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Chapter Text

She should’ve known better than to come in person.

“You better have something important to say or mahahampas kita with my laptop, Colet.”

Colet looked up from her phone, her smile faltering when she saw Mikha’s face looking down on her. She gestured on the seat in front of her instead, making Mikha roll her eyes before sitting down. Nasa cafe sila ngayon dahil tumawag itong kaibigan niya. She’s in the middle of telling her hair stylist what haircut she would like for her wedding when her phone rang, and when she answered, Colet sounded alarmed. It caused her to cancel her appointment sa salon in order to go here. 

“Meron nga, kulit mo. Order ka muna before I tell you.” Inabot ni Colet ang maliit na menu ng cafe na nakatayo sa may gilid with the table napkin but she ignored it.

“No, tell me now. At baka mahabol ko pa yung appointment ko sa nail spa since my hair appointment was cancelled because of you. At least I could get my nails done before I wear my ring sa thursday.” Today is Tuesday and she needs to look nice for her wedding sa thursday. Her soon to be wife, Denise, was also preparing for it. They decided to do it separately so they could surprise each other, her fiancee is now staying with her Mom while Mikha stays in her condo.

Colet rolled her eyes at her before unlocking her phone,“Okay, sige na. First, nandito ako para sabihin na hindi makakapunta yung pinsan ko, tapos she wants to have your updated address na lang para maipadala na lang doon yung gift.” Colet said, reading the message on her phone sent by her cousin. Colet looked up at her after that, “Sorry, alam ko gusto mo siyang pumunta pero may emergency daw sa univeristy ngayon.”

Mikha fought so hard to prevent her face from falling. Ayaw niyang ipakita kay Colet kung gaano siya kalungkot na hindi pupunta ang nakakatandang pinsan nito. 

Maraiah Barcellon is a 41 year old famous author and professor here in the Philippines. Mikha was not sad that she couldn’t go because she’s a fan or a book addict but because she was saved by Miss Maraiah from a fire that broke out in their school when she and Colet were high school students. The fire was from the school’s cafeteria and Mikha happened to be there, buying lunch for her and Colet. She thought she was gonna die because of how thick the smoke was and how loud the people around her were screaming for help. She remembered being trapped under a table that was destroyed by a pillar that fell above it, the table top falling down on Mikha’s legs. She remembered passing out from inhaling a lot of smoke but before that, she felt arms wrapping around her and lifting her up. Later on when she woke up at the hospital, Colet was crying by her bed side. Telling her the story of how their teacher saved her from the huge fire.

Maraiah Barcellon was their literary teacher at that time, Colet’s cousin on her father’s side, pero dahil hindi siya part ng inner family ni Colet and pinsan lang siya, pumayag ang iskwelahan nila noon na maging teacher ni Colet ang pinsan niya. They have a huge age gap because Maraiah’s dad was the eldest son of Colet’s grandfather, whereas Colet’s Dad was the youngest. Also, it’s not like there’s gonna be an issue rin. Besides from the fact that Miss Maraiah was a very professional woman, she’s cold and distant. Not the type to favor students or coddle them.

From then on, Mikha wanted to get to know Colet’s cousin better. She only knew her as their teacher, pero gusto sana ni Mikha na mas makilala pa ito at mapasalamatan. As a young person who had a near death experience, she wanted to have that connection with her savior. Ngunit malayo ang loob ng pinsan ni Colet kay Mikha. Or to anyone. Hindi niya maintindihan bakit, but she’s so intrigued by her. When she asked Colet years ago about why she seemed cold and distant, her childhood friend only shrugged her shoulders. “Hindi naman siya gaanong ganyan kapag family yung kasama. Although I can admit na she’s really distant and a little cold minsan lalo na pag nasa school. Maybe she’s just professional, hayaan mo na.”

After a year though, they got the answer. 

“I know na why she’s like that, Mikha. Her husband died early, and he died in this very school too. Ngayon lang sinabi sa akin ni Daddy ‘tong family lore na ‘to. It affected her deeply daw, she started becoming distant from everyone.”

Although she respected the woman’s boundaries, deep inside, Mikha has this heavy gratitude towards the older woman who saved her life. 

At ngayon na ikakasal na siya sa babaeng mahal niya, she wanted the woman who saved her life to be there. Because after all, she’s the reason why Mikha exists now. That’s why she couldn’t help her face from forming an upset face. Over the years, Mikha has been a fixed person in the Barcellon’s family reunion as Colet’s friend and she sees the older woman often, but they never really talked that much. Sayang naman dahil lagi niyang kinukwento ito kay Denise and her fiancee grew fond of the older woman through her stories. Her fiancee even went as far as reading the books written by Maraiah Barcellon. 

 Mikha pursed her lips,“You should’ve just called, Colet. Or pumunta ka na lang sana doon. Sana hindi ko cinancel yung appointment ko.” 

Colet shook her head, “Ex ko hair stylist mo, ayaw ko siya makita ‘no. Tsaka importante ‘tong pangalawang sasabihin ko kaya manahimik ka diyan. May pinapatingin sandali si Sir Anthony sayo sa office. The item doesn’t look like it belong to us daw so you need to check it. Hindi na kita masasamahan doon so pumunta ka na, susunduin ko pa si Maloi.” Colet grabbed a key from her bag and tossed it on Mikha who caught it perfectly, “Ayan, nasa top shelf daw. It needs an early assessment para alam anong gagawin.” 

Mikha and Colet are museum curators for the National Museum of the Philippines. They oversee items their Head of Department wants them to check. Madalas kay Mikha napupunta ang mga artifacts and items like old books, clocks, and jewelry. Kay Colet ang mga artworks at documents. Mikha mainly works at the National Museum of  Anthropology while Colet is in Fine Arts.

She raised an eyebrow,“Really? Two days before my wedding?”

Colet grinned, “Baka wedding gift na ‘yan at niloloko ka lang niya. Anyway, I’m off. Baka magalit si Maloi pag late na naman ako. Sandali lang naman siguro ‘yon tapos makakahabol ka pa sa nail appointment mo, your hair looks good pa naman so don’t bother with it. Ingat! See you sa kasal mo!”

Colet left her at the cafe while she grasped the key with her hand. Damn, Sir Anthony. Alam naman nilang preparation week niya ito for her wedding e. Istorbo naman.

She stood up and went straight to her car, driving fast to their building like her life depended on it. 

When she arrived, hindi na siya nagsayang pa ng oras at dumeretso na siya sa floor nila. She used the key and saw on the bulletin board the note for her saying, ‘Top shelf, third box’

Binaba niya ang laptop bag na dala niya at binuksan ito to document the item. Wala siyang dalang camera ngayon but she knows there’s a polaroid camera on her desk so maybe that’ll do for now. Babalikan niya na lamang ito to take more clearer photos with her Hasselblad for condition assessment. Pumunta siya saglit sa desk niya at kinuha ang nasabing camera bago nito sinabit sa leeg niya then bumalik na siya sa harap ng shelf. She reached for the box and set it down before peeking inside, it’s an hourglass. She pulled the cabinet open beside her and grabbed some gloves. She opened the box entirely and an old wooden hourglass greeted her. 

There are four small pillars around it, all wooden with intricate patterns. She carefully picked it up and stared at the patterns. They’re almost faded, yung ibang patterns nabakbak na at malabo nang mabasa without a magnifying glass and a little bit cleaning. 

She snapped some photos before typing some information she noticed about it. Early assessment pa lang naman ito at pwede naman niyang tignan ulit. They just need her to check if it’s historically valuable or not. 

Hinawakan ito muli ni Mikha matapos niyang magtype, the sand was piled at the bottom. Pati ang buhangin sa loob ay mukhang luma na dahil nangingitim na ito. She decided to check if the sand can pass to the other glass because the other hourglass she had checked before have something stuck inside, preventing the sand from pouring to the other part. She was turning it upside down when she felt a dizzying sensation pass through her body. That’s odd.

Hindi naman siguro siya buntis, ano? Denise can’t get her pregnant anyway, what is she saying?

