Kim stood up and moved his chair beside me. He reached for my hands under the table and held them tight.
"I'm here. You don't have to be afraid," he said, staring into my eyes to force me to look at him.
I wondered if my reactions were so transparent or if I had a history with this Josh Herra. But my reaction told me I had been into some conflict with him. Addressing me as Jakara further added to my suspicion that I was indeed Jakara. Because If I had an identical twin, I wouldn't have been bothered like this.
"Who is he, Kim? Why does he address me as Jakara?" I asked; my lips were already quivering. I was glad the lights were dim because the people around us would have seen my reaction.
"Don't trouble your mind for now. You're pregnant, and it isn't good for you to worry much."
He released my hands from squeezing, but just when I thought he would already pull them out, he began interlacing his fingers with mine. I no longer realized the romantic part of it; all I wanted was to know who I was.
If I'm indeed Jakara, why don't I remember anything? What happened to me six years ago? Why do my parents and relatives say nothing about this?
"Kim, can you please tell me more about Jakara? Does she look like me? Is she my twin sister?" I dared ask him since my emotion had already welled up inside.
Kim forced a smile and said, "It's a common thing that people would misconstrue you as someone else."
I knew he was just avoiding the issue. But, whether or not he was afraid of stressing me out because I was pregnant, I couldn't care less anymore.
"Look, Kim. Almost everybody here thinks I am Jakara. Even if others keep their opinions to themselves, I can still feel the depths of their gaze."
"Don't stress yourself. Just consider these people as paranoids."
If only we weren't in the middle of a party, I would have argued with him. Since I have started to crack the glass, I might as well smash it into pieces. But Cris stood up and walked towards the center, putting off the fire of courage within me in facing the truth.
He then called everyone's attention and asked us to lend our eyes and ears. The chatters from every table hushed as everyone turned to listen to him.
"I have invited all of you tonight because I want you to be the witnesses of the special event I have arranged for Trish. As you all know, she has become the most special person in my life. Perhaps, you can never imagine how I would allow myself to get hooked by a woman. But as people say that "love comes in unexpected ways," she indeed has got me."
Almost all of the women there squealed and stood up as they gave their rounds of applause. My anger and anxiety also dissipated as my focus shifted to them, allowing my emotion to ride with the current tide.
I looked at Trish, and our eyes met. Even in dim lighting, I could see how she turned pale in one moment and blushed in the next. I wanted to go to her to give her support, but when I tried to stand up, Kim placed an arm around my waist, stopping me.
"Stay here. Cris has other plans for her."
Before I could answer, a piece of romantic music flowed into the air. I then saw Cris taking off a microphone from its stand. And after a short prelude, Cris's beautiful voice filled the air as he sang one of Martin Nievera's wedding collections titled, "You're My Everything."
When my eyes fell subconsciously on the surroundings, I noticed some people arriving and occupying the empty tables outside our space. And because everyone's attention was on Cris, no one else saw their silent arrival. Drawn towards the current momentum, I ignored these people and focused on the couple.
When Cris sang the last chorus, he walked towards Trish and took her hand. Trish's tears were already trickling down her cheeks as Cris led her to the center. Being onion-skinned as I was, my eyes immediately got wet as I watched her smiling with tears streaming down her face.
When Cris finally ended his song, the crowd was still in a daze. No one seemed to notice it as everyone was still mesmerized by the current momentum. He chuckled and placed a finger on her face, wiping the tears away. Trish laughed awkwardly, but her eyes shed more tears than before.
"Trish, I'm sorry that this is a bit hurried," Cris said over the microphone, "but this is because I must complete the project I have started in the UK this year. And I don't want to leave you wondering if I am indeed sincere or not. I don't want this petty thing to ruin our relationship, so that's why I have decided on this."
Expecting to hear another round of squeals, I got surprised when there was none. Instead, everybody gave them their full attention, perhaps too excited to know what's brewing on Cris' mind.
"Trish, I don't want to take more time, so let me ask you this question, "Will you marry me?"
Trish's mouth hung open as more drops of tears rolled into her face, coupled with a round of applause from the crowd. She seemed to have gone blind and deaf to her surroundings since she didn't even glance at us. Even then, she still stood as beautiful as ever, like an overwhelmed beauty queen on her coronation night.
