"Oh my gosh, look," I shrieked in glee when I saw the result. "A dove flew out of the hat!" I giggled and clasped my hands.

He groaned after rolling his eyes. "Tss! I saw it, Athijha." I pouted then took his hands. I intertwined our fingers and made stared at his hazel brown eyes. My eyes shoned in happiness when I saw how astonished he was with what I have done.

"I'm so thankful when I got to meet you," I jumped and hugged him. I whispered the words I never knew I was capable of saying. "I accept my defeat."

I sat and clenched my chest when I woke up like I just joined a marathon. I'm panting, I can't seem to catch my breath. I wiped the tears that streamed on my cheeks after dreaming of that scene again.

This is not the first time that I've dreamed of that. Every night, when the dimmed sky is iluminated by thousands of stars with the moon which is the brightest among the lights and stands out in the breathtaking sight.

Athijha, that's what that kid calls me but I'm aware that my name is Raeya. My birth certificate won't lie, will it? Maybe that's my name in my past life?

I peeked outside the window and it's still dark. I took my black hoodie after tying my hair up.

I jumped out of my window to avoid unnecessary attention from my parents who are sleeping right before my room.  I was chewing gum when I hid my palms in my pants pocket. The weather is too cold. Geez! I'm freezing!

I rode the subway train after a long walk and started reciting the elements of periodic table in my mind to avoid my boredom.

I unconsciously tilted my head and looked at the right side. A man who looks six feet tall is leaning at the subway's door caught my attention. He literally stood out the crowd.

I can feel like drooling but it'll be so embarrassing. He's hunk, handsome and looks mysterious especially now that he seems not to care about everything and everyone around him. His buttocks... oh my gosh! Did I just checked him out? I blushed with that thought.

I was about to avert my gaze when he caught my eye. I almost jumped out of surprise and gulped when I saw longing ang recognition past through his bluebell orbs. He took a step backwards. His mouth agape open but no words came out of his mouth. What creeped me out was the way he looked at me. It's as if he knows me but I know I'm not familiar with him. So when the subway stopped, I almost sprinted out of it.

Before I could even take my fifth step, someone grabbed me by the arm and pulled me.

"Hey! Who the hell are you?!" I yelled and tried to escape from his grasp.

My tears threatened to fall when I realized it was the same man I encountered in the subway train.

"W-where are you taking me?" My voice trembled.

We stopped where the light is dimmed compare to where I was planning to go, far away from the crowd.

I started sobbing when I imagined the worst scenario that might happen right here, at this moment. I can be raped, or worst, be killed.

"Y-you, who are you?"

Oh, I'm not aware that if someone's gonna commit a crime they'll ask the victim's name first.

"Who are you?!" I jumped in mixed fear and surprise when he yelled.

He grabbed my shoulders and and looked straight in my eyes. He was astound when he saw my puffy, tearful eyes.

I was shocked when he gently place his palms on my cheek, side by side. He brushed my streaming tears away.

"I'm sorry," He planted a soft kiss on my forehead. It sent me electric shock that made me shiver from my spine down to my toes.

I pushed him away.

"Athijha," He attempted to get closer.

"Stop, don't get any closer," I looked at him in the eye.

"What do you want?"

"Athijha, this is me. Can't you remember me, baby?" His voice broke and attempted to take a step again.

I stopped him and stared blankly. "I am not Athijha! And please, who the hell are you?!"

"Jha, I know you're just pretending that you don't know me. That you can't remember me. Please, baby." He gently took my hand but I shoved his and took several steps backwards.

"What are you talking about? I'm not Athijha!"

"Remember me, baby. Please, baby. Remember me."

"I don't even know you!"

"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." He plead. His eyes were like waterfalls. Warm liquid streamed on his cheeks while trying to reach for my hand again.

"Stop calling me baby!" I yelled and run away. I looked back. I sighed in relief when I confirmed that he's not following me anymore.

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, just like 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 gave 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 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 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 a four inches, black pumps. I pulled my hair up and tied it in a messy bun style.

I put some make up on to cover my dark eyebugs. 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!

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?"

"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."

I was about to head to the subway station when I remembered what happened. I booked a cab instead.