Accidentally Yours

Accident

Alice Leal Guo was just a simple girl from the province, living life one day at a time. She was making up for everything she hadn’t done in the past 20 years. And if you don’t mind her, she was doing amazing.

She finally got to taste foods she had only ever seen on TV, and even traveled to places she had never been. Life was great, especially after she turned 20 three years ago, when her father finally let her manage their family business and live her life independently here in the Philippines.

For three years, Alice had truly experienced freedom. But as they say, life doesn’t always go according to plan.

A few months before her 24th birthday, an accident changed everything.

---

Alice's POV

May 24, 2014. The day that changed my life forever.

I was on my way to Manila to pick up Wesley, who had just landed in the Philippines. I was asleep in the car when I felt it stop, so I opened my eyes.

“Kuya Miguel, andiyan na po ba tayo?” I asked, adjusting myself in my seat.

“We’re in Manila, ma’am, but still far from the airport,” he replied. I glanced out the window, seeing the heavy traffic on EDSA.

“Oh, I see. Could we pass by Jollibee before heading to the airport? Wesley’s flight isn’t for a while,” I said as I watched the cars around us.

“Sure, ma’am.”

After half an hour, we arrived at the Jollibee near the airport. I decided to eat in the car so we could head straight to the airport afterward. Kuya Miguel excused himself to use the comfort room, so I stayed behind and started eating my fried chicken. I was starving.

I remember that moment so clearly. If I hadn’t decided to stop for Jollibee, would this have still happened to me?

I saw Kuya Miguel walking back, just a few meters away, when suddenly, a loud screech filled the air. It was so loud I heard it even with the windows shut. I glanced behind me.

That’s when I saw the truck speeding toward our car.

And then it hit me.

In the blink of an eye, the fries I was eating were scattered all over the floor. I wasn’t even sure if it was ketchup or my blood smeared across them. Everything was upside down.

But strangely, I felt no pain, even though I could see the blood flowing from my body.

I could hear Kuya Miguel yelling my name from outside, frantically calling for help.

You know that saying about your life flashing before your eyes? That’s exactly what was happening.

My first birthday, the first time I left the farm, that party where I danced like no one was watching. All those moments with Ate Sheila, Wesley, and Dad. They all flooded back.

I felt tears falling down my face.

I didn’t want to die—not yet. I hadn’t even told them I loved them.

But the more I fought it, the sleepier I got. In the end, everything went black.

I wish I had died that day, but I didn’t.

---

"She’s waking up!"

“Oh my gosh, Alice!”

“Alice!”

“She’s alright!”

I slowly opened my eyes, and suddenly, two people were rushing toward me.

“What... what’s going on?” I whispered, my voice weak.

“Alice, please don’t scare us like that again,” I heard Janine say, hugging me tightly.

“I’m... alive?” I asked in confusion.

No one could have survived that accident right?

“Of course you are, and don’t even think about leaving us!” Sabrina yelled from behind Janine.

I looked at Sabrina, confused. She looked... older.

When Janine let go of me, I stared at her in shock. Her face had also changed

I searched for my eyeglasses, feeling dizzy.

Am I going crazy?

“You... aged?” I blurted out, still staring at them.

“Wow, thanks for that,” Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Just because the whole town loves your beauty doesn’t mean you need to point it out.”

“It’s not that... how long have I been asleep?” I asked, thinking maybe it was like in the movies, where people slept for years after an accident.

“Oh my gosh, Mayora, you’ve only been asleep for a few hours! You’re being so dramatic,” Sabrina said, crossing her arms.

“Sabrina, stop teasing her. She just woke up!” Janine scolded.

“Mayora?” I asked, utterly confused.

“Yeah, Mayora, don’t tell me you’ve got amnesia now. You cut your wrist, not your brain,” Sabrina retorted.

“Sabrina! You were crying your eyes out just a minute ago, and now you’re bullying her!” Janine snapped.

“Me?!, crying?!, no offense, but I don’t think she deserves that,” Sabrina said, rolling her eyes again.

As they continued bickering, I noticed a mirror in front of me. I looked at my reflection, stunned.

It was still me—but at the same time, it wasn’t. My skin was lighter, my hair longer.

But what terrified me the most was that I looked... a bit older.

“What date is it?” I asked, stopping them mid-argument. They looked at me, confused.

Wag mo sabihin?

“What do you mean?” Sabrina asked.

“It’s May 23, Alice,” Janine answered.

I almost sighed in relief—until Sabrina spoke up again.

“2024.”

My heart sank.

This can’t be happening right?

Am I dreaming?