Chapter 13
The recent turmoil gradually subsided.
Hector and I posted our clarification statement, and we once again trended on social media.
The comments were mostly positive, with many praising us.
Some even suggested we start a couple’s account.
Though Hector and I were living under the same roof, we hadn’t been physically close
during this time because we both had been handling too much.
I enrolled in offline self–media and makeup training courses.
He worked long hours, and I was busy with my studies, so we barely had time to meet.
In the evenings, we’d return home to run our respective social media accounts.
We had little time to see each other.
That night, after our names hit the trending list, Hector knocked on my door:
“Can we talk?”
That night, we stayed up talking, discussing the past and the future.
We cleared up the misunderstandings that led to our breakup before, and we confirmed the
direction we wanted to take in the future.
“Then, how about we get back together?”
I leaned into his embrace and nodded.
The next day, we opened our couple’s account.
We made it official!
Just then, I received a call from an unfamiliar local number.
L
Chapter 13
I answered, and a familiar voice came through:
“Joanna, Ruben’s in the hospital again!”
It was Ruben’s friend.
The moment the words left his mouth, my heart seemed to stop for a second.
“What happened?”
“Ruben heard about you announcing things with someone else, and he went drinking at a
bar.
“You know he’s allergic to alcohol. Thankfully, they got him to the hospital in time, or…”
“So, Joanna, can you please come talk to Ruben? He won’t listen to anyone but you.”
I fell silent for a moment, and pushed aside my concern for him.
Switching from my earlier anxious worry, my voice was cold:
“He didn’t die, did he?
“I’ve already broken up with him.
“So please, don’t bother me with this anymore.”
Without waiting for a response, I hung up the phone.
In the hospital room,
“Ruben, I think Joanna has really made up her mind this time.
“Maybe it’s time you let her go. There are so many women in the world, you’ll find someone
better than her.
“All this self–destructive behavior won’t change anything.”
