Yannie Ace RuizI woke up because of the sunlight hitting my face from the window of my room. I slowly opened my eyes and checked the time on the clock hanging on the wall. It was already past nine in the morning. I stretched and finally got up, sitting on the edge of the bed.Today is Sunday, but due to not feeling well since I got home yesterday, I informed Mrs. Maricel that I wouldn't be able to come to the store today. She agreed, and Jomar would take care of the store. I apologized to Jomar, and he assured me that it was okay.I didn't feel well last night. I had a headache and a cold, probably due to arriving late with Jomar on our way back to Biñan.I grabbed my cellphone from the table beside my bed, and my eyes widened when I saw that I had one missed call. My heart raced before I even checked who called. I wasn't mistaken when I saw Josh's name. He called around 3 a.m. this morning. My phone was on a silent mode, so I didn't wake up when he called.I swallowed quickly as
Yannie Ace RuizSince earlier, Josh has been on my mind. I've been constantly keeping an eye on my cellphone, just in case he calls again, and I won't miss it. Eight days have passed since that first night we met. Perhaps he's still in Samar at this time, just as he mentioned to me before. Maybe that's why I can't reach him whenever I try to call.After a while, I decided to open my social media account and tried searching for him. To my surprise, I found him there. His account is activated again!I bit my lower lip and went to his timeline, where I saw his latest post from 3 hours ago.'Got a signal for a while, but still couldn’t talk to the person I want to talk to…'My heart pounded as I read that. I despise making assumptions, but this time, I admit I couldn't help but think that he might be referring to me, especially since he had a missed call from me earlier, exactly 3 hours ago.His post had over 1,000 reactions with 500-plus comments. It suddenly occurred to me how popu
Josh Rain MontezEach beat of my heart echoes loudly as I continue driving my car. I was supposed to stay in Samar for ten days, but since our foundation's mission concluded early and successfully, we headed home earlier today.I directed my way to Las Piñas, where my car was parked, and now, I am currently traveling towards Biñan... towards Yannie.During my time in Samar, Yannie never left my thoughts. I tried to distract myself and focus on the other tasks, but whenever I had free moments, she would occupy my mind entirely. I couldn't shake off the memory of her tearful eyes because of me. With each passing hour and day, it felt like I longed to talk to her or see her. So, whenever I had a chance to find a signal in that province, I made sure to do so. And whenever my phone caught a signal, Yannie was the first person I contacted. However, I failed every time, never managing to speak to her even once in all my attempts. I started to think maybe she didn't want to talk to me anymo
Yannie Ace RuizMy cellphone rang in the midst of my busyness studying with my friends. I quickly took it from my skirt pocket and eagerly checked who was calling. I slightly bit my lower lip when I saw that it wasn't the person I expected."Who's that? Why do you seem disappointed?" Jenny asked when she noticed I was just staring at my cellphone's screen."Huh? I'm not disappointed," I quickly replied and answered the call. I stood up from my seat and moved a bit away from my friends."Hello, Yannie?" Ate Rica greeted me from the other line."Hello, Ate," I responded."Are you busy right now, Yannie? Did I disturb you with my call?""No, Ate. We don't have classes yet," I quickly replied. "Why did you call?""In that case, can you come out for a moment?""What?""I'm in front of your school. You're in PUP Biñan, right?""W-What are you doing here?" I asked Ate Rica in amazement over the phone."I passed by a friend, so I thought of dropping by to see you, too," she replied
Josh Rain Montez"Why didn't you tell me that you guys were coming? I could have picked you up," I said to Sissy and Patty while they were both busy eating. I reached for my bottled water on the table and took a sip. We had just finished our basketball practice when they suddenly called me to say they were here on campus."It's okay. Don't worry about it," Sissy replied, taking a sip of her milk tea. We were currently at the campus food court, having snacks. They quickly entered because the guards and professors here already knew them through me.I grinned at Sissy after placing my bottled water on the table. "What's up? Especially when you hate driving, so you always bother me every time you need to go somewhere, right?" I teased Sissy. "You constantly beg me to be your driver," I added."Yeah, I know that, Josh. But we had to pass by somewhere earlier with Aika," Sissy replied. "And besides, it's been a while since the two of us went out alone, right, Aika?" she added, glancing a
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Are you sure I shouldn't have you picked up there?" Ate Rica asked me from the other end of the line. We were currently having a conversation over the phone."Yes, Ate. We can just commute," I replied to Ate Rica."Alright, then. Just update me when you get there, okay? Take care.""Sure, Ate." I put my cellphone back in my bag after our call."I wish you had just agreed to let them pick us up," Veron complained to me."Let's not. We'll just take public transportation. It might bother Ate Rica," I replied."But we don't even know exactly where the resort is," Veron pointed out."We can ask around when we get there," I suggested, and we continued walking until we finally boarded a Jeep.The island resort for Ate Rica's party is in Cavite. It's a pool party, so Veron and I brought a slightly large bag with our swimwear. It's already 10 in the morning, and they're already there while Veron and I are still on our way. It would not be very pleasant to ask them to p
Josh Rain MontezI yawned several times as if something was pulling the corners of my eyes, urging them to close. Despite the temptation to shut them, I resisted, repeatedly blinking until my cellphone rang, interrupting the quiet moment. I quickly answered the call while driving."Why?" I asked Sissy as soon as I picked up."Where are you?" she inquired."I'm on my way to pick up Patty," I responded."You're probably late in leaving home earlier," she blamed."The party doesn't start until later tonight—""Did you think I wouldn't know? You came home in the wee hours last night with Ramil. That's why you're sleep-deprived now," she continued with her sermon.I sighed. Ramil was always so loyal to Sissy that I ended up taking the fall. "And you believe too much in what Ramil—""Oh, Josh. I'm telling you. You might have an accident on the road because of your drowsiness. Call me when you reach Aika's place. I'll have Rodnie pick you up—""No need, Sissy," I quickly cut her off
Josh Rain Montez"Oh, that's Rica!" Patty happily said beside me. "Oh? Yannie?!" she added before walking towards Sissy. Yannie blinked and quickly averted her gaze from me. "Happy birthday, Rics!" Patty greeted Sissy joyfully, and they embraced."Good thing Josh brought you here safely," Sissy commented, shooting me a glance."Of course, Josh is always careful when he drives with us," Patty said, then turned her gaze to Yannie. "Hi, Yannie! Glad to see you here!""Hello," Yannie replied simply to Patty."Bro! She has the same name as your former textmate, that Yannie!" Byron approached and whispered to me."Stupid! That's her," Ramil retorted to Byron."Really?""Let's go inside!" Sissy invited everyone, holding Yannie's hand. Before pulling her away, she gave me a sharp look as if warning me not to cause any trouble with her friend.In the end, I just scratched my head as they all went inside."You didn't know she was coming?" Ramil asked me."No," I simply replied."So,