She went back to the hourglass and tilted it upside down again, and this time, the dizzying feeling doubled and she felt like the walls around her were closing in on her. Hindi makahinga si Mikha at tila pinipisil ang kanyang puso. Naramdaman niya ang pagdulas ng hourglass mula sa kamay niya habang naghahanap siya ng pwedeng hawakan upang hindi siya matumba. The colors around her are mixing themselves together and she suddenly heard something snapping in various directions.

It went on for a couple of minutes and Mikha felt like vomiting. What is happening?

When it stopped, she slumped to the floor. 

What just happened?

She tried catching her breath for a few minutes, steadying the beating of her heart. Although she doesn’t feel like vomiting anymore, she was dizzy as hell. What the fuck was that? She removed her blazer and pinched her white shirt away from her to let some air in kasi pawis na pawis siya. She noticed some dust getting on her pants and she looked around the room. Sobrang alikabok nito, nothing like their clean office kanina. May sandstorm ba na pumasok dito? The hell. 

She sat there for a few minutes, listening to her surroundings with her eyes closed. Aside from her breathing, she couldn’t hear anything. Not even the hum of the aircon or the humidifier, not even the faint rustling of papers outside where the office of the archive department could be heard. Ang weird. 

She stood up nang maramdaman niyang hindi na siya gaanong nahihilo. She dusted off her pants and even her black shoes na namuti sa alikabok before she looked around the room. She’s fucked.

The room was completely empty except for the table she was leaning on kanina. The box of artifact was gone, even the shelves and desks. The hourglass itself was missing. What in the world is going on?

She pulled out her phone and found it dead. Great. 

She took one last look around the room before leaving. She saw a deserted hallway instead of the usual hallway where the buzz of people is present. She walked a few more steps before she heard a gasp from behind and when she turned, she saw a woman in her sixties looking at her in confusion. The woman was wearing a long denim skirt paired with a blouse Mikha was sure only existed in the early 2000’s.

“Hija, hindi pa pwede ang parte ng building na ito para sa mga bisita. Anong ginagawa mo rito?” Lumapit ito sa kanya at lumingon lingon sa paligid nila. “Saan ka pumasok? Sinabihan ko si Benjamin na isara nang maayos itong wing na ito.”

“Uhm- I was - Wait, did you say na hindi pa pwede ang parte ng building na ‘to?” She asked the older woman who was starting to walk towards the door at the end of the hallway where there should be a biometrics scanner for Mikha and the other employees who work here. Ngayon, wooden door na lamang ito at mukhang kagagawa pa lamang niya. 

“Oo, hija. Hindi pa bukas ito at inaayos pa lang ang mga collection para sa parteng ito ng museum. Paano ka ba nakapasok? May nagpapasok ba sa iyo?”

“Uh- I actually work here po, I’m Mikhaela Xavier. You can check the employees website, nandoon po ako. I’m a curator po sa National Museum of Anthropology.” She explained as they passed by numerous empty rooms she felt she was familiar and foreign with at the same time. Bakit ganito yung building nila? Last time she checked, she slept a complete 8 hours kagabi. Why does it feel like this is a dream? 

The old woman stopped walking and turned to her, her face contorted into a serious frown. “Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sa iyo, hija. Kailangan mo nang lumabas at baka sino pa ang makakita sa iyo rito. Bawal ang mga outsiders dito.” Hinawakan ng matandang babae ang braso ni Mikha at hinatak siya palabas. 

“I’m telling the truth! Hindi po ako nagjojoke- what the-”

Nakalabas sila ng building and the old woman let go of her hand, looking at her with sharp eyes. “Ito ang Museum of the Filipino People. Hindi ko alam saan mo galing ang  National Museum of Anthropology, pero hindi ito iyon. Mga kabataan talaga ngayon! Kung ano anong kalokohan ang sinasabi.”  Tinalikuran na siya ng matanda at isinara ang pintuan. Leaving Mikha more confused as ever. 

Ano ba ‘to?

She walked away from the huge building she was from to the highway outside and took a good look around. The sky was now orange, hapon na and the air was slightly cold. There are still busy people walking, some carrying a box full of candies and some cigarettes they sell and some carrying bags. What puzzled her is the way they look. She couldn’t pinpoint what exactly but the people looked different. 

“Ganda ng suot mo, Neng. Foreigner ka ba? Ang puti mo naman.” Nilingon niya ang nagsalita at isa itong matandang lalaki na may dalang kahon ng candy. The box was made from wood and it looks a little heavy. It has a few folded newspapers that he probably sells too, with some trinkets and lighters. Sinabi na sa kanya ni Colet ito pero nakalimutan niya kung anong tawag sa kanila. 

“No, hindi po ako foreigner.” She looked around again before asking the vendor, “Can I buy one of your newspapers instead po? How much are they?” She pointed at the folded newspapers inside the box.

“Ah, nyuspeyper? Sampo isa ‘to, bili ka?” 

“Yes.” She nodded, reaching for her wallet at the back pocket of her jeans. She pulled out a hundred peso bill and gave it to him but he looked at the money like it was offending. 

“Hindi ako tumatanggap ng buo, Ineng. Tsaka parang peke ‘yan ah, wala namang ganyang pera rito. Pera ba galing ibang bansa iyan?”

She looked at the bill on her hands and shook her head, “No, this the new money issued to us po. Shit, wait, let me give you some coins na lang.” She pulled out her wallet again and searched for some coins, she only saw a 20 peso coin so that’s what she handed to him pero hindi pa rin niya ito tinanggap.

“Sigurado ka bang pera ito?”

“Yes po, they’re new that’s why they look like that.”

Mabagal ang pagtanggap ng matanda sa pera ngunit kalaunan ay tinanggap niya rin ito at iniabot ang newspaper kay Mikha. Mikha thanked him and walked away, sitting down on a nearby bench that has a tree behind it. She’s kind of sweating na because she kinda has an idea on what is happening pero ayaw niyang maniwala kaya binuksan niya ang dyaryong binili. 

What she read caused her to widen her eyes and her heart to beat faster, it might come out from her chest. Her suspicions were right. Fuck.

Estrada loses presidency, faces arrest - April 3, 2001 

She flipped the pages of the newspaper and saw news from 2001 from people she doesn’t even know about. This must be some sort of a joke. There’s just no way she traveled back in time! That’s impossible! Hindi ito totoo, this is some load of crap. Hindi pa nga siya pinapanganak sa taon na ito e!

She can feel her eyes tearing up. This is not real. She tried closing them firmly before opening them again. Maybe she really is just dreaming? Kailangan na niyang gumising. Ikakasal pa siya!

What a cruel dream to give her two days before her wedding. 

Tuluyan nang lumuha si Mikha habang nakaupo sa bench. Pinagtitinginan na siya ng ilang mga dumadaan pero she doesn’t care. She stands by it. This is just a dream and she’ll get over it, wake up, and get married to Denise. Bangungot lang ‘to.

A handkerchief appeared in front of her and she looked up. 

A guy was standing in front of her with a hesitant smile, offering his handkerchief. He looks young, his smile makes his face look even younger. Gaya ng ibang tao dito simula nang lumabas si Mikha ay mukhang kakaiba ang suot. She had her answer now. It’s because she’s back in time. 

No, this is just a dream. Hindi niya kukunin ang panyo at gigising na siya.

This can’t be happening to her. Bakit ang malas niya?

“Kunin mo na ‘to, Miss.” 

She refused to answer him. There’s an unspoken rule in time travel movies, you can’t be seen or you can’t talk to others or else the timeline will be disrupted. At kahit na hindi pa rin siya naniniwala na totoo ito dahil hindi, panaginip lang ‘to. Hindi na ulit siya makikipag-usap sa iba. She’ll wake up soon. 

Umupo ang lalaki sa tabi niya at umusog siya palayo. Men won’t really leave you alone talaga.

“Wala naman akong masamang balak, ‘no. May girlfriend ako. Fiancee na nga e.” Binaba nito ang panyo sa gitna nila at huminga nang malamim, “Panyo niya ‘yan kaya tanggapin mo na.”

