A WEEK later Randall got a phone call from Eilyas.“Is there any update?” he asked as he answered the call.“I have all the information you need right now.”He closes his eyes for a moment. Can he accept whatever the result is? What if it leads to a misunderstanding between him and Meredith?“Dude, are you still there?”He came back to his senses when he heard his friend’s voice.He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah! Let’s meet at our old hang-out place. “Okay,” Eilyas responded before hanging up the call.“DUDE, I think you and Meredith are really the reincarnated souls of Clayton and Barbara.”“H-how did that happen?”Eilyas handed him the brown envelope. “Everything you need to know is inside that envelope.” When Randall opened it, the first thing that caught his eyes was a ripped and old photo of a girl sitting on the sofa. Barbara.That’s the woman he sees in his dreams. Behind that, he could clearly see the bed that he thought was in a room or condo where that photo was
WHEN Randall arrived at his condo, he immediately hugged his wife. He could no longer hide his tears and sobs. He was very afraid that if he let go of her, she would also disappear. And he didn’t want them to end up like Barbara and Clayton.“Randall, w-what’s going on? Why are you crying?” Meredith asked after breaking their hugs.“I-I already know the reason why Clayton and Barbara keep appearing in our dreams. Clayton is—”“Shhh. . .” She stopped what he wanted to say.She held both of his cheeks and gently wiped away his tears. “You don’t have to tell me if you can’t.”“But—”“If I find out about Barbara and Clayton’s history, will it change our lives?” she asked. “Randall, if you think your findings are going to hurt both of us, maybe it’s better if we just forget all about it,” she added when she didn’t get any response from him.He was stunned for a moment. Surely the relationship between the two of them will be destroyed. And that is something he does not want to happen. Tha
“WHO told you to tamper with my other stuff, huh? I told you to get my wallet only,” Meredith’s mother yelled angrily as she stormed into the room, hastily grabbing the photo and placing it back in the box.”“I-it fell while I was searching for your wallet, mom. I had no intention of tampering with your other stuff.“But you still shouldn’t tamper with things that aren’t yours! Get out of my room now and buy what I’m asking you to buy!” Mrs. Ebelte said, tremblingly returning the contents of the box.“Mom, are you okay? You’re shaking.”“I said get out of my room, now!”Meredith just did what her mother wanted and didn’t ask anymore about what she saw. She couldn’t understand why her mother suddenly reacted like that. Who’s the man in the photo and the baby he was holding?A few hours later, Meredith returned to their shop and didn’t talk to her mother. She was afraid of being yelled at again. Until her mother approached her. “I-I’m sorry if I yelled at you earlier. I-I didn’t mean t
“W-WHAT did you say?” Mrs. Briones asked.“Randall!” Ranier interfere.The Abuela looked at her son as if he was the one to blame why Randall found out about Barbara.“Did Dad tell you anything about her?” he asked.Randall shook his head. “No one told me about her.”Ranier and Mrs. Briones looked at each other, perplexed by what was going on.He knelt in front of his Abuela and held her hand. “I’m sorry!"The old lady frowned. “W-why are you apologizing, grandson?”“Barbara died because of me. . .”“Grandson. . . what are you saying I-I don’t get you.”He closed his eyes, causing all of his tears to fall. Randall couldn’t understand himself at the moment, either. He no longer appears to be the one speaking. “Because of my fear, she was able to take her own life—”“Randall! This is not the right time for you to make up stories,” Ranier retorted fiercely.“No, Dad! I’m not creating a story! Everything that happened to Barbara and Clayton was witnessed by me!” he said, surprising his fa
“THIS place. . . It seems familiar to me.” Meredith said when Randall took her to a park where Christmas Lantern was now being held.Every year, that place is opened for families that want to spend Christmas together. And she had never been there before.'Barbara and Clayton used to go there on Christmas day,’ Randall wanted to voice out but he didn’t.“Did you like it?” he asked instead.“Of course! I like this place! It’s so beautiful!”“Like you,” he added.She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you collecting our debt that’s why you’re flattering me so much?”“Debt? I don’t recall you owing me anything.” “Hey! I’m not joking around here.”“Are we going to fight over that matter again?”“But—”“Fine! If that makes you feel better, then just pay the interest so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.”She turned to face him right away. “Interest? I thought you weren’t going to charge us interest on our debt?”“I’m sorry to inform you, but I’ve changed my mind.”She folded her arms. “
