Chapter 1

Twisted

I always had fear of death ever since I became aware of the clock birthmark engraved on my left palm. I always hate celebrating my birthday because it always serves as a reminder that I'll die young.

My parents told me that among our generations, I am very different because my two clock birthmarks have the same date.

Because of too much curiosity, I tried researching and reading stories and blogs that tackle different painful tragedies.

The first one is a 38 year old woman who had the same case as mine who prepared a wedding the day before she met her other half. They're not yet reaching the middle of the ceremony when the church was filled with loud shouts and cries. Unfortunately, the bride suddenly died due to a heart attack. 

That day became her happiest and that day also ends everything about her.

There was also a man suffering from kidney failure. He was able to meet his other half because she's the doctor who will perform his operation. The clock birthmark on his left palm already decided his fate so the operation didn't become successful and he also died two hours after.

The worst story I've read so far is all about the story of a policeman and a serial killer. Their world is really far from each other. In order to fulfill his duty, the police ended up killing her woman and he couldn't do anything but to accept his tragic fate. 

I can't help but to over think what will happen to me.

"Sweetheart, tell us what else do you want to do?" mom asked worriedly while caressing my hair. 

For one last time, I stared at my two palms.

This is the end for me.

Almost a month had passed and I think, I really did what I want to do in life. I just want to lay here in my bed, waiting for my death.

"Mom, can you tell me how you and dad started?" I asked, almost crying. I look above to prevent my tears from falling before facing her again.

My mom smiled at me before she started narrating.

"Your dad and I met at the Night Club. Your auntie Serene invited me to go there to temporarily forgot my three failing classes in the same marking period. I was just sitting at the couch for two hours, swiping and browsing my i*******m feed. Then, I saw him."

A smile curved on my lips. Maybe it's time to change my perspective in life. Not all people were given an unlucky fate. My parents are the proof that the clock birthmark's decision can lead to an everlasting love.

"Your dad was sitting on a stool, quietly sipping his beer. He was wearing a white crisp button down long sleeve folded up halfway to his elbows paired with dark trousers. I gave him a quick glance simply because he was finely handsome," she laughed a little, looking back at their first encounter.

"The moment you saw him mom, do you feel that he's the one?" She shook her head to answer my question before continuing her story.

"I'm really annoyed when he went to my direction and asked for my number. Your dad is too fast, sweetheart. He's very persistent to get my personal information so I quickly jotted down fake digits."

My brows furrowed as if it was the first time I heard this story.

"And why did you do that?"

"It's maybe because I'm fond of watching romance movies. I mean, why would my fate pick such a wholly unromantic with pulsing music and tipsy crowd place? It's more romantic if we could have meet in the school library or a restaurant. That's when I realize that place doesn't matters if the two of you are really destined for each other. We met in the same bar again three days after. Before the night ends, our fates were sealed."

I was hit by a lot of realizations. Even before up until now, my parents were too faithful with each other. Despite those painful tragedies I've known, I'm lucky enough to witness that not all stories ends in the most painful way.

My eyes darted to daddy who enters my room.  He sat beside me too. I was in the middle of them while they were hugging me.

"What about you dad? When you first saw my mom, are you sure that the clock birthmark on her right palm was identical to yours?"

He looks at mom. His eyes every time it darted to hers are still the same starting from the very first day I saw it.

"Your mom was exquisite and funny. We shared the same faith and pespective about some certain issues. I often dream about her because our connections were really strong."

"Mommy told me that she doesn't feel anything about you during your first encounter. Is that normal, dad?"

He nodded his head.

"It's just natural that women won't feel anything when she's already in the same place with her other half, sweetheart. Men's feelings should be stronger. We should be the one to approach women first."

My smile became wider upon hearing their sides for countless times. I just wish that the clock birthmarks in my two palms are not similar. Maybe, I can also have that kind of happiness and experience the feeling of being in love with the right person.

"Thank you for everything, mom and dad. I already feel that it's the end for me. If I'll be given a chance to live my life a-again, I'll s-still choose you as my parents. I l-love you both," I mumbled while trying to hold back my tears. I faced my mom and give her a peck on her cheek the same way I did with my dad.

Mom couldn't speak as if saying any kind of words with burst her into tears. I don't want to see them in this kind of situation, so I made my move.

"I forgot something downstairs," I almost lost my voice.

Before totally leaving, I took a glance at them once again.

They couldn't stop themselves from crying while giving each other’s comfort and company.

I just stopped from crying too when Lissy's name registered on my phone.