She turned to him in annoyance, he held up his hands in surrender, “Makikiupo lang naman.” Lumungkot ang mata nito at ngumiti nang pilit bago ibaba ang mga kamay at tumingtin sa mga taong dumadaan, “Natanggal ako sa trabaho kaya hindi ko pa kayang umuwi. Baka nasa bahay na yung girlfriend ko niyan galing univeristy, pagraduate na siya this year. Balak namin magpakasal after ng graduation niya kaya dapat makahanap ako agad ng bagong trabaho.”

She was still silent but Mikha’s tears finally stopped. She picked up the handkerchief and wiped her face. Wala naman na siyang magagawa ngayon kung hindi maghintay na gumising siya sa panaginip. 

“Mayaman kasi sila kaya kailangan kong magsikap pa. Hindi kami gusto ng mga magulang niya para sa isa’t isa pero dahil matigas ang ulo niya, naisipan ko na lang na kausapin ang mga magulang ko para patuluyin kami sa isang bahay namin malapit rito para kahit papaano nagkikita pa rin kami  at doon siya umuuwi habang nandito siya sa Manila at nag-aaral. Hindi alam ‘yon ng magulang niya, ang alam nila nasa dormitoryo siya ng univeristy. Pero matagal na siyang umalis doon at minsan na lamang kung doon matulog. Mabuti na lamang at naipagawa namin ang lumang bahay ng mga magulang ko bago namin tirhan, medyo luma na kasi iyon at nahihiya ako sa kanya.”

Lumawak ang ngiti ng lalaki, “Buti na lang din mabait mga kaibigan niya at suportado kami.” Tumingin ito kay Mikha, “Ikaw? May masama bang nangyari kaya ka umiiyak?”

Mikha shook her head, “I-It’s complicated.”

“Mas mahirap pa kaysa sa sitwasyon namin ng nobya ko? Bakit?”

Mikha sniffed, “I’m not really familiar with this place. I feel lost.” Because she is lost in time. Kanina lang kausap niya pa yung kaibigan niya and now, she’s in the past with people she doesn’t know and places she recognizes but in different times.

“Lost? Naliligaw ka? Mag-gagabi na pa man din. May tutuluyan ka ba?” The sky is getting darker and darker and she can feel herself panicking again. “Sumama ka muna sa akin, sa bahay namin ng girlfriend ko. Mabait ‘yon. Tara.”

Lumingon lingon si Mikha sa paligid niya at napansing pakonti na nga nang pakonti ang mga tao.“I-”

“Halika ka para mahabol natin yung jeep.” Hinila siya ng lalaki patayo at saka sila naglakad palayo sa bench. Wala nang nagawa si Mikha dahil saan nga ba siya pupunta? Hindi naman tatanggapin ang perang dala niya rito kung maghahanap man siya ng hotel because her money is from the future. They don’t recognize it here yet. Mikha looked back to the big building she came from, the Museum of the Filipino People. It slowly faded from the view as they walked further away.

“P-pero, your girlfriend might get mad dahil may dala kang ibang girl sa bahay niyo. Uhm-”

“Okay lang iyon, magugustohan ka no’n dahil mahilig din mag english iyon. Magkakaintindihan kayo.”

“Baka abala pa ako sa inyo, I can go to a hotel around here or something.” Mikha insisted.

“Hindi ka abala dahil ako mismo ang nagyaya sayo. Isa pa, bahay ng mga magulang ko iyon.” Pilit ni Theo habang kinukuha ang wallet niya sa bag niya. 

“You don’t even know me. We don’t know each other.” Mikha pointed out, looking at the guy who waits for their payment and Theo who’s counting his coins. 

“Oo nga pala, hindi pa ako nagpapakilala. Ako nga pala si Theodore, Theo na lang. Ikaw ba?” Sabi nito na para bang magkaklase sila sa school na ngayon lang nagpapakilala. Hindi alam ni Mikha kung naive ba ito or sobrang bait lang talaga. Inabot ni Theo ang bayad sa lalaking naghihintay at tsaka sila sumakay ni Mikha. Mikha feels weird riding a jeep again, last time she did was with Colet nung tumakas sila from her parents para gumala. High school pa sila no’n at wala pa siyang kotse. 

“I’m-” She contemplated saying her real name. This is another timeline and she couldn’t risk it anymore. Napagkamalan na nga siyang trespasser doon sa museum. “-Kali. I’m Kali.” She said, shortening her third name Mahakali into Kali for a simpler pronunciation. Thank God for her Mom who loves to give long ass names to her children.

“Parang nakalimutan mo pa pangalan mo ah. Taga-saan ka ba?”

The wind blows Mikha’s hair because of how fast the jeep was so she had to hold it in one hand. Dapat talaga nagpagupit na siya. Damn, Colet. “I don’t know,”

“Paano ka ba nakarating dito?”

“I-I don’t really remember anything besides my name.” She lied through her teeth. She can’t really say anything right now lalo na hindi niya alam anong nangyayari. Mikha still hopes this is just a dream. A sick joke from whoever was in charge of giving people dreams. 

“Hala, masama ito. Wag kang mag-alala, pwede magstay kasama namin hangga’t wala kang maalala.” This guy, Theo, was so kind that Mikha finds it hard to believe that this is real. 

The rest of the ride was silent, saved from the few murmurs along the way from the people who stared at Mikha. Iba nga naman kasi ang suot niya kumpara sa mga ito. Their clothes are full of colors, Mikha was reminded by those Jolina Magdangal movies back then. She really wears something foreign from their eyes. No wonder napagkamalan siyang foreigner ng nagtitinda kanina.

When they arrived, they had to walk for a few more minutes through kantos and eskenitas and when the house came into view, Mikha swore under her breath. She knows this house. 

Pumunta na siya dito dati. With Colet. A total of two times but she knows this house really well. No matter how worn out it looks right now, the house she remembers might’ve been different in color and it might have looked new but she’s hella sure it’s the same house. 

“Hindi naman gaano kaganda, pero may kalakihan naman at medyo malayo sa mga kapitbahay. Lupa kasi ito ng Tatay ko, pamana ng Lolo ko sa kanya. Maraming henerasyon na ang tumira sa bahay na ito hanggang sa napagdesisyunan ng mga magulang ko na iwanan ito at lumipat sa probinsya kung saan nanggaling si Nanay dahil nagiging maingay na raw ang Maynila para sa kanila. Kaya eto, naiwan sa akin.”

They walked closer to the house. Mukha nga itong luma lalo na sa malapitan. It’s a very old, traditional house with two stories. The second floor was made up of wood and the first was concrete. Bakbak na ang pintura sa kahoy at medyo may mga nakaangat na na yero but all in all, it looks great. 

“You have a nice house.” She managed to say despite the lump in her throat.

“Salamat, maganda ‘yan sa loob. Yung girlfriend ko yung nag-ayos dahil wala akong gaanong alam sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit. Halika.” Binuksan ni Theo ang pinto pero nag-alangan pumasok si Mikha. 

This is the same house she had been in with Colet and she’s terrified of who she might see on the other side of the door. 

She knew perfectly well who is. 

“Hindi naman nangangain ng tao yung girlfriend ko, Kali.” 

Mikha’s gaze flickered from the house to Theo before speaking,“Aalis na lang siguro ako, T-theo. Baka may mahanap pa akong ibang-”

“Theo? Is that you?”

They both turned their heads towards the source of the voice and there, walking down the stairs and looking over at them was someone Mikha knew ever since she was in high school.

She looked younger, so much younger than she remembers but there’s no mistaking it. It’s the same woman who saved her life years ago. 

Maraiah Barcellon. Young Maraiah Barcellon, probably younger than Mikha is right now. She looks even more intimidating than older Maraiah.

And beautiful. 

Theo’s face lightened up at the sight of the woman and he went straight to her,“Mahal ko, may ipapakilala ako sayo. Halika, eto si Kali. Nakita ko siya sa harap ng Museo.” Theo gently grabbed Aiah’s hand as she descended the stairs. She was wearing a long white night gown that reached her ankles, with a soft cardigan on her shoulders.The woman was looking at her curiously as she was directed to where Mikha was still standing by the door. Frozen. 

She’s meeting the young Maraiah Barcellon. Ever since she’s young, she already carries that same air of confidence she exuded when Mikha first met her as her teacher and later on, as her college professor.

