Chapter Text
Mervin Cole Vergara
Nickname: Vin/Cole
Crush si Athena simula Senior High School. Out of her League si Athena kaya nag move on nung college. Illegitimate child ni Michael Vergara ang CEO ng Vergara Corp. Kapatid si Shay sa tatay. Nagising nalang one day na ang ultimate crush niya ay asawa na niya at may isang anak na sila na kamukhang-kamukha niya. Hindi siya makapaniwala na sa isang iglap hindi na niya kilala ang sarili niya at mundong ginagalawan as if may glitch lang ang system ng mundo niya.
Friends: Mallory, Misha, Gene
Athena Naya Arceta
Nickname: Thena/Naya
Secretly loved Cole in college and waited for her to make a move. Eh nag move on ang ateng mo Vin. She's had her fare share of heartbreaks. She is Cole's wife. A literal goddess with the goodness of an angel. She is everyone's dream girl. But her only dream is for Cole to love her. She co-owns Arc Advertising and Events with her cousin Aubrey Sevilleja and the CEO of Athena Fashion House. She is a force to be reckoned with outside her home but inside it she is breaking everyday. She loves her daughter Annayah Merin and Cole to death.
Friends: Shay, Aubrey, Mallory
Annayah Merin Arceta-Vergara
A 6 year-old girl who is super smart, intellectually and emotionally. She knows her Moms are not okay. She knows a lot of things. She perceives the adults very well. She is loved by her mom and mama. She sees that her mom, Athena, is struggling with the marriage she tries to keep intact.
Vin’s POV
Kung may Olympics para sa “Staring at Your Crush Without Being Arrested,” gold medalist na ako. Actually, representative na ako ng buong Pilipinas. Kasi sa tingin ko, buong first year and second year college ko (wag na nating icount yung Senior High), I spent at least 40% staring at Athena Naya Arceta, 10% pretending na hindi ko siya tinititigan, 30% overthinking bakit ko siya tinititigan, and the rest? Well, studying. Konti lang. Mga 2%. Piskit! Nganong kaperfect man gud aning bayhana? (Why is this woman so perfect?)
Ayun. Productive. Nipasar ra man sab ko, siguro tungod kay inspired ko niya (I passed, maybe because I am inspired of her.)
Athena was currently sitting two rows in front of me, cross-legged, hair down like a literal shampoo commercial. She was scribbling sa notebook niya habang may slight pout sa lips niya. Lord akoa na ni bi (Lord akin na ‘to) Maluoy ka Lord, please bitaw ni (Maawa ka Lord, please naman to)
I swear, if mapasulat lang ako ng isang magandang essay because inspiration hit me from watching her pout, dapat bigyan ako ng award. Bisan pa guro 10,000 word na (Kahit na 10,000 words yan), kayanon gyud nako (kakayanin ko).
“Hoy.”
A pen poked my ribs. Piskit! Kinsa maning gasamok-samok sa akoa? (Piskit! Who is bothering me?)
Si Mallory mas maliit sa akin, maputi, na deads na deads kay Misha pero hindi daw pwede kasi friends lang dapat. AKA My Moral Compass but slightly broken. Ito yung taong maliit pero wag mong ginagalit.
“Pwede ka bang tumigil sa kakakatitig? Mukha ka nang suspect,” she whispered. Na para bang nagbabanta pero wala namang danger sa tone niya. Who would be afraid of this midget? Joke. Kaming lahat talaga takot sa kanya pag serious siya.
“Excuse me,” I muttered, “this is not staring. This is aggressive observation.”
“Sure. Aggressively illegal.” She points out.
I scrunched my face. “Relax. Hindi pa tayo nasa CCTV highlight reel. Hindi pa naman halata”
Sabihin na nating sana hindi halata. Pero with the way my friends looked at me, I think halata. No, parang very halata, possibly broadcasted live and confirmed with 24/7 access. Di man sab guro ko mablame ani sa mga tawo kay diyosa man sab gud si Athena, so naa ra gyud rason (Nobody can blame me, Athena is a literal goddess, so I am excused).
Si Misha ay nasa kanan ko, leaned over to check kung sino nga ba tinitingnan ko. Pagtingin niya kay Athena, napasinghap like she inhaled a revelation.
“Girl… girl.” She shook her head. “Confess na kasi.” Na para bang siya din nagconfess na kay Mallory na matagal niya na din gusto. Kung makapagsalita.
“Confess saan? Sa mali kong existence?” Out of my league kasi si Athena. Napaka impossible. Tanggap ko na wala kaming future. Kaya hanggang ngayong taon nalang tong nararamdaman ko mag momove-on na talaga ako next sem.
