The Last Letter

22

Chapter XXII

August’s POV

My body aches so much and I feel cold.

Where am I?

I don’t remember what happened. Am I at home? Then why does my bed feel different? Did mom change my bedding?

I slowly opened my eyes and saw an all-white ceiling. I actually had to double check and open and close my eyes a couple of times because everything looks bright. When did my dad change the ceiling? And it looks so clean.

I ran my eyes all around the room and… wait, this is not my room! With a sudden surge of emotions, I tried to get up suddenly but my body felt stiff and painful. I gasped.

“Mom? Are you there?” My voice was hoarse and it’s even painful to speak that loud.

“Uncle! Aunt! He’s awake!” I saw my friend Ben running towards me with a concerned look on his face.

“Are you okay August?” He asked and in no time, mom and dad went by my bed and held my hand tightly. Mom was crying while dad turned around and I think he was wiping his eyes.

“I’ll call the doctor.” Dad said and went outside.

“Why? What happened?” I asked because I am so confused by the look on their faces and the way they look at me.

“Don’t you remember?” Ben said and pointed his head.

I reached for my head but now I just noticed that my left arm is covered with something like a hard cast and it is painful as I move it. Meanwhile, my right arm is connected to an IV bag.

“What happened to me?” I turned to see Ben on my side.

“You were in an accident, August!” Mom said, still crying her heart out holding my hand.

“Do you really not remember?” Ben asked. And I answered by shaking my head lightly

He sighed.

“You were unconscious for 3 days now. This is the first time you opened your eyes for 3 days. We were so worried, August. The whole university is concerned with the sudden news of your accident.” Ben explained.

“But I don’t remember anything.” I replied.

“It was still a mystery if you really got into an acci-“

“That’s enough. He should rest more. Save that for later.” Mom cutted what Ben said.

Ben nodded and tapped my shoulder and smiled at me.

“But I want to know what really happened. Why don’t I remember anything?” I said switching my eyes between mom and Ben.

“Aunt is right, August. We shouldn’t stress you out, you just woke up today. I’ll tell you all the details when you feel a little better.”

As soon as Ben said that, a doctor, a nurse and dad entered the room. The doctor shone a light on my eyes and asked me if my head hurts and if I remember anything. I told him that it is not my head that hurts but my whole body and that I don’t remember the day of the accident.

“According to the test, as I have mentioned you, he might not remember some things today but as he gets better day by day, his lost memories will be restored too. My best guess is within a week or two. He should stay here for a week at least because we still need to observe him. And if he recalls some things, his head might hurt for about 15-20 seconds, it’s completely normal so you don’t have to panic. In some situations like this, bleeding in the nose and ears may occur. If that happens, please call the nurses immediately. And as of his fractures, it doesn’t look too severe but we’ll still run tests just to make sure. I’ll check again later at 7pm.”

Mom, dad and Ben thanked the doctor and he exited the room, meanwhile the nurse checked my IV bag.

I raised my eyebrows and that alone hurts the left side of my head.

I asked Ben what the date and time was.

“Monday. January 30, 2:18 pm.”

I looked at him confusedly.

“The date I remember last is January 26.” I said.

“Did it rain that day?” Dad chimed in to our conversation.

“No, it was sunny that day.” I answered.

“You were sick that night of that day. Do you remember?” Dad asked again.

“No. I remember riding my bike from the university going home. I think that’s the last memory I have.” I said and closed my eyes in an attempt to think of that day. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I think, that’s the last scene in my head that I could remember.

“Don’t force yourself, August.You’ll regain your memories in no time.” Mom said sweetly.

“That’s right. You should rest more, August. Uncle, Aunt, I’ll go to the university first and report that he’s conscious now. You i***t, you’ve got so many ‘get well’ gifts and messages from your classmates and the Architecture department. You should get better as soon as possible and thank them.” Ben said and waved goodbye at us. Mom and dad thanked him and told him to drive safely.