She then threw her arms around Cris's neck then laughed, and cried.
"Of course. Who would ever want to refuse an offer for a lifetime of happiness?"
"Will you marry me then?'" Cris was already laughing, apparently happy at her answer. She could have said yes right away.
"Of course, I'll marry you."
I didn't see their reactions anymore because Kim tugged my arm, drawing my attention from the couple.
"Please go and bring Trish over to that white marquee tent."
I followed the direction of his finger and indeed saw a closed-type marquee tent not far from us. White, lacy curtains adorned its door and windows, making me think it was a bridal chamber.
Before I stood up, a voice floated from the background saying, "The next highlight of our event today will be a short piano concert by a renowned pianist of the country…"
I was still halfway towards the couple when Cris walked her towards me.
"Please, take care of her, Miss Yen."
I nodded, but my mind was wandering over what was going on. Would there be more than Cris's proposal?
A beautiful lady met us at the entrance of the marquee tent. She then guided us inside and had us seated on couches.
"Miss Trish, Miss Yen, I'm Kath, an event coordinator. I'll give you five minutes to change. This one is yours, Miss Trish," she pointed to a cream, silk dress on a mannequin, "and this one's for you, Miss Yen."
I stared at the old-rose colored dress on another mannequin, and I felt that sometime in the past, I had loved this color. Whoever chose this one made my night.
"Miss, what's going on? Why are we dressing up?" Trish and I asked simultaneously, and we broke into
soft laughter as soon as our eyes met.
"I'll explain later, but as for now, we have no time yet."
"Okay." Trish's voice cracked, and I could tell how nervous she was.
"Maybe, Cris and I would have a dance number. But, yen, I'm never good at it."
I stopped and stared at Trish before enclosing her in a tight hug. "Congratulations, Trish! Cris really loves you."
Trish started to sniff and said, "I'm stunned! Do you know that?"
I hugged her back, and before we turned emotional again, Kath's voice interrupted us.
"Your time is almost up, ladies. Mr. Williams has arrived already."
I then remembered Vic saying that Mr. Williams was Jakara's adoptive father.
CHAPTER 6Trish turned and asked me to zip up her dress. I stopped for a second to give her a thorough overall look and I couldn’t help but stick my eyes on her flaunting curves. The body-hugging cream dress that showed her long legs and a big portion of his back, shoulders, and arms made her so stunning that I even imagined her as a real bride. I even wondered if there was a time where Kim was attracted to her.Remembering that Kath was waiting for us, I also hurried to change into the dress prepared for me. I had no idea on the whole plan for the night, but since Cris involved me in this, I expected that I would have an important role later. While looking at myself in front of the huge mirror, my thoughts then went to Mr. Williams and Josh Herra.Who are they? What is their significance in Jakara's life? And why do I seem bothered inwardly even by just the mention of their names?“Miss Trish, Miss Y
Staring at the old man from my seat, I felt something strange inside. It felt like I had already met him and that I had been close to him. Yet, no matter how I racked my brain, I couldn't bring myself to remember a thing about him.What's the problem here, I thought. Is it really me? Why don't I remember them?I glanced at Kim with a questioning look, but thinking it would prompt an emotional outburst, I excused myself and went to the bathroom. Seeing that I was alone, I let go of the tears that were welling inside me. I was so confused.What happened to me five years ago? Why don't I remember any of these? How do I become someone named Jakara? If I indeed married Kim, what caused our breakup? What role does this old man have on me? I have a biological father in my country. So, why does everyone say he's Jakara's father?My questions popped one after another, and they were as many as the teardrops that raced down my cheeks. T
I froze in my seat when I realized that tonight wasn’t just an engagement party but an actual wedding ceremony. I looked at Trish, and I also saw the massive shock registering in her face. Her glowing eyes were now red, and a gentle emotional tug would surely send her to tears.I turned and looked at Kim and his lips twisted into an amused smile. He seemed to read my mind because he tried to explain.“The couple had some arguments lately because Trish has this feeling of insecurities. So when she learned that Cris is planning to supervise his business in the Middle East, she thought that their relationship isn’t going to work anymore, so she broke up with him. Thus, this surprise wedding ceremony. The grand wedding will follow soon.”“Is there a third party?” I asked because a woman won’t easily get insecure if she doesn’t have to compete for attention from a man.“Not really, but Trish took it serious
I couldn’t believe those things Josh Herra said happened to me. I forgot my current situation for a moment, and it felt like I was listening to a radio drama series.“What happened next, Josh Herra?”Before Josh could answer, a loud siren pierced into my ear. Josh fumbled immediately on my handcuff and released me.“Don’t ever make things hard for me because I always have ways,” Josh said as he glanced at the police car blocking our way. Because his driver didn’t even try to escape, so I guess Josh used this incident as just a threat.Josh rolled out the window when a policeman stood by the passenger’s door.“Sir, what’s the problem?” Josh asked in a poker face that I clenched my hands to hold back my urge to slap him.“We received a call that you’re taking a woman with you by force.”Josh scoffed and moved his gaze between me and the police.