Gene, who had just removed one earbud, chimed in, “Alam mo, Vin, you’re the only person I know na may crush pero hindi nag-a-attempt kahit one percent.” Kung alam mo lang Gene, gusto-gusto kong sabihin pero ang layo pa kasi ng mga reyalidad naming dalawa.
“That's because I am a realist,” I replied. “She is… look at her!”
As if on cue, Athena tucked her hair behind her left ear. She is a vision, a goddess, and a walking core memory generator. Kahit wala siyang gagawin, kahit tumayo lang siya o di kaya umupo parang kailangan mo magpasalamat sa existence niya kasi sobrang ganda niya plus sobrang bait pa. Parang anghel na pinababa sa earth kasi kailangan siya ng bawat taong nakapaligid sa kanya.
“She’s… everything.” I gestured helplessly. “And I am… internet lag.”
Mallory snorted. “You’re not lag. More like loading forever.” Oh diba. Mahal talaga ako ng atabs na ito kung makapambara eh. Parang konsensiya ko na kontrabida sa sariling kong storya.
“Thanks,” I deadpanned.
But okay, fine. Tingnan natin ang stats:
Athena Arceta is a complete package: intelligent, beautiful, rich, fashionable, kind, looks like she descended from Mount Olympus, smiles like vitamins, and literally the girl everyone dreams about.
Me on the other hand, Mervin Cole Vergara is the complete opposite: existing, barely, working student, hair na parang lagi nag-aaway, kape at self-doubt ang pagkain ko, at super crush ako ng kahirapan.
So yes. She was out of my league. Out of everyone's league. Out of the world’s league. No one deserves her even me. Kung si Athena ay Dito 5G Tower, ako yung bar sa lumang Nokia phone na hindi makasagap ng signal maliban kung nasa bubong ka.
“But Vin,” Misha whispered, “I think she likes you too. She looks at you with yearning eyes.”
“Oh my God,” I rolled my eyes. “Here we go again. Misha, hindi lahat ng babae gusto ako.”
“But Athena looks like—” Wag na wag mong tapusin Mish baka kasi umasa nanaman ako na same page kami eh wala naman kaming conversation more than “hi” and “hello”.
“NO.” I pointed at her. “Don’t finish that sentence unless gusto mo akong mag-walkout palabas ng moving jeep.”
Gene leaned in. “Edi gawin mo. At least may adventure.” Oh diba. Ang supportive lang talaga nitong si Gene pagself destruction pinag-uusapan eh.
Before I could argue, our professor entered and everyone straightened on their seats. Except me. I was too busy contemplating why God gave me a crush na high maintenance emotionally. Crush na never kong maabot kahit pa magkaroon akong ng limang trabaho, tatlo palang kasi ngayon.
Class went on, but honestly? Wala akong naintindihan kasi si Athena medyo nag lean forward at humaplos ang buhok niya sa table, at parang sinuntok ako sa puso ng nine angels and a choir. Nawala ang atensyon ko sa klase kasi bihag na niya noon pa.
Then she turned her head slightly and smiled at someone behind me.
Oh. Okay. Time to die.
I sank in my seat. “See. Smile pa lang, lilipad na ako papuntang Mars.”
Mallory clicked her tongue. “Nakakainis ka. Kahit aso ata mas may tapang pa sa’yo.”
“Okay? And? But dogs do not fear emotional devastation.” Sana nga naging aso nalang eh.
But then Athena laughed soft, light like an instant serotonin injection. My bones became soup.
I sighed. “Maybe in another life.”
Sometime later…
Nagising ako with a hangover so violent akala ko World War III yung party ko sa loob ng utak ko. I cracked one eye open. I tried to evaluate my surroundings.
The ceiling was unfamiliar, sobrang intricate ng design parang kailangan ko nga 500 thousand para mapatapos to, ang ganda naman kasi. This bed is not mine kasi mas malambot pa siya kaysa sa sariling hinaharap ko and it is a king size bed, eh single bed lang yung akin. And this room is definitely not mine kasi floor to ceiling windows that probably leads to a balcony, thick curtains, airconditioned kaya parang gininaw ako bigla, ang spacious, ang airy, ang yaman siguro ng may ari.
Huy! Bakit ako nandito? Sinong nagdala sa akin dito? Parang kahapon lang nasa inuman kami sa may UP sa tabi-tabi lang kasi gusto ko nang makausad kay Athena. Kinidnap ba ako? Diyos ko! wala akong pera, maawa nalang talaga.