My mom and dad are the only persons who knew my clock birthmarks. My friends, relatives, Aziel and Lissy had no idea that this will be my last night. I don't want to tell my goodbyes to them because I hate seeing them miserable.

"There’s something wrong with Callie. She’s been skipping her meals since earlier. What should I do Relle? She’s getting weak right now,” she informed worriedly.

“Wait for me there,” I wasn’t able to change clothes due to being in a hurry.

I immediately drove the car on my own until I arrived at our apartment near Aestwood College.

After arriving there, I proceeded to her room right away. I saw Lissy in a fetal position. Seeing her situation, I already conclude that she's suffering from menstrual cramps again.

"Lis, are you alright? Do you still have extra pads?" she nodded at my question.

"This is just normal, Relle. Worry about Callie more. I think she needs a check up," after saying those, I immediately roam around to find our cat. I saw Callie at the top of our counter table.

My eyes also lay to her bowl. Lissy was right. She was not really eating.

"Callie what's wrong?" I worriedly asked looking at my persian cat with white fur and large expressive pair of blue eyes.

I put her inside a cage before going inside my car. I immediately drove my car heading to the pet grooming and veterinary clinic. Instead of Dr. Montressor, who became really familiar to me, I saw another man who’s almost the same height and figure as him.

He was wearing a pair of dark blue medical scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck.

"Good evening. Is Dr. Montresor around?"

Our eyes met. I was then surprised by his sudden action when he got Callie from me.

"Tell me what happened.”

I wasn't able to give him a quick reply that's why he looked at me again. I tried to compose my thoughts and clear my throat before speaking. God, why am I making myself too distracted with his features?

"My friend told that she's not yet eating earlier this morning until now. I just want to know what’s going on with her.”

I watched what he is doing. After checking her eyes, he put his stethoscope in Callie's chest to check her heartbeat.

"I can't perform my job if you keep staring at me," he glared at me.

I bit my lower lip. I didn't mean to stare at him. It's just that, there’s something different on him that I couldn’t put into words.

"She will be fine right?” I asked once again making him a little bit mad.

"If you will wait there, then I can assure you that she will be alright," he pointed the sofa inside this clinic. I don't understand why he's giving me this kind of treatment.

Like what he told me, I went to the sofa and sat there. I don't understand why I suddenly felt very sleepy. My eyes became heavy to the point that I wasn’t able to stop myself from falling asleep anymore.

"You need to eat more, baby."

"Good job."

"Your mom is still sleeping."

I was suddenly woken up when I heard those voices. I was shy too because that guy only allows me to rest on the sofa while he was performing his work yet, I fell asleep.

"Take a good rest, baby," the doctor gently tapped Callie's head. After that, he went to my direction.

"Is she fine now?"

He handed me a piece of paper.

"These vitamins are for baby Callie. Don't forget to buy it," I felt something strange inside my chest.

Who gave him the right to call Callie that way?

"She just needs petting. Remember that animals have feelings too. You should always shower them with your attention," he added before I read he wrote.

My forehead knitted upon seeing his penmanship. I couldn’t understand anything. His handwriting is too bad.

I only understand two words at the end of his sentence.

Dr. Alvidarez.

When my eyes darted to him again, he was now looking at his smart watch.

"You slept for almost 4 hours,"

My mouth was left half open form some seconds when he uttered those words. To confirm that he was saying the truth, I look at my watch too.

He was right. I slept during those lengthy hours!

After realizing that the man in front of me wasn't lying, I immediately search my phone. I have lots of miscalls from dad, mom and Aziel.

And it was already 11:59 pm.

I only have seconds left to enjoy my life.

"You should go home.”

I suddenly realized something that I almost forgot. I never saw any other man this day aside from my dad. The date written on my right palm says that I will meet my other half today.

Does it mean that it was Dr. Alvidarez?

I stared at him with bewildered expression once again.

Our eyes were locked on each other. I even tiptoed just to reach his lips. I don't know where I get the courage to kiss him. 

That kiss lasted for a couple of seconds. I already told myself for countless times that I don't want to meet him but I couldn’t stop myself tonight. I suddenly developed this strange feeling that I couldn’t put into words.

These seconds are already enough for me. Atleast, I became happy before I die.

When my phone alarmed, I suddenly stop from kissing him. I was waiting if something will happen to me when he spoke again.

"What the fuck did you do?"

I can sense his madness. His ears were turning reddish.

‘”I didn’t die,” I softly uttered.

I never thought that everything would be complicated when I stared at my two palms once again. There were no marks on it!

The date of love and date of my death disappeared. Where are my clock birthmarks?

And what does it mean?

My fate twisted?