CHAPTER 68: Forgotten

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Artemis, POV

2 years after the war.

Time Square, New York City

"Artemis will be late for the play. Come on." hinila ako ni Sally papasok sa isang theatre house. Her new york accent rolls on her tongue natively.

Ayoko sana pero sabi "her treat" for tonight. Dahil sinagot ko ang dinner namin kahapon. Ayaw niya ng may utang na loob. She doesn't take no for an answer.

"Careful. I'm wearing stilettos." bumagal ang paghila nila sa akin. We found our seat. The middle aisle. Saktong dalawa para sa amin.

"Quick! The shows about to start." mabilis siyang umupo sa upuan excited like a little kid.

Sally Monroe is my classmate and dormmate. I am taking Economics sa NYU. I live with her for two years. We're on our sophomore year in college.

She reminds me of her. Naia version 2.0. Kaya magkasundo kami. The difference is her bitchy attitude. Don't mess with her she will be your own version of karma.

After the war, I lost my memories. Most of it are back except that I feel something missing. I keep dreaming about someone I don't know. I can't see his face. I flushed at the dream of us kissing. That's weird wala nga akong boyfriend.

The play is a musical. Her choice not mine I enjoy it otherwise. I remember our school play. When the show ended lumabas agad kami.

"Did you feel it?" Tanong ko dito. Parang may nanonood sa amin.

"Feel what? You are just hungry. Let's grab some dinner." I shrugged it off. Parang deja vu.

"Alright." we got inside a restaurant. It's on the house dahil pamilya niya ang may-ari nito.

"Did you not enjoy the show?" nagaalala niyang tanong. A question mark is written on her face.

"I'm just tired. Prof. Lambert's report made me dizzy." I jested at her.

"He sure does make students dizzy with his looks." clearly she has been liking him since. Stars filled her eyes.

"He is old." I rolled my eyes "Pick someone younger." natatawa kong biro.

"I like older man." She pokes the food with her fork.

"Like that?" tinuro ko ng tinidor ng nasa malayong lamesa. She made face in front of me. "Just kidding."

Paguwi sa dorm ay tumungo siya sa kwarto niya. She kissed my cheek.
"Good night, Love." She calls me love but that's the least of my concerns.

May lalaki sa labas ng bintana. Since were on the fifth floor nakikita ko siya. He stayed until I turn the lights off my room. Stalker.

"I'll be at the library." paalam ko kay Sally. Waving at her. I miss a step sa hagdanan. Akala ko mahuhulog na ako. My heart beat faster.

"Be careful." tinayo ako nito at mabilis na umalis. That was close.

A pang of sadness crash like waves in my system. Sinubukan ko siyang habulin pero mabilis siyang nawala sa paningin ko.

"Are you okay love?" Sumulpot si Sally sa harap ko.

"Yes. I just—please cover for me at Mr. Lambert's class." I pleaded walking away. Hindi ko na narinig ang sagot niya.

"Be careful."

Hindi maalis sa isip ko kung kanino ko ito narinig. Gusto kong iumpog sa pader ang ulo ko. Kaso wag na lang. Mapagkakamalan pa akong baliw.

"You okay? You look pale." a familiar voice, the chairs feet screeched when he pulled to sit on it.

Jacob Johnson—the face of the school.

"Yeah. I just need some air." I smiled. Then there's this omnious stare again. What is wrong with me?

"Do you mind if I get you some coffee?" he is a gentleman. Madaming nagkakagusto sa kanya.

"You sure?" Nahihiya kong tanong.

"Yes. It will help you relax." pumasok siya sa loob. Marami ang tao, karamihan ay estudyante.

"Hi miss can I get your number?" may isang lalaking kausap ang isang blonde na waitress.

"Shhh. Dapat naiwan ka na lang sa Pilipinas eh." naiirita nitong sagot.
Kinda familiar.

"Nakakahiya ka talaga." sabi ng lalaking messy ang buhok.

They were the same age I can say.
Ang huling nagsalita ay nakatingin sa akin. He is watching my movements.

"Here." isang cup ng kape na may sleeve ang nasa harap ko.

"Thanks!" I remove the black lid at ininom ito.

I told myself to be careful when trusting anyone. I developed trust issue when I recovered my memory. Si Sally lang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko.

That night hindi umuwi si Sally. Natulog siya sa bahay nila because tomorrow is weekend. Sinasama niya ako but I decline. I want some alone time for myself.

I recollected almost all of what happened except those about him. Who is he? I know some of my dreams are memories. Resurfacing again.

Umuulan sa labas. Thunder and lightning danced on the sky.

"Who are you?" bulong ko sa hangin.

I thought a shadow is on my room. Imposible nasa fifth floor ang kwarto ko. Ano iyon si Spiderman? Natawa ako sa naisip ko.

Then a memory came to me. Someone visits me in my room before. Only that his face is hidden.

"Reaper." the word slip off my tongue.

Hinalungkat ko ang bag ko to fish out my phone. Instead isang sulat ang nakita ko.

'I miss you my moon'

It's written in elegant handwriting. A black ink is used to write it.

An image of the same hand writing flash in my head. 'Good luck, loser.'

Tears spring to my eyes. Sino ka ba talaga?

I sleep it off. Hindi ko na binuksan ang aircon dahil malamig na ang hangin galing sa bintana.

"I miss you." naramdaman ko ang isang halik sa noo ko.

Gulong-gulo ako pagkagising ko. Was that real? Pwede din namang nanaginip pa ako nun.

I heard his voice. It felt so real, the forehead kiss.

I need to take this term off. Baka mabaliw ako kakaisip. I can't focus on my studies because of it.

Mist and Moonlight Tahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon