of my life like a party animal or something."

"Nag-bar ka kagabi?!" gulat na tanong ni Karina. "That doesn't seem like you. And you don't go to bars without me!"

"Ayon na nga, Karina," problemado kong sabi. "Hindi ako 'yong nakita niya kagabi. It can't be me."

Mas lalo siyang naguluhan. "H-ha?"

"I was hospitalized the other day because I fainted―"

"What?!" Her eyes widened in concern. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I was caught up in the moment..." sabi ko na lang. "But that's not important anymore. Like what I said, I can't be the woman he saw. Pagkalabas ko sa ospital ay nagkaroon kami ng biglaang trip. We went to Batangas. Gabi na kami nakauwi at nakatulog din ako agad sa pagod."

"Kung hindi ikaw 'yon, sino ang nakita niya?" gulong-gulong tanong ni Karina.

"I don't know either..." I said under my breath.

Silence reigned between us while we were both trying to think of an answer. However, my thoughts were disturbed when my phone finally lit up because of a notification from Elrond. Sabay kaming napaupo nang maayos ni Karina.

Binuksan ko ang cellphone at agad dumeretso sa Alter app. He sent another voice message. There was an indication on his icon that he was online. Pakikinggan ko na sana ang kanyang mensahe nang maalala kong katabi ko si Karina.

I slowly turned to her, and she also did the same thing. Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kanya. "Uhm..." Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya paaalisin. Gusto kong maging pribado muna ang pag-uusapan namin ni Elrond.

Fortunately, Karina was sensitive enough. She smiled, nodded, and stood up. "I'll just go to the bookstore and buy something," she told me. "Kita na lang tayo sa next class?"

Mas lalo akong napangiti at tumango rin pabalik. "Thanks, Karina."

She just smiled and tapped my shoulder before she left me on my own. Once she was gone, I stared on my phone again. Medyo maingay sa food court kaya naisipan kong umalis na rin doon. I went to the garden behind the grandstand. Wala masyadong tao roon, tahimik at malapit sa room kung saan ang aming susunod na klase kaya roon ko napili.

Nang makaupo ako sa tabi ng puno, agad kong sinuot ang airpods para pakinggan ang sinabi ni Elrond. Binantayan ko rin ang oras dahil twenty minutes na lang ang mayroon ako.

"Hindi ka kilala ni Jack, Elora," sabi niya sa isang tahimik na boses, parang pagod na siyang makipag-usap. "Sa totoo lang, gusto kong maniwala sa 'yo, pero ang dami kong nalaman at nasaksihan na hindi tugma sa mga sinasabi mo. Ilang beses kong pinanood ang CCTV. Kasama ko ang mga pinsan ko at nakipag-inuman lang ako sa kanila buong gabi. Walang lumapit sa aking babae at hindi kita nakita..." Huminga siya nang malalim at mayroon akong nadinig na pagkaluskos nang tumigil siya sandali. "Isa pa, hindi Karina ang pangalan ng girlfriend ni Jack kung hindi Karen. Ngayon, Elora, sa tingin mo, paano kita paniniwalaan?"

Karen? But Karina is Jack's girlfriend! Does it mean Jack has another girlfriend? Is he toying with my friend?

"Elrond, hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag pero nandoon ako noong birthday ni Jack at totoong nangyari lahat ng sinabi ko sa 'yo," desperado kong sabi at hindi ko na magawang kumalma. "And who is Karen? My friend is your cousin's girlfriend. Her name is Karina. I can even send you their picture for proof if you want."

Pagka-send ng aking voice message ay nakita kong naseen iyon agad ni Elrond, ngunit makalipas ang isang minuto ay hindi pa rin siya sumasagot. Since I was pressed for time, I pushed my luck and invited him to a video call.

I thought he wouldn't answer, but he did. My heart hammered against my chest so hard when I saw his face. Maliwanag sa kanyang kuwarto kaya kitang-kita ko ang kanyang mukha. Halatang bagong gising pa siya. His hair was messy and all, but he still looked fine and handsome.

It's really him. It's really Elrond. He's real, but I still can't find a proper explanation for everything.

