Chapter 2

Charlotte's POV:

"TOLOGO?! THAT DUMBAS* TALAGA! Do you want me ba to p****k my heels on his head like malay niyo 'di ba? 'Yon lang pala need niya to bring his memories back.", reaksyon ni Althea nang magkwento ako sa kanya tungkol sa nangyayari sa amin ni Zach.

Take note, hinubad niya heels niya para ipokpok sa ibabaw ng mesa as demonstration.

"Di kaya lumala beb?", agaw ni Bleu sa heels ni Althea upang ibaba ito mula sa lamesa.

Stress na stress na napahawi ng buhok si Theang, mas stressed pa siya sa akin eh.

"I mean, we know that he lost his memories but how can he change that drastically? How can he treat our Charlotte that badly? 'Pag talaga nakasalubong ko sa daan husband mo beb, kahit kaibigan ko rin 'yon, I'll throw my heels to his head and I'll make sure it's sapul.", inis na inis na bulyaw nito, namumula pa nga buong mukha niya.

We are actually outside, eating our lunch together. We spend time na magkakasama if nagma-match schedule namin. We're all married, we all have our own things to handle kaya hindi na katulad ng dati na nagkakaroon kami ng marami na oras na magkasama. Lalo na si Bleu na may tatlong anak na inaalagaan.

"Me and Dave kasi we're not planning on having a baby pa talaga, but Charlotte darling, I know na gusto mo na bumuo ng pamilya. Why does it seem ba na Zach is avoiding you?", nakakunot noo na ani ni Althea.

Napahalumbaba si Bleu na tila ba ay nag-iisip.

"Yeah, that's weird. Hindi kaya dahil gusto niya 'pag may nangyari sa inyo ay bumalik na alaala niya?", Bleu's two cents.

Napaisip din tuloy ako. If that's the case, kailan pa? Baka mahirapan na akong manganak niyan eh.

"That actually makes sense, sweetheart. Though almost a year na kayong kasal and living together, since Zach hasn't regained his memories yet, baka he's still trying to adapt. It's awful to say this after throwing tantrums kanina pero we're all strangers to him because he remembers none of us. Kahit na we've been with him simula no'ng magising siya, baka uncomfortable pa siya gawin 'yong deed with you.", mahabang eksplenasyon ni Althea.

Tinignan ko si Bleu na napatango.

"But... He should've seen this far the moment na nag-propose kay Charlotte 'di ba?", Bleu blurted out.

"Yeah... I mean he proposed to you, what you're asking comes with marriage, he might have lost his memories pero he's not stup*d to not think that far.", Althea.

Ano ba naman 'yan, mas lalo akong nalilito.

"Argghhh ewan ko! Hindi ko rin alam. Naguguluhan na rin ako.", I groaned.

Napagulo ako ng buhok sa inis eh.

"Ganito nalang! Later tonight... Why don't you try setting the mood? Like try tempting him or something... Test how far he can hold himself in.", suhestiyon ni Althea, napahampas pa siya ng medyo kalakasan sa ibabaw ng mesa.

"All you did was to ask him to do it with you, you never really tried seducing him.", dagdag nito.

"Tama, nakalimutan mo na ba? You tried seducing him before to make him yours.", nakangising singit ni Bleu.

Napakain naman ako sa buong bibig ko nang maalala ang mga kalandiang ginawa ko noon makuha lang si Zach.

"You're good at it. Don't forget your role in Zach's life. Mahal ka niya. Ikaw lang 'yong nag-iisa sa maraming babae ang nagtagumpay na landiin si Zach hahaha.", siko sa tagiliran kong tukso ni Althea, may pakindat pang nalalaman.

Natawa ako.

"I can't believe you guys, andito tayo to eat lunch together. Our food has gone cold, hindi pa natin nakakain.", namumulang pisngi kong pag-iba ng usapan.

I mean, I'm not that bold anymore. I was desperate before to get Zach's attention because of an ulterior motive, that explains my boldness at that time. I'm not sure if I can still be that bold this time, it feels like starting all over again.

"Di bale ng lumamig food natin right now, as long as papainitin ka ng kakainin mo mamayang gabi.", bagsak ni Althea, kung umiinom lang talag talaga ako ng tubig ngayon baka naibuga ko na sa mismong mukha niya.

"Hoy hahahah ano ba.", hampas ko sa braso ni Althea, habang tawang-tawa naman si Bleu sa naging reaksyon ko.

Wala ka talagang takas kay Althea eh.

"Kumain na tayo, kung saan na napupunta usapan natin.", natatawa pa ring sambit ni Bleu.

