Elora's POV

A SMILE broke across my face while listening to my favorite lyrics from a song by The Carpenters―I Won't Last a Day Without You.

I can't take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you...

Ever since Elrond sang that song to me, I found myself playing it on repeat whenever I wanted to shut away the outside noise. But most of the time, I would play Elrond's acoustic version of the song.

After eating dinner that night, I didn't expect I would receive a voice message from him, more so a song number. To be honest, his voice sounded mediocre but it's also soulful. You could feel his raw emotions that touched my heart. Maybe it's because it was his mother's favorite song. But he's also good at playing guitar.

"Thank you for the song. Uhm, kumakanta ka pala?" Just like what he did I also sent a voice message.

Noong una ay medyo nailing pa ako at nahiya. I didn't know how my voice would sound in the recording. I had never tried sending messages through voice recordings. It was a first for me.

"Hindi naman ba nasira ang tainga mo sa boses ko?" sabi niya sa panibagong pinadalang voice message.

I stifled a laugh but a chuckle still escaped from my lips. His speaking voice was pretty distinct. His tone spoke so much about his personality.

Inilapit ko ang cellphone sa aking mga labi at saka matagal na pinindot ang icon ng mic sa chat box. "Hindi. Medyo maganda naman ang boses mo."

"Medyo?" Bumaba ang kanyang boses na tila ba parang nalungkot siya. "Hindi mo ba alam na singer ako?"

The smile I wore went up to my eyes. It was obvious that he was just acting.

"Talaga?" I pretended like I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Nagdesisyon din akong sakyan ang kanyang biro. "I don't know. Hindi kasi ako pala-nood ng TV. Saan ka ba madalas nagpe-perform?"

"Sa CR," he replied right away. "Minsan nagiging dancer din ako roon."

Hindi ko na nagawang pigilan ang sarili sa pagtawa. His answer got me laughing hard. Napaisip ako kung kailan pa naging ganoon kababaw ang aking kaligayahan.

According to my friends and acquaintances, it was hard to humor me. I won't deny that. I rarely show emotions. It's one of the reasons why I don't really get along with people. Those who managed to gain my trust are the only ones who can see beyond the walls that I built―and I know I've been hard on those who tried.

Sa totoo lang, sa lahat ng sumubok ay si Karina lang ang talagang nagtagumpay. It's the reason why I'm friends with her. We're very close, but there's still a distance between us.

Unlike her, I don't like sharing things about myself. Aside from trivial stories, I don't really open up. Kaya naman hindi ko pa rin magawang sabihin sa kanya ang tungkol kay Elrond.

I knew she was suspicious about my new routine. Ever since I chanced by Elrond at España, I became a frequent goer to Coffee Project near our university. Kapag wala siyang ginagawa ay sinasamahan niya ako at sabay naming ginagawa ang aming assignments kung mayroon man. If you'd ask me if I already tried every beverage on their menu, it wouldn't be an exaggeration if I'd answer yes. Kilala na rin ako ng iilang barista sa kanila kaya hindi na tinatanong ang aking pangalan kapag umo-order.

Noong una, wala lang sa kanya ang pagsama sa akin. She wasn't skeptical. She didn't find anything odd with my sudden interest in going to Coffee Project. Ngunit kalaunan ay binantayan niya na ang aking kilos. She was curious about what I was up to.

It all started when I refused to dine at a different table. Pinilit kong doon kami pumuwesto sa inupuan namin sa tabi ng bintana. If it was occupied by someone else, we would sit on other vacant tables beside the window. Basta ang kailangan ay makita ko ang labas at ang mga dumadaan sa sidewalk.

Simula nang mapansin niya ang kaduda-dudang gawain ko na 'yon ay mas lalo siyang naengganyong sumama sa akin. She would observe me and our surroundings closely, acting like a detective. However, I chose to not feed her curiosity. Wala rin siyang nakuha sa aking mga kilos at reaksyon dahil napakadalang ko ring makita si Elrond.

Even though I went to Coffee Project religiously after class, I only saw him thrice. Unfortunately, he wouldn't even notice that I was there watching him. He was always accompanied by his friend who kept his whole attention occupied. But to be honest, a part of me was also relieved.