Maiarah turned to her fiance after a few moments of staring at Mikha, “And you decided to bring her here because?” 

Damn, of course she’s gonna be mad about this.

Mikha looked at Theo who just smiled reassuringly at her, “Kasi nawawala siya, mahal ko. Naliligaw, umiiyak nga siya nung nakita ko siya sa harap ng Museo e. Tsaka hindi ko naman pwedeng iwan siya doon, baka ano pang mangyari sa kanya. Iba pa man din ang Manila kapag gabi na.”

Maraiah seemed to soften at her fiance’s words because her face suddenly formed a gentle smile, “You’re such a kind man, Theodore.” Maraiah pushed some of his hair that fell to his eyes away before she turned to Mikha who was looking everywhere but them. This is getting ridiculous. Who wants to see their teacher getting soft and lovesick, right? Plus, this is young Mraiah we are talking about. 

“Kumain na ba kayong dalawa? There’s food sa kitchen, bigay nila Stacey.” Maraiah said.

“Nako, gutom na nga ako. Tara, Kali, Kain tayo.”

Maraiah stopped him from holding Mikha’s arm, “Magbihis ka muna, I’ll take her sa kitchen. Just come down once you’re done.” 

Theodore nodded like the good boyfriend he was, nodding at the direction of the kitchen to Mikha before he went upstairs. Leaving Mikha with a suspicious Maraiah. This can’t be good. Mikha pretended to look around the house, nasa may tabi pa rin siya ng pinto. She doesn’t want to meet Maraiah’s eyes or else she’ll faint.

Pretending to be fascinated by the floor of a very old house is harder than she thought. Para siyang tanga dito. Naramdaman niya ang paglapit ng babae sa kanya kaya hindi niya napigilang mapaatras. Umabot na siya sa mismong pintuan at wala na siyang aatrasan kaya wala na siyang ibang nagawa kaya tumingin sa babae. Napasinghap si Mikha sa sobrang lapit nito. 

She’s too close, and her eyes seem to have their own stars because they twinkle as she stared through Mikha’s soul.

If the older Maraiah is beautiful, the younger Maraiah is breathtaking. 

“Who are you, really?”

Mikha gulped, sweat gathering in her forehead at the sudden interrogation. “I-I’m Kali.”

“Kali what? What’s your surname? Where are you from? Why are you with my boyfriend? Naliligaw ka ba talaga like how you told him?” The piled up questions came thundering on Mikha and she couldn’t help but gulp again. She’s still in Mikha's personal space, her eyes still twinkling and Mikha could still see the unique pattern of her orbs. 

“I don’t really remember anything.” Mikha lied through her teeth, trying her best not to break character while under the scrutinizing gaze of her old teacher. Or is it future teacher since she’s still a student in this timeline? Tangina, hindi na alam ni Mikha ang mga nangyayari. If only she could wake herself from this stupid dream.

“Why do you look like you know me?”

Because she does.

“I-I don’t. I’m just really lost.” Mikha stammered a reply. Fuck.

“Hindi ka ba pinadala ng family ko dito?”

Mikha shook her head.

“You’re a liar. I can tell.” Maraiah murmured, her warm breath caressing Mikha’s skin making her try her best not to shiver.

“I-Im telling the truth, I really don’t remember anything. And I’m lost. T-that’s why I was crying when your fiance found me. Hindi rin kita kilala, M-ma’am. Totoo po ‘yon.” She said, leaning her head away from Maraiah’s face as she spoke. 

Maraiah raised her left brow, “Magsasabi ka rin ng totoo soon.” She pulled away and put some distance between them. “You better not be someone my family sent to spy on me. And you better not do anything bad while you’re here with us. Masyadong mabait ang nobyo ko, so I’ll let you off the hook. For now.” She stared down at Mikha, reminding Mikha of their height difference. Of her high school days where she’ll look up to her teacher whenever she’s roaming around the classroom to see their works. She always envied her teacher before for a lot of things, one of them is how tall she is. How she seems to be towering a lot of people, like a Queen to its pawns. That’s how majestic and intimidating Maraiah was. Mikha always wondered if it was the same woman who saved her. 

“Let’s go to the kitchen. My fiance will be down in a minute. I hope kumakain ka ng ampalaya.” Mikha tried not to vomit by the sound of it. This is gonna be a nightmare.

Even though she was deemed as someone not worthy of trust a few seconds ago, basically a stranger, her teacher served her food. The rice was still a little hot and the bitter gourd was mixed with eggs. Mikha can do this. She can do amplaya with eggs. 

She remembered what Colet used to say about this, “Isabay mo sa itlog para di mapait. Dad ko magaling magluto ng ganito e, hindi man mapait. Tsaka si Tito Joel, Dad ni Prof Maraiah. Nasa pamilya na yata namin magaling mag-cook.”

Mikha hoped that Maraiah inherited her Dad and Uncle’s cooking skills that Colet told her about or else she’s doomed. Hindi siya pwedeng mag inarte dito dahil nakikitira lang siya.

“You look different, by the way. You’re not from here, ‘no? You have an accent.” Maraiah put down a glass of water beside her and sat down directly in front of Mikha. 

“Thanks.” She said and drank some water, finally. Her throat has been hurting since earlier. “I-” What will she say? Of course, she’s fluent in English. Aside from the fact that she was indeed born outside of the country and stayed there until she was 10, she had an expensive education. Not to mention the woman in front of her being her literature teacher in the future, napakagaling na teacher ni Maraiah. Lahat ng nagiging estudyante niya, natutuo nang maayos.

“Let me guess, you don’t know? Well, what do you know? Nothing?”

Mikha frowned, not liking those words. She’s stuck in here, a time where she doesn’t belong and all she wanted to do was wake up from this nightmare and get married to Denise. Hindi naman niya ginusto na mapunta rito at makagulo pa sa bahay bahayan na ginagawa nila. She doesn’t like the woman’s tone. Oo, she’s gonna save her life in the future but that didn’t happen yet, at kahit pa sinagip niya ang buhay ni Mikha, her choice of words and tone didn’t sit right with her. 

Maraiah must’ve noticed the irritation on her face because she smirked in satisfaction. Nakalimutan ni Mikha for a while na she’s Maraiah Barcellon, and even right now where she’s still a student, she was born into a very wealthy family. Colet also told her that she’s the only child of Joel Barcellon, so imagine how much of a spoiled brat she was. 

“Oh, ang sarap naman ng ulam, mahal!” Bati nang kapapasok lamang sa kusina na si Theo na nakapagpalit na ng damit. “Kain na, Kali. Masarap magluto ‘yang si mahal. Kaya nga magiging misis ko ‘yan e.” Umupo ito sa tabi ni Maraiah at kumuha ng kanin. Nakaharap na silang dalawa ngayon kay Mikha. 

Mikha picked up her spoon and fork then began eating. It really was good, gone was the taste of ampalaya. All she could taste was the egg. Possible nga pala talaga ito. She forgot how tasty this was kasi hindi na siya yung dinadalhan ng ulam ni Colet mula sa bahay nila, si Maloi na. Mikha and Denise are used to buying takeouts outside because neither of them could cook. It won’t be a problem though because they could just easily hire a chef. 

“Anong pinag-usapan niyo habang wala ako?” Tanong ni Theodore in between chewing his food.

Maraiah was looking at him with pure unadulterated horror when some of the rice went out of his mouth because he was speaking while eating. Yup, really raised with a silver spoon and etiquette. Bakit ka naman kasi ganyan kumain, Theodore? Tanong ni Mikha sa isip niya.

Maraiah looked over to Mikha who looked down on her food, avoiding the older woman’s eyes. “Wala naman, I was just asking her about what she remembers. Apparently, wala so she might stay with us for a little while.”

Mikha was surprised 

“Okay lang naman ako doon, maganda rin ‘yon, para may kasama ka rito kapag nagtatatrabaho ako sa gabi.” Dumako ang tingin ni Theo kay Mikha, “Pero sana mahanap natin ang mga kamag-anak mo, o may maalala ka na. Iba rin kasi kapag kasama ang pamilya. Pero wag mo mamasamain iyong sinabi ko, welcome ka naman dito.”