“Where the hell…?”
I sat up, slowly, like a zombie rising from debt. That’s when I saw it. A massive framed wedding picture above the headboard. I blinked. Then blinked again. “Shet ! Ano ’To?!”
In that picture I was wearing a pant suit and looking unfairly good. I should sue whoever styled me that day for making me fall in love with myself a little. But—Beside me. Athena. She’s wearing a wedding dress, smiling at me like ako ang dahilan ng sunrise.
“Oh. My. God.” I grabbed the frame. “No no no no no no. This is fake. AI to. Deepfake. Prank show. Dream sequence—” Panaginip ba to?
I slapped myself real hard para one time big time magising ako, “Agay! Piskit sakita oy!” Hala murag tinuod man gyud guro ni (Aray! Piskit ang sakit! Hala! Parang totoo na to ah). Pero paano?
I looked at my left hand. Hala bakit may engagement ring at wedding band? Huy! Lord, joke ba ito?! Wag kang ganyan bad yan lordddd.
My soul left the chat. Prank ba to? I looked around and saw another photo on the bedside table. Kami ni Athena sa Paris, sa likod namin ang Eiffel Tower. Athena hugging me from behind, her chin was on my shoulder. Kailan pa kami ganito ka close ni Athena?
Yung smile ko dun parang hindi naman akin? That was a woman in love, a woman happy and a woman who clearly knew what was happening in her life. Ako? Lost. Buffering. Loading 0.5%.
“Shet. Sino ka?” I whispered to the photo version of myself. “At bakit mas masaya ka kaysa sa’kin?!”
I got up and stumbled toward the door because I really needed to get out of that room. I felt like it was illegal to stay there. The hallway was wide, high ceiling and interior design na hindi ko kayang i-afford kahit magbenta ako ng kidney ko and maybe a piece of my liver.
“HELLO?” I called out. No answer. Baka wala naman siguro dito si Athena. Gusto ko ba na nandito siya eh kahit mag hi yon para akong mamatay sa tuwa?
I went downstairs like Dora who accidentally wandered into a billionaire’s home. My god, baka may humuli sa akin at sabihing nag trespassing ako. Huy baka makulong pa ako ng wala sa oras. Diyos ko! Ma, pakisabi diyan kay Lord mahina akong nilalang di ko kakayanin sa loob ng kulungan.
Then I saw her, Athena, my dream girl. Athena, the goddess who made my dreams special and my waking hours a blessing, was standing in the kitchen. Ang gara ng kitchen parang yung nasa mga cooking shows sa Netflix.
She was wearing pajamas, hair tied loosely, soft smile on her face— Oh God. Oh no. Oh God.
HOW IS SHE EVEN PRETTIER IN REAL LIFE WITHOUT MAKEUP??
WHAT KIND OF SORCERY IS THIS? WHO AUTHORIZED THIS BEAUTY?
She turned to me. And she smiled at me like she was happy to see me. She looked at me with loving eyes.
“Good morning, love,” she said gently. Huy ano daw yun?! Love?! Narinig ko ba ng tama yung sinabi niya? Juskopo di ako ready sa mga ganitong eksena ehhh. Oh no. Oh no no no no no.
My internal organs played musical chairs. I opened my mouth pero—“MAMA!!!”
A small body slammed into me. A girl. Maybe 6 or 7. Tiny, warm, bursting with joy.
And her face—her face was MY FACE but soft, cute, child version and like a tiny me but with Athena’s lashes and her smile. My knees buckled. Huy! May anak kami?! Bakit parang nag jump yung timeline ko ng isang dekada?! SINONG MAY PAKANA NITO? Isang araw, lumalagok lang ako ng rum at coke, tapos pag gising ko may anak at asawa na ako?!
The child grinned up at me. “Mama! I made drawings!”
Okay, self calm down. Kalma ka Vin. Kalma lang tayo please lang.
ANONG KALMA. HUY. HINDI PWEDE. KANINONG ANAK BA KASI TO. WHY DOES SHE LOOK LIKE ME? WHO LET ME HAVE A CHILD? WHO APPROVED THIS? Huy bakit naman parang kamukhang kamukha ko Lord? Bakit di nalang kay Athena nagmana?
Athena walked closer and concern was clouding her eyes. She did not touch me but seemed like she wanted to.
“Vin? Love? You okay?” Love again? Athena sinasabi ko sayo wag kang ganyan, mag momove on na ako dapat eh. Hihimatayin talaga ako ng wala sa oras nito. Ang sakit pa naman ng ulo ko. Nabagok ba ako?
I swallowed hard. “Uhm. Hi?”
