DALE FYRON'S POV

It's been a week since she wake up and everything was really hard for me. No matter how I tried to tell her that I'm his boyfriend, she would deny it. Minsan nga nagagalit pa siya sa'kin, sa'min, dahil palagi namin siyang kinukulit eh hindi niya naman daw kami kilala. She just remember her family, Derrick because he's her cousin, and Vera because she's her neighbor in their province. She even cried when tita told her that her father died months ago, she couldn't remember it too. The doctor was right, all of her memories here were lost. I-I don't know if she could still remember everything especially now that she's back in the university.

" Bakit nakasunod kayong lahat sa'kin? Para kayong ewan, asa'n ba dito yung building ko?! Kainis! Wala talaga akong maalala." She hissed and hold her head, trying to remember but it just turn out to be nothing.

" Just come with us, we're classmates. You're a BSED student and so are we. Tara na." Aira turned her gaze on me and just nodded, telling me that she's on her hand.

" Just don't pressure her in your room, tell your classmates not to. We need to avoid it so that her head won't hurt again." I said when they were walking away from us.

Shin just nodded and tapped my shoulder." I got it, bro. Sasabihin ko rin sa kanila, kami na ang bahala sa kanya."

" Ate!." Akken shouted that made them stopped and Katria turned around." Goodluck sa klase mo, kita tayo mamaya." he added that make her brows frowned but nodded in response.

Raizer let out a sigh." I didn't know that it would turn out like this. Eto pala ang kapalit ng paggising niya, hindi niya na tayo maalala."

" Bumalik na yung dating Katria na nakilala natin nung una palang. She treated us like we were just a stranger to her." Cohen added.

" Namimiss kona yung ate ko. I want to hug her tight and make fun with her but I think it's impossible to happen." Akken pouted while holding the strap of his bag.

" All we have to do is to keep an eye on her if ever that she'll be in trouble. Mahirap na, may mga gamot pa naman siyang iniinom." Shael brushed his hair and played his phone.

" Let's just see each other later." I gave them a tap on their shoulder before walking away and went directly to my building.

The first two subjects was just easy for me except for the arithmetic that was a little bit hard. Hindi lang naman ako ang medyo nahihirapan, lahat kami. Even if I'm the highest in our class, still some lessons get hard for me because I'm not really genius in everything. Our course isn't a joke. We're dealing with businesses topics and numbers. I admit that, it's really hard. Kung tutuusin, nasa una pa lang kami at hindi pa nakakalahati pero nararamdaman na naming mahirap talaga.

" Can anyone tell me what is Local Businesses?." Mrs. Salazar, our teacher in English Business Literature.

I raised my hand that's why she pointed me." It's all about the businesses that are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits. They're also good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies."

" Great, Mr. Helveryst. Then, can someone give me the importance of Local Businesses?." she asked again.

As what I did, I raised my hand again that's why she immediately called me." The importance of Local Businesses to local communities is that it could give economic benefits and the only type that can survive while serving a reduced population. It also presents new employment opportunities and serve as the building blocks of some corporations."

" Thank you, again. You can sit down."

When the lunch break came, Shin texted me to meet on their cafeteria because they're already there. He even told me that Katria wasn't supposed eat with them since she wants to have a peaceful lunch without someone bugging her. But she couldn't do anything when her friends drag her to the cafeteria. My brothers were going so there's no need to reject. Besides, she's there so my day would be complete.

" Katria! Nandito na si Daron." Doreen shouted that made them turn their gaze on me.

She raised her eyebrow." So what?! Kanina niyo pa ako pinagtutulakan sa kanya. Hindi ko nga sabi siya boyfriend eh!."

Those words hurt me really really bad. She didn't know that I was hurt by her words. Damn. Love, don't do this to me.

" Hindi mo ba talaga siya maalala, Kat? Eh kami, naaalala mo ba kami?." Jaimie asked her with frowned eyebrows.

" Ilang araw niyo na akong tinatanong niyan at ilang beses kona ring sinabi sa inyo ang sagot ko. Alin ba sa 'hindi ko kayo kilala' ang hindi niyo maintindihan." She put her utensils harshly on the table that made them shut up.

