Chapter 1

Chapter One - Awake

Aria's POV 

"She is awake!”

As I slowly open my eyes, fluttering them open, the bright fluorescent light in the corner of the room hits me, the harsh glare of it making me squint. I gulp as a lump catches in my throat, my mind disorientated as several people dressed in white coats rush towards me. 

The sterile scent of the hospital and the unrelenting beeping machines make my heart race extremely fast. 

The doctors start murmuring among themselves, whereas my thoughts are fixed solely on urgently escaping this hospital. Resting my weight on my right elbow, I try to sit up, but I feel a sharp pain in my head, causing me to wince in agony and fall back to the pillow.

As I lie there, the many faces begin to blur as they run tests and carefully monitor my vital signs. My confusion deepens as I try to make sense of my current situation.

Once the medical team confirmed I was stable, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile graces the room, walking in quietly. She stops in front of me, concern written all over her face and asks "How are you feeling?" in a gentle tone. 

I want to tell her that I am confused, tired, and uncomfortable, but instead, I only murmur a low reply.

“I am okay," I whisper, my voice hoarse and barely audible.

The woman nods in agreement and fetches a notepad and a pen from the inner pockets of her coat. She leans nearer to me and presses on. "What about your name? Can you tell me your name and what happened? How did you get here?" She asks.

I arch an eyebrow at her. Is she kidding me right now? She's the doctor, after all; she should be the one telling me how I got here. I don't remember a single thing - the last thing I recall is getting an offer to become a graphic designer at a very prestigious company. That's it; everything else is a complete blank.

"Calm down Miss. I just need to understand how you’re feeling so that I can decide what next step should be taken." The lady explains, her gaze does not leave me for once.

I clear my throat and reply, "I really do not remember how I got here. My name is Aria, though, but I don't remember what happened to me. Last I remember is getting a big offer."

The doctor nods her head slowly. She offers me a gentle smile and speaks in a soft tone. "That’s alright Aria. You have been in a coma for quite some time and it isn’t unusual for patients to experience memory loss." She says. 

Coma? My eyes widen and my jaw drops in shock. For how long have I been in a coma? What is memory loss?? And how much do I not remember?

“What year is this?” I ask, my heart begins to race extremely fast. The doctor sighs heavily and points to the calendar on the bedside table. My eyes widen in surprise as I release a loud gasp,  slowly realizing that I was in a coma for two years. I remember getting an offer and that was in the year 2022. Does that mean two years have passed by since then?

“Don’t worry Miss Aria. You will be fine, and your memory will slowly return. It may take some time, but with rest and therapy, you should be able to regain most of it”. She assures me.

"What about my family?" I pause to run a hand through my hair in frustration. "Ava? My adoptive parents? What about them?" I ask.

The doctor shrugs in response. "Someone brought you here, but no one has visited since then. Although all your bills have been covered and paid for, I think you should find a way to reach out to your family."

I gaze around and there is no sight of my phone. I swallow hard, trying to clear the lump from my throat. How will I possibly reach Ava and my adoptive parents if I do not have a phone anymore?

The doctor looks like she is about to say something but someone barges into our room. She looks much younger and I notice how her body tenses as she bows her head to the doctor. "Sorry to interrupt, Doctor Jenna, but your friend, Mr Damon, is here to see you for his therapy session." The staff says.

Doctor Jenna turns toward me with a warm, gentle smile. "Take your time recovering, Aria; we will find a way to reach out to your family." With that, she turns around and walks out of the room leaving me to wallow in my own thoughts.

Coma? Memory loss? Ava? My adoptive parents? What has happened throughout those past two years?

I feel fear, panic, and disorientation completely overwhelm me. Without hesitation, I make a split-second decision. I must leave this hospital and return back home to Ava and my parents. 

I still remember the address and what our house looked like. They must be there, worried sick about me. I hastily throw off the hospital blankets and make a rush for the door. 

I slowly tiptoe into the hospital corridors and try my best to blend in with the other patients in the hospital. 

As I burst through the hospital entrance with so much adrenaline and excitement, I almost got hit by a black convertible moving at full speed. The driver hastily slams the brake, bringing the car to a halt. I freeze on that spot, my heart racing extremely fast. 

I shut my eyes for a brief moment, and just as I snap them open, a tall man with messy brown hair and piercing hazel eyes appears in front of me.

"Hey, watch...." He immediately stops talking the moment we lock eyes with each other. I watch his expression change from concern to utter shock. His mouth opens wide and his jaw drops as he calls out a familiar name. "Ava?"

That is my twin sister, not me. But on a more important note. Who is he and how does he know Ava?