A/N: This is Jade's POV.

Enjoy and thank you for the encouragement I received while writing the story.

You are all an inspiration to me.

Namaste!

***

"I have amnesia?"

The question hung over my head as I sat quietly on the passenger seat of Althea's car.

I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and it increased my anxiety.

Althea took her eyes off the road to ask if I'm okay.

I said yes, weakly.

I could tell that she didn't believe what I said but she didn't push the issue.

After our conversation in the park, she asked me where I'm going and I told her I don't know.

That was the truth.

When she disclosed the information about my family and my condition, I felt lost.

It seemed like my existence was a hoax.

But when I think about it, what she told me made sense.

The only clear memory I remembered was of Canada, David and DJ.

DJ, my beautiful baby girl.

The thought of her warmed my heart.

I adored her and I couldn't imagine how this information will affect her life, our lives.

David.

I've seen countless photographs of us since we were little.

There's nothing surprising in that because our families are really close to each other.

Isn't that the reason why we married?

Ours was arranged from the beginning, like a contract we couldn't escape.

We were bound to respect it.

It was like a ball and chain and someone threw away the key.

But there was always something missing between us.

A spark? Fireworks?

I married him but it was more out of obligation than love.

These nagging thoughts I kept to myself.

I would never dare reveal what I truly feel because it's similar to betrayal.

But that's the truth.

I never felt a connection with him and it's heartbreaking.

Even our intimate moments lack excitement and passion.

I envy our friends who bragged about their husbands or wives.

Their eyes glowed when they spoke of finding their soul mates.

I guess you could say I'm docile.

I followed what my family wanted, what David wanted.

Was I happy?

I made choices.

Whatever it made me feel was insignificant.

What mattered was everyone's happiness around me and for a while, that was enough.

Until I met Liza....or Althea.

Her presence awakened something in me and I've been bothered ever since.

I was telling the truth when I mentioned the frequent headaches and panic attacks.

My brain would send impulses and I would see her face.

What I found interesting was recalling fragments of a time I don't remember.

Pearl's wedding day, being on a rooftop with someone else while holding her hand.

The latter was disturbing because I am deathly scared of heights.

David knew that.

He and DJ ride the rollercoasters and leave me behind.

They call me a buzz kill so I would roam the grounds of the amusement park while they scream their excitement at the top of their lungs.

"Would you like to eat?" Althea asked.

I was about to say no but my stomach grumbled.

"I'll take that as a yes," she smiled.

My heart seemed to lose control when I'm in front of this woman.

The love I saw in her eyes baffled me.

Was she really telling the truth when she told me that we used to be lovers?

But who would make up such a thing?

Who would make themselves vulnerable in front of a stranger?

Pathological liars?

Psychopaths?

Althea didn't fit the description.

I felt her pain when she cried.

The frustration and vulnerability she exposed when I was taken away from her was palpable it put me out of kilter.

Everything seemed true.

I felt I was there when she was telling me her story.

She could be a good actress.

An inner voice told me.

But why?

What was her motive?

I didn't notice the car stopping in front of a restaurant.

It wasn't fancy but more of a roadside eatery.

The roof was thatched and the structure was a combination of concrete and wood.

In front was a sign announcing the menu to passersby: bulalo, lomi, pancit, fresh seafood.

My hunger went on overload as I read the menu.

"I thought we were on our way back to the city," I asked, puzzled.

Althea eyes told me that she had a change of plans.

"Sorry but I'm hungry." She answered.

"Besides, we are close to Tagaytay and you said you don't know what you're going to do so......" she left her words hanging.

"Do you want to eat or what?" Althea asked as she opened her door.

I unfastened the seat belt and got out of the car.

I followed Althea as she climbed the entrance.

Before she entered, she turned to look at me.

"This is not a date okay?" she said with a smile.

"You are under no obligation to return the favor," she added.

I only smiled in return.

She opened the door for me and I went inside.

The place was small, maybe only twenty seating capacity.

Majority of the furniture were wooden, from the tables to the chairs.

Soft OPM music played from a cassette player that was placed on top of the counter.

The absence of newer technology gives the restaurant a cozy ambiance and I saw that there were only five people, server included, when we got in.

The customers, two men and women in their sixties, were seated at the far corner, talking amiably.

"Hello po," the girl, who looked about seventeen, greeted us with a warm smile.

Her small frame made her looked fragile but her strong arms revealed a life of hard work.

Althea said hi back and asked for a table for two.

The girl, with her loose ponytail, led us to the other side of the room and I was thankful.

The conversation from the couple sitting on the other table was getting louder as one of the men told a joke I didn't catch.

There was a worn out laminated menu on the table and the girl asked if we would like a drink to start with.

I sat across Althea as she ordered hot green tea.

The girl nodded and turned to me.

"I'll have lemon iced tea please?" I smiled to the girl.

She left afterwards.

Althea was studying the menu and I couldn't help but stare at her beautiful face.

Her black shoulder length hair was parted in the middle.

She was wearing red lipstick that emphasized her full lips.

The eyebrows were neatly trimmed and my mind wrestled with the various thoughts running in my head.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she didn't look away from the menu.

I became conscious of what I was doing and answered "nothing".

"Are you trying to remember my face in case this is the last time we saw each other?"

There was a hint of sadness in her voice and it made me uncomfortable.

I didn't get to answer because the girl came back with our drinks.

She placed the beverages towards the left side of the table and asked if we're ready to order.

"I would like bulalo and rice please?" Althea told the girl.

Once again, she turned to me.

"I'll have chopsuey, stir-fried shrimp and rice," I said to the girl whose smile seemed permanently etched on her face.

A dimple on her right cheek showed and she looked cute.

When she was finished taking our order, she bowed and went back to the kitchen.

"Are you checking her out?" Althea teased and I blushed.

"She's cute," she added and it deepened the color of my cheeks.

"Stop it!" I pleaded.

She pursed her lips and I could tell that she was enjoying herself.

"Do you want me to answer your question or not?" I changed the topic.

Althea's face turned serious.

"You don't have to," she replied.

The joy in her eyes was replaced with sadness.

I reached for her hand across the table and the gesture surprised her.

To me, it's strange how the action comes naturally.

Could it be true that I used to love her too?

She stared at my hand without saying anything.

"This won't be the last time, Althea." I told her.

She lifted her head and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry I lied to you," she said to me.

Her hand opened and intertwined against mine.

The shock I felt sent currents to my brain and it lingered there for a few seconds.

Althea let go.

"Did you feel that?" I asked.

"I did," she replied.

She grew silent afterwards, lost in her own thoughts.

I was the same way.

Was it the thing that my friends talk about?

The electricity they felt when their husbands touched them?

Well, not all of us were fortunate enough to find our soul mates but there's one I know who wouldn't stopped gushing about it.

Sally.

Yes, Sally.

Sometimes, she makes everyone around her feel awkward when the conversation veers toward destiny and soul mates.

Not only because she goes full on geeky about it but because among us, she's the one truly happy with her married life.

Tom, her husband, obviously shared the adoration.

Sometimes, they made me want to throw up.

"Do you still think I'm a stalker?" Althea's voice broke the silence.

I shook my head.

From behind us, I heard one of the men talking to cute server girl.

He was paying their bill and commenting about the food and the service.

Afterwards, they left and we were alone in the restaurant.

The music stopped playing and was replaced by talk radio.

"I don't know what to do, Althea." I sighed.

She exhaled and tapped her fingers on the table.

I heard the sound of utensils and I knew the food was ready.

As cute server girl expertly placed the food on the table, I pushed the countless thoughts from my head.

Right now, I only want to enjoy the delicious meal with Althea.