Lost of the Memories

Stacy reached out to Zach’s hands and held it. She planted a soft kiss in it, sighing. It has been a month since they officially became a couple after Sam broke up with him. 10 years is not a joke. Sam might be his flame for a decade, but everything changes after a second. Stacy needed to ignite that passion again. But first, she must know Zach’s condition. It isn’t going to be good. Stacy stared at the nasal cannula propped up in his nostrils. A dressing wrapped his head. Bruises were all over his arms, probably because of the car hit. 

Stacy was anxious. She couldn’t sleep a wink. Stacy wanted to rest, but her cell phone rang. It was Ethan, calling her in the middle of the night. Stacy answered it, went to the door, and secured it. “Hello? What can I do for you this midnight?” 

“The news spread fast. What happened to Zach?” 

“He got into a car accident. Hit by a car. He’s still unconscious. We’re waiting for him to wake up.” 

“At what time around did it happen?” 

“That I don’t know. Why are you asking me? You should have asked Sam. She was here before us.” Stacy gritted her teeth. It’s not that she doesn’t want Sam to be around Zach anymore, but the world is small. Stacy allowed her to be the mistress, and she didn’t resist herself. 

“Sam was there before you?” 

“Yeah, aren’t the two of you together now?” 

They’re busted. Stacy knew their scheme well. Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, turning on another side, careful not to chuckle. Sam sighed, knowing the plan will fail. She didn’t say anything, motioning for Ethan to do it. Ethan switched it to device, saying, “Okay, I’ll call Sam. Then…” 

He hung up the line. Sam looked so down. Her eyes landed on the floor. She picked up the last shot she could get for the night. Sam drank a lot. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask his condition first thing tomorrow. If he wakes up, I’ll call Stacy again.” Ethan was going to do everything for Sam to lift off that burden from her heart. She turned at the promise ring she’s wearing for almost 2 years now. Ethan observed her thumb fiddling in it. If only he could say it… 

“Don’t call Stacy frequently. It will look like I’m pleading you to do it. Let the destiny flow by like it was. Besides, Zach and I aren’t together anymore. It has been a month since Stacy and Zach went official,” Sam slurred. She grunted, holding her head. Good thing the studios had a rules solely based on spreading gossips. If you do that, you’ll get fired. The CEO was very decent to implement it. It’s good to see everyone was having only friendly talks and not backstabbing each other. 

Sam’s head flailed, landing on the table with a thump. She dozed off just like that. Ethan parted his lips, sighing. Ethan whispered, “You shouldn’t drink more than what you can tolerate, Sam.” 

… 

He brought her home. Ethan placed her gently down on her bedroom. Her mother, Sena, tucked in her daughter on the comforters. Ethan smiled, bowing down his head. Sena asked, “Did you eat well on your dinner? My daughter must have drink a lot after what happened. She looked like a mess.” 

Even so, she still looked pretty in Ethan’s eyes. 

Sam grunted, adjusting her body underneath, closing her eyes tight. Sena breathed, wiping the sweat off her forehead. Ethan assured, “I’ve eaten a lot earlier, Mrs. Sena Lee. Don’t worry about me.” 

Sena slapped his shoulder, asking, “Why are you still calling me Mrs. Sena Lee? You should call me Auntie Sena. It would be fine.” 

Ethan got used to honorifics. Sena hissed, assuring, “I should give you time to admire my daughter first. I’ll prepare some side dishes take-outs, wait there.” 

Ethan protested, but Sena went out like a bolt of lightning. Ever since they were in high school, her mother was hospitable. She likes to give food. The meals she prepared were delicious, too. Ethan sighed, smiled back to Sam, who was sleeping peacefully. She turned at the lamp’s side, giving her physique an adequate light. 

Ethan scrutinized the curve of her lips, her nose, her lids, and even the bush of her brow. It all looked perfect. Ethan took a seat down on the bed’s edge, mumbling, “If only you can see me, Sam. You wouldn’t hurt like that. I… wouldn’t do that.” 

The promise they have made broke off. The ties severed. 