“STILL busy with your training?” John Person’s father asked when he arrived at their house.He tiredly dropped his body on the sofa. “Yeah! We need to maintain our title that’s why we need to work harder because we’ve heard that our opponent swims like a sailfish.”Sailfish are considered the fastest fish in the ocean.“Are you sure you can compete?”“Why? Have you lost faith in me, dad?” he joked.His father shook his head. “Well, I’m a little bit guilty because you’re still studying yet I trained you right away in running our company.As a swimmer, one of the things they need to consider is their health. Particularly, proper sleep. Adequate rest improves the body’s reflexes.And for him, it’s really hard to sleep when your heart is at war with your mind.“Are you worried about me, thinking of her all the time?” he asked.“Of course, I will! You’re my only son, remember? My sole heir. Especially now that your memories have returned.”“My mind and heart are at odds. My heart tells me
“CONGRATULATIONS!” Meredith happily congratulated Randall when the BSU Swimming Team won the championship before the end of the year.The Championship was also held at BSU because it has the largest Swimming Pool among all the Universities in the country.Randall released himself from the hug to kiss Meredith on her forehead. “Thank you! I wouldn’t have won if it wasn’t for my lucky charm.”She frowned. “Lucky charm? What lucky charm is that?”He put his arm around her waist. “It’s not what, it’s who!”She narrowed her eyes at him. “Who is it then?”“Seriously?! Who else could be my lucky charm? Of course, you!”She flushed and couldn’t help but smile because he only meant one thing: she was his inspiration for winning the competition.“Help!” That scream drew their attention from the deep pool.“Shanaia!” Meredith shrieked when she saw Shanaia drowning.Randall was about to jump when his Captain got ahead of him.Meredith’s chest was filled with fear and trepidation as she saw her fr
“THIS will be your room. I hope you’ll like it,” John Person said when they reached Shanaia’s room in their own house.They went straight to the house their parents bought for them after they started dating. They should get married first before living there, but they decided to live there ahead of time. “Of course, I like it! Who wouldn’t be if all I can see is my favorite color?” she answered and sat on the soft bed.John Person smiled. “Well, that’s good to hear! My room is right across from yours, so if you need anything, just say so, okay?”“Okay!”Since they are not married yet, their rooms will be separate for the time being. There are three rooms in the house, but the master bedroom is locked. They will use it when they are married. He was about to leave her room when Shanaia asked something. “Hey! Why is the pool empty?”Shanaia is currently looking out the window and she could see the pool from there.”“I decided to remove it after your drowning incident.”“What?! But, why?
“I’M SORRY, Randz, but I can’t marry you,” she replied and runaway.Even their friends, relatives, and guests were taken aback by Meredith’s response.“W-why can’t you marry me?”Meredith is deafeningly silent, unable to face him.“Answer me, please! Give me an acceptable reason why you can’t marry me!” Randall yelled, couldn’t accept the fact that he was rejected.Meredith took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears and face him. “Because you don’t really love me.” Meredith’s emotions were mixed as fear dominated her heart. It seems that her dream about the red thread that Randall cut in her dream came back to her vision.“Mer, that’s not true! I do love you! Can’t you feel it?!” Randall said as his tears escaped his eyes.She sobbed and shook her head. “Y-you’re only saying that because of Barbara and Clayton’s red thread that is connects us.”Her mother and Rebecca covered their mouths at what she said. Even their friends looked at each other, couldn’t believe that she had b
“MEREDITH?” Ranier was taken aback as Meredith and Editha entered their house. He couldn’t believe that he would see them so soon. He thought that it would be difficult for him to talk to them again. “Where is he?” Meredith asked, worriedly. “He’s inside his room.” Meredith was on her way to Randall's room when she became stunned and closed her eyes. Barbara’s soul appeared in her body once more. She opened her eyes after a few seconds and turned to face Ranier. “Brother! F-forgive me. It’s all my fault. If it wasn’t for me, the people around me wouldn’t have been hurt. I deeply regret being weak and selfish back then. Ranier hugged her back. “Shhh... It’s okay, Barb. I know how you feel. But, please, help and guide my son, your nephew, to be strong. Don’t let him take his own life. I was so damn hurt by losing you then that I can’t bear it if I lose my son as well.” She released herself from his embrace and nodded. “Don’t worry, brother. I will fix everything I was left behind.