Athena touched my forehead like I was fragile glass. “You’re warm. Did you sleep okay? You scared us last night.”
“Define okay?” I whispered. HINDI AKO OKAY. KAHAPON UMIIYAK PA AKO EH. UMIINOM PA AKO. Bakit ngayon asawa ko na siya? Bakit nagskip ako ng ilang taon sa buhay na to?
She lifted a tray—breakfast, meds, at isang green drink na mukhang kale at suffering. “I made you a hangover smoothie.”
“Oh,” I croaked. “Thanks?” Hay nako! Hindi ko kasi alam paano ko sasabihin ang totoo sa kanya. Sorry, Athena, hindi talaga ako yung asawa mo parang nagkamali lang ata ako ng gising. Huhuhu. Paano ba to?
She smiled. “Of course, babe.”
Babe. Love. Mama. Gisingin niya na ako Lord. Tapos ko nang makita ang future, ito na yung time na isampal mo sa akin ang katotohanan.
WHAT TIMELINE DID I WAKE UP IN. IS THIS A SIDE QUEST. DID I GET DLC WITHOUT CONSENT??
I cleared my throat. “Athena… what’s the… date?”
She blinked. “March 18, 2031.”
I choked on air. 2031?! That’s—That’s not even close to where I last left my life! 2021 pa kahapon ahhh. Bakit naman ganon?!
“Mama?” the little girl tugged my shirt. “Are you broken?”
YES. 100%. REBOOT ME NOW.
Athena placed a hand on my arm. “Vin… do you need to sit down?”
Yes. I needed to sit down, lie down, and possibly dig a hole and hide in it. But I forced a nod. Di ko na kasi kinakaya ang mga pangyayari. Inside my head? DORA. WHERE IS THE MAP? MAP. MAP. PLEASE.
S-T-O-P. KAILANGAN KO NG MAPA PARA MAKABALIK KUNG SAAN AKO NANGALING.
And that was the moment I realized: In the life I remembered, Athena was untouchable.
In the life I woke up in… "She was my wife and apparently we made an entire human together."
Sana may manual. O kahit isang sticky note lang na nakasabit sa dibdib ko: YOU ARE MERVIN COLE VERGARA. YOU ARE MARRIED. DO NOT PANIC (UNLESS NECESSARY).
Pero wala. So nag-i-invent na lang ako habang umiinom ng hangover smoothie na ginawa ni Athena—na, by the way, mas masarap pa sa instant coffee kong sinasabing “premium.” Ano ba ‘to. Maganda siya, maalaga siya, at marunong gumawa ng edible health potions. Sino ang pumirma sa kontratang ‘to? Nang mapasalamatan ko o di kaya masuntok. Di ko na alam anong nararamdaman ko.
Athena hovered. Hindi “hover” na parang aerial drone. Literal na naka-hover lang ng gentle concern sa tabi ko. Pinwesto niya ang tray sa table at inaalis ang buhok na nakatakip sa mukha ko, parang nurse sa romcom pero may designer pajamas.
“Vin, ang tagal mo na nagigising. Kumain ka muna,” she said, eyes soft like those expensive candles people buy para mag-feel ng accomplished.
Note to self: kapag iniwan ng mundo, sabihin sa mga kaibigan na hindi ako basta-basta—ginintuang recipe ako ng crisis and chips.
The girl, my daughter, our daughter was at the kitchen island, drawing—probably ang next Picasso pero more likely gagawa lang ng very judgemental portraits ng adulting. She peeked at me and gave a look that was half curiosity, half “I-know-you’re-lying-but-skip-to-the-part-where-you-admit-it.”
“Are you okay, Mama?” she asked.
WALA NA YUNG MAMA SA TIMELINE KO TAPOS NAGISING NALANG AKO BIGLA NA NANAY NA AKO. Huy! Gagi talaga, wala man lang test drive. Dirediretso agad na may asawa’t anak?!
“Fine,” I replied too quickly and tripped over my dignity coz I tried to get up and show normalcy.
The girl tilted her head. “You look funny.”
“I feel funny,” I admitted. “Like a meme that’s two days old.”
Athena crouched to girl’s height, smoothing out a corner of the child’s drawing. “Will you be okay at school today? Your class starts at eight.” She looked at me, then back at our daughter. “Vin, did you take anything?”
“No, love. I—” I glanced at the small bandage on my arm. Bandage? When did I— “I think I might’ve bumped something. I—” My brain desperately sought a plausible lie. Plausible is my middle name. Actually, it’s Cole, but who’s counting.