“Letting Sam hurt will mean… you are never a man.” 

“Zach promised me, Sam, that he will never hurt you, but look at you now. He still did it. With your former best friend,” Ethan assured. Observing how her nose crinkled, he beamed. He hitched the blanket up, covering her shoulders, letting her fall asleep at this night. Sam needed to gather strength for tomorrow. Ethan sighed, wrote a note, and pasted it on her lamp. 

… 

Morning came. A distant shuffle reached Zach’s ears. He’s unconscious. Zach moved his fingers, only a twitch, and Zach’s eyes slowly open. His vision was cloudy, a silhouette of light appeared, and the ceiling was white. It blinded him. A muffled voice came, and a figure emerged right on the side of his eyes. 

It was a glimpse of a woman, tearing up in joy, but it’s still unrecognizable. Zach didn’t know how to move. He’s immobilized. A prick of needle right at the back of his hand stung. The IV fluids must have overloaded, or retained, forming a bleb. The door slam shut, but he’s still recovering. How long was he asleep? A day? 

“He’s asleep for a day. Good thing he woke up now.” His mother sobbed, but Zach’s unaware. As he shifted in his bed, someone touched the blanket, and he closed his eyes again. Zach wanted to fall asleep again, but the noise irritated him. It scrunch, pair of shoes rustled, and a sniff. Did his ears become sensitive? 

He opened his eyes again. The first thing he saw was the bed railings. His vision became clearer. Zach wanted to know why… he’s in the hospital? A screech of the car tires erupted in his ears, and it made him writhe. His jaw became rigid, and his parents froze in their places. Zach convulsed, raising his hands up to his cheeks, hushing breath. 

His lips trembled, and even though he’s getting enough oxygen, Zach’s eyes become bloodshot. The metallic scent of his own blood came back to his memory, and the only thing he remembered was…

“Zach, are you okay?!” Her mom didn’t want to shout, but it was necessary for now. Zach had sat up all by himself, gasping for air. He even threw the cannula over. Fortunately, the IV drip and the cardiac monitor were still in place. Zach’s eyes were blank, and the only thing he heard were apologetic sighs. 

The door opened, and the healthcare team walked in. Stacy got astonished to see Zach sitting up from the bed, exhaling in huge amounts of air. His eyes recovered from shock, staring everywhere, and no face… ever came to his recognition. Even the woman with long, jet black hair, he didn’t know her name. 

Zach lowered down his hands on either side. His father, Zoren, breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Zach, are you okay?” Stacy asked. It confused him. Zach… is his name? 

“Zach? Who are you calling Zach?” He managed to croak out. His voice was a little hoarse, but it wasn’t what Stacy got anxious about. Stacy’s jaw dropped on the floor. Zara came to her aid, holding onto the railings, observing her son’s face. Her husband did the same. The doctors observed them all. 

“Who are all of you?” Fear laced through the creases of his face. Stacy covered her mouth, gaping. Zara turned to the doctors, seeking for their help. The doctors nodded, and one of them ordered to give them privacy. They did. Zara, Zoren, and Stacy stayed outside, waiting for the diagnosis of the doctor. 

Stacy couldn’t help but to fiddle with her fingers. She nearly tore off her skin if it weren’t for Zach’s mother clasping her wrists. Stacy turned to her, and asked, “Will Zach be okay?” 

“Yes, Stacy, he will. We wouldn’t let him not to be okay, right?” 

“What if he doesn’t remember me anymore? You and Uncle Zoren?” Stacy’s mind has gotten to the worst. She was the one overthinking when she shouldn’t. Stacy’s the girlfriend, yes, but she’s too affected. Zara touched her cheek, and shook her head. Stacy’s eyes landed on the floor, and tears fell down. 

The door opened. Zara bolted upright, holding Stacy’s hand. 

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Zachary Gonzales must have been experiencing short temporary memory loss. It could go one for about a few months, but it’ll slowly come back if someone gave him an insight about who he is. We cannot guarantee his mind coming back to normal. For now, he only knows his name. Do talk to him regularly.”