STRINGS OF THE PAST (A Song we will play)

CHAPTER 17

Shards of Her Memory

For the second time, the first sound she noticed was the steady rhythm of a monitor. Then the chilly sterility of disinfectant entered her nostrils. When she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by white light and blurry figures. Catherina briefly believed she was still at the Gala, with music reverberating in her head, but the reality of the hospital room quickly became clear.

Her emerald gown, crumpled and tarnished from the ordeal, clung to her. The grandeur of the Met Gala was gone, replaced by the unsettling awareness of how frail she felt..

“Catherina?”, A voice called.

The voice appeared unsteady and familiar. Bruno sat next to her, his eyes bloodshot from concern. His hand crept closer, eventually curling over hers, and she turned to meet his gaze.

"You're awake," he said, his relief palpable. "I thought.." He stopped and shook his head. "You fainted so quickly. You terrified me."

She blinked, trying to get her mind in line. She felt the weight of what had transpired pressing down on her. The argument between Junior and Bruno. It was the tune that had evoked her recollections. The spell of fainting.

But now, in the calm of the hospital, everything returned with clear accuracy.

The accident, that resulted in her memory loss.

The sound of rain hitting the windshield. Junior's strained expression as he held the steering wheel too hard. His statements were tinged with jealousy, despite the fact that they were simply coursemates at the time, barely straddling the fine line between friendship and something more. She was always aware he had a crush, and felt the unsaid weight of it, despite the fact that Junior already had an intensely loving girlfriend.

And then— the crash.

The moment she attempted to push it away, everything became apparent. Junior had driven. He was reckless. His jealousy. The squeal of tires. Her scream was swallowed up in the darkness that followed.

Her pulse quickened, and the monitor beeped quicker. Bruno frowned. "Catherina? What is it? "What do you remember?" He asked.

Her lips parted, and the truth trembled on the verge of her tongue.

But she stopped herself.

If she told him now, anarchy would ensue. The Cortez family's pride might lead to a war. And Bruno, the wonderful and relentless Bruno, would never let it go. He would fight for her, and she wasn't sure he would survive it.

So she forced a shaky smile. “I just… remembered more of us. The songs. The promises. It’s clearer now.” She said.

The promise woven into the melody of the song they had created together so many years ago came to mind: “The melody would never forget us, even if the world did.”

The world had forgotten. She'd forgotten. But the song had found her again, knitting together the fragments of her shattered memories.

And now she remembered too much.

The strings of their melody were no longer silent, but resonated louder than ever in her imagination. However, those same strings held the weight of a secret she dared not share.

She switched her gaze to Bruno, observing his calm expression and the modest rise and fall of his chest. He had endured enough because of her. He had waited years, suffered grief, and fought for her against insurmountable obstacles.

Bruno's eyes softened, and his thumb brushed across her knuckles. "Then that is all I need. "We'll put the pieces together one by one." He said.

Her throat clenched. If only he knew which piece she was hiding.

So she made her decision.

For the time being, she would be carrying the truth on her own.

But in her heart, shards of remembrance stabbed deep, whispering that silence would not last forever.

Hours later, as sunset crept through the blinds, the door flew open.

Junior's face was pale and agitated as he stood there with his tie undone. He had the appearance of someone who has been jogging all over the city.

"Catherina!" His voice crackled with urgency. He rushed nearer, his gaze moving between her and Bruno. "Why didn't someone call me sooner?" I could not locate the hospital. I've searched everywhere!" He complained.

Bruno tensed but remained silent, his guarded demeanor evident.

Catherina attempted to sit up, but she was unable to do so because of the weight of her fear, remorse, and recollection. "I'm all right now, Junior. According to the doctors, it was stress," she said.

Junior's jaw tightened as he shook his head. "You pass out in front of everyone, and you call that ‘fine’? No Catherina. You're returning home. I'll look after you, he said.

Bruno stood then, his voice firm but calm. “She’s safe here, Junior. The doctors will decide when she can leave.” He muttered.

The tension between them was evident, with the memories of their previous argument at the Gala still vivid. Catherina raised her hand weakly. "Please. Not now." She implored.

Junior’s eyes softened as they landed back on her. “I just… I can’t lose you, Catherina. Let me take you home when you’re ready.” He insisted.

She didn't respond. She could not. Her heart was too heavy with the information she held.

Junior stayed on her side that night until Bruno eventually went outdoors to breathe. He appeared worn out, his typical arrogance gone.

"You scared me," he said softly, brushing his palm against her wrist. "Do you remember what happened?" He inquired.

The question made her chest tighten. Did he know? Was he testing her? Or was he trying to bury the past in the same way she was?

“I remember… pieces,” she whispered. “But it’s all still coming together.” She replied.

His eyes clouded, but he faked a smile. "Let me help you. You know you can always count on me." He said.

And once more, her heart twisted. Because she had previously relied on him. They'd been buddies. They were only friends, but she sensed his obsession was lurking in the background like a shadow.

And that night, he insisted on driving her home. That had been the start of her predicament.

She closed her eyes, battling against the visions, the guilt, and the fear. She wouldn't tell him she recalled. Not at this point.

When she was discharged later, Junior insisted on driving her home, exactly as he had the night of her accident. Bruno complained, but Catherina, fatigued and overwhelmed, allowed it to prevent junior’s suspicion.

The vehicle ride was uncomfortable. The city lights blurred past the window, and the buzz of the engine drew her deeper into the memories she had wanted to forget.

Junior's hands were on the steering wheel. The road was slick with rain. The ride was a turmoil of words about the fight at the Gala— His tone was one of jealousy. Her knuckles were white as she gripped her dress. He looked at her, assuming she was weak since she was silent. "Catherina, I'll look after you. I always have. He spoke with a sense of importance.

Her lips trembled, but she did not respond. Inside, her mind screamed the truth. "You're the reason I needed saving at all" .

But she kept it locked inside.Because some truths were too dangerous to speak aloud.

That night, back in her room, Catherina lay in bed, the emerald gown at her side, crumpled where she had thrown it. Not a symbol anymore, but a remembrance of everything she had lost and remembered.

Bruno. The meadow. The promise of their love.

Junior. The crash. The lies that had chained her.

She buried her face in the pillow, tears softly falling down her cheeks. She couldn't tell Bruno yet—not while Junior was so close, and danger lurked like a shadow over both of their lives.

However, the shards of her memory were sharp, stabbing deeper with each beat of her heart. Even while she remained mute, she knew one thing for certain: silence would not last forever.

Despite her need to speak the truth, she kept it hidden beneath trembling lips. For Bruno's sake. For hers. Because sometimes love meant protection. And sometimes, protection meant being silent.

Catherina's memory has returned completely, with every delight, scar, and betrayal. She realized now that Junior had been driving the night of the accident, when they were only acquaintances and classmates. She had discovered the reality behind his crush, uncontrolled passion, and selfish need to keep her close.

However, she remained silent.

For Bruno's safety. For her own. For the delicate balance that held the Cortez family's rage at bay.

Despite her heart's protests, she allowed Junior to drive her home. She led Bruno to believe that the parts of her recollection were entirely about them. And she kept the most terrible shard of truth hidden within her. Because sometimes survival required silence. And silence she feared might cost her more than telling the truth.

The strings of their music were no longer silent, but resonated louder than ever in her imagination. However, those same strings held the weight of a secret she dared not disclose.