Napabuntong hininga ako pagpasok namin sa Mooncafe. It has a transparent indoor-outdoor ambiance, designed in a European model obviously aiming to attract work-bees and business entrepreneurs. The furniture accessories are modern too, their blue terrazzo countertop and backsplash complemented the mosaic flooring. The place looks classy with the flexible layout and rotating window panels, definitely a good spot to work but for some reason, I do not like this place very much.
"May problema ba?" Yummie asked me in confusion, "may naalala ka ba?"
About May Gonzales? No. But I do remember something with my fake memory of Elena Perez, this place is the last place she'd want to visit again but I guess the so-called memory I have is wrong. She even asked us to buy her a Vanilla frappe.
"No. Nothing. Do we used to come here before?" I shook my head and continued walking
"Oo, favorite place mo to at favorite na favorite mo 'yong Vanilla Frappe nila dito," she answered enthusiastically.
My brows met at her explanation. Favorite place? And favorite ko 'yong Vanilla Frappe? I detest this place more than I like it. My current feelings contradict what Yummie is saying. A slightly taller lady than I am in her mid-40's wearing a white and black striped top and green pants smiled sweetly at me. Her downturned black eyes and angelic smile give off a vibe of a caring mother. Another stranger acting familiar.
"Maaay! Nako, namiss kitang bata ka! Tatlong buwan kang nawala. Sa'n ka ba galing ha?" The lady said in a very loud and joyful tone upon seeing me.
Wait, who is she? Is she someone close to me before? I apologetically reached out my right hand to her for a handshake. I need to re-introduce myself, I guess.
"I'm sorry Miss-" I trailed off intentionally.
She looked at me puzzled. Do I need to tell her I lost my memory? I'm not even sure if we are close. I don't want to provide my current situation to a stranger.
"Si Auntie Lory 'yan, asawa ng may-ari nitong Café. Close na close kayo n'yan. Lage kayong magkachika after work," Yummie whispered
I nodded, okay she's someone I know before but still, I don't want to tell her about this amnesia and claiming memory part. I still can't trust anybody, not even myself.
"Pardon my rude manners, Mrs. Lory. It has been a while since I last visited," I politely slightly bowed.
She just blankly stared at me before holding my two hands.
"You changed, iha. Ibang iba ka sa mahiyain na May na nakilala ko. I like this version of May. Confident pero..." she looked me in the eye "bakit may lungkot pa rin sa mga mata mo?"
I was taken aback by her question. Anong lungkot? I just gave her a pale smile as an answer instead.
"Oorder na po kami, Aunty. Kay May, yung favorite niya. Yung sa akin naman, Choco Blast," pasingit na nagsalita si Yummie.
Me and Yummie decided to find a seat and wait for our orders. After a couple of minutes, our order arrived. Yummie cheerfully took a couple of shots taken from her drink saying it's for her Instagram. I stared at the Vanilla Frappe na favorite ko daw. So plain.
"Hayaan mo na si Aunty Lory may mga panahon talagang may pinagsasabi sya na out of this world," Yummie suddenly opened up "pero correct naman siya na mas confident ka ngayon. Iba talaga aura mo."
She happily sipped her cup and inspected me using her eyes. What's wrong with her?
"Kailan ka pa natutong magsuot ng ganyan? Dati naman ay plain t-shirt lang at jeans ang sinusuot mo kung hindi 'yong uniform natin. Ngayon natuto ka na ding maglagay ng light make up at magsuklay ng buhok!"
What kind of nonsense is she spouting? I rolled my eyes heavenwards and started sipping the drink they ordered for me. My brows furrowed in distaste. This is too sweet, definitely not to my liking. Does having amnesia also change your appetite?
"Pang pitong buntong hininga mo na 'yan ah, pagod ka na ba?"
I nodded at Yummie's question. Every minute I spend here feels so heavy, I know it's not my memory but the feeling is really unpleasant. This false amnesia is making things hard for me. We took a cab way home.
"May, mauuna na ako at magdidilim na magluluto pa ako ng hapunan namin eh. Okay ka na bang mag-isa rito?" Yummie asked me while she places the unfinished frappe on my table.
This place of mine is really rundown, cracks on the walls, dirty ceiling and wall, one bed, a table, and a chair. That's all inside my apartment and another collection of pens at the top of the table.
"The doctor and nurses told me that you used to visit me sa hospital. Why did you stop checking on me, Yummie?" I asked her out of the blue.
I just couldn't figure out why she stopped visiting me nung nasa hospital pa ako and why do the people from the office and that Aunty Lory seem like they didn't know na hospital ako? Weird. She stared at me, shocked by what I have just asked her.
"A-ahh. E-ehh, kasi May.." She paused, hesitant.
Why is she stuttering? Is she hiding something from me? She averted her eyes away from me and sat on my chair. Is there something more that I need to know as to what happened to me?
"I-Iyong may-ari ng Perez Estate Company. 'Yong dad ni misses Elena," she continued, still stuttering.
I just stared at her while waiting for her to construct what she was really going to say. Why is Mister Perez included on this?
"K-Kasi..." and before she could continue, her phone rang and she answered it abruptly.
"Ma, opo. Pauwi na po. Opo. Opo," she answered her phone.
After she hung up the phone, I was expecting she'd continue but she didn't. She hurridly grabbed her bag and smiled childishly at me.
"Aalis na'ko, May! Bukas nalang natin 'yon pag-usapan!" She said while she went out of the door.
I was left frozen and annoyed with all the questions in my head left hanging. I hate unanswered questions! I decided to let it go instead because I'm just exhausted and I can't afford to overthink anymore. I just want to go to sleep. I jumped to my bed and hugged my pillow. Bullies, strangers, best friends, Luke and Elena Perez. Today was an outrageous exhausting day, having to meet all of them on my first day. I wonder what's the truth behind my suicide. Suicide, huh? No matter how much I think of it I really feel pathetic, there must be a big reason why I did it and why I lost my memory and fabricated a fake memory. I let out another sigh before finally deciding to doze off.