Malediction

Roundabout

Andrea and I arrived at the same time when the second news reporter came. People were everywhere, circling in the accident, looking in. It was a gruesome sight to behold. A compact automobile crashed into a pole head on with the pole splitting one-thirds of the car. Another vehicle was at their tail, sandwiching it to a compressed state. The collision was so strong it was almost impossible to believe. The broken windshield was splattered with blood and pieces of flesh detached from its lifeless passengers. Their remains were everywhere. But despite all of this, Andrea and I maintained our composure.

"Take some pictures, we need them for the article." She asked me. "Okay, I'll just do it with my phone then." I replied. She took over and interviewed the police while I took my time asking the viewpoint of the crowd. My eyes searched for a familiar face.

There she was, by the back seat of the car by the pole. I hardly recognized Maddie's face. There was barely a face at all.

_______

Boss Rick was happy for our fast response on the news. He was even happier that we chose it than taking our rest. He was so happy he gave us three days of paid leave, despite the news already hitting TV before we came. He said he was just glad we were doing our jobs properly this time. Something felt off.

"It's the scandal we're investigating. Don't think about it too much." Andrea said in between slurping the sour soup of Sinigang I continued to cook after the report we rushed into. We were back home in changed clothes, on the floor with our center table as our makeshift dining table. "Don't let Boss Rick's word in your head. Some got ahead of themselves thinking they're all perfect for every job just to fail at it."

"I think that's wise words from experience. Was it yours or another?" That's right, I didn't know how Andrea became in demand on the Sun Bulletin. She was the company's unofficial face waiting to be recognized. There were many like her who entered as an aspiring intern, but couldn't take the baggage it came with. Some even try to take over another with dirty means. Competition is real in this industry.

"You know I can't lose." She said straightforwardly, looking me in the eyes. I stared back at those eyes that only knew to win in her chosen field. She became serious. "It was fellow writers like me that I thought were my friends." She said as she traveled back to her thoughts. She stopped for a long moment before continuing. "It was an unpleasant time." Those were the few words I got from her despite wanting more. Yet , I didn't have the heart to ask her more. Whatever they did to her, it seemed to be unforgettable and not good. She wasn't smiling either.

We both silently finished our meal. She was so enormed with her thoughts that I was unable to add anything to the conversation. That kind of silence was new to us, it made me worry. Did I ask the wrong question?

To my relief, it was broken when she asked, " What's the date today?" That was an unexpected question for a straightforward woman like her but I didn't mind. And it's almost midnight. "The 15th." Her eyes went wide with surprise.

"Babe!" she exclaimed out of nowhere. This made me incredibly anxious. "What's wrong?" I asked in concern. I turned my whole body to her, bringing my full attention to my girlfriend. She opened her arms and jumped at me. Her full weight pressed on to me and I lost balance. I sprawled on the floor and kicked the table. We were lucky that the table didn't toppled from my feet jerking under it. She hugged me tight as she rested on top.

"I love you." She said under her breath. I smiled. Her exhales were warm as her whole body, it felt nice to feel her. "I know you forgot, but it's our fourth anniversary today." She kissed me. "And don't worry, I still love you like yesterday." She kissed me again and snuggled closer, her nose embedded on my neck, breathing me in. It made my heart flutter that the only way that I could ease it was by laughing it out. God, this woman is full of surprises. "I love you too but why would you say it that way?" I said out of curiosity. I gazed at her bright brown eyes. It felt like everything melted away with their clarity.

She cupped one hand on my face and almost closed the distance of our lips. "Because I promised I won't leave you in the gray area of anything. Especially in this relationship." Her words hit me deep, making me fall for her again. She understood me so well. "This is our yearly affirmation because you doubted yourself that you could be loved before but look at you now."

"Me now? What changed, Andrea?"

"You don't hate yourself as much after the island fiasco." She answered immediately. "We can create a better start with this now. You now are a happier version of you." Things were finally shedding some light.

"What do you mean?" She's telling me answers now. "I mean many things." She said vaguely. "Please, tell me more," I said as I panicked inside. I begged with my eyes. I wanted answers to who I really am.

"Well then," She sat up from laying on the floor. She pointed to the bed and went there. I followed. She leaned on the wall and patted her thighs as a sign for me to rest there. Without a word, I placed my head there for comfort. Her warm skin continues to invigorate and please my senses. "I am going to tell you things about yourself that you shared with me before. Maybe that would help you out with your memory problem." She said, caressing my face. I gazed once more at her face, waiting for her to continue or maybe, I couldn't get enough of it. "I'm all ears." I replied.

"First of all, you said to me you were an orphan. And you hated your biological parents leaving you to a stranger's care… you said you were traumatized with them bringing you up." Nothing rang a bell. "You went to multiple schools growing up because they kept passing you from one foster to another. You were so confused." She sighed. "You said you felt like you weren't loved and hated yourself for things that weren't in your control." She brushed my lips "When you told me that, I knew you needed me, James. And I'm so happy I stayed with you because I can see you smile now."

I had no words. I was so overwhelmed by how she remembered and learned the navigation of my emotions. The only thing I did was to sit up and envelop her lips with mine and she gave in. I hugged her and felt her bare back with my hands. I laid her to bed without our lips breaking the link we made. She clinged to my neck, where our kiss became deeper.

We struggled removing our clothes, not letting our kiss disappear for more than a second. Her breath was becoming hot. I was being pulled in by her sweet scent. The only thing I wanted to do was kiss her, but I think it wouldn't be enough for both of us now. Her legs were already spread soon after, pulling me closer. I had no choice but to give her what she wanted.

I let myself in and she gasped. The pleasure of her warm envelope made it harder for me to breathe. It almost made my mind blank but I wanted to please her so I went in deeper and deeper, gradually increasing speed. Her moans couldn't hold back from the feeling. She hugged me tight, leaving all my manhood buried in her depth. I continued to move faster and with it, it became louder. The loud claps of skin permeated the air along with her unintelligible words of pleasure. We both drowned in each other's bodies.

I'm happier, Andrea. You don't know what wonders you could do to me. Those were the words I wanted to say.

___________

The sun slipped through the drawn window curtains. I squinted my eyes to adjust with the light. It was morning. Andrea still slept silently by my side with one arm around my waist. I pulled my arm away carefully since I didn’t want to wake her up. She wasn’t disturbed even slightly, she continued to take deep long breaths with her spread across the pillows. She looked like an innocent child who was untroubled with life. The sight of her made me feel delighted and content with existing for another day.

I was planning to make her breakfast and treat her to a date all day that day. She wasn’t the one to expect things from me but I know she wanted this. She would love it. A sound caught my attention and its familiarity made me disappointed. My plans were changed when I heard my phone vibrate on the bedside counter. I was in a dilemma on answering the call. I dreaded answering calls on a day off. Looking through the screen, I could sense it was urgent.

Chris never called unless he was in dire need.

I finished cooking Andrea’s breakfast and took a bite on the toast I just made. After showering, I struggled to find my jeans in the drawer. “Where are you going?” Andrea muttered under the pillow, still sleepy. “I just need to help a friend, I’ll be back home soon.” I replied. “Before lunch?” She asked again, looking through her phone for the time. It was just 7.30 in the morning. I nodded. I went closer to her and kissed her messy hair. I turned away. Before I could stand, she pulled me weakly. I glanced her way only to see her holding something that shouldn’t be there. “Your necklace almost pierced my hand. I told you to lock it tight when wearing it.”She reached out to my hand, giving the necklace.

Blood drained on my face. A stolen necklace shouldn’t just reappear like that, especially from a recently dead thief.