"I can't talk any longer. I only have fifteen minutes left before my next class," I told him. "But I want to be enlightened, Elrond. Naguguluhan ako. You told me you saw me last night at the bar."

Mapait siyang ngumiti. "Naalala ko na naman..." bulong niya sa sarili bago nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. "Pangalawang beses na kitang nakita kagabi."

"Pangalawang beses?"

"Noong una ay kasama ko si Jack. Iyon ang gabi na kinuha namin ang CCTV footage sa kaibigan niya na manager ng bar kung saan ginanap ang birthday niya. Nakita kita pero hindi ako sigurado kaya bumalik ulit ako kinabukasan..." kuwento niya. "For two consecutive nights, I saw you having fun and drinking with your friends. Ibang-iba rin ang pananamit mo sa mga nakikita ko sa litrato mo. Iba ang kilos mo, ang tono ng boses mo... at pati na rin ang pangalan mo, 'di ba, Elise?"

"Elise?" I echoed. "Why do you keep calling me Elise? Iyan din ang tinawag mo sa akin kagabi."

"Dahil ikaw si Elise!" He sounded frustrated as well. "Ang sabi ni Sanjay ay madalas ka roon. Binalaan niya akong huwag lumapit sa 'yo. He told me you're just using Elora as a fake name. Ang totoong pangalan mo ay Elise."

It felt like my brain was about to shut down while trying to process every word which came out from his mouth. I was having a hard time catching up. But on top of that, I was also dealing with a great amount of pain.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Elrond..." I shook my head. My voice was weak and hoarse. "I'm not Elise. My name is Elora. I can prove it to you. I have valid IDs. I can also show you my birth certificate, if you want." With confidence, I looked him straight in the eye. "I'm telling the truth, Elrond. I... I would never lie to you."

Elrond's lips slightly parted. The storm inside his eyes calmed down. He shifted his gaze and bit his lower lip.

Unlike him, I just remained watching him as his hard expression was replaced with something soft and warm. Habang binabalot kami ng katahimikan, nadinig ko ang tunog ng bell sa loob ng building. It was a sign that the class had just ended. Napaangat ang tingin ko sa oras. Limang minuto na lang at magsisimula na ang sunod na klase.

"Elrond, I have to go―"

"Let's meet, Elora," he said once he made up his mind and lifted his face.

Natigil ako sa pagsasalita. Muli akong napatitig sa kanya.

"Hinding-hindi natin mahahanap ang sagot na hinahanap natin kung hindi tayo magkikita. Patuloy lang nating pagdududahan ang isa't isa," paliwanag niya at naintindihan ko kung saan siya nanggagaling. "So, let's meet, Elora. Magkita tayo. Iyon lang ang naiisip kong paraan."

Without second thoughts, since I already thought it through for the past few days, I nodded and smiled. "Okay," I agreed to his invitation. "Let's meet."

For a split second, Elrond was a bit surprised that I agreed. But then, he schooled his expression right away and nodded back. "Sige..." sabi niya. "Pumasok ka muna sa klase mo. Pag-usapan natin mamaya kung saan at kailan tayo magkikita."

"Okay..." tahimik kong sabi. "Thank you, Elrond."

Pagkatapos kong magpasalamat sa kanya ay pinatay ko na ang tawag. Saktong nakatanggap ako ng mensahe kay Karina na tinanong kung nasaan na ako kaya hindi na ako nagtagal pa at nagmadali papunta sa aming klase.

*****

MY feet felt heavier and heavier as I walked closer to the Coffee Project in España. I was very anxious like I was about to pass out. The stirring in my chest got intense once I stood in front of the glass doors.

After my class yesterday, Elrond gave me the privilege to decide the details about our meet up. Since we both had classes the next day, I thought it was best for us to meet after class. I didn't want to delay it anymore. And luckily, he agreed right away.

"Excuse me."

I almost jumped when I got startled by a man's voice behind me. Humampas ang aking puso nang malakas sa aking dibdib. In anticipation, I quickly spun around to face the man.

My heart sank when I got disappointed. The smile I was wearing faded. I was so excited that I thought he was already Elrond, only to find out that he was just a stranger.

"Uhm, sorry..." tipid kong sabi at saka tumabi sa daanan.