“SISTER MARIA!” Editha said as she hugged tightly the nun she considered her real mother. Sister Maria hugged her back. “Oh! Thank God! You’ve finally come! I have waited so long for your visit.” Editha let go of the hug. “I’m sorry, there’s so much happened in the past years. The nun smiled as she looked next at Meredith. “Is she your daughter?” Editha nodded and introduced her only child. “Hi, Sister Maria. Glad to see you,” Meredith said as she took Sister Maria’s right hand and gently struck it to her forehead as a show of respect of every young Filipino for the elderly.” “It was nice to finally meet you, Meredith. You grew up beautifully. You look exactly like your mother,” she complimented. She looked at her mother for a moment then thanked her. “Let’s go inside. I’m sure the other nuns would be pleased to meet you as well.” They were then escorted inside the orphanage. “Was it you, Mom?” Meredith inquired as Sister Maria gave her a photo of her mother when she was young
AFTER their conversation at the Condo unit of Barbara and Clayton, Randall went home to the mansion with his family. They were currently resting in the living room when they suddenly heard a noise outside.“Walter! What is going on out there?” Don Warrick asked.“Mrs. Ebelte is currently causing a commotion outside. She wishes to speak with you.”They all exchanged glances..“Don Martial! Get the hell out of there! Face me!” Editha yelled at the top of her lungs.Randall appeared at the gate shortly.“Mom!”“Where’s your grandfather?! I want to talk to him!”The adults, including his father, rushed after him.“Relax, Mrs. Ebelte. And with all due respect, Ma’am, don't cause a commotion here,” Ranier remarked.Editha was about to approach General Marcial when Randall grabbed her arms.“You, ruthless man! How dare you manipulate our lives, huh?! You are not even satisfied with what you did before! My brother died because of you, and then you’re going to mess with my daughter too? Leave
“WHERE are we? Why did you bring me here? Who’s unit is this? Don’t tell me you’ve moved out of your condo?” Meredith asked Randall when he took her to an unfamiliar condo.But Meredith’s guess was wrong. That unit is the place where Barbara and Clayton’s dark past happened.“Don’t you remember this place?” he asked back.She looked throughout the entire condo. “Y-yeah. This place is quite familiar to me, but how did you know that this was the place?” He held both of her hands. “I told you before that I know the whole truth, didn't I?”She nodded. “However, I also told you that it doesn’t matter what happened in the past if we know it will only affect our marriage.”Randall closed his eyes. “But my conscience won’t let me sleep anymore! Especially you! As long as you dodge the truth, your dreams will keep hunting you. I also want this to end so we can start anew.” “I-I don’t understand what were you saying. Our relationship is getting stronger so why did you suddenly say it so that
“LET’S GO?” John Person said when he picked up Shanaia in her room.Shanaia didn’t respond but she handed him her bag. After that, he clasped their hands but stopped when he noticed that missing in her hand.“Where’s your ring?” he asked.Shanaia looked at her ring finger. “Oh, maybe I left it in my bathroom when I took a shower this morning,” she excused.She actually meant not to wear it anymore. She put it back in its case. She feels like it’s useless.“Is that so?”“Hmm.” John Person didn’t ask any more questions until they reached his car in the BSU parking lot.NIGHT came and Shanaia just finished taking a shower. She was about to close the lampshade and ready to sleep when her eyes caught the goggles she had ordered for JP who arrived yesterday. She took it, removed the cover, and looked at it.She was debating with herself whether to give it to him or not. But in the end, the latter prevails so she put the goggles back in the box. She will just give it to him tomorrow.One ho
“WHAT are you doing, Shan? Don’t tell me you’re going to order something online again.” Meredith asked when they reached their room at BSU.“It’s not for me this time, okay? I’m just turning the favor because I realized that I haven’t given him a single one yet.”“As far as I remember, there’s still five months until his birthday.”“I know! But that’s not the case. He still gives me gifts even when there is no occasion. I just want to return what he does for me. Just help me, okay? So any idea what thing your cousin wants to have for a long time?”Meredith thinks for a moment. “Well, I'm not sure what kind of gift he wants, but if you're going to give him a gift, it should be something he can use all the time. But knowing my cousin, he will accept whatever you give him, wholeheartedly.”“Okay! Now I have an idea. Thanks, Mer! ”Until something stole Shanaia’s attention, a black no leaking anti-fog UV protection swimming goggles with free protection case worth thirty thousand pesos.WH
“LEX, can we talk?” Marylex stopped when she saw the woman that made her not to trust Typhoon again. “M-Maureen?” She looked at her friends. They nodded in agreement to what Maureen’s wanted, that’s why she come with her so they could talk alone. When they arrived at the cafe near BSU, she opened up to her. “Did you and Phoon fight?” she asked. She nodded. “He doesn’t even want to tell me why he had to leave me just to see you.” “It’s not that he doesn’t want to. I told him not to tell anyone about what was happening to me that day.” She frowned. “What do you mean?” “First and foremost, I don’t want you to think that I met you today because he requested me to. I’m here in front of you because I don’t want you to mistrust him solely because of me, therefore I’d want to share my side because it saddens me as well every time I see him sad.” She nodded, indicating that she was ready to listen. “I called him that day because my boyfriend and I had fought,” she explained. “Phoon
“PHOON...” Marylex wakes up Typhoon for the nth time. “You have to wake up so you can change your clothes,” she added. He groaned. “Hmm...” “You have to wake up,” she whispered. “L-Lexi?” he said weakly with a raspy voice. “Can you sit up slowly?” “I-is that really you?” She nodded. “H-how did you know that—” “Edward told me that you’re sick.” Despite his situation, he tried to smile at her. “T-thank you for coming here—” “Shhh... Don’t force yourself to speak. Just do what I say, okay?” He nodded that’s why she quickly help him to sit down and lean his back on the pillow she placed on the headboard. “I’ll change your shirt first, okay?” she asked permission. When he nodded, she slowly removed his shirt. And when she was done, she looked at his newly washed boxer shorts. She wondered if she would also change his pants or not. “L-let me change my pants,” Typhoon said as he grabbed the shorts. “A-are you sure you can change your pa—” She didn’t finish what she wanted to