TEN YEARS

CHAPTER ONE

Doctor, you said she fainted. Why isn’t she waking up? It’s been ten minutes. I heard one of the strangers talking.

Don’t worry Mr. Justin she would wake up. I heard the doctor reassure the stranger. Wait, wait, wait, rewind please. Mr.  Justin??

Immediately I opened my eyes, sixteen pair of eyes fell on me.

Hi guys.

Thank goodness you are awake, you got me worried there. This came from my brother.

It feels weird to call him my brother when he looks nothing like my brother.

How do you feel now? The doctor asked.

I feel better now.

So you were not joking when you said it’s been ten years? I asked suddenly curious

Yes.                 

Wow.

So what happened to me?

Why don’t you let us start from the beginning? My dad replied, more like questioned.

Okay. But where is the beginning?

From the place you last remembered till you slip into coma. Mom answered.

Everyone would give their account, including you. We would love to help you remember what happened that made you slip into coma. One of the strangers that look like my brother said.

Okay then. Who goes first? I asked

You.  Dad answered.

At that moment, the doctor slipped out of the room, probably to give us some privacy.

Okay, would you start? one of the females asked.

No. not until you all introduce yourselves.

It’s been ten years and we have all grown. I don’t even recognize my own siblings.

Oh.

Yes.

I know you are my brother. I said pointing to the man who was speaking to the doctor.

Yes, I’m Samuel and this is my wife Joy. He said pointing to a fair lady.

Nice. He has always had an interest in fair ladies.

And I’m Alfred, I don’t know how you would forget this handsome face. He said and we all laughed.

He’s the first child and son, he has always been like this. Cocky.

We were just preparing for his wedding that would take place in a few month. Thank God you can attend now. Mom said.

Hmm I guess your words were true. I said to my elder brother. It’s surprising how I had been calling them strangers.

Which of my words?

The one in which you told me that you would first me to get married even though you would be thirty. I said and everywhere turn silent.

Okay, let me start.

Yes.

That night, after we got back from church, I decided to sleep early because there was nothing I could do by one am in the morning.

Suddenly,

FLASHBACK

I woke up all of a sudden with a cough fit. It has been affecting me for two months now, when it starts, I would be unable to breathe or take in air. I think this one is serious than the others. And if I tell mom, she wouldn’t take me serious all because when she gave me medicine I didn’t use it.

She should know by now that I don’t like taking medicine, it’s either I hide it or I flush it down the water closet.

All of a sudden I was attacked by another fit, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t call, I tried to tap my sister who was beside me but I couldn’t lift my hand. I know I was making strangled noises, my brothers were still awake and dad does not sleep too deep.

Someone should come please. I said in my mind as I was already losing the battle. I welcomed sleep with opened arms as it had been the only one to save me. Not mom or dad or gold or Sam or Alfred