Saturday, 3:00 A.M.
Mrs. Maria Ocampo's P.O.V.
"Jani—"
Janice was still asleep! Though my knees were trembling, I forced myself to approach her.
The pillow I had placed on her back was still in the same position. I could still hear her deep breathing. She was sound asleep.
Oh my God!
I hurriedly closed the bedroom door. I checked the clock; it was already three in the morning. I lay down beside her and hugged her tightly. She didn't even stir from her deep slumber.
How could she slam the door shut or even switch off the light if she was this deeply asleep?
Maybe I'm just stressed. But what puzzles me is that everything is weird today. Madge, the way she looked while staring at our floor; Mang Isko, who seemed restless as if he wanted to tell me something.
I didn't realize I had fallen asleep from deep thought. Just like the day before, it was past nine in the morning when I woke up. Upon getting up, I went straight to the bathroom.
I took a bath and prepared breakfast for us.
I saw Janice slowly walk out of the room and go straight to the table to eat breakfast. Though it was quiet, I decided to join her.
"Take a bath after this. We're going to church today, remember?" I ordered her, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her.
She didn't speak while she continued to eat slowly. At that point, I couldn't help but look at her. Her face was emotionless while she ate seriously. I saw her look at me too, but I looked away again. "By the way, why is there so much hair scattered on the floor? Did Ara come over?"
She just shook her head and remained silent, just staring at me. I looked at her. "Did you get up last night?"
She shook her head again and looked down. She continued eating. "Maybe you were sleepwalking." I continued eating my meal.
As we continued eating, she remained silent. It seemed her resentment toward me was deep. After eating, she bathed, went to the closet, and got dressed.
"Fix your outfit. We're going to church, not to the—" I was shocked when she emerged wearing her school uniform. I approached her. "Janice, it's Sunday. We're going to church, not to school. Change your clothes."
She just nodded and went back to the closet.
When she returned, she was wearing a white dress. I approached her and hugged her. I immediately let go of the hug to look at her. His face was blank, and she still hadn't said a word. Much as I wanted to apologize at that moment so we could make up, I really couldn't do it.
"Wait for me outside. I just need to get something from the room," I told her.
She just nodded and walked away from me toward the exit of the apartment.
I quickly went to the life-size mirror near our room to see if my clothes were alright. After that, I turned toward the bedroom door. That's when I screamed at what I saw.
How?! Is this real?! I saw Janice. She was still asleep, lying on our bed! In intense shock and fear, I just covered my mouth.
I couldn't be mistaken.
This was Janice because she was lying on her back, and I could clearly see her face, sound asleep! I felt as if my head grew heavy and numb. All the hair on my body seemed to stand on end.
If Janice is here, who is that outside the door?
I slowly walked out of the room. Just slowly. I could barely lift my feet because they were trembling!
When I stepped out of the room, far enough to see the apartment's exit, I saw that it was open. I took another step. My body was shaking and my eyes were tearing up. I stepped forward slowly again. I was near the door. When I finally reached it, the anxiety I felt was boundless.
I saw her! Her back was turned! Who is she?! I looked to my left where I could see Janice currently sleeping on the bed. She was still there! Again, I turned forward to the other Janice who was currently standing by the door. I drew a deep breath and then took another slow step.
First step... second step...
She didn't move. She had no idea I was approaching her. She was still standing with her back to me.
Third step.
I picked up a broom as a weapon against her. I had a strong feeling she wasn't the real Janice. No wonder her behavior had been so different since earlier.
Fourth.
My hands were shaking. I could barely move my feet, but I forced myself to be brave.
Fifth.
"Janice..." I uttered when I was fairly close to her.
But she didn't turn around. She just stood there as if she hadn't heard a thing. "J-Janice..." I repeated.
I tried to steady my resolve. At that point, I couldn't move my feet anymore because of fear and nerves. She was still standing there in front of me. I saw her back. How could she..? I just saw her in her bedroom a minute ago. She was in a deep sleep, how could..? Unless I was just dreaming! Maybe this is just a dream. I hope it's all just a dream.
"Janice..." I whispered. She didn't turn.
As I got closer, I tightened my grip on the broomstick I was carrying even though I was shivering with nervousness. Who is this girl? She isn't Janice! I know she isn't my daughter!
I was only five steps away from her, but she still didn't budge from her spot. Again, I stepped forward slowly. Only four steps left and I would be right behind her.
Three...
Two... One. "Peek-a-boo!"
I recoiled in intense shock. I felt like all the blood rushed to my brain.
"Oh! Why do you look so shocked?" she said, then turned to Janice. "How are you, Janice?" It was Madge. She had suddenly appeared from the doorway.