Maraiah was looking at her with an unreadable expression on her face, “Where did you see her again?”

“Sa harap ng Museo, yung parke doon na may mga upuan.”

“Why were you at the Museum?” Maraiah directed her question to Mikha, her eyebrow raised.

Mikha put her fork and spoon down, “I woke up in one of the rooms there, sabi nila it’s not yet ready for visitors but I didn’t even know how I got there in the first place. The old lady escorted me out and ayon, your boyfriend found me.” Mikha nodded at Theodore who was nodding too.

“Fiance. Not boyfriend, Fiance.” Maraiah corrected her, passing a table napkin to Theodore who accepted it.

“Yeah, that.” Mikha just nodded. Ganito pala noon yung Porfessor niya na masungit, alipin ng pag-ibig. Makaangkin kay Theo, akala mo aagawin e.

They ate in silence for a while before Maraiah decided to break it with a question again, “But why were you in there? Are you in some kind of a modus? Baka magnanakaw ka ha.”

“Mahal naman. Wag naman ganyan.” Theo scolded her.

Maraiah did something Mikha never thought she’d see the woman do in her whole life. Pout. The Maraiah Barcellon is pouting in front of her right now.

“What? I’m just making sure we’re not housing someone who probably knows my family. Haven’t you seen her face kanina? She looks like she knows me. My family is quite famous, you know.”

Well, she’s right. They are famous, even back when she wasn’t writing yet. Colet told her that their family were famous politicians back in the day.

“I’m not like that, I swear. I-I just, I really want to go home but I don’t know how because-” She cut herself off. Because what? She doesn’t know what else to say without sounding like a lunatic. She’s in a different time, a different house when all she wanted was to get married and go back to her time in peace. Lord, kung panaginip man ‘to, please wake her up. It's not a very good joke to live in. “-I c-can’t really remember anything.”

“See? Mabait si Kali, mahal.” Theo rubbed Maraiah’s arm to assure her before looking over to Mikha, “Madaming bakanteng kwarto ‘tong bahay na ‘to pero isa lang ang may papag at kutson. Turo ko sayo mamaya para makapagpahinga ka na.” Uminom ito ng tubig bago nagpatuloy magsalita, “ Tahimik naman dito kapag gabi at saka mababait ang mga kapitbahay, kapag wala kaming dalawa, pwede ka munang makisama sa kanila kung masyadong malaki ang bahay para sayo.” 

Mikha nodded, feeling like she might cry. This man, the only person who was kind enough to help her here in this timeline, was just triggering her tears. But she held it in, lalo na nararamdaman niya ang masamang tingin mula sa babaeng katabi nito. “Thank you, both of you, for letting me stay. I promise, hindi ako magiging pabigat sa inyo. And I would try to remember so I could come back to where I belong.”

“Pero sa ngayon, magpahinga ka muna.” Theo stood up and started taking the plates so Mikha stood up too.

“Ako na ang maghuhugas nito, it’s the least thing I could do.” She said, trying to take the plates from  Theo who refused to give it. 

“Ay, hindi. Ako na. Mahal, pakituro na lang kung saan siya matutulog para makapagpahinga na siya.” Theo said before turning to the sink to dump the dishes.

“Sure. Let’s go.” Maraiah stood up, even younger than Mikha right now, she really is tall. Kung iisipin, in this time, Mikha is older than her lalo na kung nasa university pa ito at nag-aaral. Mikha is 23 right now and she’s already working dahil maaga siyang nag-aral. She guessed that the Maraiah here right now who’s escorting her to her room is around 18 or 19.

They went upstairs, passing a few rooms before Maraiah stopped. Muntik pa niyang mabangga ito pero buti na lang ay nakaatras agad si Mikha. Maraiah pointed to the door at the end of the hall, “That’ll be our room, kung may kailangan ka which I hope wala, kumatok ka lang.” She turned to the door in front of them, “This is yours. Bagong palit naman ang mga sheets kaya hindi sila maalikabok.” She opened the door to reveal a very old style Filipino bedroom. It’s very pretty lalo na with the traditional headboard with twirling wooden pattern as pillars around the bed. There’s an open window too where Mikha could see lights from multiple houses from a distance. Malamig din ang simoy ng hangin dahil nga nakabukas ito.

“I see you like it. Pumasok ka na and maybe get some rest.” Maraiah turned away and was about to go when the moon light flashed on her ring, making Mikha call her back. 

Hindi rin niya alam kung bakit sa pagkinang ng singsing ni  Maraiah ay kasabay nito ang kagustuhang tawagin ang pangalan nito. 

It’s weird.

“Maraiah..” She feels weird saying her Teacher's name dahil ngayon niya lang ginawa ito.

“Yes?” 

Mikha shook her head, “Nothing, just- thank you, again, for letting me stay here despite not really knowing who I am.”

Maraiah only stared at her for a few seconds. It actually started to make her feel conscious and she shifted on her feet before Maraiah nodded and left her in her room.

Pagkaalis nito, doon pa lamang naramdaman ni Mikha ang bigat ng sitwasyon niya. Bakit ba siya nandito sa panahong ito? That hourglass has something to do with this. She has to find that thing or else she doesn’t know how to come back. 

Or just wake up, Mikhaela Charlotte Mahakali Xavier! Damn it.

She fell down on the bed and covered her eyes. Did she disappear back there? Hinahanap na ba siya ng mga kaibigan at fiancee niya? What really happened? Is it really just a dream?

Hindi na niya alam.

Hindi na rin niya namalayan na umiiyak na naman siya. At sa pagtulo ng luha niya, kasabay niyang naramdaman ang pagod at antok. She gave in and let herself be pulled by sleep, in the hopes that once she wakes up tomorrow, she’ll be back to her time and to her fiancee. 

She misses Denise so bad.

Chapter Text

2 weeks later…

Mikha is close to giving up.

Two weeks. Two weeks of no internet access, no air conditioned room, no battery on her iphone, no cameras, no food deliveries, no laundry shops, no new clothes, no Colet, and no Denise. Fuck.

Malapit na siyang maniwala na hindi talaga panaginip ito at sadyang nasa maling panahon na talaga siya. It’s been two weeks since she got here, since she ended up in this mess. Sa araw araw na gumigising siya, she wishes that the white walls of her apartment will greet her, the hum of the air conditioner and her humidifier will wake her, and the face of her girlfriend will come into view. But no, that doesn’t happen. Everytime she wakes up, she wakes up to the wooden ceiling painted with varnish, to the sound of kids playing outside, and to the face of two people who were basically strangers to her. 

Theo is a kind man, he’s a kind friend even, Mikha can consider him a friend now lalo na siya ang dahilan kung bakit may tinutuluyan si Mikha sa panahon na ‘to. Ano na lang mangyayari sa kanya kung hindi siya nakita nito sa hara ng Museo. Pero he’s not Colet, he’s not her friend ever since she was in high school. And the young Maraiah here is not the Maraiah she has in her timeline. The young Maraiah here has more emotion than the one in her time, and it’s making her feel like she’s trespassing her teacher's early life. 

Naisip nga nito, kaya ba malamig at malayo ang loob nito kay Mikha sa hinaharap, dahil nangyari na ito sa kanya? If Mikha’s gonna think hard about it, if this isn’t really a dream, then what’s happening to her right now happened to her teacher when she was younger. She was part of young Maraiah’s life, and she’s living with young Maraiah right now. Galit ba ito dahil may babaeng nakitira sa kanila ng nobyo niya noon? Is-

“Her husband died early, and he died in this very school too.”

Is Theo the husband Colet was talking about? Will Theo die early? How early?

Fuck. They don’t look like they will be separating soon so Mikha is sure Theo's gonna be Maraiah’s husband. May singsing na ngang suot ang mga ito. And with the way they look at each other, they look like they’d get married if a Priest will volunteer to get them married. 

How will Theo die? 

Bakit ba hindi niya nakulit sa Colet sa mga ganitong bagay noong nasa tamang panahon pa siya? 

