My Unforgettable Life

Prologue:  Hi, my name is Mayven Sierra, I’m 24 years old and currently living here in the Philippines. I’m not pretty and tall like a model, but I could say that I’m different. There’s something about me that is extremely peculiar. I have a disease called hyperthymesia or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM). It just means that I can accurately remember every event and experience that I encounter in my everyday life.   Some people say that this disease of mine is such a blessing. They even wish that they have this kind of disorder. But for me, it’s like a curse, a curse that binds me to my past.   Chapter 1:  “Mayven! Wake up already, you’re late for school, it’s already 7:00 AM” mom shouted angrily. “Yes, just five minutes more...” I replied with a sleepy voice.   My mom threw a pillow at me, “Ugh, you’re so late, wake up already!” she shouted.   I woke up and got ready for school. “Where did I put my keys again?” mom asked herself annoyingly.  “You put it in the cabinet inside your room yesterday” I said. “Oh, yeah, thanks” she replied with an awkward laugh.   Another day at school, you know I’m not a social butterfly. I’m not even talking to anyone in the class. Well, if they ask me something, that’s when I have a conversation with them.   “Good morning class, I would like to introduce to you your new classmate, Aria. Go ahead, introduce yourself to the class”, our teacher said.   “Hi, my name is Aria Sanchez, I’m 15 years old. I hope we all get along” she said while smiling at us.  When I looked at her smile, I suddenly felt my heart skip a beat. I mean, she’s beautiful and she seems to be kind. To be honest, I certainly fell in love with her at first sight.     I know that it is unusual for a girl to fall in love with another girl, but that’s how love is.    “Okay, Aria, you sit next to Mayven” our teacher said to her. “Wait- what?! Sh-she will sit next to me?!” I said in my mind. “Wait- am I- am I blushing?! Why does my heart beat so fast? Ugh never mind, she’s coming close to me now, okay, self, don’t mind her, okay? Just- just focus on what you’re doing right now”, I tell myself nervously.   She sits next to me. “Umm... hi, so you’re Mayven, right? I hope we get along” she said to me with a lovely voice. Well, I just ignore her because I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.  The English class started. She suddenly approached me. “Psst, do you have an extra pen?” she whispered at me. “I don’t have one” I replied coldly. “Umm... okay” she replied with a dismayed face.  “Ugh, why do you have such a cute face, I just- I can’t- argh” I said in my mind while looking at her.   “Here, I found an extra ballpen in my bag, you can use it” I said to her. She suddenly hugged me and said “Really? Aww thank you”.    I was so surprised that I couldn’t even move. I feel her warmth in me, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. “Should I just push her away? Maybe I should just wait for her to stop hugging me, yeah, I think that’s better, just don’t say anything until then”, I tell myself. Finally, she stops hugging me and starts to jot down notes from our discussion.   The bell rings. It’s finally lunch break. I look for an empty table in the canteen and sit there, quietly eating my lunch, while other students are scanning their notes for the next subject. As for me, I don’t need to review anymore because I clearly remember everything that has been discussed.   “Ugh, I can still feel her warmth” I whispered. I keep wondering about her. Well, speaking of her, she suddenly approached me again.   “Excuse me, can I sit here?” she asked. “Oh, yeah, of course” I immediately replied.   “Why are you eating alone? Don’t you have any friends to eat with?” she asked.  “Well, unfortunately, I don’t have any. I don’t really like socializing, you know” I replied.  “Ah, okay, then why are you talking to me now? I mean, we just met today and yet it feels like we’re comfortable with each other” she said curiously.   I was startled when she mentioned that. I mean, if only she knew that I had fallen in love with her already. At that time, the atmosphere suddenly feels gloomy. I suddenly feel conscious about us. I walked away from her.   The next subject starts. “Umm... Mayven did I say something wrong earlier? I- I'm really sorry, I didn’t mean anything earlier” she said. “No, I’m totally fine, you don’t need to feel sorry” I replied frigidly.   The class was dismissed. When I got home, I immediately lay in bed, still thinking about her smile. I’m still confused if my feelings for her were true love or not. Well, I’m still young. That’s why I’m not sure about things like this. But that unfamiliar feeling keeps striking me.   “Mayven, It’s dinner time!”, I suddenly came to my senses when I heard mom. “Oh, it’s dinner already? What am I doing all this time? I shouldn’t keep thinking about her, jeez she’s wasting my time” I said to myself.  My mom sighed and said “Mayven, what’s got into you? Do you have any problems regarding school? It’s unbelievable that you spend your time lying in your bed after school. I haven’t seen you like that before”.  “Mom, it’s nothing, I’m just tired” I replied. “Aww, or maybe my little Mayven found her first love”, mom said to tease me.   “Mom! No, I don’t have anything like that, jeez” I replied. But deep inside I’m still thinking about Aria. I don’t know if it’s just because of my disease, that’s why I can’t keep her out of my mind or maybe because I’ve really fallen in love with her.