Who am I?

NAGISING si Kira sa malakas na tawanan sa paligid. She slowly adjusted her eyesight and her eyes widen when she found her hands tied and she lying in a bed and even her mouth was covered with duct tape. Nakita niya ang grupo ng apat na lalaki na naglalaro sa lamesa ng baraha ay mas lalong nakaramdam ng takot si Kira.

Kira kept on struggling on removing the rope on her hands, but she can't. When she stood up and accidentally kicked the vase beside her, the four men looked at her.

Kira felt cold and she was too scared. "Look at that doll, she's already awake!" Bulaslas ng isa at napangisi. Lumapit ito sa kanya at hinawakan ang mukha niya. Panay ang pagpiglas ni Kira dito at napaluha na siya sa sobrang takot. "Call boss, hurry!"

Kaagad na sinunod ng tatlong lalaki ang inuto ng lalaki na nasa harap niya. He removed the tape on her mouth and he gave her a smirk. "I never knew that we can make a lot of money by just kidnapping you. Rich families are no joke!"

What does he mean? Is her parents here? No! She can't leave! "No, no! Please, let me go. I don't want to go back... Please..." Maluha-luhang wika ni Kira sa lalaki.

"I want everybody out." Tumindig ang balahibo ni Kira sa narinig niyang boses. She new that it was from the person that just came in.

That specific place was dark, the man obeyed the person that was standing in front of her. The person in front of her closed the door and Kira was shaking. She's too scared.

"I know my parents sent you to kidnap me. Let me go, you won't gain anything from me." Pagmamakaawa ni Kira at walang kareareaksyon ito sa sinabi niya.

"I did not kidnap you because of you parents, Kira." The man took a step forward and Kira was shocked to see Ricci. "I have my personal reasons."

"But that doesn't give you the right to kidnap me, Ricci. Is my explanation not enough? I can't be with you anymore. Can't you just let me go?" Pagmamakaawa ni Kira sa kanya.

Napansin ni Kira ang tila pagkuyom ng kamao nito. Unti-unting lumalapit sa kanya si Ricci and she's afraid that he'll hit her. So, Kira closed her eyes and she waited for the pain to welcome her body. But, instead of feeling the pain --- she felt her hands were free. Ricci untied her.

Kira looked at him. "Are you letting me go?"

Umiling si Aivan at umupo. "I don't want to hurt you, Kira. I just want to you to realize the mistake you did and I want you to see the truth --- I want to conceal the truth about you, Kira..."

"What do you mean? Let me go, Ricci... You can't have me here forever."

"I can't, Kira... I need to do this for your own good. I'm sorry, you can't leave." Pagkasabi no'n ni Ricci ay kaagad itong tumayo sa pagkakaupo at kaagad na dumeretso sa pintuan at lumabas.

Kaagad na sumunod si Kira at hindi niya na ito naabutan dahil sinara na kaagad ni ricci ang pintuan at ni-lock ang pinto. Kahit na ano pa ang pilit ni Kira sa pagbubukas sa pinto ay wala siyang magawa. She kept on slamming the door, but there's no use. Her hands were red and she endured the pain from it.

Napaupo si Kira at tinignan ang paligid ng kuwarto. Kasing laki ito ng kuwarto niya sa Italya, and she's thinking twice if she's in Italy or not. Kira wanted to take a look outside so she stood up and took a peek from the large window. It looks like she's in a mansion, not just a mansion --- this is not a simple place.

Kira felt hopeless. She has to get out. She has to think a way to leave this place. Lumapit si Kira sa isang closet at napansin niya na punong-puno ito ng damit pambabae. Ricci really wants her to stay here, but Kira can't stay here. Probably, Aivan's finding her.

BUMABA si Kira at kaagad na pinaupo siya ng isa sa helper sa bahay at nalula si Kira sa dami ng pagkain na nakahanda. Most of the foods were her favorites. But, Kira doesn't have the appetite to eat.

"Young miss, you have to eat your meals..."