Athena’s face folded like a map. “You were in an accident last night.”
I blinked. “A… what now?” Nadisgrasya ako? Kaya nakalimutan ko lahat tungkol sa amin ni Athena?
She squeezed my shoulder gently. “You crashed into a post.” Ang tanga ko naman pala sa mundong to. Binangga ko ang poste. Jusko apaka galing ko naman.
I coughed. “Into a… post? Like a relationship post? Because that, yes, relatable. Emotional post. Metaphorical.”
Athena did not smile. “A street post, Vin. It was a bad night. The police called Misha and Mallory. You were intoxicated and you drove. They took you to the hospital.”
PAUSE. REWIND. STOP. FAST-FORWARD. WHAT IS HAPPENING. I Drove? I—Me? Ni hindi ko nga maalala na umalis ako dun sa inuman na yun. I do remember hugging a lamp post because it had better advice than my exes. But driving? I am an adult who respects traffic rules—most of the time. Unless alcohol was involved. Which apparently it was. Jusko bakit ba irresponsible ako sa timeline na 'to?
“Are you… okay?” Athena asked, voice small like someone who is about to ask for rent money.
“The doctor said your brain scans were fine,” she continued, as if reading minutes from a meeting. “But they said if there were irregularities—if you feel dizzy or… different—go back. The neurologist said sometimes things show up later. Please promise me you’ll tell me if something feels off, Vin.”
My throat tightened. “I promise.”
Promise? Great. Solid. I promise to fake competence for the rest of the day and then maybe find the nearest cliff to throw myself off metaphorically. Or physically, if the price is right. Hindi na talaga tama ang mga pangyayari sa mundong ito.
The girl frowned, looking between us. “Is Mama sleepy? You look like a sleepy potato.”
“Potato…” I muttered. “I am a premium mashed potato, okay. With truffle oil.” I flashed a smile at the child. She considered me, then nodded like she’d accepted me as a carb platter.
Athena kissed the top of my head briefly. “I’ll drop Annayah at school. Mallory’s picking you up after? She said she needs to talk to you.” Ahh! Annayah pala pangalan ng anak namin.
Mallory. My Mallory. Best friend. Former roommate, current person who knows too much about my embarrassing Spotify playlists. She’s also—apparently—my assistant now. Or at least that’s what the cardboard box labelled ASSISTANT in my brain told me during boot-up. The one that said “You are VP for Marketing at Vergara Corp”—still a sentence I’d liked if I’d written a fantasy novel bragging about how rich and successful Vin became overnight.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll be here.”
Annayah grabbed my hand and laced her tiny fingers through mine. She smelled like crayons and possibility. “Mama, will you come to my play later?”
“Yes, baby. Mama will come.” Except I am not Mama. I am a human confused pile of mashed feelings masquerading as a VP. Piskit talaga! Nasa ibang mundo talaga ako. Sa mundo ko kasi ni hindi ko maamin-amin kay Athena na gusto ko siya.
Athena smiled sadly. “I’ll come back early. Call me if anything happens.”
She and Annayah left, and the house quieted down like someone had pressed pause on life and forgotten to resume. As soon as the door clicked, my phone buzzed like it was the universe’s clapping hands.
Mallory
I stared at the screen. I answered with the voice of a queen faking it: “Mallory! Babe! Regal as ever.”
Mallory did not waste time. “Vin! Finally. How are you? Town gossip says you tried to become a hood ornament last night. We brought that ornament to the hospital but insisted she goes home.”
My hand flew to my mouth. “Ssh! That’s a sensitive topic.”
“You were in an accident,” she said. “We’re all—are you crying? Stop. This is… you scared the life out of us.”
“I’m fine,” I lied. “Mostly, physically I am fine. Emotionally, I have questions to submit.”
Mallory’s tone shifted to business—surprisingly efficient for someone who once ate cereal with a fork because the milk was ‘messy.’ “Listen, straight to point—you need to get to Vergara Corp. Misha’s here, and the board wants to… well, she wants to make sure you’re okay. Also, just be aware there’s a bit of a PR thing.”
PR thing? I pictured press conferences and me crying awkwardly into a microphone and someone whispering “not like that, Vin.” The thought alone made me dizzy. Paano ko gagawin ngayon yung trabaho ko?! Do I even know what to do?
“What? PR about a drunk-driver-turned-mama?” I asked, uselessly trying to process.
Mallory sighed. “Not public. Internal. But yes—there are a lot of whispers and questions. You being the VP for Marketing and the face of several of our campaigns isn’t exactly low-profile.”