" Don't say that, Katria. You're hurting us." Lucy answered with a small voice.

She just let out a sigh." 'Wag niyo na akong pilitin sa mga bagay na wala akong kaalam-alam. Sasakit lang ulit ang ulo ko at baka hindi narin ako sasama pa sa inyo."

" Just don't force her to remember. It isn't the right time, that's what the doctor said." I interrupted and sat beside her without looking in her eyes. Baka masaktan lang ako sa mga titig na ibibigay niya sa'kin.

" Walang tamang oras, Daron. Baka masaktan lang din ako kapag may naalala na ako lalo na yung pangyayaring namatay si Itay sabi ni Inay. Kung maaari lang, ayokong maalala ang mga masasakit na pangyayari dahil ayoko nun." She stood up and get her bag before leaving the cafeteria.

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa basong hawak ko dahil sa nasaktan din ako sa sinabi niya. Kung ganon ayaw niya nang maalala ang lahat?! The reason why'd she came here, the time when she was still our babysitter and we argued almost every minute because weren't close, when she cried in front of us because her father was sent into the hospital and she asked my permission so that she could go back home. We have so many memories together that I couldn't retell. But she doesn't want to remember all of that it's because she's afraid to be hurt. How about me? Did she ever think my feelings for her?! Ganun na lang ba lahat 'yun?!

" Don't worry, Daron. We'll help you. Maaalala niya rin ang lahat basta 'wag lang tayong susuko." Aira comforted me and gave me a warm smile.

" Siya na mismo ang nagsabi na 'wag na natin siyang pilitin. Pa'no kapag ayaw niya na talaga?." Jeric asked.

" There's nothing wrong if we would try. Kapag hindi gumana at wala na talaga, saka lang tayo tumigil. Wala namang masama kung subukan natin hanggang sa kaya pa, diba?." All of them agreed on Christophe's idea.

I was walking on the hallway with Cheska. We're heading to the library to research our project, she's my partner so I accompanied her to the library. There were four students coming on our way and they didn't notice us beside them.

'Did you guys hear the news?! Katria was here in the university'

'Yeah. And you know what's worse? She got an amnesia'

'I pity her. Nakakaawa naman si Daron'

'Sana lang hindi na mabalik yung alaala niya. Stella was right, they don't suit each other'

I immediately turn my back after hearing those words from the last girl. I harshly grabbed her arm and throwed her a deadly look. All of them was shocked especially the girl I was holding.

" What the fuck did you just say?!." nangagalaiti kong tanong sa kanya habang mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya.

" D-Daron.... h-hindi ko sinasadya. I-Im sorry." she answered nervously.

" What I hate the most is when someone is backstabbing my girl. Didn't you heard what I said before, huh?! Never talk about her in public especially if it's nonsense. Aren't you aware of what I might do to you?!." I yelled because of anger that made her stiffened.

" God! Let go of her, Daron." Cheska interrupted and tried to pull me away from that bitch.

" Sorry, sorry. H-Hindi na talaga mauulit, Daron. I promise." She pleaded and was about to kneel down but Cheska stopped her.

" Just avoid talking bad rumors about Katria. She's a nice girl and you don't have the right to say that they doesn't suit each other. Umalis na kayo, baka hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili niyang saktan kayo." Cheska said that's why they just nodded and immediately ran away.

I just brushed my hair because I still couldn't forgot what just happened. She kept on scolding me that I shouldn't have done that since they were still girls in the first place. I don't care it they were a lesbian or a gay. As long as they talk about my girl without my permission, I won't hesitate to hurt them with my words. No one is allowed to hurt her, not even the most richest in the world or they're in the highest position among all.

" Look, she's here. Tara puntahan natin." She pulled me inside the library and I saw Katria on the other corner, reading some books.

Why is she here?

" Hi, Kat. Are you okay now?." Cheska asked her when we reach her side.

She was shocked when she saw Cheska and turn her gaze on me."Ah... H-Hi? Sorry, 'wag mo sanang mamasamain. Kilala rin ba kita?." Her attention was back on Cheska.