Kira just looked at food prepared by the helpers inside the mansion. She's been here for three days and every time she attempts to escape, she always fails. Napaka lawak ng lugar, kaya naubos na lahat ng ideya ni Kira sa pagtakas.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to eat..." Mahinang wika ni Kira at tumayo sa hapag.

"But, young miss ----"

Kira looked at her with fierce. "Don't call me that! I already threw that title away! I don't want to hear it again!" Kira aggressively shouted at the helper.

"What's happening?"

Nilingon ni Kira ang pinagmumulan ng boses. Kaagad na kinuha ni Kira ang bowl na may mainit na sopas at ibinato iyon kay Ricci. Nabasag ang porcelain na bowl at umalingawngaw ang pagkabasag no'[n sa lugar. Pero walang ginawang reaksyon si Ricci sa ginawa niya.

"Young master!" The helpers suddenly shouted. Ricci did not give them any reaction and he just gestured them to go.

Kira looked at him with aggression. "Let me leave!" Sigaw niya. "Let me leave, Ricci!" Ulit ni Kira.

"How can I let you leave? I already have the answer to make you fix your mistakes." Ricci called the doctor beside him. "This is Doctor Zhou, he's a hypnotherapist."

"What do you think I am? I don't need a doctor, I need freedom!" Sigaw ni Kira kay Ricci.

"Aren't you curious? Why would you look a lot like someone who's already dead? Why would your parents hide you? Why do you think that Aivan made you his girlfriend?" Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi ni Ricci. "What if I tell you that Krisza is alive?"

"Stop spouting nonsense, Ricci! It won't work on me! Do you think I'm that stupid to believe you? I had enough!" Sigaw ni Kira kay Ricci. Tinalikuran ni Kira si Ricci at mas gustuhin niya na magkulong nalang sa kuwarto kaysa marinig ang kung ano-anong kalokohang sasabihin ni Ricci sa kanya.

How can Krisza be alive? Aivan said it himself, Krisza is dead! The only person she will believe is Aivan.

"A girl named Krisza Elliza Zhou, only daughter and heir of the Zhou Family." Napatigil sa paglalakad si Kira, hindi niya alam kung bakit pero gusto niyang marinig ang sasabihin ni Ricci. "Krisza and Aivan met a car accident and it made Krisza in a critical condition. But, Krisza's parents decided to bring their daughter to Italy to leave the country and the person who harmed their daughter. They performed hypnotism to Krisza so she can forget her life in the Philippines, especially her memories with Aivan. The Zhou family told everyone that Krisza was dead when in fact she's alive and kicking. And because of those accidents, they changed Krisza's name and identity."

Napaharap si Kira at tinignan si Ricci na luhaan. "What does it have to do with me, Ricci?"

"Don't you want to know what is her new name now?" Nakangising saad ni Ricci sa kanya at binuksan ang ilang folder. "Krisza Elliza Zhou is now known to be Kira Edielle Chua."

Napatakip ng bibig si Kira at napaupo. Nanghihina ang tuhod niya dahil sa sinabi ni Ricci. "I-I don't believe you... I'm not Krisza... I'm not her..."

Nabigla si Kira nang lapitan siya ni Ricci at niyakap siya nito. "You have to believe me this time, Kira. You are Krisza."

Umiling si Kira at tinulak si Ricci. "How can I be her? I'm not her, we do look a lot like each other but I'm not her. I don't have her memories and I don't ---"

"That's the reason why Dr. Zhou. I'm helping you to bring back your memories." Ricci said in a calm voice. "If you don't belive me, then--" Ricci gave her the folder. "all the information about you, Krisza and your family for the past years. If you trust me, you can find me at the study and we'll restore your memory."

Kira looked at Doctor Zhou. Can she really trust him? Kinuha niya ang folder at kaagad na nagpunta sa kuwartong inuukupa niya at napaupo sa gilid ng kama niya. She slowly opened the folder and she can see two information. A photo her and a photo of Krisza. Both of them do look a lot like, but Krisza's hair was short.

