Danger, Danger, Mr. Stranger

#DDMS28

#DDMS28

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FEUILLE

Five years ago

"CRYPTOMNESIA."

The professor stated, "It's an occurrence in our memories when we unconsciously recall past information, but we falsely think that it's something new and original."

Iyon ang kaniyang paliwanag kung bakit inakala kong ang pangalang Folie Gustavo ay gawa-gawa ko lamang. Hindi ko alam na isa pala itong memorya mula sa nakaraan.

Nilingon ko ang mesa sa 'king harapan na nakapuwesto sa pagitan namin ni Fifteen at ng propesor. Naroon ang mga larawan ng mga babaeng nawawala.

Black hair and russet-colored eyes. Those two are the only things I have in common with the photo of Folie Gustavo that's now laid in front of me. Our nose, lips, face shape, jawline—are all different.

"I-I don't think that's me . . ." nag-aalinlangan kong sagot.

That's what I said, but why the hell am I getting goosebumps? Why is my heart becoming uneasy the longer I stared at the photograph?

Pagtingala ko sa propesor, naramdaman ko ang pagguhit ng mga luha sa pisngi ko. "I mean, I have memories as a child . . . living with the Guivellnovas."

Mahigpit na nakahawak si Fifteen sa kamay ko. Her warmth was trying to melt away anxiousness.

Her soft, secure hold trying to keep my fingers from shivering. "Feuille . . ."

"And could you tell me about those memories?" tanong ng propesor na nakaupo nang muli sa tapat namin.

Lumunok muna ako bago magsalita, sinusubukang alalahanin ang mga nakaraang memorya ko noong bata pa 'ko.

"Naaalala kong nakikipaglaro ako kay Zilvane sa hardin ng bahay, maliit pa lamang ako. When I turned six, nagbakasyon kami ng pamilya ko sa isang bansang kahit saan ka lumingon ay nababalutan ng niyebe," I recalled. "I remember attending my first home school—and I was so scared that I was crying aloud. Buti na lang ay naroon ang kuya ko para samahan ako. "

Both Xildius and Fifteen were listening intently as I narrated my past.

"We had picnics together as a family," dagdag ko. "Isang beses, hindi ako makatulog. Kaya lumipat ako sa kuwarto ni Zilvane para makitulog. He would always pat my head until I fall asleep. Naaalala ko rin na lagi kaming sabay manood ng mga pelikula sa bahay."

Mariing nakatitig sa 'kin ang propesor habang ikinukuwento ko ang mga alaala ko.

Xildius was quiet, but his eyes looked very observant. It was as if he was hearing some details that could be easily missed by anyone else. As if his ears were made to naturally filter out what's important and not.

"Good, but—" his deep voice commented. "The memories you've said so far . . . are all with Zilvane."

I blinked in confusion. Doon ko lamang napagtanto na lahat nga ng mga alaala ko noong kabataan ay palagi siyang kasama.

"That's because we were close!" I think . . .

"Any memory without his presence? If you could tell me any memory—any memory at all without Zilvane," the professor replied.

When he noticed my hesitation, he quickly answered his own query. "My guess is that there's none. Am I right, Feuille?"

Bumibigat ang aking paghinga at nakakaramdam na ako ng hilo. Sinubukan kong suriin ang mga alaala sa utak ko.