Malediction

Raining Sky

My heart felt lighter without the necklace burdening me from the inside out. It was still raining by early evening so I bought an umbrella on the way to the Sun Bulletin. Tim dropped me off here in Quezon avenue from Manila with the company car.

My job was done and sent back to Boss Rick, my editor but I felt like bringing Andrea home after work. I haven't done this since the accident and all the time it was always Andrea that took care of me. I only did my job as her boyfriend once, and it wasn't clear to me how it ended. I just knew he was not bothering Andrea again. That's all.

Tim went straight home after the report, he had a lot in mind. I wanted to ask what it is but when I saw his face, I knew he wanted to be left alone. It seemed that the university brought back some memories and I wonder what they were. Were they good memories that it pained him to see that they were only memories now? Or was it he tried to forget?

I sighed as I strolled through. I avoided small puddles that accumulated in the uneven road. There were many of us who went the same way so it was difficult to pass through faster. With this many people, I hope the Mangagaway won't bother me again with dark hallucinations like earlier. I was tired and with the necklace gone, I think it should. It was Maddie's choice.

Despite being exhausted from things that happened recently, I was more confused. Thoughts kept breaking my peace with the present. It had been the second time somebody told me what I remembered was wrong. First, it was the forms Andrea made me do back at the province from the north. Now, it was Tim with my own university. What's next? My name? I laughed to myself. You gotta be kidding me.

Before I knew it, the familiar Narra tree stood near where I was walking. I could only see its roots so I knew it was my landmark despite looking down on the ground. From the large bulky root up to the highest point of the tree, I stared at its brilliance.

After the island fiasco, I wasn't really sure where the Sun Bulletin was but my memory kept showing a tree. I wondered what a large strong tree would do in the middle of the urban city but here it was, existing. So if I could remember this even without asking anyone before, why can't I be sure of other memories that kept misaligning to what Andrea and Tim said? Was I right when I thought that I may lie to them? The people I genuinely think are significant in my life? I hope the tree never gets rooted out.

The Sun Bulletin's sign was on gold colored metal, shining through the rain with every bounce of light it gets. The entrance was brightly lit like its sign with people walking past from end to end, disappearing to both sides of the building not covered by the glass door. It was obvious they were busy, it was going primetime soon and our social media hosts are near to going live locally. The guard recognized me and we exchanged greetings as I went in. I was about to hand the wet and dripping umbrella to him when somebody else grabbed it with my hand. She pulled me back out to the raining weather outside, pressing the umbrella to open again.

"I forgot mine as well." That was the most beautiful cheery voice that I ever heard in my life. Andrea turned her face to me, jokingly smiling, probably thinking that she got me surprised. I relaxed and held her hand, massaging it in circles. Since we had a considerable height difference, I took the umbrella from her and placed it on our center. She seemed happy that night. We started walking to the bus stop. A ring from her phone made her jump, but she just ended the call without bothering to answer. She was done for that day.

"The interviewee was so nice today. She actually agreed to every question we would be asking tomorrow." She shared. The interview was for a controversial local actor with very unique beliefs. It was so rare to have that kind of opportunity these days.

"How can't he say no? You're pretty and charming. If you were single, he would have asked for your number after the interview tomorrow. " It was meant to be a joke, but I was actually a little worried.

She laughed, disregarding the people with us along the sidewalk. "Oh James..." She was tearing up from laughing. "Like he could be any better than you." She said ever so casually and she shook her head. It was a light comment but my heart felt it and my worry swiftly went away. I wasn't content with just holding her hands now, I could use a hug.

She was surprised by my gesture since I wasn't this affectionate in public but she didn't mind. She snuggled her head on my shoulder. "I feel like eating sinigang and snuggles tonight. It's cold." She said softly under her breath. " That would be nice." I responded. How could she do this magic to me? With just a few words, my disconcerted head was feeling clear. It was comforting.

_____________

We didn't have to buy anything since we were stocked with food. I felt obligated to cook while she cleaned up some stuff we left as we hurried to work earlier. When the meat was left to boil, I left it alone and sat on the couch beside her spot she just left. I felt like asking her things that she knew about me. There was no time to do this before, but now we can. I waited.

I know beauty where I can see it and that was the perfectly curved bottom bent over the fridge along with the definitive wave of her sides. I was sure having her was the only right decision I ever made in my life. What could go wrong with a wonderful woman like that?

She pulled a six-pack beer from the fridge that I was too familiar with and offered me one. Chris took that same thing from me before we went our separate ways. It was the only other beer from the flavored ones Andrea liked so much. Are my eyes playing with me again?

"Is that beer?" I asked, just checking if it was real.

"Yeah, it's great you actually stocked some of these with the flavored ones. At least I can try something new." She said as she sat beside me. When she opened it, the beer sizzled free. She enjoyed it. But I didn't.

Andrea hadn't bought it and Chris definitely had it with him before he left. My exhausted brain can't process it anymore. I just took one for a better sleep later. I was about to ask Andrea my first question when the news flashed on the screen.

"Just in: Young activist, killed in car crash…," others words just passed by my ears. Andrea already took care of the open stove while I took both of our jackets. Now, we both knew what the call earlier was about. Andrea may be regretting not answering it earlier but it's still news coverage near us. We hurried to the scene.

I hope it's not the person I think it is.