"Nakita ko sa tiktok, sasayawan mo lang raw iinit 'yan ulit ahahha sayawan mo rin si Zach mamayang gabi beb, malay mo uminit.", banat ulit ni Althea. Sinubuan ko nga ng pagkain ang bibig nang tumahimik na, baka mawalan na naman ng preno.

Nakakaloka talaga 'tong si Althea jusko.

Zach's POV:

Nakatitig ako sa nag-iisang litrato sa loob ng aking kwarto. It's two kids who looks exactly as each other. I don't even know which one I am. But, Alfonso told me, I'm the one on the left.

Ibinaba ko 'yong picture frame at naupo sa gilid ng aking kama.

Isang araw, nagising na lamang ako na walang maalala. Hindi ko kilala ang sarili ko, sino ang pamilya ko, at anong nangyari sa akin.

Alfonso, who turns out to be my executive assistant, who other calls to be my right hand— explained everything to me. He gave answers to my questions.

The first thing he told me is that I am a Silvius, Zethus Linton Silvius. Second thing is that my parents were separated, and that I have a twin brother. I got into an accident on my way back from Philippines after meeting him. My mother has my brother, while I'm with my father.

Nagising rin ako na may fiancé, si Louise. Isang taon mahigit na rin simula no'ng magising ako, pero I'm still not quite sure about who I really am kahit na binigyan ni Alfonso ng sagot ang aking mga katanungan. I cancelled the engagement, why would I even marry someone that I can't remember? That'd be unfair for the both of us, I feel totally nothing for her. It's better to cut things off as early as possible bago lumalim at maging sugat.

The things is, my mother remarried while I'm with my Father who's currently lying down on a hospital bed for years now. I have met him, but I have to act like I remember him. Si Alfonso 'yong mga nagbibigay ng impormasyon sa akin sa mga taong nasa paligid ko, I memorized it all and acted like nothing happened, that I never lost my memories.

He said that it will be a big disadvantage for me, as the successor of 9Yards Media. A lot of people around me is waiting for my downfall to take over and claim credit of what me and my father built hard for. That's why we need to be careful. Maliban kay Alfonso, wala ng nakakaalam na wala akong maalala. He said that my biggest competitor is my brother, hence, I should also keep my illness to him.

I will be meeting him again soon. May inaayos lang si Alfonso, and after that, we're coming to the Philippines to meet my twin brother. He said that we need to bring my brother back with us even for just a short period time. He said my father is dying, and it's ultimate wish is to see my twin brother.

I don't even feel sadness with the idea of my own father dying, it's because I can't remember anything related to him. I literally feel nothing, as if I don't belong here. Sino pa ba ibang paniniwalaan ko? Kundi si Alfonso.

It's not that I don't believe Alfonso or anything, I just feel like something doesn't add up. Is it me being uneasy because I can't remember anything from the past? or there's more to this than meets the eye?

For now, there's nothing much I can do. Ever since the said accident that caused my memory loss, I am well protected, I don't just meet anyone, it's to avoid giving even the slightest hint of my situation right now that could be someone else's opportunity to bring me own.

May kumatok sa pintuan ng aking kwarto.

"Speak.", utos ko.

"Sire, Lady Louise is outside, looking for you.", sagot ng taong kumakatok mula sa labas ng aking silid.

I let out a strained sigh. Kailan ba mapapagod ang babaeng 'to, kakapilit sa akin na pakasalan siya. Kaya gusto ko rin pumunta ng Pilipinas to meet my brother upang maiwasan ko si Louise.

"I'll be down in a minute.", sabi ko.

Wala akong ginawa sa loob ng kwarto kundi ang tumulala sa kawalan upang mag-isip, bago ko tuluyang makalimutan na nag-aantay sa akin si Louise sa baba ay napatayo na ako para puntahan siya.

"To whom do I owe the honor?", aking sambit sa kalagitnaan ng aking pagbaba sa hagdan nang makita si Louise na nakaupo sa sofa ng aming malawak na sala.

Agad siyang napatayo nang makita ako.

"Zethus.", may maliwanag na ngiti sa labi na banggit nito sa aking pangalan.

"Ano kailangan mo?", tanong ko nang nasa harapan na niya ako.

"What?", she stared at me with confusion.

"Wag mo kong artehan Louise, Alfonso told me that na pinanganak ka sa Pilipinas and that you can speak their language.", may kasamag irap ko sa hangin na sambit.

Naupo ako sa kabilang sofa, kung kaya't napaupo rin siya.

"I did, but I grew up here in states. I'm not that good anymore.", pagmamaktol nito na sagot.

Yeah, she looks offended with what I said. I couldn't care less.

