Third Click

“So… You all know him?” I said trying to calm myself from all the information.

“You don’t remember him?” Ate Kim asked

I shook my head as an answer. I was so tired and I just want to eat dinner peacefully without any of my confusions involved but I guess this can’t be helped.

“How did you know about him?” I asked Mom. I was really curious and eating peacefully is now last on my list.

“Well remember Aunt Tina? The one who always comes on our house in Tagaytay?” She asked. Hoping I would remember Halz with just that.

“Sounds familiar but I can’t remember her.” I said honestly.

“Well, Aunt Tina is one of my Best friends back in college. And we used to hang-out with our children back then when we still live in Tagaytay. Halz is her first born. Maybe he's around 30 now I remember that he is just a year younger than Kim. They spent one summer in our house when you were still, I think 14 or 15” She explained.

After what she said I still couldn’t remember him. He’s somewhat familiar but that’s it I can’t remember where we exactly meet and what happened to that time.

We finished our dinner without me asking any more questions.

“I’ll have my rest now. I’ll see you tomorrow” I said. I really felt exhausted.

I kissed everyone and lastly I kissed Mom.

“Don’t think about Halz too much. And don’t forget to take your medicine.” She reminded me.

I took the stairs and got in to my room. I took off my clothes and head to take a shower. I am planning to have a warm bath in the tub.

I was playing with the bubbles while still thinking how the hell did I met him. As I was thinking deeply and as I run through my memories something seems off. Like something’s missing. I think there was a huge gap in my memory. A certain series of time is gone.

After thinking and trying to remember my head started to get hurt. I always feel this way whenever I tried to remember something.

I got up and storm out of my bathroom cause I can’t take the pain anymore. I look for the medicine that I always take whenever this happens to me. After I drank my water. I head to my bed and lay down still in my robe.

I closed my eyes as I still feel the pain. As my body tries to absorb the medicine and heal my headache I passed out. Maybe because of exhaustion from my travel also with my headache that I got too sleep that fast.

“Comeback here, Lei.”

“Will you marry me?’

“I promise I’ll keep in touch”

I woke up with those voices repeating in my head. It was 8:31 in the morning. My head is still throbbing but it’s not that painful unlike last night.

I felt my tummy growl of hunger. I didn’t get to eat properly last night because I was thinking about Halz. I got up the bed and head downstairs to find something to eat. I was on the stairs when I heard the talking and laughing in our living room.

I got to our kitchen and found the maids are not yet done with our breakfast. So I decided to take a bread and a coffee first. I put it in a tray and walk to the living room.

I almost lost grip of the tray when I saw Halz with my mom and brother. Their laughing and talking about something.

My mom noticed me and told Halz that I’m awake. Halz looked at me his smile slowly faded and turn into a thin line as he slowly looked away. I was confused for a moment but I remember I was still in my robe. My face heated and I want the floor to eat me right now.

“I think you should fix yourself first, honey.” Mom said. My brother is laughing beside her. I rolled my eyes at him.

I walk towards the kitchen counter and put the tray on it and run to my room. Got straight to my bathroom and took a quick shower. I put on my daily formal clothes cause I have to do something later.

I don’t know why but seeing Halz here makes me confuse and excited at the same time. Actually no feelings are rushing in me that I can’t even look at him when I sat on beside my mother on our dining table.

“It’s nice that you have time to visit us here Hijo” Mom said in delight.

“Yes, Aunt Belle. I actually saw Lei” He said then looked at me. I was staring at him cause I he called me Lei. No one called me that way. Everyone calls me Karl. And I remember that someone called me Lei in my dreams.

“Is that true Karl?” Mom asked me. I just nodded and we continued eating with them catching up.

I was still confused as to how did we know each other. Surely our parents are close enough for us to know each other but I don’t really remember. I keep thinking about it and my head started hurting again.

I got up on my seat not even finishing my food. I go to our medicine cabinet near our comfort room to get my medicine. After a min when I took the medicine I calmed down.

Why?... Why do I always have a headache whenever I try to think of the things that I forgot. I was still thinking if I should go see a doctor or trust Mom in this. Maybe I should. But I’ll keep it a secret from them.

I was thinking deeply when Halz showed up on the doorway. I was leaning on the wall when he entered our kitchen.

“Are you alright? Aunt Belle told me to follow you” He explained. But I think even though Mom doesn’t tell him he’ll come right after me. I don’t know I just feel that way. Or maybe I just assumed things..,

“I’m fine. Let’s go back Mom must be worried” I said without looking at him. I walk back to our dining table.

“Are you okay, Hija?” Mom asked worriedly. I just nodded and stare at my food. I lost my appetite because of the things that bothers me.

After a few minutes I got up and bid an excuse to them.

“I need to go to my shop, Mom. Percy must be waiting for me.” I said then got up my sit and kiss my mother goodbye.

“I’ll take my leave.” I said as I nod to both Kuya Keith and Hal.

I was walking outside and looking for my car when I heard Hal calling me.

“Lei!” He said. He was calling me Karl back in Hawaii so why calling me that now?

I turned to him with a blank face trying to control my frown because I still don’t get it. IT. His whole existence. It’s like he just pop up out of nowhere then suddenly he’s a part of my life.

“What?” I said trying not to be rude.

“Aunt Belle said that I should give you a ride to your shop. She’s worried that you might have your headache again while driving.” He said hoping that I would allow him.

I rolled my eyes. Why does he always need to do what my mom said? It annoys me.

“I can manage. I took my meds a while ago so I must be fine the whole day.” I said and hopped on my car.

He just nodded and waved goodbye. He walked in his car with his head down. I looked at him and kinda felt guilty for being rude to his kind act.

No! Karl! You don’t even know him. In fact, you took down his offer cause you’re not going to the shop yet.

I drove to get on my destination. I parked on the white building’s basement and strut my way to see Dr. Almiro.