There Kira realized that their true last name was Zhou. The parent's information and birthplace was the same, except for her birth date. Her true birth date was a month ahead from her fake birth date.

Nanlalabo ang mga mata ni Kira dahil sa luha na namumuo sa mga mata niya. She is Krisza. The evidences was strong and it was proven. How could her parents do this to her? Ano ba ang naging kasalanan ni Aivan sa kanila para gawin ito?

She looked at the other document and it shows her medical history. Malala ang mga natamo niyang sugat dahil sa insidente, it almost killed her. Krisza studied medicine then, but Kira's a photographer now.

What happened? What was her memories with Aivan? What was the problem, how did the accident happen? What happened between the two families?

Kira wiped her tears and she walked in front of the door. Should she do it? Should she have her memories restored?

Kira finally made a decision. Nagpunta siya sa study room at doon niya nakita ang doktor at si Ricci.

"Are you sure with your decision now?" Ricci asked.

KIRA stood in front of Aivan's penthouse. And without any hesitation, she knocked on the door once.

Wala pang ilang segundo ay bumukas na ang pintuan at doon niya nakita si Aivan na nabigla sa pagdating niya at kaagad siyang niyakap nito.

"Kira... You're back! Thank god..." Mahigpit ang pagkakayakap nito pero hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang irereact niya.

She just hugged him back and said, "I'm sorry for making you worry..."

Pinapasok siya nito sa loob ng penthouse at doon niya nakita kung ano ang estado ng lugar nang mawala siya ng apat na araw. The place was a mess and Kira can see that he was been busy finding her.

"What happened, Kira? Sa'n ka nagpunta?" Nag-aalalang tanong sa kanya nito.

Malungkot na ngtumiti si Kira at sinagot ito. "I lost my phone four days ago, I wanted to inform you that I went to a relative's house. I'm sorry, I made you worried."

"No, no. No need to say sorry, Kira..." Wika nito at hinalikan siya nito sa nuo. "It's fine as long as you're here... As long as you're back..."

Tanging ngiti lang naisagot ni Kira at napabuntong hininga siya. "I'll just take a shower first and eat dinner, I'm kinda hungry." Kira said before excusing herself.

"Okay, you go and take a shower. I'll prepare our dinner." Aivan happily stated and before going to the kitchen he gave her a kiss in the forehead.

Kira went straight to her room and she went to the bathroom to take a bath. She showered herself with cold water to keep her senses calm so she won't overboard things. After restoring everything, she found out everything, on what really happened.

The car accident... She was with Aivan but the only person who got seriously injuured was her and Aivan left her there... at the sinking car, drowning.

She was really hurt. Every single memory felt like a thousand year pain in her heart. But, it was wrong for her parents part to send her away and make everyone believe she was dead. Her parents were too much and Kira doesn't know how to handle the pain.

After that, Ricci returned her back to the city and she went back here to face Aivan and to face the truth about everything.

Can she just forget everything in the past and keep on moving forward as if everything did not happen? Should she continue being the way she knew herself than continuing her forgotten memories and past?

But, there's a part of her that still holds her love for Aivan. She doesn't want to leave him and she is willing to stay with him. But, Ricci told her that Aivan was just using her because of her resemblance to Krisza. Hindi siya minahal ni Aivan dahil siya si Kira, but rather, because he sees Krisza.

Lumabas si Kira ng banyo at nagsuot ng isa sa mg komportable niyang damit. Kaagad siyang lumabas ng kuwarto at pumunta sa sala. Nakita niya na tapos na ang hinahandang hapunan ni Aivan at tahimik lang na umupo si Kira doon at pinagmasdan ang bawat galaw ni Aivan.

Ito bang pag-aalaga ni Aivan sa kanya ay para sa kanya talaga? She's starting to doubt him, even if she tries not to, she can't help it...

"What's wrong? Is there anything bothering you?" Aivan asked her out of nowhere and she didn't realize that she was staring at Aivan unconsciously.

