The Author's Rewritten Drafts

[xxv]

[xxv]

"Wala akong balak na saktan ka. I just want to ask you questions." Mahinahon ang boses na saad ng lalaki. They were still driving around the city.

Magda still acted fearful of the man. Hindi niya sinalubong ang tingin nito at pinagsiksikan niya ang sarili sa sulok ng kanyang inuupuan. Yet her insides were getting more suffocated with the character's anger.

If it weren't for her task, Magda would've strangled the man to death.

"How... how could you be alive?" Humina ang boses ni Agila.

Nag-angat siya ng paningin sa lalaki.

"You... you want me dead?" Pumatak ang luha sa kanyang mga mata. "Ikaw ba ang rason kung bakit wala akong maalala? Sabi ng doctor, I would permanently suffer with my memory loss. I have scars all over my body. Are you somewhat connected to whatever accident that happened to me?"

His eyes were full of regret.

He shook his head. "I'm not. I'm not trying to kill you. I'm sorry if I startle you earlier. But maybe, I could help in regaining your consciousness... and travel back in time you couldn't recall."

Liar!

Mas lalong namuo ang kanyang galit sa dibdib. Magda was in absolute chaos inside. She was calming the rage of the original villainess, even without her presence, the anger could still be felt.

Bahagyang natakot si Magda na baka bigla iyong mabasa ni Agila.

"How can you do that? Eksperto na mismo ang nagsabing hindi ako makakaalala pa..." Huminga siya ng malalim. She focused herself on a good acting.

"It might be possible if there's a trigger for you to remember." He said.

Tahasang tumingin siya kay Agila. "You're part of my past?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Magda.

The man in front of her nodded.

"Alam mo kung nasaan ang pamilya ko?" She asked, her eyes were hopeful.

It was shattered so easily as the guy confessed they were long gone. She channeled her energy to mourn the loss of her family centuries ago.

Tumigil ang sasakyan sa harapan ng isang mataas na gusali. Hinayaan siya nitong umiyak ng tahimik.

Magda composed herself after minutes of crying inside the car, she remembered that she was racing against time for finding a job.

"Hindi ko naitanong ang iyong pangalan. I'm Magda. That's the only thing I could remember, my name." She looked up at him, anticipating to know his name.

Their eyes met for a long time.

"I'm Achilles, but you know me as Agila." He answered her. Halatang naguluhan ang mukha ng babae.

He waited to see her reaction after mentioning the name that she knew. Instead, it made her confused.

"Okay, Achilles o Agila man. Siguro mag-usap na lang ulit tayo sa susunod. Pasensya ka na sa pagsigaw ko kanina, akala ko pa naman makikidnap na ako at baka ibenta ang mga lamang loob ko. Since hindi ka naman kidnapper, kailangan ko nang umalis. I still need to find a job. Ang hirap ng buhay ngayon." She shared more than she should.

Bahagya niyang bubuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan nang magsalita ang lalaki, "I'm looking for an assistant..."

Napalingon siya rito. "Ha? Assistant? Hindi ko alam kung nakapagtapos ako ng kolehiyo... Hindi ko nga alam kung nakapag-aral ako o hindi. Wala akong ideya kung kaya ko ang ganoong trabaho."

"Everything can be learned, Magda." He said with encouragement.

Indeed, everything can be learned.

Natutunan nga ng kanyang pusong mamuhi sa taong minsang naging sentro ng kanyang buhay.

She was able to hate him to the core that she raised an army to disturb the world he's ruling. Namulat siya sa kataksilan nito kaya naman mula noon, natuto siya sa kanyang pagkakamali.