Walang salita namang pumasok ang lalaki sa loob ng café. Kinagat ko ang aking labi at sumunod na rin matapos ang ilang segundo. I scanned the establishment to check if Elrond already arrived. However, I didn't see him at all.

Halos punong-puno na ang café at wala nang bakanteng upuan. Sakto namang umalis iyong babae sa madalas kong inuupuang lamesa. Sa takot ko lang na maagaw iyon sa akin ay mabilis akong pumalit sa kanya.

Maayos akong naupo roon. May lumapit na staff na naglipit ng pinag-inuman ng huling umupo. I tried to help her a little.

"Thank you." Ngiti ko nang matapos siya sa paglilinis at tumango lamang siya sa akin nang nakangiti rin.

I pulled my phone out to inform Elrond that I was already at the café. We exchanged phone numbers last night so I tried sending him a text message.

To: Elrond
I'm here. Are you on the way already?

While waiting for his reply, I turned to the counter and looked at the menu. Ngumuso ako at nag-isip kung o-order ba ako dahil wala akong kasama na mapag-iiwanan ng aking bag. I didn't want to leave the table because someone might take the seat from me.

It was a good thing that the woman on the table next to mine was a schoolmate of mine. Napagkatiwalaan ko siya na bantayan ang aking gamit habang bumibili ng inumin. I also bought a drink and pastry for Elrond.

Once I returned to my seat, I thanked the woman for keeping my things secured. Nilabas ko rin ulit ang aking cellphone para tingnan kung may reply na ba sa akin si Elrond ngunit wala akong natanggap na kahit ano. Kinabahan ako agad nang dahil doon.

I looked at the time. He was almost fifteen minutes late, but he didn't even try to send me a message to tell me that he'd be late.

Swallowing my nervousness, I opened the Alter app and decided to also message him there.

eloramariz: Elrond? Nandito na ako sa Coffee Project. Makapupunta ka pa ba?

The barista called my name right after the message was sent. I had to pick up my order so I put the phone inside my pocket. Dahil madami-dami ang aking inorder ay nag-ingat ako sa pagbalik sa aking lamesa. Nagulat nga lang ako nang mayroong kumuha sa akin ng tray para tulungan ako.

Tumalon ang aking puso sa gulat at sa pag-aakalang si Elrond na 'yon. But once again, like fate was really trying to play tricks on me, it was a different guy―a stranger.

"Saan ang table mo?" kaswal niyang tanong sa akin.

Walang salita kong tinuro ang aking lamesa. Pinauna niya akong pumunta roon at sumunod lamang siya sa akin. He carefully put the tray down on my table, but he didn't leave right away.

"May kasama ka?" sunod niyang tanong.

I nodded. "I'm waiting for someone," I replied nonchalantly. "Thanks for helping me."

When he sensed that I wasn't up for anything, he quietly left and let me be. I checked my phone again, and my eyes lit up when Elrond finally replied. But instead of replying through a text message, he used Alter, too.

lord_elrond01: Katatapos lang ng klase namin. Pasensya na. Medyo late kaming na-dismiss pero papunta na ako.

eloramariz: Ah, okay. Ingat ka. Did you receive my text? Doon ka na lang mag-reply.

Mabilis na siyang nakapagreply ulit.

lord_elrond01: Nag-text ka? Wala akong na-receive.

Napaawang ang aking mga labi. I double-checked my message and saw that it was sent successfully. I wondered why he didn't receive it.

lord_elrond01: Huwag ka na mag-reply. Hindi ko mailalabas ang cellphone ko sa daan at baka mahablot. Hintayin mo na lang ako riyan. Bibilisan ko.

I pursed my lips while reading his message. Even though he told me not to reply anymore, I still did.

eloramariz: Okay. Ingat.

I put my phone down to stop myself from sending another message. Bumalik ang aking matinding kaba dahil papunta na siya. While tapping my feet anxiously, I took a sip on my iced coffee to somehow calm down. Nakabantay lamang ako sa pintuan ng Coffee Project. Bawat taong pumapasok at dumadaan ay tinitingnan ko nang mabuti.

Keeping track of time, ten minutes had already passed after Elrond told me he was already on his way. I frowned because his campus was very close to the café. I wondered what was taking him so long.