She just smiled on her because I already told her everything." Yeah. But don't force yourself to remember me. Okay lang naman sa'kin."

" Ganun ba? Okay lang naman ako. Uupo ba kayo rito?." she asked.

Fudge! Gustong gusto kong tumabi sa'yo pero ayokong mailang ka lang sa'kin kaya kahit labag sa kalooban ko ay 'wag nalang.

Cheska shook her head." We don't want to disturb you so we'd rather not to. Dumaan lang talaga ako rito para kamustahin ka. Sige, dun na kami sa kabila." She smiled before she walked away and I just followed her.

" Uy teka!." We turned back when she suddenly called us." Bagay kayong dalawa." she added that made my brows frowned.

Cgeska looked at me and chuckled before looking back at her." I already have a boyfriend, Katria. Alam mona 'yun, at isa pa may girlfriend narin si Daron. Hindi niya ba sinabi sa'yo?."

She realized what Cheska said and immediately looked away, didn't say anything. I just let out a sigh and sat in front of her, she's really avoiding that topic. Para namang nakuha agad ni Cheska ang kinikilos ko kaya hindi na siya nagsalita pa at nilabas nalang ang laptop niya. She's just going to research what we needed and I'll be the one to handle all of it since I don't have something to do.

" Is it okay? Na-research kona lahat kaya tingnan mo nalang kung ayos na ba 'to. Ivan was waiting for me outside." She let me look at her laptop and I just nodded after reading her preview.

" Yeah, thanks. Just pass it to me through email whenever you're free. You can go now, I think you have a date." I smirked as I saw her reaction, she's probably in a rush.

" Yah. We're going to our favorite place like what we usually do after class." She packed her things and get her bag." Bye, Fyron. See yah tomorrow." she added and waved at me before going out of the library. I saw Ivan's smile when she saw her and kissed her forehead until they were gone on my sight.

I massaged my nape and closed my eyes. Wishing that all of this was just a dream, that it never happened. But whatever happens, I'll do everything just to make her mine again. Sa'kin naman talaga siya, hindi niya lang maalala. Even if how many times she'll ignore me or even reject me, I won't stop chasing after her. I can't stand the truth that she couldn't remember me. I'll be the one to find ways just to bring back her memories.

I stood up and get my things, walking towards her direction."Let's go out somewhere, I'm going to treat you." Nilagay ko ang dalawang kamay ko sa harap niya kaya napaangat siya ng tingin sa'kin.

" W-What?! Bakit naman ako sasama sa'yo, naka may gawin kang masama sa'kin. At isa pa, may mga kapatid akong kailangan pang sunduin sa school nila." Her brows frowned while looking directly on me but immediately looked away.

" Just please, go with me. Derrick will going to fetch them like what he usually do. And also, I don't have someone to join with me so will you mind if you'll come with me? I'm not like the person you were thinking of." I seriously answered that made her let out a sigh.

" Hmmm, oo na. Basta iuuwi mo ako pagkatapos, ah. Ang swerte mo naman kung papayag akong sumama sa'yo tapos ako lang mag-isa ang uuwi." It's already 4:10 so were supposedly at home right now. The school will be closed at exactly 6:00 there's no need to worry.

" Of course, I'll sent you home. I thought you won't let me because you're avoiding me." I insisted to carry her things that's why she couldn't do anything. Tinext ko rin sila na mauna na dahil kasama ko siya ngayon para hindi na nila ako hintayin pa tutal may sasakayan rin naman ako.

She chuckled that made me bit my lower lip. Damn, I missed it." Hindi naman sa iniiwasan ko kayo pero ang weird niyo lang ah. Ano ba talagang meron at parang wala akong maalala, ang dami kaseng nakakakilala sa'kin pero ni isa wala akong kilala. Sina Ri-Ri at Vera lang tapos nung tinanong ko kung bakit nandito rin sila, ayaw rin nilang sumagot eh."