Wait. VP for Marketing? Me? The title felt like a costume that didn’t fit. Ano bang ginawa ko the past ? I feel like I was wearing someone else’s blazer and pretending it was mine. “Since when? I—do I even remember my job?”
Mallory laughed briefly and stated the obvious. “Since apparently you are an heir to the Vergara Group. Also, Misha is VP for Finance. She’s at the office. She told me, we will be there in ten.”
Suddenly the line clicked and Mallory’s voice went softer. “Are you actually okay though? You sounded—there was something in your voice.”
I blinked. I had to do it. I could not, in any universe—present, future, or alternate—confess that I didn’t remember my own wife and child. That would be a betrayal bigger than accidentally sending a breakup text to everyone in your contacts.
“I’ll be ready in twenty,” I managed. “Tell Misha I’ll be there.”
Mallory’s sigh turned into a small laugh. “You sound like an actual adult. Okay. See you.”
She hung up. I sat there, phone in hand, and stared at the wallpaper—the same wedding photo hanging on the wall. My reflection in the dark screen was someone who could play a convincing adult if given the script. I had to take a bath and clean up really well. I made sure looked presentable but along the way of doing so I was astonished by the shoes, accessories and clothes this “Vin” owned. Napakayaman ko naman pala sa buhay na ito.
After fifteen minutes of hurried bathing and changing the doorbell rang. The house tasted like consequences. I opened the door and Misha stood there—exactly as competent as I remembered in bits and flashes—hair slicked back, suit immaculate, eyes narrowing like she was about to interrogate a suspect in a very fashionable crime novel.
She did not smile. “Vin. Are you all right?”
I opened my mouth. Now choose your persona. Option A: Honest Vin who admits memory gaps and psychiatric episodes. Option B: Pretend Vin who plays the role of successful VP who had a rough night. Option C: Run away screaming into the jungle.
I selected Option B because Option A sounded like a legal liability and Option C required better cardio.
“Hi, Misha,” I said. “Lovely to see you. Great suit.”
She didn’t bite on the flattery. “Hop in. Mallory’s in the car. We’re going to Vergara Corp.”
As I closed the door behind me, I took one last look at the house. The wedding photo stared back like a judge. Okay, Cole, I told myself. You can do this. Act like you’re the person in the photo. Act like you belong. Pretend long enough and maybe you’ll fool even yourself.
Inside my head, a tiny voice (very loud, actually) screamed: Fake it till you forget it, Vin. Fake it till you implode. Fake it till you remember who you used to be—or who you are now. Or who you are supposed to be. Also, maybe stop calling Athena ‘love’ in your head like she’s a burrito. That’s weird.
"Am I the drama? … Yes. Apparently."
The car door slammed beside me, and I jumped like a startled mushroom. Misha slid into the driver’s seat with the energy of someone who has survived too many corporate meetings and is now emotionally flameproof.
Mallory was in the passenger seat, turned halfway toward me, eyes scanning me like a worried AI that couldn’t decide if I was malfunctioning or simply stupid. We pulled out of the driveway. Three seconds of silence. Five. Seven.
Then—“Vin,”Misha said, voice flat. Too flat. Like a whiteboard before a class starts. “We need to talk.”
Ay. Ay. AYAN NA. The talk. The talk na mas masakit pa sa overdue bills.
I swallowed. “Okay? Talk. I’m listening. My ears are open. My soul is—”
“No jokes,” Misha cut in sharply. “Not today.”
My internal monologue paused mid-cartwheel. Oh. Serious-serious pala.
Mallory shifted uncomfortably.
Misha inhaled deeply. You know the inhale teachers make before they drop the “I expected better from you”? That one. “Vin, you need to behave today. For once.”
Ako? Behave? Ano ako, kindergarten student? I blinked, confused. “I… what?” Huy! Naunsa na gud ni nahimo naman nuon kong bata (Huy! Why am I treated like a child?)
She gripped the steering wheel. Knuckles white. “Do you even hear yourself when you talk lately? Or when you act? Do you understand how exhausting it is to keep cleaning up after you for four years?”
Wait. Four years? CLEANING UP? After me? What did I do? Who was I? Sino yung alternate timeline Vin? Was she… chaotic?? Like, MORE chaotic than me? Impossible. Unlikely. Terrifying. I opened my mouth to protest, but Misha continued—she was on a TED Talk roll.
“Vin, you keep drinking.” Okay. Sure. That’s normal. People drink. “You drink like you’re single.”
Ah. That… is… not good.
“Hey now—” I tried, but Misha raised a manicured finger.
“You drink like you don’t have a wife waiting at home.”