Well, it’s not her fault really. The older Maraiah is really a closed off person, unlike the one she lives with here. Even Colet’s relatives were having a hard time coaxing her out of her cold demeanor. It really goes to show what losing someone to death will do to you. 

Kung iisipin ding mabuti ni Mikha, she too, would lose herself if Denise dies. Parang hindi niya kayang isipin ‘yon. She would wanna die first before she could think about losing Denise, hindi niya kaya. Denise is too precious to her, she’s someone Mikha deeply cares about. And Mikha would rather die than to live without her. 

Mikha hung her clothes outside, waved to Mang Tirso, the old man who always passed by riding his bicycle that has a brown box at the back, selling his pandesals in the neighborhood. She’d gotten close to some of the people nearby, including him who she buys pandesal from every morning whenever she hears the horn echo throughout the street. Nasanay man siya sa pandesal ng Pan De Manila, she can proudly say na yung pandesal na tinitinda ni Mang Tirso ay mas masarap. 

She went back inside the house, wiping her hands sa worn out shorts niya. Mabuti na lang at nagsusuot siya ng dobleng damit nung araw na nawala siya sa panahon niya dahil may nasusuot siya alternatively. She washes her clothes everyday and has no problem drying them because it’s always hot outside. But the thing is, she’s been doing hand washing for two weeks now and her clothes are slowly losing their color because of constant washing. Nahihiya naman itong manghiram ng damit sa magnobyong kasama niya kaya nagtitiis na lamang siya. 

Nahirapan siyang mag-adjust sa buhay na mostly ginagawa mo by hand, like cooking when she’s used to food deliveries, washing dishes because again, she’s used to takeout containers. Doing laundry, eh suki siya ng laundry shop. Yes, it was cold at night, but damn when the morning comes, what would she do to have an air conditioned room right now. And how she missed her phone. Nakatabi lang ito ngayon sa pillows niya because of its dead battery. She was too tempted to borrow Theo’s 3310 but she doesn’t know how to use that. After two weeks though, she kind of got used to the old style of living. Was it an exaggeration because it’s only the 2000’s? Well, she’s a gen z that grew up with a lot of new technology so she thinks not.

She decided to cook something with what they have sa old style refrigerator na nasa bahay na ‘to. Surprisingly, it works well and Mikha actually likes the tiny built-in compartments it has unlike sa modern refrigerators na kailangan mo pang bumili ng containers to serve as dividers. Hanggang pagpirprito lang siya ng itlog dahil ito lang ang natutunan niyang lutuin. Sometimes Colet teases her na magpaturo kay Tito Jason, Colet’s Dad, sa pagluluto. Mikha just brushes her off, pero now, she kinda wishes she did ask for help. Hindi naman pwedeng lagi silang bibili ng take out ni Denise ‘no. Tsaka what if magkasakit yung chef na ihahahire nila? Cooking is a very important skill talaga. 

Her whole day was always spent buying pandesal every morning, having breakfast alone because Maraiah goes to university early and Theo leaves the house with her to look for a job. Then doing her laundry because she only has two pairs of clothes, watching the black and white television for news she doesn’t understand and shows she doesn't like. She cleans too, hindi naman sa sobrang dumi ng bahay pero naisip niya na magwalis lagi at magpunas because dust easily goes inside the house because of how old the style was. Sometimes she catches herself wanting to go outside and explore the streets, pero inuunahan siya ng takot at kaba dahil baka kung anong maidulot n’on sa hinaharap. Hindi naman niya alam ang mga bawal at pwede habang nandito si staying inside the house is her safest choice. Lalo na muntik na siyang ireport nung matanda sa Museum of the Filipino People for ‘trespassing’. She can’t spend her days in jail. That would be so humiliating and scary. 

When the hue outside was orange and the kids playing quieted down, Mikha knows it’s hapon na and her companions will arrive soon so she checks the house if it’s clean before going up to her room. Kahit naman na nandito siya, she wants the couple to have their own time. Lalo na Mikha is really sure Theo is the dead husband they’re talking about, the least thing she could do is to give them their time right now because Theo will be gone soon. It’s unsettling if you think about it, knowing someone will die very soon. But what else can she do?

Upstairs, she has notes by the cabinet where she found a notebook and some pens. When she asked Maraiah if they’re gonna use them, she told her she can have it. The woman-no, not yet woman but a  girl, because she learned Maraiah was only 19 right now-, was still a little distant to her but she’s slowly becoming friendly to Mikha. Nalaman niya na Secondary Education ang kinuha nito, Major in English. No wonder she became a literature professor in the future. She’s currently in her final year and they’re doing their research and soon, practice teaching. Mikha didn’t wanna hear anything else than that because anything research related makes her head boil. Which was funny because as a museum curator, Mikha does a lot of researching. Still, she’s not too fond of it in general. Maraiah seems to like it though because she can always hear her talking to Theo about it. Mikha also learned that they met at the university. Ahead ng isang taon si Theo kay Maraiah kaya graduated na ito, hindi nga lang alam ni Mikha kung anong kurso. She’ll try to ask that later and maybe help him in looking for a stable job. Theo seems to be unlucky when it comes to job hunting. Kung nasa 2025 lang sila, having job street would be easy.

Her notes are short and precise to ensure that if ever it comes to a point where both of them will encounter the notes, hindi nila ito maiintindihan. So far, what she wrote was the dates of the days she got here and how long has she been here. Together with the details of the places she knew in her time that bears different ones here. 

• April 3, 2001
• 14 days
• April 3, 2025
• 24 years 
• Museum of the Filipino People
• Maraiah’s house (same house she lives in in the future)
• Maraiah’s 19 (Mikha’s 23) 
• Theo is 21
• Hourglass

She doesn’t have much right now. Ang tanging alam niya ay nasa isang parte siya ng Manila na malapit sa univeristy na pinapasukan ni Maraiah, which is the same univeristy Colet and Mikha went to. She never really left then. Maraiah stayed where she started. Where she met her husband. Maraiah stayed.

Mikha doesn’t know how to feel about that.

Her mind also thinks back on the day the fire broke into her school and she almost died, did Maraiah know her then? Kaya ba niya sinagip si Mikha noon, dahil kilala niya ito? Naaalala ba ng Maraiah ngayon si Mikha, hindi dahil kaibigan siya ni Colet kung hindi dahil tumira sila sa iisang bahay sa panahon na ito? It’s a possibility that makes her head ache so hard.

One moment she was examining this strange hourglass and the next moment she was thrown in a timeline where she wasn’t even born yet.

That damn hourglass. Saan naman hahanapin ito ni Mikha? She didn’t have that much about it because she was examining it for just a few minutes before shit happened. 

“Kali! Nandito na kami!”

Mikha blinked back to her present, which is Maraiah’s past, when she heard Theo’s shout from downstairs. She closed the notebook in her hands and put it under her pillow. She stood up and went downstairs to find Theo smiling up at her with plastic in his hands. 

“May trabaho na ako! Kaya eto bumili ako ng ulam natin ngayong gabi, pinaikot na manok. Tara, sigurado ako nagprito ka na naman ng itlog kaya kumain ka ulit na may kasamang totoong ulam.” Sabi nito bago naglakad papuntang kusina where she could hear utensils being put down the table. Hindi na pala niya ito kailangan tulungan. She smiled to herself. She followed Theo to the kitchen where Maraiah was setting up the utensils. One thing she noticed here, was despite the house and some furnitures being old, the appliances aren’t. Together with the sheets, utensils, and other house stuff. Nang itanong niya ito kay Theo last week, he responded with, “Binili niya ‘yan, alam mo naman galing sa mayaman na pamilya. Pinilit niya akong mamili ng mga gagamitin dito sa bahay gamit ang allowance niya dahil sabi niya sobra sobra ito dahil hindi naman siya nagbabayad ng renta. Kaya mapapansin mo kahit luma ang bagay, bago ang mga kagamitan.”

“What? You don’t eat chicken?” 

Mikha went back to reality when Maraiah spoke. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, “Kumakain ako ‘no, I love chicken.” 

“Good, then come and help me here. Don’t just stand there.” 