Janice didn't respond, so Madge turned to me. "Why are you holding a broom?"
I stood there like a statue, unable to move. "Ah... nothing. I was going to clean..." I said as I dropped the broom. I was still startled, and I couldn't explain what I felt when she hugged Janice—if that really was Janice.
"Janice smells so good." After that, she turned back to me. "I thought we were going to church?"
I just nodded while trying to steal a glance at Janice. Meanwhile, she let go of the hug. "Why do you look so lethargic, Janice?"
"I'm just still sleepy, Auntie Madge," Janice replied to Madge. That was the first time I had heard Janice's voice since she woke up.
"Maybe... you got a sermon from your Mommy, huh?" Madge teased while stroking her hair.
Janice just looked down. But no! This isn't Janice! But I heard her voice. If so, who was that lying in the room?
Without a word, I ran toward the room. There was that intense pounding in my chest again. When I reached the bedroom door, my eyes immediately searched for Janice. Then I was shocked! She was gone! The Janice who was soundly sleeping on the bed just moments ago was gone!
I felt weak in my knees, causing me to slump down. A doppelganger?! I know it's just fiction and folklore I often heard from elders. They said it's a bad omen.
But I don't believe them! Not until I saw it with my own eyes! "Maria!" Madge shouted my name.
I immediately stood up and forced myself to wipe the tears that had formed in my eyes. "I'll be there in a second!" I replied to her.
What the hell is happening to me? Why am I becoming like this?
From what I remember, all of this started after we came from Ara's birthday party. Something bad might happen. I have a bad feeling. Or maybe this is just the effect of stress? I shouldn't think of such things. I need to be firm. I need to be brave.
After going to church, we went straight to a fast-food chain near our town. I couldn't help but observe Janice; she's still Janice anyway.
Only one thing changed, and that was her treatment of me. I know she's still sulking. Every time I ask her something, she only responds with a nod and she can't look me in the eye.
Fortunately, Rene showed up, one of my students and also a friend of Janice and Ara. Janice needed a break and I knew Rene's presence would help her.
"Mrs. Ocampo, may I take Janice to the mall across the street?" Rene asked, pointing to the mall opposite the fast-food chain where we were eating.
I just nodded. "Come back right away, okay..."
Janice just nodded and then they left. Madge, who was sitting in front of me, looked at me. "Do you have a problem? You've looked restless for a while now..."
"What about you, Madge, do you have a problem? You've been weird since yesterday," I countered.
"What do you mean?" She sipped her iced tea.
"Yesterday, Madge, you were in such a hurry to get home as if you were terrified. The last time I saw you like that was when you... met Nana and Ara, remember?"
"Ah, that's nothing. I'm just like that sometimes... weird." I knew her smile was fake. It was obvious she was hiding something.
"Speaking of Ara, why are you so evasive toward that child?" I leaned my chin on my hand.
"It's not that I'm evasive toward her, I just don't... ah, whatever! I can't explain it."
"I often notice you can't seem to look at her. Although you're best friends with Nana, when it comes to that child... you seem uncomfortable."
Her expression changed. She couldn't look at me.
"Look Madge, you're my friend just like Nana, but you're so close to Janice. Why can't you be like that to Ara, too? Is there something I don't know?" I held her hand.
She sighed. "Nothing... I'm just picky about which kids I like." "So it came from your own mouth, you don't like Ara?"
"Why are you interrogating me about her, huh? When yesterday, you were the one who said Ara might be a bad influence on your Janice. And don't turn the question back on me, I'm asking you, right? Why did you look so restless earlier? Maybe you fought with Janice, didn't you?" She leaned her face closer to mine. I was speechless. "I also noticed you've been secretly glancing at your daughter for a while now. It's like you're wary of her."
I looked away because I couldn't face Madge after what she said. I knew I had sinned against Janice when I laid a hand on her. But aside from that, something else was troubling my mind—the events I couldn't explain. I know there is something wrong happening after we came from Ara's birthday party. I really feel like something bad is going to happen. I'm afraid! Here is that tightness in my chest again!
Who was the girl staring at me last night if it wasn't Janice? I know now, that wasn't Janice. Who was the girl sleeping next to me these past few nights? How about those hairs on the floor? Where did those long strands of hair come from?
Suddenly someone touched my shoulder. "Aahhh!" I screamed in shock. It wasn't Madge! A child beggar had touched my shoulder.
"Alms, please..." there was a plea in the voice.
I couldn't move; I was frozen in shock. This child was so filthy. How did they get into a fast-food chain like this?
A moment later, a service crew member approached the child and pulled them out. "You're not allowed here. Beg outside," the crew ordered while continuing to pull the beggar out.
