Chapter 1

Twisted Fate

I always had fear of death ever since I became aware of the clock birthmark engraved on my left palm. I always hate celebrating my birthday because it always serves as a reminder that I'll die young.

My parents told me that among our generations, I am very different because my two clock birthmarks have the same date.

Because of too much curiosity, I tried researching and reading stories and blogs that tackle different painful tragedies.

The first one is a 38 years old woman who had the same case as mine who prepared a wedding the day before she met her other half. Hindi pa man sila nakakarating sa kalahati ng seremonya ng kasal, namatay sa heart attack yung babae.

That day became her happiest and that day also ends everything about her.

Mayroon ring isang lalaki na may kidney failure. He was able to meet his other half because she's the doctor who will perform his operation. The clock birthmark on his left palm already decided his fate so the operation didn't become successful and he also died two hours after.

The worst story I've read so far is all about the story of a policeman and a drug dealer. Nagkaroon raw ng oplan tokhang sa isang masukal na eskinita. Nanlaban ang armadong babae sa kagustuhang makatakas. The policeman defended himself so he ended up killing her other half. Tsaka lang nalaman ng lalaki na s'ya pala yung babaeng nakatadhana para sa kanya kung kailan wala na itong buhay.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip. Ano naman kayang klaseng trahedya ang naghihintay para sa akin sa oras na makita ko ang lalaking 'yon?

"Sweetheart, tell us what else do you want to do?" mom asked worriedly while caressing my hair. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa palad ko.

This is the end for me.

Isang buwan na ang nakalipas at sa tingin ko naman ay nagawa ko na lahat ng gusto ko. I just want to lay here in my bed, waiting for my death.

"Kwentuhan n'yo na lang po ako kung paano kayo nagkakilala ni daddy," nangingilid ang mga luhang sambit ko. I look at above to prevent my tears from falling before facing her.

My mom smiled at me before she started narrating.

"Your dad and I met at the Night Club. Your tita Serene invited me to go there to temporarily forgot my three failing classes in the same marking period. I was just sitting at the couch for two hours, swiping and browsing my i*******m feed. Then, I saw him."

Napangiti ako. Maybe it's time to change my perspective in life. Not all people were given an unlucky fate. My parents are the proof that the clock birthmark's decision can lead to an everlasting love.

"Your dad was sitting on a stool, quietly sipping his beer. He was wearing a white crisp button down longsleeve folded up halfway to his elbows paired with dark trousers. I gave him a quick glance simply because he was finely handsome," she laughed a little, looking back at their first encounter.

"The moment you saw him mom, naramdaman mo bang s'ya na yung taong para sa'yo?" Umiling siya sa naging tanong ko bago nagpatuloy sa pagkwekwento.

"I'm really annoyed when he went to my direction and asked for my number. Your dad is too fast, sweetheart. He's very persistent to get my personal information so I quickly jotted down fake digits."

Napangiti ako, aliw na aliw sa kwentong ibinabahagi ng aking ina.

"And why did you do that?"

"It's maybe because I'm fond of watching romance movies. I mean, why would my fate pick such a wholly unromantic with pulsing music and tipsy crowd place? It's more romantic if we could have meet in the school library or a restaurant. That's when I realize that place doesn't matters if the two of you are really destined for each other. We met in the same bar again three days after. Before the night ends, our fate was sealed."

Halos maiyak naman si mommy sa pagkwekwento. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, nagmahal lang siya ng iisang lalaki. My dad was like her other half. Despite those painful tragedies I've known, I'm lucky enough to witness that not all stories ends in the most painful way.

Napatingin kami kay daddy nang pumasok siya dito sa kwarto. Pinaggitnaan nila akong dalawa bago n'ya hinaplos yung buhok ko.

"What about you dad? When you first saw my mom, are you sure that the clock birthmark on her right palm was identical to yours?"

Tumingin ito kay mommy bago ngumiti. His eyes every time it darted to hers are still the same starting from the very first day I saw it.