My lungs folded neatly into origami.
Mallory winced. “Mish…”
But Misha was not finished.
“You drink like you don’t have a daughter who stays up just to see if you’ll come home safe.”
My throat closed. Three seconds of silence. Then five. Then my heart cracked a little. Me? Ignoring a wife? Neglecting a kid?? Ang sahol ko naman pala parang sobrang deserve ko talaga na mabangga sa poste. What kind of villain arc did the alternate me go through?? Anong nangyari sa akin? Who hurt me? Ako ba? Ako rin?
Misha continued, voice firm but—if I listened closely—tinged with heartbreak.
“Do you know how many times Athena called me because she didn’t know where you were?”
I swallowed. “How—how many?”
She didn’t even blink. “Too many. Enough that I memorized the ringtone she uses when she’s crying.”
Mallory’s hand flew to her chest. “Mish…”
But Misha was unstoppable. “We covered for you,”she said. “Me. Mallory. Even Gene. Even Shay.”
Her jaw clenched. “We made excuses for you because we knew you were going through something. But God, Vin, how long will we keep picking up the pieces you keep breaking?”
I stared at my hands. MY hands. But they didn’t feel like mine anymore.
They felt like they belonged to a stranger—a version of me who didn’t know how to love properly. A version who took Athena for granted. A version who made Annayah wait by the window.
A version of me I didn’t recognize.
“Was I…” My voice cracked. “Am I… an asshole?”
Mallory and Misha exchanged a look. Mallory opened her mouth— But Misha beat her.
She didn’t sugarcoat it. “Yes.” She said it like a verdict. Sharp. Clean. Undeniable.
I sank back into the seat, world tilting.
Ako? Asshole? Ako yung kontrabida sa sarili kong love story??
Ako yung dahilan bakit umiiyak si Athena sa gabi?? Ako yung Mama na hindi umuuwi??
Ako yung dahilan bakit kailangan magtago ng mga kaibigan ko para lang ma-save yung pamilya ko??
This was too much. Like, universe-level plot twist. Game of Thrones season finale level betrayal—and I was the traitor.
“I…” Words failed me. My brain spun.
Misha softened just a fraction—just a little, like she remembered I was human and not an Excel sheet error.
“Today,” she said quietly, “please behave. Just… try. The board is watching. Athena is stressed. Annayah is confused. And we—your friends?—we’re tired of worrying about you.”
It wasn’t a scolding anymore. It was a plea. A tired one. Na parang ilang beses na niyang sinabi, ilang beses ko namang hindi pinakinggan. I forced myself to breathe. In. Out.
Then whispered— “I didn’t know I became like that.”
Mallory twisted around and gave me a small smile. Gentle. Understanding.
She didn’t know the full truth—but she recognized the sincerity.
“Then change it,” she said softly. “Starting today.”
Misha nodded. “Starting now.”
I stared out the window as Vergara Corp’s tall glass building came into view—intimidating, glossy, expensive. A monument to the life I apparently built… and ruined.
I whispered to myself— “Kung sinira ko talaga lahat… Paano ko aayusin…
kung hindi ko maalala paano nagsimula?”
My reflection stared back at me. Same face. Different soul.
And for the first time since I woke up in this glitch timeline…
I was scared. Really, truly scared.
Pagbaba ko ng kotse, I realized something important:
Vergara Corp is rich. Like, rich rich. Like… kung may pera ang pera, eto ‘yun.”
The building shimmered. The glass was top-tier, the kind na nagre-reflect ng mga insecurity mo. Akala ko may nakita akong sign na “ABANDON HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE,” pero reflection ko lang pala.
Misha straightened her blazer. “Behave.”
Mallory whispered, “Smile. Or don’t. Just… don’t be yourself. I mean timeline-you. Just… you know what I mean.”
“Hindi,” I said honestly. “But let’s go.”
We entered the lobby. And suddenly—all heads turned.
Not in a “Wow, she’s the VP!” way. More like a “Oh no, what did she do now?” way.
The receptionist froze mid-type. The guard subtly hid his coffee.
Two interns simultaneously crossed themselves.
A janitor even whispered, “Lord, bigyan mo kami ng tibay.”
Okay. Offended ako ha.
“What?” I whispered to Misha.
She didn’t look at me. “You’ll see.”
We walked to the elevator. Before it even fully opened, three employees sneaked out—literally tumbling out of the elevator just to avoid sharing a ride with me.
One whispered, “Hindi ako emotionally ready.”
The other answered, “Hindi pa bayad utang ko sa Life Insurance.”
EXCUSE ME??? What kind of Godzilla reputation did I build here???