We were avoiding to tell her the whole story it's because the doctor persuade us not to. As much as possible, we'll just keep it as a secret and just let her remember it by herself but of course we'll help her. Paminsan minsan rin kaseng sumasakit ang ulo niya at sa gabi 'yun nangyayari. We're also worried about her so we just try our very best to protect her.

" No matter how I'm going to tell you, still it's impossible that you'd believe me." tanging sagot ko nalang at lumabas na ng gate habang siya ay nakasunod lang sa'kin.

" Kase imposible naman talaga." She stopped and so I did." Pa'no ko naman kayo papaniwalaan kung ang sinasabi niyo ay hindi rin kapani-paniwala. Kahit pilitin ko ang sarili kong maniwala, ayaw talaga kase parang hindi naman totoo." she added that made me let out a deep sigh.

" That's it. You don't want to believe us because you thought that we're lying. But we're going to prove to you that you're wrong. Even your cousin and bestfriend already told you that. Now tell me, are you going to say that they're lying too?!." I raised my brow to her, keeping my voice calm because I don't want to shout in front of her.

" H-Hindi..... hindi naman sa ganun." She looked away and I saw her gulp." Hindi ko kase alam kung ano ang papaniwalaan ko eh. Maski si Inay wala ring sinasabi sa'kin kaya iniisip ko na baka wala lang yung mga sinasabi niyo. P-Parang.... p-parang... ewan ko." She shook her head and closed her eyes.

" We're not forcing you to remember everything and also to believe us. J-Just... just don't stay away from us, from me. Is it okay?." I looked at her with pleading eyes, she stared at me for a while and suddenly nodded that made me feel relieved.

We went to the 7/11 near the university , on her condo to be exact. I bet she didn't remember about her condo since it was just given to her months ago. I insisted to buy her that's why she stayed on our table, waiting for me to bring our order. Dahil pareho naming paborito ang cookies and cream, 'yun ang inorder ko at agad na bumalik sa table naming dalawa.

" Is there something wrong?." I asked when I realized that she suddenly stopped.

She looked at me confusedly."Pa'no mo nalamang paborito ko 'to?! Sinabi ba sa'yo ni Inay?."

Bumuntong hininga lang ako at umiling."Nah. You're my girlfriend that's why I knew everything on you. Just continue eating and don't say anything." I know that she would deny it again that's why I said those before she could even reply.

As what I've said, we just ate silently and all we could hear was the sound of the spoon on the cup. I admit that I'm not used in this kind of silence especially that she's with me. Wala akong maisip na sabihin sa kanya dahil baka masaktan lang din ako sa sagot niya. After eating, we get out of there and I opened the door for her before I entered the drivers seat.

" Let's eat in the restaurant first before I sent you home." My attention was still on the road but I can see her on my peripheral view, raising her eyebrow." What was that reaction?! Don't you want to eat with me?!." I asked without looking at her.

" Kailangan ko pang magluto ng pagkain namin sa bahay. Hindi pwedeng ako lang ang busog tapos pag-uwi ko ay hindi pa sila nakakakain." she answered with hesitation on her face.

" Tita was there to cook for your siblings. Besides, it's almost a month since we went for a dinner. I missed doing it with you." Gusto ko sanang sabihin sa kanya kung gaano ko siya namimiss simula nung nawala siya kaso baka mauwi lang din sa wala kaya 'wag nalang.

" Saan ba tayo kakain?." she asked full of curiosity.

I stopped the car on the parking lot and faced her." Eat All You Can. I'm sure you'll gonna love it." I immediately get out of my car and opened the door for her.

" Mukhang mahal dyan eh, sa iba nalang tayo. May karenderya ba dito?." I suddenly stopped when she holds my wrist but when she realized what she did, she immediately let go of my hand.

" Yeah. But it's already 7:00 so they were probably closed right now. Don't worry, it's my treat." I hold her wrist to pull her inside the restaurant and gestured her to find a table while I'm going to order for the both of us.