I could only imagine how awkward things are going to be if we meet each other in person. I would surely make it uncomfortable for both of us. Isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung hindi ko sinasabi sa kanya na nakita ko siya rito sa España. I was afraid that he would invite me to meet up with him. Mas gusto kong magkita kami nang hindi namin pinag-uusapan. I felt like that would be more natural.

In the middle of the song, I was pulled out from my reverie when I received a new voice message from Elrond. I didn't dilly dally and pressed on the notification to be directed on Alter.

Once I played his recording, the song stopped in an instant and was replaced by his voice.

"Just got home! Pasensya na kung ngayon lang ako nakagamit ng Alter. Pumunta kasi kami sa mall dahil birthday ng bubwit. Hindi puwedeng hindi ako sumama dahil magagalit si Daddy," he immediately explained why he was missing in action for almost the whole day.

Bubwit... He's surely pertaining to his stepbrother. It means it's Elizer's birthday today.

Isang buwan at mahigit na kaming magkausap ni Elrond. Madami na akong alam tungkol sa kanya at sa kanyang pamilya.

He's a single child of his parents. His mother died when he was in first-year college, and his father remarried the woman he called Tita Viel. Elizer is his stepmother's son whom he often addresses as bubwit.

"It's okay. It's a family event so you don't have to apologize for it," I assured him. "And happy birthday to your brother by the way," I also greeted his stepbrother.

"Salamat." Siya na mismo ang nagpasalamat para sa kapatid. "Hindi mo naman ba ako na-miss?"

I craned my neck on one side. I didn't take his question seriously. Sa tagal naming magkausap ay nasanay na ako sa kung paano siya makipag-usap. He's warm and playful―those are only some of his charms.

"Not really. I was reading a novel," I lied.

Nagbasa nga ako pero lagi ko ring tinitingnan ang aking cellphone para makita kung nag-message na siya sa akin o kung nag-online man siya. Every time I would finish a chapter, I would check on my phone. That was my routine for the day after I finished working on my assignments and other readings.

Nasanay akong kausap siya buong araw kapag weekends tuwing tapos na kaming dalawa sa mga gawain para sa eskuwela. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ko maiwasang hanapin siya. It was the only time I didn't like the change in my routine. I would hate for it to happen again.

"Awts. Sakit naman n'on!"

His voice acting made me laugh. Agad ko ring tinikom ang bibig bago muling nagsalita.

"Ano palang ginawa ninyo sa mall?" kuryoso kong tanong. I wanted to know what happened with his day.

"Nanood kami ng sine na gustong panoorin ng kapatid ko," panimula niya sa pagkukuwento. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata habang nakikinig sa kanya. "Binilan din ni Tita Viel si Elizer ng bagong pares ng damit tapos si Daddy ay sapatos naman ang regalo. Nahiya ako kaya binilan ko na rin siya ng toy figurine. Hilig niya kasing laruin iyong mga collection ko sa kuwarto. Pagkatapos noon ay kumain kami sa buffet bago umuwi."

I tried to imagine how they spent the special day of his stepbrother. I was amazed that even though he wasn't really related by blood to his stepmother and stepbrother, they could get along like a real family. I also admired him for not being hostile. Although I was happy for him, I couldn't help but feel envious.

I honestly couldn't remember a memory where we spent the whole day as a normal family going out to stroll in malls. I never had the privilege to experience something like that. My parents were always busy to have time for leisure. It wasn't their priority. Even on my birthdays, they would shower me with gifts, but we rarely gathered together in one place to celebrate it.

"Your brother must be very happy to celebrate his birthday with his family," I voiced out my thoughts to Elrond. "I'm sure you enjoyed this day, too, right?"

Kita kong agad napakinggan ni Elrond ang aking voice message dahil naka-seen siya agad. Nagtagal nga lang siya sa pag-reply.

"Masaya naman..." Dinig ko ang pag-iingat niya sa kanyang boses. "Naging malapit na rin sa akin si Elizer. Mabait din sa akin si Tita Viel. Kahit hindi niya ako totoong anak ay hindi siya naging malupit. Nagpapasalamat din akong napasaya nila si Daddy."

It was one of those rare moments where Elrond was serious. He was expressing what he truly feels.

