FREYA'S POV

Ugh... my god. My head hurts. What the heck happened? My eyesight is blurry as I try to open my eyes. White? Am I in heaven? Wait, wait, wait! What happened to me again?!

Let's recall what happened one by one. Before I went home, I confessed to a customer of our shop— which is not my forte. After that, as I was waiting for a jeepney way back home, those with cars were halting just to take me to a motel. They thought I was selling my body, which I don't get why they thought I would. Then... Mang Nikolas? He made me drink a shotglass full of his gin. Afterward.. why am I lying here on my bed?!

"You are still alive, idiot."

My view gradually gets clear and saw him sitting beside me with his legs crossed. Ahh. He's here. HUH?! HE'S HERE IN MY HOUSE?!

"A-Am I dreaming..?!"

"What? You want me to pinch your cheeks like how others do just to make sure you're dreaming or not?"

"Why would you pinch my cheeks if you could just kiss me on my lips?"

I heard a clicking sound of the tongue coming from him as he puckers his lips. Seriously? Am I not allowed to have a fantasy? Like, grabbing the opportunity while he's here with me? Be thankful because I like you, if not— of course that won't happen! I still like you, hehe!

"Are you okay now?" He leans toward, fixing his sitting posture while waiting for my response.

"Are you.. concern with me? Right now?"

"Most likely. What kind of girl would gulp a shotglass full of gin coming from a drunkard?!"

Huh? I remember I took that gin but I couldn't think of what happened next. And also, why is he here?

"What happened? Did I get drunk just from that last night?"

"I called the authorities. It looked like he mixed the alcohol with a date-rape drug." Wow, that's incredible. I didn't know getting date-rape drug is possible while not on dating. That's noted.

I let out an awkward laugh. I didn't know how to react and I'm getting shy to ask him what the problem is and why he's still here. Is he not disgusted by how I live here? Like, hello? This is a squatter area. But, I'd take the risk. Even if I get into a difficult situation, I still want to know the purpose of why he's staying here with me now.

"Why are you here?"

I don't know, maybe it's just my hallucinations or something, but.. why are they red? I mean, his ears are flushing. He-Hey! Don't stop looking at me!

"I had a pharmacology class before. Now I know that taking a date-rape drug really has a side effect of having an amnesia. I'm personally verifying that note."

Huh? What did he say?

The morning after, I thought I would wake up smiling because of his presence. You know, he'd beam his greetings of good morning that would put me to a coma because of romantic excitement. The heck. Maybe I'm too ambitious to daydream about that. It's still early, Freya.

"Oh, my god..." I saw a paper taped on the wall of my kitchen. 'Reheat this. I bet you knew how to reheat this, right? Don't be stupid again.'

He used my kitchen. Yes, stupid! He used my kitchen even though it's not that obvious! The sink is so clean! Is this a rice porridge? What time did he leave? Tsk. He didn't even bother waking me up to bid goodbye.

Wow, his handwriting is so manly— I nearly don't understand what's written here. Am I bad if I ask him what kind of font has he mastered to use? Wait. This is a handwriting of a doctor! What if he is?!

I don't know if he's a sweet one or just concern with me. Did he treat all of the ladies he met like this?

And because I'm obedient, I gladly reheated the porridge he made for me. First spoonful— wow! This tastes fantastic! Tastes like the one Aling Belen sells here!

After eating, I have to go to the flowershop. I won't be late, right? It's jus quarter to eight— I'm late!

"Freya, are you okay Hija?" The owner of the shop gently taps my shoulder. Okay, that's out of the blue.

"What? Of course, I'm okay, Ma'am Louise. What's the matter? Do you want me to run an errand?"

"No, no! That's not it. Don't you have a boyfriend?" That's suspicious. That's weird.

"Uhmm.. to be honest.. I like someone. Haha! Is it weird, Ma'am Louise?" I retorted hesitantly.

This is not a regular smile she's giving me. Why is she like this? Did something happen?

"Look, you can do whatever you want. You know the difference between right and wrong. Get a boyfriend or even a girlfriend. You're not restricted to do things that would make you happy. Just don't make someone take you for granted, okay?! Tell me if there's a problem, Hija."

She tends to speak in an amiable and tender way making me not to get mad whenever my salary is delayed by chance. But giving an advice to me out of the blue, somehow its seems like she's a mother I never had, giving me some pointers to love life. I am touched, haha! My eyes are getting teary.

"Of course, Ma'am Louise! Why would I hide something from you? I know you're an expert when it comes to love, I should come to you if me and my boyfriend had a fight. Hahaha!"

"You dare touch her, huh?! Try again, you sick bastard! I'll cut your fucking balls off! Get the fuck out of here!!"

Oh, god! My eyes would pop out my socket as I remember something. Wait, was that Norton?! Give me a break, I'm trying to process that new piece of memory.

I know, Freya! You missed him a lot especially his voice is running through your head! But.. is it really true? He bawled those words to Mang Nikolas? Was he really mad that time? What happened—

"Who are you—"

"I'm her boyfriend. Fuck off!"

Oh, my gosh! AAHHH! I can't stop myself from screaming while covering my face with a pillow! Why did I only remember that today?! Why not while he was still with me?! While he was talking to me?! Why did I sleep last night?! Argh! So stupid, Freya? What a freaking stupid you are!

My hands are itching to call his number. Yeah, right? He called me, that's the way to obtain his contact. And I registered it as 'My loves' on my phone book. But it's not the right time to call him now, I guess?

"My god, Mary! Did that girl really have the guts?!"

"I don't know! Perhaps? She moved in here only a few months ago."

"Did she really seduce Nikolas?! My god!"

"Is she that pretty? Her thighs do not even touch when she's walking. So skinny."

Look at them. I'm just walking toward a store to buy my breakfast yet their faultfinding eyes are following me. Why did Ma'am Louise give me a Saturday day-off? It's only eight in the morning but look at their mouths already running around. I now present to you, our slum's ancient cctv.