CHAPTER 3: REVELATION

Chelsea’s POV

“Five… twenty… one, three, fourteen... you know where to find me” I gently tell her and force a smile before I leave”

Those words keep flashing in my mind. When she said that number, the first person that came into my mind was Dale.

I don’t believe her claims and it was all crazy notions but I couldn’t help it. Half of me says that I shouldn’t believe any of those but half of me also says that I should at least see it for myself.

Grr, what am I doing? I can’t believe I am actually heading to that place.

“Good morning Ms. Chelsea. It’s been a while” the receptionist greeted me with a pleasant smile.

I responded with a smile before releasing a sigh.

I walk in and head to my usual spot but surprisingly, she’s there, sitting on our spot, particularly on Dale’s usual seat.

It made me stop and stare at her for a while until she noticed me snooze out. I regain my composure and approach her.

“You came…” she gently said.

I took the initiative to sit in my usual seat.

“I don’t know why you’re here but you’re taking our spot” I directly and coldly told her.

She smirked before speaking, “You still don’t believe me…”

“I believe you didn’t come here for me and all of this is coincidence,” I told her.

“Come on Seya---”

“Stop! I said don’t call me that! I don’t want to say this but you’re creepy and weird. You’re freaking me out!”

I attracted some of the costumer’s attention after I raised my voice.

[sigh]

A deafening silence took over between us. I couldn’t gather the right words to say after that. There’s a lot going on in my mind. So many thoughts to process.

“Dale… is gone… that is the truth. Whatever the reason why you’re doing this to me, please just cut the crap off. It’s not helping” I broke the silence.

“I don’t play games and I am not definitely trying to play around with your feelings and what you’re going through but… something happened that I can’t clearly explain to you. I’ve been anxious the whole time of how should I tell you what’s happening but it happened. I reincarnated on this woman’s body”

Is it really possible?

Listening to her, I can feel the sincerity in her voice.

“How am I supposed to believe you?”

She took a deep sigh and fixed her position getting herself prepared for the next words that she’s about to spill.

“I don’t have things to show you that can prove who I am but I have my memory with you”

So, I had to ask her things that only the two of us knew.

“When and where did we meet?” I directly asked.

“I can’t remember when exactly was but we met at the bar” he briefly responded.

It was right but that answer does not convince me though.

“When is our anniversary?”

“On the day of my birthday”

“When exactly?”

“January seventeen nineteen ninety-seven we became official. You decided to make my day extra special by saying yes and ending my journey of courtship”

She was smiling while telling me those words and it was all accurate.

“Tell me every secret that only I and Dale shared,” I told her.

I don’t know what else to ask and it seems like she’s going to answer all of my questions with confidence.

“You love dogs---”

“Come on that’s very basic” I cut his words.

“You have a dog named Buff who died a year ago and you starve yourself for a week because you were broken. You hated crowded places because you quiet introvert and a book person. You have claustrophobia and you passed out one time after being stuck in the elevator and that gives you the trauma…”

“You talk a lot about me…” I gently stated, “What about… us?”

She took a sigh,

“Hmm I would give you flowers every month because you love them, this place is our favorite go-to café and the owner of this is a friend of yours.

One summer in August, you lied to your parents that you were going on a vacation just around the country but the next thing that happened was, we were already in Bali. Last year, I was about to celebrate New Year alone but you decided to come over and stay with me for the holiday and that night… it was the first time you initiated to kiss me. I felt butterflies all over my stomach and we…”

“What? What did we do?”

“Do you really want me to say it? We---”

“Okay! Stop!”

I saw her smirk. I remember when Dale used to be playful and loved to see me caught off guard.

All of it was right. Those are some of the memories that we shared together but what if she’s just someone who knew about it and used it for some purpose? Grr, she looks like a decent and established woman. What other motive could it be?

“What about the numbers you said yesterday? How did you know about that and the name you addressed me?”

“I love for a lifetime… that was the meaning of those numbers and you’re the one who taught me that. We say those numbers instead of words whenever we're with a group so we don’t sound too cheesy in front of them and about the name, I made that one from your name. I just thought the name was beautiful a suited you. What else do you want to know?” he asked me back.

