CHAPTER 2
614 Words
Morning sunlight streamed through the clinic's wooden windows, warming the quiet room.
Theo slowly opened his eyes.
The pounding in his head had lessened, but the emptiness inside his mind remained.
He couldn't remember anything.
Not where he came from.
Not who he was.
Only one name echoed in his thoughts.
Theo.
The wooden door creaked open.
A young man walked in carrying a paper bag and two cups of coffee.
"Good morning," Wade greeted with a gentle smile.
Theo looked up, relieved to hear English.
"...Morning."
"I brought you breakfast."
"Thank you."
Wade placed the food on the bedside table before scratching the back of his neck.
"I'm Caspian... but everyone calls me Wade."
"Theo."
"I know." Wade chuckled. "That's the only thing you remember."
Theo smiled awkwardly.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For becoming your problem."
Wade shook his head.
"You almost died. Anyone would've helped."
Before Theo could answer, an elderly nurse entered the room.
She looked at Theo warmly before speaking in rapid Tagalog.
"Naku, iho! Mabuti at gising ka na. Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo? Masakit pa ba ang ulo mo?"
Theo blinked.
"...I'm sorry?"
The nurse tilted her head.
"Ha?"
Theo looked helplessly at Wade.
"I... I don't understand."
Wade froze.
"You... don't speak Tagalog?"
Theo slowly shook his head.
"I don't think so."
The nurse looked between them.
"Ano'ng sabi niya?"
Wade sighed before translating.
"He... doesn't understand Tagalog."
The nurse's eyes widened.
"Ay, foreigner pala?"
Theo frowned.
"What did she say?"
Wade smiled.
"She asked if you're a foreigner."
Theo looked down.
"...Maybe."
"I honestly don't know."
The room fell silent.
Even his own language felt unfamiliar.
The only thing that came naturally was English.
---
Later that afternoon...
Wade helped Theo outside so he could get some fresh air.
The village was peaceful.
Children laughed while chasing one another.
A few women washed clothes beside the river.
An old man waved at Wade.
"Oy, Wade! Sino 'yang kasama mo?"
Wade waved back.
"Hindi ko rin alam, Tay Ben. Nawalan daw ng alaala."
Theo looked at him.
"...What did he ask?"
"He wanted to know who you are."
"And?"
"I told him the truth."
Theo smiled bitterly.
"That you don't know."
"Exactly."
They continued walking until they reached a small bridge overlooking the river.
Theo rested both hands on the wooden railing.
"It's beautiful."
"It is."
"I wish I could remember where I came from."
Wade leaned beside him.
"Don't force yourself."
"But what if someone is looking for me?"
"They probably are."
"What if..."
Theo's voice grew quieter.
"What if I was a bad person?"
Wade looked at him.
"I don't think so."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because yesterday..."
"You thanked me before asking who you were."
Theo stared at him.
"You were scared... confused... and in pain."
"But your first instinct was to apologize for being a burden."
Wade smiled.
"Bad people don't usually do that."
Theo couldn't help but laugh softly.
"You barely know me."
"I know enough."
For the first time since waking up...
Theo felt a little less alone.
---
That evening, the doctor entered the room holding several papers.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Theo and Wade looked at him.
"We contacted nearby police stations."
"No one has reported a missing person matching your description."
Theo lowered his head.
"So..."
"No one is looking for me."
The doctor's expression softened.
"Not yet."
Outside, the church bells echoed through the quiet village.
Theo listened to the unfamiliar sound.
Without realizing it...
His hand slowly reached for the small cross hanging around his neck.
A strange warmth spread through his chest.
"...Why does this feel so familiar?"
End of Chapter 2
- Writer