"Your mom was exquisite and funny. We shared the same faith and perspective about some certain issues. There are some instances na kapag sobrang lakas ng connection n'yo sa isa't isa, mapapanaginipan mo s'ya. That's what happened to me because I often dreamt about your mom."

"Mommy told me na wala naman s'yang naramdaman sa'yo n'ong una kayong nagkita? Palagi bang gan'on daddy?"

"It's just natural that women won't feel anything when she's already in the same place with her other half, sweetheart. Mas malakas pa rin ang pakiramdam naming lalaki kasi kami dapat ang gagawa ng first move. We should be the one to approached women first."

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko nang malaman ko yung side nila pareho. I just wish that the clock birthmarks in my two palms are not similar. Maybe, I can also have that kind of happiness and experience the feeling of being in love with the right person.

"Thank you for everything, mom and dad. I already feel that it's the end for me. If I'll be given a chance to live my life a-again, I'll s-still choose you as my parents. I l-love you both." I mumbled while trying to hold back my tears.

I faced my mom and give her a peck on her cheek the same way I did with my dad.

Hindi magawang makapagsalita ni mommy at parang anytime, maiiyak na naman ito. I don't want to see them in this kind of situation, kaya't tumayo na ako.

"G-Gagamit lang po ako ng comfort room, sandali," napapaos kong sambit bago lumabas ng kwarto. Before totally leaving, I took a glance at them once again.

Mas lalong bumuhos ang mga luha ni mommy habang yakap yakap s'ya at pinapatahan ni daddy.

Natigil lang ako sa pag iyak nang magregister ang pangalan ni Lissy sa screen ng cellphone ko. My mom and dad is the only person who knows my clock birthmarks. My friends, relatives, Aziel and Lissy had no idea that this will be my last night. I don't want to tell my goodbyes to them dahil gusto kong makita silang masaya bago ako tuluyang magpaalam.

"Si Callie ayaw na naman kumain. She's been like this kaninang umaga pa. What should I do? I think she's getting weak right now." Naiiyak n'yang sambit sa kabilang linya. Hindi na ako nakapagpalit pa ng damit at kaagad ko silang pinuntahan.

I drove the car on my own until I arrived at our apartment near Aestwood College.

Nagmamadali akong pumunta ng kwarto. I saw Lissy in a fetal position. Seeing her situation, I already conclude that she's suffering from menstrual cramps again.

"Lis, are you alright? Do you still have extra pads?" Tumango ito sa sinabi ko na parang hirap na hirap pa rin.

"This is just normal, Relle. Worry about Callie more. I think she needs a check up."

After saying those, I immediately roam around to find our cat. Nakita ko naman si Callie sa kusina habang nakaupo sa may counter table.

Dumapo rin ang tingin ko sa bowl kung saan nakalagay ang pagkain n'ya. Hindi n'ya pa rin ito ginagalaw.

"Callie what's wrong?" I worriedly asked looking at my Persian cat with white fur and large expressive pair of blue eyes.

Like what Lissy told me, I put her inside a cage before going inside my car. I immediately drove my car heading to the pet grooming and veterinary clinic. Pagkarating ko r'on ay kaagad kong hinanap si Dr. Montresor pero isang hindi pamilyar na lalaki ang bumungad sa akin.

He was a bit taller compared to me wearing a pair of dark blue medical scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck.

"G-Good evening. Is Dr. Montresor around?" Nagtama ang mga mata namin. Napaawang naman ang labi ko ng kuhanin n'ya sa akin si Callie nang wala man lang pasabi.

"Tell me what happened," he exclaimed before getting Callie inside the cage. He started checking her eyes.

Hindi naman siguro siya nagmamadali ano?

I wasn't able to give him a quick reply that's why he looked at me again. I tried to compose my thoughts and clear my throat before speaking.

"M-My friend told that she's not yet eating earlier this morning until now. Gusto ko lang sana s'yang ipa-check up kung may problema." 

I watched what he is doing. After checking her eyes, he put his stethoscope in Callie's chest to check her heartbeat. 