While I was left astounded by his confession, I didn’t notice that she was already staring at me.

“You’re a girl---”

“I know. It was crazy right?”

I don’t know what to answer. There’s no perfect word to describe how insane everything this. I’m trying to figure out what could be her motive for doing this but whenever I look at her, she’s very decent and obviously has a lavish lifestyle.

“If you’re a man…, how do you feel living in a woman’s body? You have basically seen that body naked and---”

“It’s not like I want this… “I can sense a little awkwardness in her face, “but… aren’t you happy that we met again?” she seriously asked.

That question made me think. I do pray to see him again but not in this kind of situation. How can I freely express the same affection to him if I am looking at a woman that I don’t even know? How can I love him the same? How am I supposed to accept this?

“When I told you that I felt at ease the moment I saw you, I mean that. Maybe because it was really you, Dale… but… things are… it’s just too hard”

“I know. I understand that’s why I’ll be telling you this. Just let me be close to you and I will show you how much I love you so you’ll experience it again and start to believe me and maybe… you will learn to show me the same love because I want to be loved by you so bad…”

Her voice broke and a drop of water from her eyes slowly brushed down. She started to sob before she continued to speak,

“I want to be hugged, to be kissed, to be cuddled, held hands with… be flustered with your cute little tease on me. I want all of that from you…”

All I can see is pain, in her face, voice, and especially in her heart. At that moment I can vividly see Dale on her. It was the same cry whenever he remembered his parents’ death. I know how much he carries all the burden alone and I want to make sure that he can rely on me and I am ready to be shared with that burden.

In an instant, I feel the need to stand and walk to where she is and hug her. It broke my heart looking at her sobbing in front of me and I feel the need to comfort her.

I didn’t say a word. I just want to make her feel that she’s not alone. I always did it to Dale. I never say a word to comfort him because I am not good at it and it will not help so I will just wrap my arms around him and empathize with him until he feels better.

Dale’s POV

I am on my way to Seya’s house as agreed yesterday. She’s still half way to whether to believe me or not but after she embraced me yesterday, she suggested keeping me close so she can examine whether I was telling the truth and funny thing is, she wanted me to sign an agreement to secure her safety. Well, I can’t blame her for doing that. I think that’s a wise and cautious action.

I entered their house and their helpers were oriented already.

“Good morning, Manang Ja” I greeted the oldest helper in their house.

“Good morning Da--- oh” she stopped after realizing something, “Good morning miss?”

“I’m Aliyah, Chelsea’s friend” I modestly responded.

“Oh… I thought you were someone very close to me. He used to greet me the same way you did so…” she chuckled a bit after saying those words but there’s a trace of sadness on her face.

“Chelsea’s still in her room, she’ll be downstairs in a while and you can wait for her there,” Manang said while pointing out the living area.

“Thank you Manang Ja”

After waiting a few minutes, Chelsea walked downstairs with a paper in her hand. She immediately handed it to me with a pen and without further delay, I signed it.

“You didn’t read it” she stated after sitting in front of me.

“What for?” I asked sarcastically.

[Chelsea scoffs]

“You’re really interesting huh” she giggled.

“Remember that’s how you fell for me” I joked at her.

“Excuse me?” with her brow raised and a face in disbelief.

I couldn’t hide my laughs, “I clearly remember you told me that you were enchanted the very first time you saw me because I look so cool and cold and you find it interesting”

A smirk was drawn on my lips when I noticed her hold back her words. She’s caught off guard.

“Whatever. But you confessed first and probably can’t get over me”

“True” I directly stated.

She stared at me but she immediately looked away and distracted herself I noticed her smile which she tried to hide.

 I really wanted to be close to her but it’ll make her uncomfortable so I must take it slow and soon she’ll accept me.

“Chelsea!!!”

Were both surprised with the loud yell coming from outside and what’s more disgusting is to see Ken enter the door.

“Oh… miss strange woman is here!” he confidently stated like we were close, “Hi!” he said grinning at me.

He sits next to Chelsea, very close to her.

“Can you keep your distance from her?” I told him.

He doesn’t look surprised but he’s giving me a playful face.

“Do you like Chelsea? Are you not straight?”