Mikha rolled her eyes, masungit pa rin ito at maldita but Mikha got used to it. It’s not like she’ll have some expectations about her, her future self was distant and cold to be close with. Despite being her savior and all.

“Hayaan mo na ‘yang masungit na ‘yan, Kali. Wag mo isipin kasi kanina, habang pauwi kami, may naisip siya para sayo.” Sabi ni Theo habang binubuksan ang plastic na naglalaman ng ulam nila. The smell of freshly roasted chicken wafted through Mikha’s nose and her mouth started to water, she forgot what he said.

“Stop that.” Maraiah said, finally sitting down. She always sits at the head of the table like she owns the place, Theo on her right and Mikha on her left. It’s like this house was run by a matriarch. 

“What is it? Anong meron?” Mikha inquired, accepting the bowl of rice being passed to her by Theo and taking two scoops. 

Theo smiled knowingly to his fiancee who just rolled her eyes and turned to Mikha, “Sinabi niya sa akin na napapansin daw niya na wala kang ibang damit kaya naman bibigyan ka niya mamaya pagkatapos natin maghapunan, ‘di ba, mahal? May binili pa nga siya para sayo na hindi ko daw pwede makita.”

Binili?

“Let’s eat for now, enough of that.” Maraiah said as she scooped some chicken and put it on Theo’s plate. 

Maraiah just nodded before they started eating again. Theo was telling her stories about how he got the job while Maraiah comments every now and then with Mikha just happy to listen while eating. She never thought she’d say this but she’s thankful for what is happening to her right now. She has a safe place to be in despite being in a difficult situation, thanks to Theo. She just hopes they’ll have a different ending this time. Because if it’s true that Theo will die soon, Mikha fears she’ll understand as to why old Maraiah is like that. 

When they finished eating, Theo insisted na he will wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen so they could go and try some clothes on. Maraiah just tilted her head to the stairs before she walked away. Mikha looked at Theodore for some help but he just shrugged his shoulders while giggling, “Sige na, sumunod ka na sa kanya. Sabi ko sayo hindi naman nangangain ng tao ‘yon.” 

Mikha just glared at him and said, “You’re no help.” before following Maraiah who’s now at their room by the end of the hall. Nahiya pa itong pumasok sa kwarto dahil ito ang unang beses pero tinignan lamang siya ni Maraiah sabay sabi ng, “Come here.” So she did, she gently closed the door and stood awkwardly while Maraiah rummaged through her clothes. She’s very organized, if the lined up, neatly folded clothes were anything to go by. Even the ones that were hung were aligned properly and arranged by colors. 

She pulled out three denim high waisted shorts, two low rise jeans with deep burgundy color, two faded red shirts and two black tank tops. Naglabas pa ito ng plaid shirts. Mikha feels really old right now.

“These should be your size. I also bought you some undergarments. Isukat mo na lang, tinantsa ko lang ang size mo because I forgot to ask you kanina bago umalis.” 

Maraiah handed her a paper bag. She opened it and what she saw made her face grow hotter. They’re underwear, lots of them. In different colors! What the hell?

Mikha looked up at her and found Maraiah staring back at her with her arms crossed, “What? Are they wrong? Those bras are 32B.” Maraiah said, before her eyes traveled down to Mikha’s chest to indicate what she meant by it. 

Mikha went impossibly red. This woman is gonna be her literature teacher and college professor in the future and she’s talking about her bra size! Nakaramdam ng matinding hiya si Mikha pero tumango na lamang ito because what is she supposed to say? She is right, Mikha is 32 B. Even the panties are right. Kill her now. Please. Sana lamunin na siya ng lupa ngayon din.

“Try them on then para makita natin kung tama ba or mali ako, I can always return them sa shop and change them.” 

Mikha’s eyes widened.

Seryoso ba siya?

“N-no, these are right. Yup, no need to try them on. I’ll take these clothes too.” She started folding and picking up the clothes on the bed.

“Why? Are you shy?” Maraiah asked and Mikha could hear the disbelief in her voice. 

Right, it’s not very common at this time to have lesbians everywhere yet. Maraiah probably thought she was straight who doesn't care about changing as long as it’s a girl around them. But Mikha is, and it feels like cheating on Denise if she’ll undress in front of a woman who’s basically still a stranger to her right now. This is her professor in the future, for fuck’s sake!

“Yes. I am.” Mikha nodded as she gathered the clothes on her chest.

Maraiah clicked her tongue, “Babae naman tayo pareho, para sana makita ko kung tama yung mga damit. Then again, it’s up to you. Suit yourself.” She walked towards the door and Mikha followed, when she closed the door she faced Mikha again. “Tell me if you need more, baka may mahanap pa akong mga damit for you.” Aalis na sana ito pagkatapos magsalita pero tinawag siya ni Mikha. 

She only raised a brow at Mikha, waiting for what she had to say. 

“Thanks for the clothes.”

Something in Maraiah’s eyes softened but it immediately disappeared before she nodded then left Mikha upstairs. 

-

The clothes Maraiah lent her were a total fit, she loved the blank tank tops the most. Presko silang suotin and she doesn't do laundry that often. Hindi na nagbabakbak ang kamay niya kakakusot ng damit. 

She’s been here for a total of 24 days now, malapit na siyang mag isang buwan rito at malapit na rin siyang mawalan ng pag-asa na makakabalik pa siya kung saan siya nanggaling. She searched everywhere in the house to see if there’s something that will help her, watched every news sa tv nilang black and white to see something that might guide her into finding out what the hell is she doing here but no, nothing’s happening. Mikha feels like she slowly learning how to live with it. 

She also thinks that she was born in 2002, and lived normally. So maybe before 2002 starts, she’ll be back in her time. Pero paano kung hindi? She feels helpless, clueless and lifeless.

Maybe she should get a job while she’s here? Help the couple with their expenses. Hindi naman pwedeng nakikitira lang siya rito. 

She pitched the idea to Theo the night before May starts while they’re outside and he was against the idea. 

“Bakit mo kailangan magtrabaho? Tsaka, anong trabaho naman? Mahihirapan kang makahanap no’n dito kasi kakailanganin mo ng mga papeles. Ako nga nahirapan kahit kompleto naman mga dokumento ko e.” Komento ni Theo habang nililinis niya ang kanyang sapatos sa harap ng bahay nila. Mikha was slumped on the floor, hugging her knees as she looked up at him. 

“I’m being a burden here right now, wala akong maitulong sa inyo.” 

Theo put down his shoes before looking at her, “Hindi naman, maayos naman ang lagay natin dito. Tsaka sumasahod na ako, hindi mo kailangan isipin ang trabaho. Ibuhos mo ang sarili mo sa pag-alala kung sino at saan ka galing.” 

Or going back to her time para hindi na kayo mahirapan, Mikha thought to herself as she gazed up at the stars. She never thought she’d like staring up at them. Hindi naman gaanong mahilig sa mga bituin si Mikha, she doesn’t even acknowledge them noong nasa tamang panahon siya. Manila in 2025 is so full of city lights, you won’t see the true source of light which are the stars and moon at night. But here, a secluded part of Manila in the 2000’s, the stars and moon are vibrant and alive. She often finds herself staring up at them at night before going to bed. Even went as far as wishing upon them to take her back to her rightful era. 

“Ganda ng mga bituin kapag gabi, ano? Noong unang gabi namin dito ni Maraiah, ayan agad ang napansin niya. Punong puno ang langit ng makikinang na bituin.” 

Mikha nodded, “It is beautiful to stare at.”

Theo turned to her again, “Wag mo na iisipin ang magtrabaho ah. Kaya ko naman.”

“I just really want to help while I’m here. Nakakadagdag ako sa gastos ninyo.”

“Malaki laki naman ang sahod ko, at tsaka kahit na taga rito ako, wala akong masyadong tiwala sa lugar. Bagong mukha ka pa man din sa kanila.” Theo let out a huge sigh, “At tsaka, sa totoo niyan, parang nabuhay ang kapatid kong yumao dahil sayo, Mikha. Parang kasama ko siya ulit dahil nandito ka.”

“You had a sister?” Mikha asked, concern apparent in her voice. That’s why he’s so brotherly towards her.

