Chapter 2

I run as fast as I could and jumped into the closing door of the subway train. I clenched my fist, threw my gaze outside the window. I saw him watching the train from the distance of more than ten meters.

I turned my back quickly when he smiled, bit his lower lip and quickly wiped his tears with the sleeves of his hoodie.

“Athijha”

“Remember me, baby. Please, baby. Remember me.”

“Jha, if one fucking year is still not enough, then be mad. Slap me again, voice out the curses running in your head, baby. Hurt me.”

I'm literally walking like a rotten vegetable, unconsciously repeating the statements he blurted at that encounter.

I carefully closed the door and leaned on it. My knees are trembling, so I just gave up and let myself fall on the floor.

“Athijha,” I blurted.

He called Athijha, similar to how the kid in my dreams. Maybe, maybe, he remembered our past life? Or maybe he time-travelled to see how am I? Right? But may name in this life is Raeya.

I tearfully nodded, but shook my head when my lids gave up from holding the tears back.

Shit! Who the hell am I fooling? He clearly stated that something terrible happened a year ago! He called me Athijha!

I forced myself to stand up and headed to the drawer containing the files my mother had given me one day when I woke up on my bed with my body aching.

Milton, Raeya Alcazar. That's my name, and it's written on my birth certificate, and it's not fake.

I stared at the piece of paper. Watched it get soak with my tears, reason why my birth certificate's has a lot of blotches. I clenched my fist, not minding if I'll destroy whatever piece of shit with lies I am holding.

I don't know what to believe. I threw the paper and pulled my hair. I covered my mouth to stop myself from creating loud sobs, since I can't control them anymore.

I crawled onto my bed without any strengths but with a heavy heart and a confused mind.

I woke up feeling tired and empty. It's already ten in the morning. My parents are probably off to work by now. No chance to talk to them. I stared at my reflection. My eyes are puffy, and my face obviously looks tear-stained. I look like a beggar.

I went to the toilette, did my morning routine. My eyes are less puffy now, and I look presentable.

I am wearing a simple white long sleeves and an acid black pencil skirt four inches above the knee paired with four inches, black pumps. I pulled my hair up and tied it in a messy bun style.

I put some makeup on to cover my dark eye bugs. I badly need a work.

I confidently walked on the street like no one's watching. Ugh, I suddenly want to be a runway model. I wasn't hired in the first, second, third and fourth company when I did my best to answer their stupid questions. I can't remember that job interviewers asks such offensive question.

“I ever I'll hire you as my new secretary, are you willing to be laid by me?”

Like, big iww! That dork looks even older than my grandfather! Is he even aware that he looks like a corpse who rose from his tomb just now?

And I remember answering, “How about you, old hag? Are you willing to die and become your wife and child's meal? Though, I'm sure your dog will be the one to benefit the most. Fucking skeleton.”

Damn, when I was out of their building, I laughed my ass out like there's no tomorrow.

I enjoyed my lunch in that small eatery. Filipino cuisine really tastes great! Their caldereta tastes like freaking heaven in hell!

I sat on the bench right across the last company I have in mind. I watched the people come and go. I was about to line up when the rest of the employees left. I bit my lips, I guess I came too late. I finished my burger before I stood up.

I was about to walk when I felt my phone vibrated from my pocket.

Mom calling…

“Mom? Why did call?”

I was about to head to the subway station when I remembered what had happened hours ago.

I gulped and booked a cab instead. Just after I closed the cab's door and my eyes darted on the black Porsche a man was leaning on it, it'the same man I met last night. I'm not certain, but it feels like he's looking at me, feels like he's trying to melt me with his melancholic eyes. I looked away as the cab moves on.

Furthermore, I shoved that thought away and just minded the things I should.

“Oh my gosh, dad!” I screamed. I run and jumped to hug him. “I'm so proud of you!”

He chuckled. “Oh, you should, Raeya. Your father just got promoted.”

“Then, am I allowed to join the showbiz?” I playfully asked, but hopeful for a positive answer.

“Hmm, is my daughter planning to ruin the mood?” He retorted with a pout.

Ouch.

“Dad, I'm just kidding. We've talked about this a lot of times, right?” I let out a short laugh.

He nodded. “That's my girl.”

“So, where's mom?”

“Are you lost, darling? I was just in the kitchen, preparing our dinner, my husband, and my daughter's favorite meal,” She proudly presented her well-designed meal on a silver platter.

We, me and my dad, clapped in glee.

“Bon appétit” We said in chorus.

“Mom, this is delicious!” I complimented, well, dad agreed.

“Chill, people. It's just me,”

We laughed like there's no tomorrow. We talked about random things we usually ignore since they're busy. I'm glad they made time. We sang at the karaoke machine and bet on our scores. Freak, my highest score is just 93, but dad got a perfect score! He doesn't even know how to do falsetto!

“Yaaah! That's not fair!” I pouted.

“Come on, darling, accept your defeat. Your father's better when it comes to singing.” Mom teased me.

“Better luck next time, Rae.” Dad winked at me and laughed annoyingly.

I pouted.

“You guys are such a bully. You should be babying me, I'm your only daughter.”

“Aww, our baby's trying have us guilty. Come on, give us a hug.”

I pouted and slowly walked towards them. We exchanged I love yous. This is such a very great moment.

“Rae, darling. Come home before six, okay? Your father's just got promoted,” She squealed and so did I. “I'm cooking California Taki, okay?”

“Oh my gosh! I'm going home now,” I fixed my things and started walking in a fast pace. “I'm hanging up. Bye, mom. Love you.”