Umiling si Kira at ngumit, "No, there's nothing wrong."

Both of them were eating at the table in a siolent manner. Walang nagsasalita at tanging ang tunog lang ng orasan ang naririnig nila. Kira decided to break the silence.

"Can you accompany me to a place tomorrow?" Kira asked as she tried to break the silence.

Masayang tumango si Aivan sa kanya. "Of course, I'm glad to."

"I'll just message you the address. Magkita nalang tayo do'n pagkatapos ng trabaho mo." Pagkasabi no'n ni Kira ay uminom siya ng tubig. She should not back out now, she already said it.

"Okay, I'll finish my work early." Masayang wika nito kay Kira at mas lalo pang nahuhulog ang loob ni Kira sa ngiting pinapakita sa kanya ni Aivan.

Ibinaba ni Kira ang hawak niyang kutsara at inipon niya ang lahat ng makakaya niya para tanungin ang kasintahan.

"Aivan, what if..." Aivan looked at her as soon as she started to speak. "What if, Krisza's still alive? Will you leave me?"

"Bakit mo naman natanong 'yan? Of course, I won't leave you, Kira. Even if she's still alive." Nakangiting sagot nito sa kanya.

Napangiti rin si Kira sa sinabing sagot ni Aivan sa kanya. Panghahawakan niya ang sagot ng kasintahan sa kanya. If he does love her, then he won't leave her.

She wanted to tell him that she's Krisza, but she can't. Not yet... It's not the right time. She has to think carefully before taking action...

KIRA woke up early today. Maaga siyang nakaalis at maaga niyang kinita si Luther sa lugar na pinag-usapan nilang lugar kung saan sila mag-uusap.

"Looks like you believe me now, Ms. Zhou. What made you think that way?" Luther called her by her real last name.

"Saan niyo nakuha ang babaeng binayaran niyo para maging kamukha ko?" Deretsong pagtatanong ni Kira kay Luther.

She wants to back out. She trust Aivan and she knows that he loves her.

"Oh, you mean the decoy?" Luther asked and he gave her a document. "Don't worry. Hindi namin siya pina-plastic surgery. There are parts of her face that looks like you but, she has to enhance it more. At first look, ypu'll think that you are her. But, she's not."

"Bakit niyo napag-kasunduan 'to ni Ricci? Why are you doing this?" Kira asked Luther with worry in her voice.

Luther sighed. "I want to marry you, Kira. Ricci loved you but he doesn't want you to be with Aivan. So, he became my ally." Luther answered her with honesty.

Kira looked at him with seriousness. "Look, Luther. I want to be frank, I don't want to marry you. This is the reason why I don't want to cooperate with the two of you anymore. I don'tcare about what happened to the past."

"Excuse me, Sir and Ma'am. Here are your orders."

Kaagad na napatingin si Kira sa waitress at sinalubong ng ilong niya ang amoy ng pagkain. Nakaramdam bigla si Kira nang pagkahilo at naghalo-halo ang nararamdaman niya. She suddenly wanted to vomit, so she immediately stood up and she ran to the bathroom.

She vomited and her legs were shaking. She's been in a bad shape these days, and she clearly knows the reason. She's stressed and she's been missing out some meals.

Hinahagod ni Luther ang likod niya habang nagsusuka siya. "Get me some tissue!" Utos ni Luther sa waitress na nakasunod sa kanila.

Kira felt a bit relieved as soon as she finished vommiting. The waitress handed Luther the tissue and gave it to her. Kira used it to wipe her lips.

Luther helped her to get up, the two of them walked back to the table slowly and with the help of the waitress.

Nang makaupo na sila sa lamesa ay kaagad siyang inabutan ni Luther ng tubig. Kaagad na tinanggap ni Kira ang tubig at ininom iyon..

Ibinaba niya ang baso at isinantabi ang nangyari. "I'm sorry, Luther. Tell Ricci to stop this and just let it be. I want to have my peace, and I already got it when I met Aivan. It's great that the person he loved then and now are the same person."