Since we both love to eat chicken legs, I ordered 2 parts of it and 4 cups of rice because I know she's hungry. Dinagdagan ko rin ng beef steak, burger, at saka mcfloat para sulit ang kain namin. I placed our order in the table and prayed before started eating. There were a lot of people eating inside since it's a famous restaurant and their food is really good. It's also near to the city that's why people could come and go. Some of them even took a glance on us because we're still wearing our uniforms. Maybe they were thinking that we're having a date.

" What's the problem? Don't you like the food?." I asked. Dahan dahan kase siyang kumakain at nakatungo, naiilang ba siya?

" Nakakailang kase ang mga titig nila, nakakahiya. Hindi ako makakain ng maayos." She took a sip on the mcfloat and eat again, slowly.

" Don't be shy. Maybe they're just wondering because they saw students who were eating here. Alam mo naman diba, gabi na." I continued eating the chicken legs, not throwing a glance on the people around us.

" Grabe! Akala mo naman elementary yung nakikita nila eh college naman na. Hindi lang naman tayo yung estudyanteng kumakain sa labas kahit gabi na, marami kaya. Ang O.A naman nila." She winced and eat the burger but this time, she ate normally.

" Yeah. Eat all of this, I'm already full." Nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko pero kinain niya naman.

How I wish we're just like this, eating together and talking like lovers. But the way she treated me was just like a friend, or maybe a stranger. There's no sparks for her even if I say something sweet. Seems like her memories wasn't the only thing that was lost but also her feelings for me. It hurts me a lot but I couldn't do anything but to accept it.

" What if you'll remember everything?." We're walking along the plaza, watching the beautiful view around us.

" Wala lang. Hindi ko naman alam kung anong kailangan kong maalala kase wala namang nagsabi sa'kin kung anong dahilan ng pagkawala ng alaala ko. Nagising nalang ako na nasa hospital at walang kaalam-alam sa nagyayari sa paligid ko." She forced to laugh just to prove that she's not affected.

" What about the memories we have? What will you do if you remember what's really going on between us?." I asked full of curiosity.

She suddenly stopped and faced me." Kahit ano pang sabihin mo tungkol sa'ting dalawa, hindi ako maniniwala sa'yo. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hindi ako pumapasok sa isang relasyon dahil mas pinagtutuunan ko ng atensyon ang pag-aaral at pagt-trabaho para sa pamilya ko."

Pagak naman akong natawa." How could you be so sure if you don't even remember the whole thing. D-Dont you know.... how it hurts being rejected by the person you love?!."

" A-Ano bang sinasabi mo?! Gusto ko nang umuwi, masakit ang ulo ko." She was about to walk away when I pulled her towards me and hugged her for the first time.

" Please, let's stay like this for a while. I missed you so damn much that I couldn't even sleep because my mind kept on thinking of you. I waited for so long for you to wake up and now that you're here, I couldn't imagine how happy I am. But why does it need to lost your memory? M-Masakit eh." Tears escaped from my eyes as I hugged her tight. I haven't touched her like this since she woke up because she's preoccupied that time.

" Hindi mo kailangang masaktan dahil sa'kin dahil wala naman akong ginawang ikasasakit mo. Kung ano mang meron tayo noon, baka hanggang dun nalang 'yun. Wala akong nararamdaman para sa'yo ngayon." she said calmly that broke my heart into pieces. Fuck it. Ang sakit tang'na.

" Ano ba ako sa'yo?!." I asked. My words were full of pain because I couldn't take it anymore.

She let out a sigh before answering me." Para sa'kin, isa ka lamang estranghero na hindi ko kilala. At kung talagang kilala kita, edi sana agad kilang naalala nung ilang araw pa lang na magising ako."

I bit my lower lip to hold my sobs. I don't want to cry harder in front of her." Fine. If that's what you think of me, I'll just accept it. But don't ever think that I'd stop what I'm doing just because you kept on rejecting me. I won't stop fighting for you even if you kept on throwing hurtful words to me. Ipaglalaban parin kita hanggang dulo."

' Nasanay na ako sa presensya mo, love. I hope that you won't leave me. Whatever happens, don't lose hope and fight for me until the end. Promise me that '

I hold onto it because that's what I've promised. I love you, my love.

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