Inside the elevator, Misha pressed the 42nd floor. The executive level. My stomach twisted.
“Is everyone… allergic to me?” I asked weakly.
Mallory patted my shoulder. “Not allergic. Just… traumatized.”
“Oh good. Great. Fantastic.” My voice went up one octave. “Traumatized is so much better.” My gosh. Ganito ako kalala? Naunsa man diay ko diring dapita? (What happened to me here?)
We entered the Executive Floor with a Ding of the elevator signaling we just arrived at the top floor. The elevator opened to a hallway na amoy expensive perfume and quiet quitting. Employees passed by us and made quick, panicked smiles at Misha and Mallory.
Then— At me? They gave: avoidant eyes, tight lips, half-bows of “don’t drag me into your drama please”, and One woman literally speed-walked like I was a plague.
A guy carrying documents whispered loudly to someone on the phone, “Nandito na siya. Oo. Yes. THE HER. Pray for me.” The HER??? What am I, Voldemort???
I stared at Misha in horror. “What did I DO?”
Her voice was professional but blunt. “Vin… you were a liability.”
Mallory added softly, “A cute one. Pero… still a liability.”
I wanted to melt onto the carpet or burst into flames, or both. We entered the VP’s wing. My wing. Ang laki. Aircon pa more kasi ang lamig para Antarctica. Lakas makamayaman dahil may sariling coffee bar with a barista, who also froze upon seeing me
“Good morning, Ma’am Cole,” he said shakily. “Would you like your… usual?”
I blinked. “What’s my usual?”
He hesitated. Misha answered for him.
“One large Americano, four espresso shots, and… tequila.”
I choked on my own saliva. “I—EXCUSE ME???”
The barista slowly nodded. “Yes po. Tequila. On the side. For… breakfast.”
MOTHER OF GOD. I WASN'T JUST AN ASSHOLE. I WAS AN ASSHOLE WITH A DRINKING PROBLEM???? AT 9AM???
“Cancel,” I croaked. “Tubig na lang.”
He visibly relaxed. “Thank You, Lord.”
We entered my office. I froze.
Because the entire wall behind my desk had photos: party photos, drinking photos. Me with random models, me hugging a bottle, me flipping the camera off and me doing shots.
Not ONE photo of Athena. Not ONE with Annayah. Not even a tiny frame on the table. Ako ba 'to? Ako ba talaga 'to??? My chest tightened.
Misha watched my reaction carefully. “We told you to take them down. Do you remember?”
“No,” I whispered. “I… I don’t.”
Mallory gently touched my arm. “It’s okay. You’ve had… rough years.”
Misha grimaced. “That’s generous.”
I turned slowly. My voice small. “What happened to me?”
The two exchanged a look again. Mallory looked sad. Misha looked tired.
Like this wasn’t the first time they’d been asked… just the first time I actually meant it.
Then Misha said quietly— “Something broke in you seven years ago, then four years ago was the final hit. Something we understood years ago but now we can no longer try to understand. Enough is enough.”
Seven years ago. Four years ago when this timeline diverged.
When the real me—the hardworking, gentle, obsessed-with-Athena me—disappeared.
And this version, this apathetic, irresponsible, self-destructive version—took over. I felt my lungs collapse in slow motion.
I whispered, “Does Athena… hate me?”
Mallory’s eyes softened. “No. She loves you so much it hurts to watch.”
Misha sighed. “She deserves better.”
My heart cracked open so violently I swear parang narinig ko yung pagkahati ng puso ko.
“I…” My voice shook. “I wasn’t like this. I swear. I wasn’t—”
“I know,” Mallory whispered. “We remember the Vin who worked three jobs to graduate. The Vin who cried for a week when her mom died. The Vin who simped on Athena for years.”
Misha leaned forward. “But that Vin disappeared. And this one? We don’t know her.”
Then there was silence. It was thick, heavy, and cutting.
I looked at my reflection in the dark office window. I have the same eyes, same face but the soul? Different, completely different. And at that moment, I made a promise to myself. A quiet vow that grew like fire in my chest.
“I am not her. I am not this Vin. And I will fix EVERYTHING she broke.”
Mallory placed a hand over mine. Misha’s jaw softened.
“Vin,” I whispered to myself—Not to them, to the other me.
“Kung sinira mo ang reality ni Athena—Ako ang mag-aayos.”
Because the world glitched for a reason. Because I woke up here for a reason.
Because Athena deserved the best version of me— not the worst timeline demon who stole my name.
“I’m here now,” I whispered. “And I’m taking back my life.”