Luther sighed. "If that what makes you happy then I can't stop you." Mahinang wika ni Luther sa kanya.

Napangiti si Kira sa sinabi ni Luther. "I'm sorry, Luther. I have to turn you down, but we can still be friends." Kira gave him a hand.

Tinanggap iyon ni Kuther at ngumiti.

Tumayo si Kira at tumayo rin si Luther. " I have to go and visit Aivan now. I have to tell him the truth." Nakangiting wika ni Kira.

"Ihahatid na kita." Pag-aalok ni Luther sa kanya.

Umiling si Kira. "Ayos lang, malapit lang ang hospital mula dito. It's just a five minute walk." Pagtanggi ni Kira. "Bye." Paalam ni Kira at kaagad na lumabas sa restaurant.

Kaagad na naglakad siya papuntang hospital. She kept on thinking what will be Aivan's reaction when he gets to know that she's Krisza. Would he be shocked? Would he be happy?

But, it pains her to think how he suffered for her death then. Masyadong masakit ang dinanas ni Aivan nuong panahon na akala niya na patay na siya. Her parents were tok cruel and she doesn't know if she'll be able to call them her parents anymore.

Dala-dala ni Aivan lahat ng alaala sa sinasabing pagkamatay niya, for how many years, Aivan blamed himself for her death. When in fact, she's alive.

Even if her real name is Krisza Zhou, she'd rather have her name as Kira Chua. That's the name Aivan knows her for -- loved her for.

Her old name only caused Aivan harm -- emotionally, mentally and physically.

Pumasok si Kira sa hospital at may binigyan si Kira ng ngiti ng isang receptionist. Kaagad siyang pinapasok nito at kaagad na pinuntahan ni Kira ang opisina ni Aivan.

Kinuha niya sa bag niya ang prueba na siya nga si Krisza, pero bago pa siya makakatok ay narinig niya ang usapan ni Aivan at ni Chaun sa loob.

"Labas ka na sa problema ko, Chaun." Tumindig ang balahibo ni Kira sa lamig ng boses ni Aivan.

"What were you thinking, Aivan? Why are you doing this to Kira? I thought you love her?"

"Love? Kira? I only loved her because she looked a lot like Krisza. I only used her, okay? She's similar to Krisza, it'll be a lot better if she really is Krisza. She's the only woman I love. She offended me first, so I have to do the same."

Natigilan si Kira sa narinig niya. Bakit? Anong nagawa niyang kasalanan at bakit ganito ang lumalabas sa bibig ni Aivan? He was not like this when she left earlier.

It felt like the Aivan who's talking right now is not her boyfriend. He is not Aivan...

Strange. There were no tears falling from her eyes. Tama pala ang sinasabi nila Ricci. If she did not trust him like this, she won'tbe hurt right?

Kira slowly opened the door with a smile.

"Kira..." Mahinang wika ni Chaun sa kanya at tanging ngiti lang ang naibigay ni Kira sa kaibigan.

Nilapag ni Kira ang dokumento sa harap ni Aivan na nagpapatunay na siya ng si Krisza.

"Good afternoon, Doc." Nakangiting wika ni Kira. "I'm Kira Chua but, I was born with the name Krisza Zhou. I only had a change of name when I met a serious car accident few years ago..."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Aivan sa sinabi niya at mahinang natawa si Kira. "But, I'm sorry. I finally decided to stay as Kira Chua. And, I'm breaking up with you." Pagkasabi no'n ni Kira ay kaagad siyang lumabas sa opisina ni Aivan na walang ni isang luha na tumutulo sa mga mata niya.

As soon as she got out of the hospital, she stood there like nothing happened. The pain... She can't feel anything...

Suddenly, she received a phone call from Ricci. She answered the call.

"Kira, you have to go back to Italy."

"Why? I don't want —" Hindi natuloy ni Kira ang sasabihin niya nang unahan siya ni Ricci.

"Marta and Georges... They are dead..."