I noticed that he didn’t mention Maezy’s name, but I didn’t expose him. What for? We were already both married and had led separate lives, so it’s useless to cry over spilled milk.Perhaps Kim was afraid that I would confront him for marrying the woman who sold me. If he truly loved me before, he should have married someone else and not the one who betrayed our friendship. But I couldn’t question his decisions because it didn’t matter anymore. Things like that could happen to people, even to someone you don’t expect.“Thanks for coming back to me, Yen,” he said, and his hand crawled on top of my right hand, clasping it with his.Tears rolled down from my eyes as I shook my head.“I am already married, Kim. And so you are.”“But you were mine first.”“But it’s in the past.”I heard with my two ears when Josh confronted Kim for stopping him i
We arrived at about six in the evening, but Zed wasn't in the house anymore. He had probably left for his lecture tonight, so I sent him a message to inform him of my arrival."Welcome home, dear. I'm already here in the Bayfront Hotel. Just heat the food I have prepared for you. Don't wait for me anymore since you need to have a good rest."I roamed around the house and wondered how my home with Kim looked like. Perhaps, our few months of staying together had already let us set up a house of our own. And probably, he had turned that apartelle into our residence.A wave of mixed emotion stirred my emotion. Something deep inside had recognized Kim all along, only that I couldn't remember. Since Zed and I were into a seven-year relationship, it only meant that Zed was my first boyfriend and left for Japan when we were in our second year of the relationship. I began to wonder if Zed knew all about my amnesia. And as to why I got it, I still have to discover it.
We had another round of caterpillar rides of pleasure into the ninth cloud. If it were not for Zed, who already knew I was there, I would have laid there until morning. But since I couldn't afford to make him suspect that I was doing something fishy, I went up and took a quick shower."I'll go down to the restaurant and wait for Zed there," I said, looking at Kim, who just lay on the bed, watching me."I'll order food and take you home. You're tired already.""Zed saw me. You know that."Kim sat up and looked at me. "I should be the one acknowledging you as my wife, not him.""I don't have to explain. You know better than me.""Tell him about us as soon as possible," he said, and I got annoyed at how fast he changed his mind.I picked up my bag angrily and slammed the door shut, leaving him staring at me with a frustrated look. The more I indulged him in bed, the more he became possessive.I sat down at the restaurant wit
I woke up later with Zed massaging on my feet. I moved abruptly, shifting into a sitting position, watching him as he pressed the tip of his fingers on the outer side of my soles. It was already past midnight, but his wet hair still sparkled against the light from the ceiling.“Go back to sleep,” he said, smiling affectionately at me.“Just arrived?”“Thirty minutes ago.”I wouldn’t complain or suspect him for anything. I knew very well the nature of his job. After his lecture, the small group meetings would take longer since every group would ask him to speak for another motivational word.“I see, so go to sleep now. You must be exhausted already.”He lay down beside me and pulled me close to him, placing my head on his chest. “I miss you so much.”“Mmmm, miss you, too,” I replied in a sleepy tone, although my sleepiness disappeared the moment he cuddled me