Chapter Thirteen: Diary

Chapter Thirteen : Diary

THERA’S tears had gone dry when they returned to the villa. She was still in disbelief. Uncle Jaime is dead, and Sean hid it from her.

The old man died of cardiac arrest, according to Rowela. She did know if she should get mad at Sean or not. She chose the latter. Maybe Sean was thinking of her situation. He did not want to shock her despite showing a viral video of last night.

Thera wanted to hit her head on the wall. Maybe she’d regain her memories by doing that. Her uncle died, and Joshua remained poor while she got to be in a good place and enjoying a luxurious life.

Thera stared at the eco bag Rowela gave her. One by one, she took out the things inside. Most of them were her academic notebooks. The cheap stuffed animals were from the night market she went to alone.

Thera sat straight when she saw a bind, thin notebook. It was her diary. She brushed it when she noticed a few pages torn by termites. Her smile was bittersweet when she began reading.

She opened the notebook up to the last three pages.

June 5, 2007

DM University-Baguio

THERA was eating all by herself inside the DM University canteen. It was the second day since the school year had begun. It was also her second day as a student at the semi-private university. Because the food at the canteen was pricey, she decided to bring packed lunch.

Kisses was absent because she was sick, so she had to eat lunch alone. She sat at a table for four in the middle of the canteen where the TV was. She was about to stand up to get free water from the water dispenser when her phone rang.

Joshua texted her. He was furious because his jersey that she washed the other day had a red stain. He was cursing her in the two text messages he sent.

She took a deep breath. She was expecting it. Her cousin’s jersey was worth five hundred pesos. She frowned when she read the next message. Her cousin must have an unlimited load. He just won’t leave her alone. He was making her pay for the jersey using her two-week allowance.

Thera went to get her water. She could not just swallow her food, knowing she had no money for next week.

She typed and deleted on the stiff keyboard of her old cell phone, thinking of the right words to make Joshua feel guilty somehow.

Because she was busy typing, she did not notice the tall man approaching. His fragrant scent spread inside the canteen when they walked past each other. But Thera did not pay attention even when he sat on the table beside hers.

Thera’s phone rang. This time, Joshua was calling. She hesitated to take the call, but her cousin would get angrier if she ignored him.

“If you can’t fix my jersey, buy me new briefs. The three-in-one, Mrs. Mayet is offering one month to pay. Two orders would do for me,” he said when she finally answered.

“I have no money,” she said when she was on her way back to the table, carrying a glass of cold water.

“Should it be my problem? Did I stain my own jersey? Pay me in full or buy me a new set of underwear. You should be thankful that’s all I’m asking.”

Thera put the glass on the table with a sigh and sat carelessly.

“I can’t even buy myself new panties,” she murmured. “How much is that? Can you choose something that’s on sale, please?”

Thera lifted her gaze when she heard a loud grunt. She was met by the piercing gaze of a handsome man, smirking.

“You are sitting on the wrong chair, Miss.”

October 23, 2019

Baguio City, Philippines

THERA noticed that the lights from the adjoining room were on. Sean had finally come home. She glanced at the wall clock— ten minutes to seven. Thera asked Ising about him when she and Fely returned from Uncle Jaime’s house. Sean was gone for more than ten hours but during those times, her husband did not even try calling her to check on her even once.

Did Sean consider her condition so he chose not to tell her about Uncle Jaime's death? Thera knew that only Sean could answer her questions but as time passed, she was only getting more and more confused.

Why would he care about her feelings? He already fell out of love with her. He was not even convinced that she could not remember anything. Thera was the Vice President of a famous five-star hotel and mall in Manila. She must have saved up after years of working. Maybe she could live alone well without Sean now despite her condition.

But why did Sean choose to let her in his house? Why he was keeping her close beats her. Did he take her in because he was worried that she had no family left except for him? Uncle Jaime was gone while Joshua had a family of his own.

Thera focused her eyes on the diary. It was written there that she smiled at the guy while she retreated back to her seat, embarrassed. Thera turned to the next page. Her brows furrowed. June 5, 2010, was the next date already.

Lord, tomorrow, I am going to marry the man I love. Thank you for giving him to me.

Just like the first entry in the diary, Thera could not remember that part from her past. She checked the date once again. June 5, 2010.

Thera first met Sean on June 5, 2007. She was seventeen years old. They got married after three years. Did the man court her after their first meeting?

Thera turned the remaining pages one by one, but they were all blank. She glanced at the adjoining room. The lights were still on. She put the notebook down, stood up, and went out.

Thera hesitated at first, but she was able to knock on the door of the guest room Sean was occupying in the end. She was outside the room for a while and already knocked a few times but no one opened from inside. Had he fallen asleep? She was about to turn the doorknob to check if it was open when she heard someone behind her chuckles.

“You are still as bold just as before, Thera. You are not afraid to enter the lion's den even if you could not remember anything.”

Thera gasped and abruptly turned to the man who spoke. She was greeted by Sean's piercing gaze.