"I can't perform my job if you keep staring at me," he glared at me. Napapitlag naman ako dahil sa biglaan n'yang pagsasalita. 

I bit my lower lip. I didn't mean to stare at him. It's just that, ngayon ko lang s'ya nakita sa clinic na ito.

"I-Is there any problem with Callie? Magiging maayos naman s'ya di'ba?" tanong ko na nakapagpatigil sa kanya bago tuluyang humarap sa akin.

"If you will wait there, then I can assure you that she will be alright." Turo n'ya doon sa sofa dito sa loob ng clinic. I don't understand why he's giving me this kind of treatment.

Bakit ba ang sungit n'ya?

Like what he told me, I went to the sofa and sat there. Nang maramdaman ko namang medyo sumasakit yung likod ko, sumandal ako r'on. I don't understand why I suddenly felt very sleepy. Biglang bumigat ang mga talukap ng mga mata ko hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako.

"You need to eat more, baby."

"Good job.”

"Your mom is still sleeping."

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na ba ang nakalipas pero alimpungatan naman ako matapos kong marinig ang boses na 'yon. Napahawak ako sa sentido ko. When I realized that I slept here in the sofa, mabilis akong bumangon.

"Take a good rest, baby." The doctor gently tapped Callie's head. After that, he went to my direction.

"O-Okay na ba s'ya?" nag aalala kong tanong habang nahihiya ng kaunti dahil nakatulog ako dito sa clinic n'ya.

May iniabot s'ya sa aking kapirasong papel.

"These vitamins are for baby Callie. Don't forget to buy it." I felt something strange inside my chest. Bakit n'ya ba tinatawag na baby si Callie e akin lang 'yon?

"She just needs petting. Remember that animals have feelings too. You should always shower them with your attention." Dugtong n'ya pa. Binasa ko naman lahat ng sinulat n'ya na vitamins daw pero wala naman akong naintindihan.

His handwriting is too bad.

Parang kinahig ito ng sampong manok.

I only understand two words at the end of his sentence.

Dr. Alvidarez.

Nang muli akong mag angat ng tingin sa kanya, nakita kong nakakunot ang noo nito habang nakatitig sa suot na smartwatch.

"You slept for almost 4 hours." Napaawang naman ang labi ko sa sinabi n'ya. Tumingin rin ako sa suot kong relo sa pagbabakasaling nagsisinungaling lang siya sa akin.

I thought I was asleep for some minutes only. Bakit naman parang bumilis ang pagdaloy ng oras?

After realizing that the man in front of me wasn’t lying, I immediately search my phone. I have lots of miscalls from dad, mom and Aziel.

And it was already 11:59 pm.

I only have seconds left to enjoy my life.

"You should go home," rinig kong banggit n'ya pa. 

Bigla naman akong napaisip. I never saw any other man this day aside from my dad. The date written on my right palm says that I will meet my other half today.

Does it mean that it was him?

Puno ng pagtatakang nakatingin ito sa akin.

Tumayo ako para umabot man lang hanggang balikat n'ya. I even tiptoed just to reach his lips. I don't know where I get the courage to kiss him. 

That kiss lasted for a couple of seconds. I already told myself for countless times that I don't want to meet him. 

Hindi ko maintindihan yung nararamdaman ko ngayon. I couldn’t control this ecstatic feeling.

These seconds are already enough for me. Atleast, I became happy before I die.

Maya maya pa, biglang tumunog yung phone ko kaya't napakalas ako mula sa pagkakahalik sa kanya.

Hindi naman ako makapaniwala dahil sa nakita ko. It's already 12 am and nothing happened to me.

I didn't die!

"What the fuck did you do?" naiinis na tanong ni Dr. Alvidarez na ngayon ay namumula na ang mga tenga.

Naguguluhan pa rin ako sa mga nangyayari kung kaya't hindi ko s'ya nagawang sagutin.

I looked at my left and right palm and I was so surprised seeing nothing. The date of love and date of my death disappeared. Where are my clock birthmarks?

And what does it mean? 

My fate twisted?