AFTER Lenos left, the door opened and Leah entered the room.
She was holding a box of cake while walking towards me. Damn. I missed her. She looked cute in her baby blue dress and French braid. There was a shy smile on her face as her eyes finally met mine.
"Hi," she greeted me. "Uhm…this is for you." She smiled shyly as she handed me the box of cake.
I felt my eyes tearing up as I stared at her. I wanted to hug her but I controlled myself. I couldn't do that. I knew everything about me that she learned from Lenos was also erased from her memory. She only knew me now as the woman who saved her.
"Thank you," I said, smiling. I took the box from her. I opened it and I was welcomed by a heart shaped chocolate cake.
"DAD, I'll go ahead," I said to my father when I saw him in the garden.He was having his morning coffee while reading a newspaper. He put down the newspaper on the table and looked at me.It's been three days since I was discharged from the hospital. I was now living with my father and my brother Alfred. I decided to get rid of my condo unit. As soon as I moved into my father's house, I already put it on sale."Are you sure you don't want a driver with you?" Dad asked me, concerned was written on his face.Since I started living with them, I got closer to my father and my brother Alfred. Everyone in this household was kind to me, especially my brother. He accepted me with a whole heart, and treated me like a younger sister even though I was older
"THANK you for the treat," Caren told me after the waiter put down two bowls of ice cream in front of us. We were inside an ice cream parlor right now.I smiled at her. "Nah. I should be the one thanking you." I glanced at the wrapped box beside me. It was my gift for Leah. I decided to give her a pink ukulele."It's okay," Caren answered, shrugging. "I don't have anything to do right now so I'm happy to help." She looked at the bowl of ice cream then turned to me. "Thanks for the ice cream."I smiled at her. "No, thank you, Caren."She suddenly stopped and looked at me. Her forehead was in a crease. "Wait… how did you know that my name's Caren?"Damn. Did I say her name?
"WHAT do you think, Dad?" I asked my father with pursed lips as I watched him eat the chicken curry I cooked for him.It was the first time I cooked since I moved here. I was not really good at cooking so I'm kinda nervous with his reaction.My father smiled at me. "This is the best chicken curry I've ever tasted in my life."I made a face. "Come on, Dad. You don't have to lie to me. I'm aware I'm not a good cook.""I'm not lying, hija," my father said. "This is really good." He said as he ate a spoonful of curry.I stared at the bowl of curry on the table. It was Lenos who taught me how to cook that dish. I smiled as I remembered that certain memory."
I STARED at the familiar Moroccan gate in front me while holding my gift for Caren.I couldn't believe I would still be able to step my foot on this household. But not as Lenos' girlfriend but just a random woman who saved Leah.I looked down at myself. I was wearing a white button up shirt and mint green pants and white block heels. It was a kid's birthday party so I decided not to wear anything black.I fixed my hair before I pressed the doorbell.It was Nana Ynez who opened the gate for me. "Good afternoon." She greeted me with a smile, but I didn't see any recognition in her eyes. Of course, just like everyone else connected to Lenos, I was also erased in her memo
"THANK you everyone."I smiled widely as I watched Leah speak in front of her guests. Standing a few meters away from her was Lenos.I stared at Lenos. I could see in his eyes how proud he was of Leah. I could see how he loved her with all his heart. I already witnessed that before and I continue to witness it now."Thank you to my friends for always supporting me." Leah pointed at the group of kids seated in the table near her.Most of the guests were Leah's classmates. I looked around. I couldn't see any familiar faces—wait…my forehead creased when I saw a familiar man a few meters away from me.That's Jethro—one of Lenos' college bestfriend.
"IS that for me?"My eyes flew to my father who just entered the kitchen."Hi, Dad." I smiled as I continued to put the food I cooked in the Tupperware on the table. I pursed my lips. "You know I love you but I'm sorry this is not for you.""Aww," My father jokingly placed his hand on his hand as if he was hurt."Don't worry, Dad." I winked at him. "I cooked a lot so you can have everything I left in the pan."I decided to cook chicken chop suey and brought it to Lenos for lunch. It was one of his favorite dishes. In fact, it was him who taught me how to cook that dish.Dad went to my side after getting a bowl of chop suey from the pan. I pursed my lips as
CAN you ask your Dad what time should I leave the house?I typed on my phone before I pressed send. I pursed my lips as I put down the phone on my dresser.Today was the weekend I asked Lenos for a date. I was already dressed. Leah asked me to wear something peach because she said she's gonna do the same. So now, I decided to wear a peach midi dress and white sandals.My hair was tied up in a French bun. We were going to a theme park so I know my hair will get messy.Leah and I…we've been texting each other since the day of her birthday. Not a minute later, I got a reply from her.Daddy said we're going to fetch you.Reall
"I HAD so much fun today, Aunt Cresia." Leah said. "I enjoyed the rides, especially the anchor's away."We were already on our way home. It was already nine in the evening. It was almost six when we left the theme park."Yeah. You're full of energy earlier, Leah." I chuckled as I looked at her from the rear view mirror. Leah was a ball of sunshine."And you got so hungry you finished two orders of fried chicken," Lenos said, he also looked at Leah from the mirror."Dad, I just missed eating at Jollibee," Leah answered, her lips in purse. "But now, I feel so full and sleepy." Leah yawned and leaned on the headrest.I looked outside. "Don't worry, my home's only five minutes away." We were already inside