Staring at the old man from my seat, I felt something strange inside. It felt like I had already met him and that I had been close to him. Yet, no matter how I racked my brain, I couldn't bring myself to remember a thing about him.
What's the problem here, I thought. Is it really me? Why don't I remember them?
I glanced at Kim with a questioning look, but thinking it would prompt an emotional outburst, I excused myself and went to the bathroom. Seeing that I was alone, I let go of the tears that were welling inside me. I was so confused.
What happened to me five years ago? Why don't I remember any of these? How do I become someone named Jakara? If I indeed married Kim, what caused our breakup? What role does this old man have on me? I have a biological father in my country. So, why does everyone say he's Jakara's father?
My questions popped one after another, and they were as many as the teardrops that raced down my cheeks. Trying to be as silent as I could, I bit my lips hard as my shoulders began to move. And it took me only a few minutes to vent my exploding emotion out since I never forgot that tonight was Trish's most precious moment with Cris.
After retouching my makeup again, I bumped into a tall but plump man when I went out of the bathroom. I immediately identified him as Josh Herra. But, even before we interacted, my whole body started to feel tense already.
"What a small world, Miss Jakara. Let me tell you that I never rest after an unfinished mission. If you were able to escape from me before, I would never allow you to escape again."
"Who are you? And for your information, I'm not Jakara. But, maybe, you already need to have your visual acuity checked."
Josh Herra laughed; his loud and devilish laughter echoed through the concrete walls of the building.
"Of course, you are Yen Ramos. And Jakara is the name Mr. Williams gave you."
I felt every cell of my body tremored at his threatening and taunting voice. I couldn't explain why but a sense of anger and fear burst out from within me. But since I had no idea about the conflict I had with him, I just threw him a dagger-like look.
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"You're getting more beautiful than before, Miss Jakara. When you first arrived here in Japan, you still looked young and innocent. I could still remember how gracefully you danced in that bar with your tiny bikini."
The color drained out from my face the moment he mentioned that I danced in the bar. If I came to Japan as a dancer, it would be better to dig into my past anymore.
"If wealth is all you want, I am wealthier than Mr. Williams and Mr. Mori. I can give you anything in this world."
My vision dimmed in my anger. I stepped forward and raised my hand to slap him, but he was quicker than me. He stopped my arm mid-air and pulled me instead to hug me.
"Yen!" Kim's voice rang in my ear, and I quickly pushed Josh away. He may have released me right away, but I got the meaning of his eyes as he looked at me. That there would still be next time. That he wouldn't stop me until he gets his way.
Kim put an arm around my shoulder as he led me away, but his eyes were so sharp that I knew he could kill anytime. Once I settled back in my chair, he turned and looked over in the bathroom's direction.
"Stay here. Don't go anywhere," he said, leaving me trembling in panic.
I got terrified that in his fury, he might harm Josh and end up in jail. So, when he's out of my sight, I sprinted to follow him.
"I'm warning you, Josh. If you dare touch my wife, I will do all means to wipe you off from this earth!" Kim's voice pierced into my ear as soon as I turned into the corner before the men's bathroom.
I retreated right away and hid in a corner where I could still hear and see them. My heart was also beating fast, not only because I got frightened at their confrontation but also because he confirmed that I was indeed his wife.
"Come on, Kim. You have already declared her dead after five years of unsuccessful searching. She has married someone else, and you have already married that Maezy bitch. So why not leave me alone?" Josh retorted in slurred speech, indicating that he was already drunk.
"I'm not threatening, Josh. I'm warning you!"
When I saw him turning to leave, I immediately ran back towards our seat, but Kim still caught me in the arm.
"Slow down. Nobody's chasing you."
I stopped and faced him. Still panting and overcoming my racing heartbeats, I looked straight into his eyes.
"Kim, answer me. Am I Jakara?"
I saw glints of pain flicking in his eyes that he closed them for a couple of seconds. But before he could answer me, Kath sprang to our side, interrupting our moment.
"Mr. Mori, Miss Yen, please return to your seats. The program has started already."
Kim and I looked at each other, exchanging our silent messages. Then he stepped forward and held my waist, leading me back to the table.
The sound of Pachelbel's Canon in D floated into the air as soon as Kim and I got seated. And I noticed that our space got wider as the tables were rearranged in two rows, creating an aisle in the middle. The number of guests had also increased, and more tables were added to the area.
My brows also knitted as I realized that an old rose carpet covered the aisle and that it ended in a decorated marquee at the end. Inside the marquee was a long table graced with a floral centerpiece. Behind it were two chairs, apparently for the couple. I smiled and felt tickled at how sweet Cris was in giving surprises. I was happy for Trish.
I then saw Cris standing up and taking Trish by her hand. They then marched down the aisle with Trish holding Cris' arm like a bride. I also saw Trish's constant glances at Cris, and I giggled deep inside. I knew she was wondering what went on. Trish was indeed lucky to have Cris as her fiance because Cris loved to give her sweet surprises. I also had an engagement party, but this one for Trish was indeed unique and special.
I then got lost in my thoughts as I also recalled my wedding with Zed. I also wondered if I had a wedding ceremony with Kim. I only returned to my senses when I heard a male's voice saying,
"Trish, do you take Cris as your lawfully wedded husband?"
And Trish choked in her tears as she answered, "Yes, I do."