Meanwhile, I was practically gasping for breath from the nerves. I was startled by that child's sudden tap on me.
"Are you okay?" Madge said while looking at me. "Why do you look so terrified?"
"Ah, nothing, I was just startled by that beggar." I straightened my posture.
"Even I was startled. They appeared so suddenly in front of you. You were spacing out, so you didn't notice." She grinned at me. "Huh?"
"I told you. You're not yourself. You've been restless for a while."
I just looked down. Madge scratched her head. But when she lowered her hand, she bumped the glass of iced tea in front of her. "Shit!" We both stood up as it spilled.
"Sorry, did it spill on you?" worry was etched on her face.
"Not really. Just a little," I replied while wiping the lower part of my dress with a handkerchief.
After we wiped the spilled iced tea, we were shocked when a man wearing a black jacket suddenly entered and caused a scene at the counter. "This isn't what I ordered! Why did you give me this!?" He angrily threw the food he ordered at the cashier.
"Sorry, Sir. I'll just replace it," the cashier tried to soothe him.
"You'd better! It's not my fault!" the complaining man shouted.
Madge whispered to me. "Unbelievable, right? There are actually people like that." I just nodded in response.
When the man got his replacement order, he stomped out of the fast-food chain and got into his parked car. A few moments later, he sped away.
Madge and I just shook our heads. "Let's just wait for Janice, then let's go home," I said, looking at my watch. Madge just nodded.
A while later, a pink Honda Jazz parked near our spot. We effortlessly noticed it through the glass wall beside us. Toni Gonzaga stepped out of that car, causing the service crew inside the fast-food chain to practically scream.
"Who would've thought, even celebrities eat at this fast-food chain," Madge remarked.
I'm a fan, actually, but I wasn't in the mood because I was deep in thought. The actress stayed inside for only a short while and left after taking out some food. Soon after, Janice arrived with Rene.
"Let's go!" As I stood up, Madge stood up too.
When we got back to the apartment, Madge stayed for a while to chat with Janice. She even had dinner with us. After they finished chatting, I immediately sent Janice to bed because there was school the next day.
Madge and I were left, and we stayed up until nine in the evening chatting. After that, she went home.
I'm about to go to bed when I notice the strands of hair scattered on the floor again. I sighed, then I swept it again. Where is this hair coming from? Madge has long blonde hair; this one is black.
After I set aside the mysterious hair I had been seeing for several days, I decided to sleep in our room. When I entered, I saw that Janice was sound asleep and I could hear her deep breathing. I couldn't avoid feeling fear again.
I'm worried that what happened this morning might happen again. I'm not afraid if there's something supernatural happening; I'm afraid of whatever bad thing could happen to my daughter.
I stared at Janice. This time, her back was to me while she hugged another pillow on her side. Is she still mad at me? I stroked her hair. I can feel that she's in a deep sleep.
I stood up and closed the bedroom door. From the doorway, I stared at her. I want to say sorry about what happened yesterday. But how could I? She was at fault too. She lied to me! Well, if she would say sorry to me, I will forgive her. Maybe tomorrow...
"Why are you staring at me!?"
I recoiled in shock. A voice came from Janice, but I had a strong feeling it wasn't her. Her back was still to me while she slept soundly.
"What did you say?" My temper flared because of what she said.
She didn't turn or move at all. Her back was still to me and she was hugging her pillow. She didn't say another word either.
"I'm still your mother! You shouldn't—"
"Why are you staring at me!?" she shouted again.
"Huh?" She still didn't move or face me. From her tone of voice, she sounded angry.
I walked to the other side of the bed to face her. "Why you! You're going too far! You have no respect for—" I stopped when I saw she was still sound asleep. How did that happen? Where was that voice coming from?
"Janice..." I called her. But I could clearly see she was in a deep sleep. Impossible! The voice came from her! I sat down slightly facing her. "Janice..." But even if I shook her, it seemed unlikely she would wake up because of the depth of her sleep.
I looked down. Maybe she was just dreaming. Sleep talking, maybe. But what is this I'm feeling? All the hair on my body stood up. I immediately rubbed my arms in case I was just cold. But here was that fear and anxiety in my chest again.
I couldn't help but feel terrified. I looked at Janice. I'm afraid. I'm afraid something bad might happen to her. I won't be able to take it if something happens to my only child. I won't forgive myself if I fail to protect her.
Perhaps because of deep thought, I didn't realize I had dozed off. But after only an hour, I woke up with a start. Though still drowsy, I forced myself to get up from where I lay.
When I sat on the edge of the bed, my eyes immediately searched for Janice. But there wasn't even a shadow of her in our room.
"Janice!" I screamed. I couldn't stop myself from panicking. Where is my daughter?!