FROSTBOUND

4 — Amnesia

~Odessa~

The room was quiet, except for the gentle hum of a machine and the soft chirping of birds, probably from a beautiful garden outside, creating a sense of serenity.

I winced, forcing my eyes open and, through a blurry vision, the decor of the room where I was loomed over me.

"Where is this place?" My brows twitched, a faint wince escaping my lips as I peered around the room.

"Ma'am, are you awake?" Someone spoke, voice sounding almost in panic.

Tilting my neck to find the source of the voice, standing there, was a young lady arranging flowers in the vase on the side table. Quickly, the lady put aside the flowers on hearing my voice and rushed towards me.

"Ma'am, you're truly awake!" She cried, her voice breathless with excitement. "Goodness, you're awake! Hold on ma'am, I'll call the doctor immediately."

Before I could open my mouth to speak or even stop her, the woman vanished through the door, the quiet thud that followed instilling silence and prompting my mind to swim with several questions.

"Why does my body hurt?" I whimpered, noticing my hand connected to something unfamiliar to me. Confused and curious about what it was, I tugged at it and shuddered at the sharp pain like a needle in my veins.

My senses heightened.

Placing my other hand on the edge of the bed, I attempted to move, only for a sharp cry to escape my lips as I fell back on the bed, pain shooting at my whole body.

I felt heavy, sour, like I had slept all through my lifetime.

"Where is this place?" I murmured again, pressing my hand against my forehead, forcing my mind to recall the last thing that happened and blankness came like a crashing wave.

Nothing of who I was and what had happened in my life seemed to crawl its way back.

Tears gathered, threatening to spill.

"Is anyone there? Please someone help me." I needed someone to make me understand what was happening to me, why I couldn't remember a thing.

Why am I alone in this room?

The door finally opened, and someone clad in a white coat came rushing in with another lady, different from the one here before, closely behind him.

"Finally, you're awake!" The woman exclaimed, excitement etched in every move she made as she hurried to my bedside.

"Who are you?" My voice came out weakly, watching the two people as the man had already begun flashing a light into my eyes.

"Doctor Kane, how is she now?" I heard the woman's anxious voice inquire.

Doctor Kane?

I stared between the woman and the man, still confused.

What happened to me?

"Perfect," Doctor Kane replied with a strong nod of his head. "Her body is very fast with recovery. I'm sure in a week, she will be completely strong and fit to go home."

With my eyes not shifting from the woman beside me, I could see the news sounded like a sweet melody to her ears as her cheeks flushed in a broad smile. "Thank you so much, doctor." And then her gaze shifted to me.

"Juliana, I'm so happy that you have recovered, and you're awake now." She said, quickly pulling a chair nearby and hurried to put her hand in mine.

"Juliana... Is that my name?" My eyes flickered at the woman taking my hands, confused at not knowing my name.

Nothing from my past seems to return to me.

I noticed the hesitation as if thinking, before meeting my questioning eyes with brows etched with surprise. "You don't remember your past, you don't remember anything?"

I shook my head negatively. "I don't remember who I am."

She stared up, her expression of shock as she turned to the doctor.

"You mean... You can't recall anything at all. Not even your name?" The doctor asked, as if to make sure of what I was saying.

I shook my head again as a response, his face a mixture of pity and sadness, and etched with something I couldn't just pinpoint.

He lowered his gaze at the woman, then turned to me, "Mrs Mac, this must be amnesia." He declared.

"Am–Amnesia? W–What is Amnesia?" I felt my heart begin to beat faster. I can't remember hearing such a name before or know its meaning.

And what was that he called me—Mrs Mac?

First Juliana, now Mrs Mac. What has really happened in my life? Why don't I remember any of these names?

My gaze lowered inquisitively at them, hoping I could get an answer to all these questions pondering in my head.

"Two months ago, Mrs Mac, you had an accident and right now, you're here in a private hospital room." He said, making me understand why there were several machines and beeping sounds.

"I... I had an accident?" I questioned, also not recalling when such had happened.

"Yes. And your accident was fatal; one that caused severe injuries resulting in serious damage that I believe is affecting your brain right now. That's why you wake up to forget some things. It's called Amnesia."

"Amnesia?" My eyes rolled widely at the name.

"Yes. It is a situation where you will have difficulties recalling your past events. Forgetting familiar places and even familiar people. But don't stress yourself. I know it might cause you some confusion or disorientation, but we are all here to help you recover completely. We will teach you those things you used to do," He now turned to the woman and asked, "Right Madam Margaret?"

"Absolutely, Doctor. Goodness, I never imagined my daughter-in-law would wake up with memory loss. This is so painful for me to think about. Oh my dear, Juliana." Margaret sobbed; taking my hands, she sobbed hard into them.

Juliana.

Mrs Mac.

Now she's calling me her daughter-in-law.

Watching her cry in my hands brought an ache in my heart, but it can't be compared to the amount of confusion in my head.

Who was I before? What happened before the accident they said I had?

Why do they seem close to me, like they know me too well, when I know nothing about them?

Why does she call me her daughter-in-law?

They have a lot to explain to me!

"Madam please, I know this is painful for you, but showing her your pain is totally unhealthy for her." The doctor advised.

"Oh Doc, I'm sorry for crying so hard. You know, I wasn't expecting this for her, she had suffered that much pain." Margaret cried some more before getting rid of the tears, speaking reassuringly.

"Don't worry, my dear, Juliana. We're all here for you, to help you recover your memories," She assured me, making me feel some relief and getting my hopes back.

I couldn't wait to recall all my lost memories.

"By the way, my name is Margaret. I'm your mother-in-law." Margaret finally introduced herself, putting the sad look aside and replacing it with a gentle smile.

"My mother-in-law?" I looked inquisitively at her.

"Yes, I am. You are married to my son, Adrian Macmillan." Margaret answered.

"Adrian Macmillan?" My voice trembled.

"Yes, my dear," Margaret affirmed.

"Why... Is he not here with me?" I questioned, the ache settling in my heart.

Margaret hesitated before her words came out unevenly. "Your... Husband had been away on a business trip before your accident. When he was informed about the accident, he tried to return immediately, but had an issue with his travel papers, leading to his flight being delayed." She paused, breath held.

"But I assure you, he's been doing everything possible to come back to you, dear. In a week, everything will be resolved. He'll be able to return, and by then, you'll be fit to go home as well, and you'll meet him there at home. For now, he's unable to be here," She added softly.

"O... Okay," I nodded, my gaze lowered in sadness as my eyes settled on the ring on my finger. How sad that my husband wasn't by my side on the first day I woke up after such a horrible accident.

Tears fell from my eyes and Margaret wiped them immediately.

"Don't be sad. It's only a matter of days, and you'll see him again," She assured, making me nod.

I couldn't wait to meet him again. My husband—the man whom I must have loved with all my heart.

I sniffed hard, wondering what his face looked like, since I couldn't even remember him.

I'll meet him again, and he's going to tell me everything we've done together.

I took a glance at Margaret and the doctor again, and heaved a sigh. They were all here for me—my family would be here to get me through this.