The Good Bitch

Chapter 24

24: Pictures and Remnants

Clark's Point of View

I walk down their staircase and heaved out a deep sigh. Friends, huh? I let a bitter laugh leave my lips. Damn.

I opened my fist and stared at our engagement ring, which I found on her bedside table. It's really pretty, though.

But, fvck! It's hard, goddamn hard! So this is what she felt, eh? No wonder she was so fragile back then. It had been hard on her, but she did not give up on me. And this time, I won't also give up on her. I will never will.

I slid the ring in my pocket and stride to their pool. There I saw my fiance sitting on the tiled floor, staring at nothing in particular, as if she is in deep thoughts.

I took my seat beside her. She glanced at me and smiled. "Hey."

I smiled back. "Why are you alone?"

"I was waiting for you." she replied. She jumped into the pool and looked back at me. "Come on!" She giggled, pulling me with her.

I jump into the pool and get myself submerged in the water together with her. We played in the pool until we got tired. We emerged from the water and rested in their mini-cottage.

She suddenly speaks. "You know what?"

"What?" I answered.

"It felt as if we've known each other for decades."

We really did know each other for almost a decade, Leah.

"Clark," she called. I hummed my response. "Can I trust you?"

I motioned to her and tuck a lock behind her ear. "Do you trust me, though?" I retorted.

"I don't know why, but—"

I cut her off. "Yes or no?"

She looks up to my eyes and answers with sincerity. "Yes, I trust you."

I can't help but smile. "Why did you ask this all off a sudden?"

"'Cause it feels like they are all lying to me. So, I want you to tell me the truth."

I gulped. Truth? Sht.

"Did I forget someone?"

Holyfvckingsht. What will I say? Fvck. I... I can't lie to her.

"Wh-What made you say so?" I asked instead.

"Because you know, Clark... lately I've been dreaming of someone. However, I can't see who he is because his face is always blurred from my vision. But even so, it all felt so real as if I really did experience it.

"I know I got into an accident with The Vespers when they kidnapped me. But, I don't know the reason why they did. It is impossible that it is because I am a childhood friend of Cedric and Patrick.

"So please tell me honestly, Clar–"

Hindi niya natuloy ang pagsasalita nang tawagin siya ni Kuya Larry.

"Yes, onii!"

Bumaling sa akin si Leah. "I'm sorry, Clark. I need to go. Sumunod ka na lang sa loob. Bye!" sambit niya saka umalis.

Seems like she already forgot to hear my answer and that's good. I don't know what to answer. That was a pretty close call.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. Bakit kasi hindi ko pwedeng sabihin na dahil sa akin kaya siya kinidnap? Na dahil fiance ko siya at wala nang iba? Puta naman kasi oh. Bwisit na amnesia 'yan! Kelan niya ba kami tatantanan?

***

Andito nanaman ako sa bahay nila Leah. Isang buwan na ang nakalipas matapos magising si Leah, at sa isanag buwan na iyon. Halos kada-araw ay nasa bahay ako nila Leah. Naging sobrang close na kami pero hindi niya pa din ako naaalala. Mag-best friend na nga kami eh. At araw-araw ay kinukwento niya ang mga napapanaginipan niya.

"Please wake her up now, Clark." her brother asked. "Kakain na tayo."

Eager, I climb up the stairs with long strides. I knocked on her door and only the silence answered me. I heaved out a sigh before opening the door. I carefully motioned to her. My hands went to her face, caressing it.

"Clark Sanford..." bulong niya.

Ako nanaman ang napapanaginipan niya. Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinalikan ang noo niya. Pagkalayo ko ay nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa akin. Nagising ko ata siya.

"Good evening." bati niya saka ako nginitian. She snaked her hand to my face, slowly caressing it. "I dreamt of something."

Tumawa ako nang mahina. "I know. I even heard you whispering my name."

"Please tell me you're just joking." she replied as she rested her fingers on my chest. I shook my head, making her jaw drop. She moved her fingers to her face and covered it in embarassmemt. "Oh my god."

I laughed. "No need to be shy, babe–" Napatigil ako nang ma-realize ang pinangtawag ko sa kanya. Shit. I hope she did not hear tha. "I-I mean–"

"But you know what? That dream was very familiar." bulong niya.

Phew. Luckily, she did not hear me.

I get on my feet and sat on her bed. "Why? What was your dream about?"

She sat up. "It was about the Christmas Ball back when we were in highschool. In my dream, we already know each other and I am kinda angry at you. A-And y-y-you–Oh my god! This is embarrassing!" Tumayo siya mula sa kama. "Geez. Nevermind!"

I think she was going to say that I kissed her in front of a massive crowd but she's ashamed to. Haha. That is senseless though. Because I know everything that happened to her..., to us. Because I am part if her past.

"Tara na sa baba." pagyayaya ko.

Tumango siya at sabay kaming lumabas ng kwarto. Pero napatigil ako nang bigla siyang tumigil sa paglalakad.

"Wait lang, Clark ha? May kukunin lang ako sa kwarto." paalam niya. "Mauna ka na sa baba. Susunod na lang ako."

Tumango ako at sabay kaming naglakad; siya pabalik sa kwarto niya at ako papunta sa dining room ng bahay nila.

Matapos ang ilang minuto, tumakbo siya pababa sa dining room.

"Onii, have you seen it?" nagpa-panic na tanong niya.

"What is it?"

Hindi siya sinagot ni Leah. "Aah, shit! Ukasan!" Tinawag niya ang mama niya saka nagmamadaling lumabas ng dining room.

"What is she talking about?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe she is talking about your engagement ring." he replied as he took a spoonful of the dinner. "I haven't seen it also. Have you?"

"It's with me." I answered. "I took it."

"What? Why did you?"

"I wanted to give it to her last week and the other day. But, she always leaves when I got the timing."

"What?! See, she values that ring like no other."

"Does she know we are engaged?"

He shook his head. " I don't exactly know. But I think, she believes it is from a very important person."

"I didn't know she actually value this." I stood from my seat and turned my back on him. I walk to the door and open it. Only to see Leah standing there.