“Hmmm…lemme guess…” They laugh. Of course, they
both know she knows it is him on the phone. “You called?”
“Well…I wanted to volunteer.”
“What do you mean?” she herself isn’t using her
normal voice. She sounds giddy.
“Sing you to sleep,” he laughs. “Mic please.”
“You’re really going to sing?” He sang to Olivia
before, over the phone too. My Love is Here for You, by a
local artist. He was still in college then, barely known each
other.
They talk as though they haven’t deliberately
ignored each other for months.
“Why, of course. Don’t you want me to?”
“Ha-ha, are you kidding? I’d love to hear that
voice again. Miss it.” Why the heck is she being so candid? He is a bit silent.
“Shit, shouldn’t have said that,” she curses herself.
Then she hears his voice again.
“Now here it comes, the hardest part of all.
Unchain my heart that’s holding on. Guess I’m just learning, learning the art
of letting go…say the word goodbye, but each time it catches in my throat,
you’re still here in me and I can’t set you free. Maybe someday we’ll be
friends forevermore–“
“Stop.” He sang the Art of Letting Go and it made
her stomach churn, her chest tighten. His voice was cracking a bit but the
talent was undeniable. His voice was like an afternoon rain on a hot day.
“Why?”
“I’m getting sadder.” She tried to downplay the
emotion building between them.
“Awww. Me, too.” He follows suit. They were past
that melodramatic phase of a year ago.
“You’re so fond of girly songs. Remember your old
favorite? Shontelle’s T-Shirt?” Ha, ha, ha, they
laugh.
“Newsflash! I’m gay!” he jokes. “What about I sing
you a happy one?”
“That’d be nice.”
“Even nicer if I could sing it to you in person,”
he chuckles.
“Ha-ha, then get your broom and fly off here in San
Jose.” Cebu seems a million miles away.
“Oh I know. You make me smile like no else
can…“ This song ends abruptly. He is really losing his voice.”You’re one
of the few things worth remembering…” “You’re the one who makes me happy when
everything else turns to grey…” He is singing randomly and she does
not interrupt, although confused.
And before he excuses himself for a late
dinner… “It’s hard to say, Liv, but goodbye.” He sings the
words, merely added her name. It was, after all, a Celine Dion song. She hears
the dial tone. Olivia Villojan gives an awkward smile, still clutching the
phone to her ear. What the heck was that? Nathan…
No goodbye hugs. No dramatic walkouts. No last kiss
to remember for a lifetime.
He leaves her with someone new singing to her his
songs… Jonathan Trivilegio – the rainbow in her sky – is history.
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