"Ikaw ba? May kapatid ka ba?" balik niyang tanong sa panibagong voice message. "Hindi mo pa 'ata nasasabi sa akin. Wala kang nakuwento."

Biting my lower lip, I replied, "None. I'm an only child."

"Only child ka pala!" gulat niyang sabi. "Ayaw mo bang magkapatid?"

"Gusto..." nag-aalangan kong sagot. "Pero hindi na ako nasundan. I guess my parents don't have the time to raise another child."

Muling nagtagal si Elrond sa pagre-reply. Bago pa siya nakasagot ulit ay sinundan ko na ang aking sinabi.

"I'm sorry if I'm being a real downer," I apologized for ruining the mood. "It's supposed to be a happy day for you."

A few seconds after I sent my last voice message, my heart skipped when I received a video call invitation from Elrond. It was so out of the blue that I was caught off guard. My worries completely vanished.

I panicked as I sat up on my bed. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin. Halos kalahating minuto na ang nakalipas mula nang tumawag siya. And so, before the call ended, I braved myself to finally press the answer button.

There was a glitch on the screen, which lasted for three seconds before Elrond finally appeared. Wearing a printed blue tee, he was leaning against his bed frame's headboard. His hooded eyes gazed deeply at me which made him look more attractive. His hair was combed down, different from his usual hairstyle whenever I saw him walking along Coffee Project.

My pulse raced for miles as I stared right into his eyes. I bit my lip. It felt like we were seeing each other face to face at that moment. I forgot about our unimaginable distance. It seemed like the distance was only an illusion for both of us. For me, it was like he was just there right in front of me.

"Bakit ka nagso-sorry?" Iyon ang kanyang unang sinabi nang sagutin ko ang tawag. "You're entitled to your own feelings. Whatever you feel is valid. Hindi mo kailangang humingi ng pasensya para doon."

My lips parted while I looked at him all serious. Concern filled his eyes. I realized how much he cared for me.

"I'm..." I trailed for a fleeting moment. "I'm just feeling guilty for spoiling your mood since it's your stepbrother's birthday."

"At ayos lang 'yon," agap niya. "Kahit birthday ko pa 'yan mismo, walang problema."

Nanuyo ang aking lalamunan. I couldn't find the courage in me to defend my reasons.

"Naalala mo ba noong gabing kinuwento ko sa 'yo si Mommy?" paalala niya sa akin. "Hindi mo alam kung gaano mo napagaang ang loob ko. Kaya ngayong nakikita kong kailangan mo ng taong makikinig sa 'yo, gusto kong malaman mong nandito ako. Puwede mo akong pagkatiwalaan."

His words were giving me so much comfort. The corners of my eyes stung as tears started to form. However, I stopped myself before it even welled inside my eyes. I didn't want to cry at our first virtual meeting. If I'd tell him about my worries, I'd rather do it bravely so that he would worry less.

"My parents..." I hesitated a little before I decided to continue and hold his stare as I spoke. "They are always busy because of work. Madalas silang wala sa bahay. I don't have a sibling so I'm always alone―but it's okay. I already got used to it. They also taught me how to be independent. Kaya minsan ay mas gusto ko ring mag-isa."

Elrond didn't say anything. He just shifted on his position while he listened intently to whatever I had to say.

"Going to the mall or even just simply eating together as a whole family... I don't really experience it often. We rarely hang out or talk at home, too," I continued and forced a smile. "Sa tingin ko nga, kahit kailan lang kita nakilala, I feel like I know you more than my own parents. Crazy, right?"

Tinagilid ni Elrond ang kanyang ulo habang nakatingin sa akin. He was quiet and serious until the corners of his lips slowly curved upwards.

His smile left me speechless. It was insane how I immediately felt better. Parang kahit papaano ay gumaang ang bigat na aking dinadala. Even if I was having a hard time catching my breath, while telling him the worries I kept deep inside my heart, my chest felt light as a feather after seeing him smile genuinely.

"I'm proud of you, Elora..." he whispered but I heard it clearly.

If I was expecting him to say something which would comfort me, it wasn't certainly those words.

"Hanga akong nagawa mong dalhin ang bigat ng nararamdaman mo," paliwanag niya at mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti. "Pero ngayong nandito na ako, handa akong tulungan ka. Simula ngayon, hindi ka na mag-iisa."