Eight-digit landline.
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27555)
Philippines
March 12, 2021 2:46am CST
I could still remember our landline in Olongapo City decades back - 2732. The telephone was prohibited use for children. I was the naughty one who disobeyed and dialed all possible combinations - till someone answered and said the police was coming to get me. Duh! Of course that scared me because my disobedience will be discovered.
The landline remained a preference even with the onset of cellphones. I still have one todate.
The telecommunications company added another digit to the landline. Either add 8 before the existing numbers if one avails PLDT or 7 if Globe.
I dialed a church mate's number. The 8 rendered a busy tone. So I pressed 7. Ringing!
A man answered hello. I asked for Tonette. He replied Tonette and his son are living-in separately from them. I was shocked. Tonette has a live-in partner?
He offered to give his son's cp number but asked not to tell it was him who gave the number to me. The call might be important to Tonette.
I clarified the city. The same. Checked the number. Correct except for the 8.
It was a different Tonette. Too late, he has divulged the family concerns already.
I apologized but he said it was all right.
6 people like this
4 responses
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
12 Mar 21
Same here. But the landline is not just connected with the computer but also the electricity. Once there is a power outage, we are dependent on our cellphones.
For all the technology that's has been proven exciting, the landline phone remains cozy enough to cradle on one's ears and heartily carry on with a conversation. This was how I last communicated with my mother ever so tenderly.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
13 Mar 21
@LadyDuck Technology has changed the world but there remain items I prefer old fashion - like the old telephone. Smartphones are smart but it lacks the tender loving way of communicating. Texts messages are reduced to cryptic language. Calls hurried. With the telephone, it seems I could even hear the heartbeat if I listen deep enough.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
13 Mar 21
@eileenleyva Same as your landline. In the past you could call if there was a power outage, no more now, ridiculous!
I always used the landline to call my mother, she used also her landline phone, she said the voice was more clear than using the smartphone.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
12 Mar 21
I still have a landline here. Every house in the apartment has with an extension intercom and it can be used for long-distance calls too.
There are some aspects of our friends and colleagues that is hidden from us and it can come as a shock.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
12 Mar 21
Oh, I didn't make my story clear. It was a different Tonette.
Wait, I will edit.
But true, strange secrets our friends and neighbors keep. I keep many.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
15 Mar 21
@eileenleyva Oh! I see. I guess you would have been relieved to know that it was a different person.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
15 Mar 21
@arunima25 I was indeed relieved to know it was another Tonette. The man I talked to was a bit bothered but when I told him such things do happen to families, he felt better. Turned out he needed to unload his concerns. I felt glad to be of help.
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (19788)
• Indonesia
12 Mar 21
@eileenleyva I memorized it every 4 digit number so it was easy to remember.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
12 Mar 21
@May2k8 Four things that skip my retentive memory - names, faces, birthdays, and communication numbers. I am ashamed of it.
Perhaps it is good to follow your advice and memorize. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
12 Mar 21
Too many numbers in the cellphone I tend to forget mine.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
16 Mar 21
I have a landline. I may end up using my uncle's cellphone when I move into his house.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
24 Mar 21
@JESSY3236 Probably start saving for one. The gadget has become a necessity.
1 person likes this