Even Chelsea looked surprised by the question.

I almost got carried away and forgot that I was a woman in his eyes.

“I just thought that it’s not proper to be that close to someone especially if you don’t have any relationship and the fact that she lost just her fiancée and yet you started flirting with her tsk!”

Maybe I look like a mean frank girl in his eyes right now but I don’t care.

“Woah! How did you know all of that?” he confusedly asked.

“I told her that” Chelsea answered before me.

“Why would you?” Ken asked in surprise, “You should not trust anyone, can’t you see she’s strange?” he said almost in a whisper.

“I can hear you” I butted in.

“Good for you”

“Get lost!” I seriously told him.

“Who the f*ck are you to tell me that?” he’s obviously pissed too.

“I am Chelsea’s f*cking  fianc---” 

“Enough both of you!” Chelsea stood between us, “why are you two suddenly acting so immature?”

She immediately calms down. That is something very impressive of her. She never let her anger take over her and regrets something afterward.

I took a deep sigh and apologized to her. Looking at this idiot in front of me makes me feel sorry in advance because I could kill him anytime now.

“Ken, can you come some other time? I still have business to do with her “Chelsea pleased the idiot.

“Okay. Just be careful with that suspicious woman” he said while looking at me.

“Do you want to die?!” I swear I’m losing patience!!

He just gave me a warning look before leaving the house.

I seriously look at Chelsea, “do you really have to invite him back?” I asked and rolled my eyes.

I noticed her chuckle so I looked back “you really look like Dale when sulking”

“Because I am really him” I coldly said.

Now she’s grinning after I said, “You look cute when you’re jealous”

Somehow those words from her calmed me. It’s good that she’s seeing me even if I am inside this woman’s body.

“I am not jealous. I am just protecting you from him taking advantage of you” but the truth is I was really jealous.

“He’s not that kind of a person you know him. He’s your friend and he respected our relationship” She’s always positive and always looks at the bright side.

“Now that he thought I’m gone, how am I suppose to believe that?” I asked.

“It’ll be up to you”  

Was I out of the line? Too overprotective and harsh?

“I’m sorry” I look down as I am ashamed of how I acted.

“You don’t have to” That calm voice of hers always makes me feel better, “I understand you and you all have the right to be jealous if you are really Dale”

I feel assured and validated. I always have loved the right woman. I am so lucky to be loved back. I could never ask for something more because she’s more than enough but I wasn’t and it makes me mad about myself.

“You, okay? Why are you crying?”

I am? I touched my face yes there were tears. I almost didn’t notice it.

“I am just… grateful that I got another chance to be with you” I casually wipe out my tears.

She didn’t say a word but she faintly smiled. I can’t figure out what’s in her mind but she seems very distracted.

 Chelsea has an appointment today that’s why I can’t stay long so I have to bid my goodbye and wait until when I can see her again.

“I’ll you soon then” I walk close towards her so I can kiss her forehead because that’s the usual thing that I do whenever I leave her home.

Before I got even close, Chelsea stepped back and I finally came back to my senses. I almost forgot that I am not physically Dale.

“Oh! I’m sorry I almost forgot. I’m just used to doing it”

She just smiled and I decided to head to my car and leave. As of now, I don’t know what should I do. Maybe… I know where to go.

I reached my destination and it was quiet and empty. It suddenly looks abandoned.

I entered the gate since it was open and I directly headed to the front door since I knew the passcode, I immediately opened it.

Everything was in place and untouched. I suddenly missed going home to this house and sleeping in my bed.

[door closes]

What the f*ck! Is someone in here except for me? How can someone get in here when all the doors are secured with locks?

I silently went upstairs to check if there was really someone in there aside from me and of course, I had to bring safety weapons just in case. Slowly, as I got up, I saw an open door and it was the door of my room.

I started to feel a bit nervous as I was getting close to the door until I heard soft whimpers from inside. I was intrigued so I sneak and see that there’s really someone in there. She looks familiar.

“Steff?” I gently called her name. She almost jumps out from the bed where she’s sitting and when she turns back to see me, it confirms to be her. Her eyes widened when she saw me. She’s totally in shock and I feel bad about it.