"Okay. So, anong ginagawa mo dito? Don't tell me that you're visiting, kulang nalang tumira ka na sa pamamahay ko kasi araw-araw kang andito.", I bluntly uttered. There's no use of sugar-coating my words, or treating her with sweet gestures. If I want this woman to give up on me, I'll be rude as much as I could.

May halong pagtatampo niya akong tinignan. Kasasabi niya lang na hindi na siya gaano kagaling magtagalog, that means she can't speak or understand the language very well, but here I am talking to her using it. That's how you piss women, and have them give up on you kung hindi nadadala sa maayos na usapan. Sabi ni Alfonso, magaling magtagalog si Louise, kaya alam kong inaartehan lang talaga ako ng babaeng 'to.

"Hey, like what's wrong with me? Before the accident, you told me that I was exactly your type, and you wanted to marry me because of that. How can you change?", nakanguso niya sabi.

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko, "I might have hit my head or the accident caused my change of heart.", me trying to convince her.

Napasipa siya sa hangin, "How is that possible? So, I am not your type anymore? What changed?", lumalakas na boses niyang sabi.

Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Well, I think I now like women with long hair; round expressive eyes that slightly disappears when she smiles, a smile that paints a ray of sunshine all over her face, a woman who doesn't force a laugh— loud like a thunder yet genuine and endearing that makes you wanna do all the silly things you could ever think of just to hear her laughing again. A woman who looks elegant but doesn't fake and try to move gracefully just to match the adjective. A face as cold and lovely as frost in winter, but a warmth embrace, a wreath of delicate flowers, just like summer. Shorter than me, but a shelter that makes me feel protected when there falls a big and urgent army of rain.", mahaba kong sagot.

Louise, with her mouth slightly open, stared at me with a pint of astonishment in her eyes.

"H-have you fallen for someone else? That is just not your type... You're describing someone.", malumanay niyang tanong.

My eyes blinked once, as my pupil dilated in realization. Describing someone? I, too, wasn't expecting those words to come right out of my mouth.

I let out of an awkward laugh, "Am I?", tanging naisagot ko.

I was just actually blurting out nonsense. Nonsensical words that describes the total opposite of how Louise looks.

That's weird... As I was blurting out those words... A vague picture of a woman formed on my mind.

Charlotte's POV:

Hinubad ko ang suot na glasses, ibinaba ko ang kanina ko pang binabasa na script at saka napahilot sa noo ko. Nasa bahay ako and I'm reviewing some scripts na ibinigay sa akin ni Valerie.

Tinignan ko ang malaking orasan na nasa loob ng kwarto namin ni Zach. Anong oras na, hindi pa rin siya umuuwi. Sa totoo lang, hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa ginagawa ko kanina pa. Kanina pa kasi ako pinapaliguan ni Althea ng mensahe sa GC naming tatlo ni Bleu tungkol doon sa napag-usapan namin over lunch together. Wala naman talaga akong planong gawin 'yon, pero 'tong kaibigan ko mukhang susundan ako saan mang lupalop ng mundo just to persuade me sa suhestiyon niya kanina.

Napahiga ako sa kama, I stared at the ceiling, thinking kung anong gagawin ko sa oras na makauwi si Zach. We've been sharing bed as a married couple, and I'm telling you, nothing ever happened. Para kaming may LQ lagi kasi malaki ang espasyo ng kama namin at gamit na gamit talaga kasi magkalayo kaming matulog.

Bumangon ako at nagtungo sa banyo upang maligo. Ang init ng pakiramdam ko, gusto palamigin. Nakakapag-isip din ako ng maayos sa tuwing maliligo ako, kaya matagal akong matapos eh.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal sa loob ng banyo, tinakpan ko ang aking sarili gamit 'yong nakahandang puti na tuwalya. I dried my hair a bit, bago ko naisipan na lumabas ng banyo.

"Z-Zach... ", medyo nagulat kong tawag sa pangalan niya.

Napalingon siya sa akin, at nakita kong medyo namilog ang mga mata niya nang makita ako. He was in the middle of changing his clothes.

Agad siyang napatalikod at pinagpatuloy ang pagbibihis niya, binibilisan niya nga na parang may humahabol sa kanya.

"I'll get something to eat downstairs, do you want something?", hindi nakatingin sa akin na tanong niya. Nakatalikod nga siya sa akin, 'di ba?

"Kararating mo lang?", medyo nahihiya kong tanong, imbes na sagutin siya.

Sa halos isang taon namin pagsasama, since he's wary of me na parang iniiwasan niya ako, avoiding any possible physical contact with me, ay believe me, we've never seen each other naked or in this kind of situation right now.