The anticipation and nervousness I was feeling gradually faded over time. After five minutes more, I was about to send him another text or call him when I received another message on Alter.

lord_elrond01: Bakit hindi ka matawagan? Kanina ko pa sinusubukang tumawag sa 'yo. Not registered daw ang number mo.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. Tiningnan ko ang aking call history at wala namang missed calls doon galing sa kanya. I even checked if I was on DND mode, but I wasn't.

eloramariz: I don't know. Wala akong natatanggap na tawag.

lord_elrond01: Oh sige.

lord_elrond01: Nandito na pala ako. Nasaan ka banda?

Mabilis akong nag-angat ng tingin. Inilibot ko ulit ang tingin sa kabuuan ng café ngunit hindi ko naman siya nakita. Napanguso akong muli at naisip na baka nag-CR siya o kung anuman.

eloramariz: I'm sitting at the table beside the window. Malapit lang sa may pintuan.

Agad siyang nag-reply sa akin.

lord_elrond01: Ha? Wala ka naman doon.

Napakunot ang aking noo. Binilisan ko ang pagtitipa ng sasabihin sa kanya.

eloramariz: I'm here. Kanina pa ako nakaupo at naghihintay rito.

eloramariz: How about you? Where are you sitting?

lord_elrond01: Nakatayo lang ako malapit sa table kung saang may parang nakasabit na mga libro sa ceiling. Hindi pa ako nakakaupo dahil walang bakante.

I lifted my gaze in an instant to the table he was talking about. However, I didn't see him standing anywhere. Ilang beses ko pang inikot ulit ang tingin ko. Tumayo na rin ako upang hanapin siya ngunit wala siya kahit saan.

eloramariz: Hindi kita nakikita. Are you sure na nandito ka? Tama ka ba ng pinuntahan? Baka nasa ibang branch ka.

lord_elrond01: Sabi mo sa akin iyong Coffee Project sa may Vista Residences sa España. Nandito ako.

He even sent a picture outside the café. He was indeed in the right location. But where is he?

lord_elrond01: Elora, sabihin mo na lang sa akin kung hindi mo gustong makipagkita. Sayang lang ang oras ko. May mga kailangan pa akong gawin.

After I read his message, I panicked.

eloramariz: Nandito rin ako! I'm not lying to you if that's what you're thinking.

I also sent him a picture of the café, specifically the table with the hanging books.

eloramariz: That's the table you're talking about, right? Wala ka rito. I told you. Kanina pa kita hinahanap.

Natagalan si Elrond sa pagre-reply sa akin. Halos tatlong minuto na ang nakalipas. But then, I suddenly received an incoming video call invitation from him. To prove my innocence, I quickly answered his call.

Once his face showed on the screen, I immediately observed his surroundings. My eyes widened to see that he was really inside the café. In the video, I could see the same titles of books hanging behind him. But whenever I would look at the same area in front of me, he was nowhere to be found.

My pulse quickened. I felt like I was almost out of breath.

"Elora..." Elrond uttered my name carefully.

I tried to focus on his face but I really couldn't believe what I was seeing at that moment.

"N-nandito ako..." sabi niya, namamaos ang boses. "Pero... wala ka rito."

Elrond switched to his back camera in order to show me what was in front of him. On the table, where I should be sitting, I found someone else occupying the place. The person who was sitting at the next table was also different.

Blood drained from my face. My hands and lips trembled. Goosebumps prickled on my skin.

And when Elrond switched the camera again, showing his face, he was also in a state of disbelief.

"Elora, I―"

Before he could even finish his words, I ended our call and turned off my phone as I was horrified and freaked out. Like I was being haunted, I frantically hid my cellphone in the deepest part of my backpack and left the café. Halos madapa pa ako dahil nanlalambot ang aking mga tuhod. Hindi rin ako mapakali.

Dere-deretso ang lakad ko papunta sa pinakamalapit na waiting shed. Saktong may dumaan na FX kaya agad akong sumakay roon para makauwi na. Nang nakaupo ako nang maayos ay niyakap ko ang aking backpack at kinilabutan muli nang naisip ang nangyari.

What on Earth just happened?