Todos los capítulos de The Name He Wasn’t Supposed to Remember: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

The first time Nathaniel Vale called my name, I knew something was wrong.Not because he said it.But because he wasn't supposed to remember it.“...Elena.”Napahinto ako sa pag-aayos ng mga dokumento sa ibabaw ng mahogany desk.For three seconds, wala akong ginawa kundi tumingin sa kanya.Nathaniel was lying on the hospital bed, a small cut near his forehead and his right hand wrapped in bandages.His face was unusually pale.Pero kahit may mga pasa sa mukha niya, intimidating pa rin siya.The same man who could silence an entire boardroom with one look.The same man who had never called me by my first name in the three years I'd worked for him.“Sir?”Bahagya niyang iminulat ang mga mata.Then he looked at me.Not like an employer looking at his assistant.Not like a man looking at a stranger.He looked at me like he had been searching for me.For years.“Where... have you been?”Napakunot-noo ako.“I've been here, sir.”“No.”Mahina ang boses niya.But certain.“You left.”I swallo

Kinabukasan, bumalik ako sa hospital.Hindi dahil gusto kong makita si Nathaniel.At least, iyon ang paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa sarili ko.I needed answers.After everything that happened last night, lalo lang dumami ang tanong sa isip ko.Sino ang tinutukoy ng lalaking pumunta sa bahay namin?Bakit sinabi niyang dapat patay na ako?At higit sa lahat—ano ang nangyari noong gabing nasunog ang bahay na hindi ko naman maalala?Pagbukas ko ng pinto ng hospital room, agad kong nakita si Nathaniel.Nakaupo siya sa kama.Wala siyang kausap.Walang nurse.Just him.At nang magtama ang mga mata namin—bigla siyang natahimik.“You're here.”Isinara ko ang pinto sa likod ko.“Yes.”Matagal niya akong tinitigan.“You shouldn't be.”Napakunot-noo ako.“That's exactly what your uncle said.”Biglang nagbago ang expression niya.“What?”“Your uncle.”Tumayo siya.“Which uncle?”“I don't know his name.”“Describe him.”“Matangkad. Gray hair. He was at the office before.”Naging seryoso ang mukha ni

Hindi ako makagalaw.Nakatayo lang ako sa gitna ng hospital room habang nakatitig sa lalaking nasa doorway.Hindi ko siya kilala.At least, hindi ko siya kilala sa buhay na naaalala ko.Pero may kung anong parte sa akin na gustong lumapit sa kanya.Parang may pamilyar sa mukha niya.Parang matagal ko na siyang nakita.“Mia…”Napasinghap ako.Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko mula sa kanya, may kung anong kumirot sa dibdib ko.“Who are you?”Hindi niya agad sinagot.Sa halip, tumingin siya kay Nathaniel.“Still protecting her?”Tumigas ang panga ni Nathaniel.“Leave.”“Twenty years, Nathaniel.”Mababa at kalmado ang boses ng lalaki.“And you're still making the same mistake.”“What mistake?”“Believing you were the one who saved her.”Napatingin ako kay Nathaniel.“What is he talking about?”Hindi siya sumagot.“Tell her.”Nanatiling nakatitig ang lalaki kay Nathaniel.“Tell her what happened that night.”“Not here.”“Then where?”Napuno na ako.“Stop.”Par

“Mia Vale.”Paulit-ulit na umikot sa isip ko ang dalawang salitang iyon.Parang hindi pangalan.Parang kasinungalingan.O isang bagay na matagal nang pilit ipinabaon sa akin.Napatingin ako kay Nathaniel.“Vale?”Hindi siya sumagot.“Nathaniel…”He looked at the report again.“Hindi ito possible.”“Bakit?”“Because my father only had one child.”Napahinto ako.“You.”Tumango siya.“So if I'm a Vale…”“Then something is wrong.”Napatawa ako nang mahina.“Something?”Napatingin ako sa kanya.“Everything is wrong.”Tahimik siya.I looked at the security officer.“Can I see the original file?”Nagkatinginan sila ni Nathaniel.“Please.”Iniabot sa akin ng officer ang folder.Binuksan ko.My hands were shaking.Name: Mia Vale.Date of Birth: October 14, 2001.Napakunot-noo ako.I looked at Nathaniel.“That's my birthday.”“I know.”“Father: Adrian Vale.”“That's my father's name.”My throat tightened.Then I saw another line.Mother: Unknown.Napahinto ako.“Why is my mother's name missing?

“If he's your brother…”Hindi ko natapos.Parang hindi ko kayang sabihin nang malakas ang tanong na biglang nabuo sa isip ko.Nathaniel was still staring at the photograph.His fingers were trembling.“Then whose body did they bury that night?”Tahimik.Walang sumagot.Hindi man lang gumalaw si Nathaniel.“Nathaniel?”He finally looked at me.“I don't know.”Napabuntong-hininga ako.“Of course.”“Mia—”“Don't.”I turned away.“I'm tired of hearing that.”“What?”“I don't know. I can't remember. I'm trying to protect you.”Napalingon ako sa kanya.“Everyone keeps saying the same things.”My voice cracked.“But no one is actually telling me the truth.”Lumapit siya.“I want to.”“Then do it.”“I can't tell you something I don't know.”“Then help me find out.”His eyes stayed on mine.“I will.”“Promise?”Natigilan siya.Parang may kung anong tumama sa kanya nang marinig ang salitang iyon.“Promise.”Biglang may pumasok na memory sa isip ko.Isang maliit na kamay.Isang bata.At isang pa