“What was her name again? One of your friends is also here visiting you everyday. You never said you have a girlfriend.” Mom told me.

“A girl? Suzanne? No mom, she isn’t my girlfriend, she’s a freshman in my department.” I said.

“Oh yes yes! Suzanne. She always checks up on me and your father. She was here almost all day yesterday. I really thought she was your girlfriend. It’s a shame, I like her. She’s a sweet girl.”

“Benjamin’s family too is constantly visiting you. His father paid for this VIP room for you and is participating actively in your accident’s investigation so make sure you thank them when they visit again.” Dad said.

I nodded. Even though I feel scared around Ben’s dad, I guess I’ll have to thank him and his family personally for their help.

After a while, I got sleepy again even after those 3 days I was unconscious. It was uncomfortable since I can’t move, my body hurts and I only have to sleep facing the ceiling like a corpse. It wasn’t the sleeping position I prefer but maybe it’s the medication that made me sleep a little faster and better than usual.

At around 8pm, I woke up and mom prepared home cooked meals for me. That was the only time I realized I am extremely hungry. I slept for days but it felt like forever because I missed my mom’s cooking so much that I could eat a whole casserole of rice with her dishes.

I had the hardest time going to the comfort room. Even sitting is hard. Mom said I suffered rib injuries so whenever I bend my back, it feels as if my organs inside are being pierced. I needed a flat, something like a plate or a board to support my chest and back. There is nothing I can do on my own, from sitting to lying and eating, I need a person’s help.

At about 9:20 pm, I am barely opening my eyes because I feel sleepy again. Mom and one of my brothers were here to check on me from time to time. Even though I tried so hard, I can’t seem to recall anything from that day.

The door to my room suddenly opened and it was Ben. On his back was Suzanne. They walked towards me at the same time.

“How do you feel?” Suzanne asked.

“I’m okay now although almost everything on my body hurts.” I answered.

She took a deep breath and sat at the chair beside my bed. Ben did the same. She rummaged into her bag and brought some colorful papers out and packs and packs of energy snacks.

“This is from our department. Most are from your classmates and sophomores.” She said and handed me the papers.

Most of the messages are wishing me to get well soon. The funny ones are from my close friends and classmates telling me to not follow the white light if I see one and the sincere messages came from the freshies and sophomores wishing for me to stay healthy and safe.

The letters made me feel bad honestly. Not because I don’t appreciate them but because I made my classmates and juniors worried. I don’t even recall what happened that day. I also feel that my accident is entirely my fault, I should’ve been more careful.

I sighed.

“Tell me what you know about the day of my accident.” I said to both of them quietly. My mom doesn’t want to force myself to remember but I’m eager to know what really happened that day.

“You’re the only one who knows that August. But it is still a mystery if you got into an accident yourself or if it was a hit and run case. Don’t you worry, my dad and the police are investigating. Sooner or later, you will be investigated since they know you are conscious now. They focus so much on your case because it is rare to have accidents in your area.” Ben explained.

“And there are traces of blunt force on your injuries. Meaning, you bumped or got hit by some hard objects. The scene was also a grassy field and there aren't any posts or walls you can bump into. You fell in the grass so no matter how we look at it, it’s impossible you got those serious injuries by just falling.” Suzanne added.

“And since it was a grassy field and it was raining hard that day, there were no witnesses.” Ben said.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

“So it was only me who could solve the puzzle.” I said and they both nodded.

After about an hour of just chit chatting and eating snacks that they bought for me, at quarter to 11pm, Ben and Suzanne bid goodbye and said they’ll also visit tomorrow even if I told them it was unnecessary. I’m concerned about how much time they are giving to me when they both study full time and Suzanne works after school.

When they left, I started to think of the details of my accident. It intrigues me so much that I wish I could remember all of what happened so I could contribute to the investigation.

While thinking, I felt more and more sleepy. This medication isn’t making me any productive.

And because of that, I slept. Hoping that I could dream of what happened that day.

To be continued…