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

He groaned after rolling his eyes. "TSS! I saw it, Athijha." I pouted, then took his hands. Furthermore, I intertwined our fingers and made stared at his hazel brown eyes. My eyes shone 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 illuminated 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. Jeez! I'm freezing!

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

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

I can feel like drooling, but it'll be so embarrassing. He's a 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 check 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 and recognition passed through his bluebell orbs. He took a step backward. 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 on 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 going to 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 looked straight into my eyes. He was astounded when he saw my puffy, tearful eyes.

I was shocked when he gently placed 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 an 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 backward.

"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 pled. 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 a 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, he remembered our past life? Or maybe he time-traveled to see how am I? Right? But my 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 soaked with my tears, the reason why my birth certificate 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 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 bags. I badly need a job.

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 companies when I did my best to answer their stupid questions. I can't remember those job interviewers asks such offensive questions.

"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?"

"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 at a fast pace. "I'm hanging up. Bye, mom. Love you"

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's 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, my dad, and I, 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 to have us guilty. Come on, hug us."

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

I stared at the box on the highest compartment of the shelf. I just decided to clean my whole room and dispose of things I can no longer use. I pulled a chair and placed it near the shelf. I took the box, and it's somewhat surprising that it's not that heavy. I was about to get down when I lost my balance.

"Ahh"

I shrieked. I closed my eyes and felt the box flew out of my hand. I landed on my buttocks, and it hurts like hell. I gently caressed it and opened my right eye.

I hissed. It hurts, especially when I stood up. It feels like my bones just got dislocated. I groaned when I saw how much of a mess that single stupidity has made. Everything that box contains is located everywhere in my room.

I picked up the piles of papers first and laughed when I realized that these are my test papers when I was still studying. And the fun fact is, those are the lowest scores I've got ever since

I checked all my papers and teased myself about how idiotic I was. When I finished checking those papers, I proceeded with the laminated photos. I can't believe I am this ugly and dirty when I was a kid. We also have a family photo when I was a toddler, I think it was taken in a park or somewhere in the countryside.

I flipped the album and my eyes squinted when I saw a picture of me in high school. I think it was our prom night. But I can't see any resemblance of me from that photo. Her skin is tanned and mine is almost as white as snow. She has this chinky brown eyes, while mine is rounded and green. Her hair's blonde and straight, I have wavy obsidian hair. Her nose was pointed and big. Not only that, but her lips are too thin. She's quite short. She's the opposite of me when we're talking about appearance.

I lost grip of the photo album. I gulped and stared at my shaking hands. I sat on the floor and took that photo out of the album. I flipped it and read whatever was written on the paper.

Raeya's prom night. I gulped several times.

She looks like a mom, and she has the same eye color as a dad. I tilted my head and put the album back inside the box. I heaved a deep breath