Theo nodded, his eyes looking at a distance, his shoes forgotten. “Si Therese, nakababatang kapatid ko. Dalawa lang kaming anak, nabawasan pa. Nasagasaan siya noong nakaraang taon, hindi namin naipaglaban sa korte dahil mayaman ang nakasagasa.” The grief in his voice pierces through Mikha’s heart. No one deserves that. Especially not a kind man like Theodore. 

“How old was she?”

“Disisais lang.” Theo faced her, “Ikaw ba? Natatandaan mo na ba kung ilang taon ka na?”

Mikha decided to lie about it and shook her head, “No,  don’t really remember much. Hindi ko nga alam if I could still go back.”

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to Theo’s smiling face, “Oo ‘yan, makakabalik ka sa pamilya mo. Sisiguraduhin ko ‘yon. Tutulungan ka namin kapag may mga naaalala ka na.”

“At kung wala?” She dared to ask, bracing for his next words.

“Eh di dito ka sa amin ni Maraiah.” Walang pag-aalinlangang sinabi nito. As if it’s truly as easy as that. 

And somehow, hearing those words comforted her. “Thank you.” 

“Pero sana wag mo kami kakalimutan ni Maraiah kapag nakabalik ka na ha.”

How could she? His soon to be wife will save her in the future. 

Come to think of it, they both did. They both saved Mikha in different timelines. Mikha felt sick to her stomach knowing how this would end. She doesn’t want to meddle with time because she knows how dangerous it will be. Baka kapag nangialam ito, she will cease to exist in the future. But won’t she be able to do it? Save Theo from dying? Paano kung makabalik na siya bago pa man dito mangyari? At kung sasabihin man niya ngayon, maniniwala ba sila sa kanya? They will probably think she’s crazy, lalo na si Maraiah. She’ll be kicked out in no time from this house.

She’s lost enough as it is in all of this. Kaya pa ba niyang sirain kung ano ang natitira sa kanya ngayon? 

“I won’t forget.” Mikha eventually said and Theo nodded, picking up his shoes before standing up from his chair. 

“Akyat na ako ha, magagalit na naman ‘yon kasi hindi pa ako natutulog. Maaga ako sa trabaho bukas.. Sarado mo na lang yung pinto kapag aakyat ka na rin.” Theo patted her shoulder and left her alone with her thoughts. 

Namimiss niya si Denise. Oh, what would she give to be with her fiancee right now. That girl smiles like the sun, it sends warmth through your system. She’s probably so worried right now that Mikha’s gone. Hindi nga alam ni Mikha kung nawala nga ba siya sa oras ng hinaharap, tumigil ba ang oras doon dahil nandito siya? It’s so frustrating not knowing anything.

She looked up again, entranced by the shining stars and the bright moon. Sometimes she wonders if she’s still staring at the same set of stars that graces the night sky of her time. Do they know she’ll be here? 

Alam din ba nila kung kailan siya makakabalik? What does she need to do? Wait? For what, exactly? She’s running out of ideas. She can’t really go to where her family is. If Mikha’s brain serves her right, her Mom and Dad haven’t met yet. Ano namang sasabihin niya kapag nagkataon na makita niya sila?

There’s really nothing she can do but stay here and wait until a miracle happens.

But until when? Hanggang kailan siya maghihintay dito? 

Her thoughts went back to Maraiah. She’s the only person Mikha knows from her time that’s here with her right now. She’s a fixed person in Mikha's life. But the Maraiah she knows from her time is very far from the young Maraiah she lives with. 

For one, the older Maraiah is distant. Naalala niya noon, kahit na teacher’s day celebration sa school, hindi siya nakikita ng mga students. Kahit na napupuno ng mga regalo ang table niya, the very next day, those will be gone. Hindi alam nila Mikha saan sila napupunta. Even Mikha gives her gifts on teacher’s day pero ni minsan, hindi nakita ni Mikha na suot ng babae ang mga regalo niya. Mikha remembers vividly how she developed a small crush with her before. It feels weird thinking about it now, but back in high school when she first saw her enter their classroom, teenage Mikha was ready for cupid’s bow. That tiny crush of hers didn’t go unnoticed by her friend, Colet, who happened to be Maraiah’s cousin. But she was immediately discouraged by Colet, “I told you ‘di ba, she’s a little cold. She’s not really approachable. Kahit ako na pinsan niya minsan na-aawkwardan ako kapag kausap siya. Have you ever heard me talk about her? No. Because there’s nothing to tell. Sobrang professional, sobrang distant. It’s like she doesn’t have friends. Si Ma’am Stacey na lang gawin mong crush, baks.” Natatandaan niyang biro ni Colet. A few years after that, they found out the reason why she’s cold and distant.

That didn’t stop her though, it only intensified when Maraiah saved her life from the fire. Her gratitude was turned into letters and tiny gifts, gifts that a high school student like her could afford at that time. She kept sending those gifts behind Colet’s back until tenth grade when she met Denise. She realised then that it was just a silly high school crush like any other kids had and will eventually move on. She still harbours a huge gratitude to her for saving her life but that was all of it. 

Older Maraiah was famous too. She became an author when Mikha and Colet graduated, if Mikha wasn’t mistaken, she currently has 5 published books. All of them were featured on the news as best selling books up to date. Mikha wasn’t a very literature type of person, she’s more on photography. But she knew perfectly well that those books deserved the recognition. Kahit nobya niyang si Denise, gustong gusto ang mga librong iyon. She actually promised her fiancee that once they got married, they would read those books together. Eh nasaan naman siya ngayon? Hay.

Also, the younger Maraiah was expressive. That’s what Mikha noticed in her first few weeks here. She’ll let you know what bothers her without a pause. She’ll giggle at something Theo would say, even go as far as hollering. She hasn’t seen her cry but she has seen her look displeased a couple of times now, mostly these are directed to Mikha. Mikha is aware na hindi pa talaga ito kampante sa presensya niya, but lately there’s been improvements. Like that one time when Mikha almost tripped on the way to the kitchen and Maraiah was in the living room, she snorted and when she couldn’t help herself, she laughed. Mikha glared at her but chuckled as she walked away. Those tiny improvements were huge to her because this is Maraiah we are talking about.

And younger Maraiah has Theodore by her side. That’s their big difference, and also the reason for the difference. Older Maraiah doesn’t let anyone in, younger Maraiah’s arms were always open for Theodore. 

And once again, Mikha’s heart aches once more. For how could a kind man like Theo disappear and take away the sun from Maraiah’s world.

Bakit ba dito mo ako dinala, Lord? Ano bang silbi ko sa panahon na ‘to?

Hinayaan mo na lang sana silang magkasama hanggang buhay pa si Theo, why bring me here? Nakikigulo lang naman ako sa kanila, Mikha thought to herself as she dusted off her pants and went inside after locking the door. 

Once inside her room, she slumped on her bed. This room is becoming more and more warm to her, mag-iisang buwan na siyang dito gumigising at dito nakakatulog. Mikha is terrified how it seems like she’s slowly forgetting what it’s like to live in her time. 

She was supposed to be married 22 days ago. 22 days ago. When did that time go? Anong nangyari habang wala siya? Denise probably hates her if time doesn't stop there. Baka pagbalik niya, hiwalayan siya ni Denise. Hindi natuloy ang kasal niya at days passed by normally here, how about where she came from? Is time running? Is Denise looking for her? Is Colet worried? Does her parents miss her? Tanggal na ba siya sa trabaho dahil ilang araw siyang wala? She doesn’t have an idea. Wala siyang sagot sa mga ito. 

Her engagement ring was in her pant’s pocket. Hindi na niya sinuot ito dahil lagi itong nalalaglag habang naglalaba siya ng damit. Mikha held up her hand and saw the faint discoloration of her skin that indicates there was a ring there before. Habang nakatingin siya sa bakas ng singsing niya sa kanyang daliri, she thought of how she proposed to Denise. They were engaged for a year before they decided on a date which was April 5. She rented a restaurant for her with Colet’s help. It was such a wonderful night. 

A tear fell from her eye and she curled up with her pillow. 

Please bring her back now. To her time.

She misses her home.