Lost Memory (The Hidden Identity)

Chapter 2: Moving On, Moving Out

Previously... on Sairas POV

But one thing’s been bugging me ever since I woke up. I felt so weird. It felt like, I wasn’t doing what I was used to. I didn’t even know how to use what they called a smartphone. Yet, I am too convinced that this is the real me. My parents showed me my pictures ever since I was a kid. They showed me my birth certificate showing that I’m Saira Trevors. Currently 17 years old. Born on the 27th day of February year 2003. Everything about me was clearly shown there including my parents.

I got my photo album in one of the drawers of the nightstand and browsed through the photos for the second time. I stared at the photos intently then I hurriedly looked at the mirror beside my study table. I kept on looking back and forth until I felt my head aching.

Before I lost consciousness, I mumbled, “My eyes… they’re different…”

Continuation...

“WHAT DO YOU PREFER? BE HURT BY THE TRUTH OR BE COMFORTED BY A LIE?”

  3rd Person POV

It’s been a day since Zachrean lost her consciousness. Her mom and dad were worried sick about their daughter especially her mom. The things that her daughter told her yesterday kept on lingering in her mind. They were told that there’s a high possibility of amnesia after receiving a head injury and too much blood loss but she didn’t think it will turn out like this.

Realyn stares at her daughter lying on the bed. ‘Why does this have to happen to my daughter?’ she thought as tears roll down her face. She started stroking Zach’s hair as she hums her (Zach’s) favorite song.

Zachrean’s eyes fluttered open as if the song just awoke her from a very deep sleep. She was expecting to be back in the shack of the old woman but as she looked around, it was still the surrounding she had woken up to last time.

‘So, it wasn’t a dream after all,’ she mumbled, that was heard by Realyn who was half asleep.

“Baby, you’re awake. Do you need anything? Water? Are you hungry? What are you feeling? Baby, answer your mom plea-”

“W-water p-p-please…” Zachrean cut her feeling the dryness of her throat. Realyn complied hurriedly and got her daughter a cup of water. After getting hydrated, Zach smiled giving back the cup to her mom.

“Please, don’t make me worried like that again, baby. I’ll die if something bad happened to you,” Realyn sobbed and hugged her daughter tightly.

‘I guess this is my fate now. I just have to accept it and move on with this new life,’ Zach thought to herself as she hugged her mom back.

Zachrean’s POV

I stare at the window thinking about the two girls. I wonder if they’re alright, I hope they are. Whoever that old woman that brought us here, I’ll hunt her down once I get back to my kingdom.

I heard the door creaked open as my new mom entered. I kept on telling myself that this is my new life now. I have to be used to calling that woman, my mom.

“Baby, lunch is ready,” she said smiling widely while holding a tray of food. She put it on the side table and was about to feed me when I stopped her.

“I can eat by myself, m-mom,” I stuttered out even if I know myself that I’m still weak to even move my arms up.

“No, I insist, baby. Besides, I miss this. I miss taking care of you. I still can’t believe you’re grown up now.” She wiped her non-existent tears while I prevent myself from giggling.

I got so curious about my past life that’s why I decided to ask her to tell me about it. She said, she will tell it to me after I got fed by her. I just shrugged and opened my mouth for the incoming spoonful of food.

 Vhane’s POV

I woke up even before dawn. I decided that it’s better to leave early after what I discovered. I know, I should have asked them first about it but I don’t want to hear more lies.

I know this is a selfish decision but right now, all I want is to escape from the life that I know isn’t really mine.

I got my luggage ready and wrote a letter to them… mom and dad. Even if it’s only been days since they came into my life, I felt their love for me.

After I sealed the letter and made sure it will be seen easily, I tiptoed out the shack as quiet as possible. Before leaving, I took a last look at the place that had been my home ever since I lost my memories.

My journey towards building new memories starts here. I felt so giddy yet afraid at the same time. It will be a long way ahead.

Walking my way towards the bus station heading to the city, I just remembered that I don’t have any money.

“Why so dumb, Vhane? How could you even reach the city if you don’t have even a single penny in your pocket?” I mumbled to myself. I looked at the puddle underneath me and the necklace around my neck caught my attention. I’ve been wearing this ever since I woke up and what’s weird is, I can’t remove it.

It wasn’t a normal necklace. Its pendant has a sack-like structure and the chain looks like silver – a real one, but I haven’t really paid much attention to it till now. I held the mini sack while still thinking about whether to just go back home or walk to the city.

As I was caressing it, I felt some round marble-like thing inside. I decided to take a look at it and its content made my mouth agape. Inside the small bean-sack on my neck are golden nuggets with the size of marbles.

‘Problem solved,’ I thought, grinning. The bus arrived after I found the nuggets. I took the seat on the farthest seat behind where I saw a weirdly-dressed man on the other end. I shrugged it off and just sat on the other end. I’m still busy thinking whether to just pay the whole golden nugget to the driver or exchange it to money first at some stranger before paying.

While busy thinking, I felt the weirdly-dressed man sat beside me. I got alarmed and was about to stand up when he held my hand.

“I know you need money. I’ll pay you for one of those gold nuggets,” he whispered that made me shocked. How did he know I had gold nuggets with me?

I was doubting about him when he showed me a bag full of money. My eyes widened as I stare at the money and back at the stranger. ‘That’s a lot of money!’

“I’ll give all of these to you in exchange for two gold nuggets. I know you have a lot in there so selling two won’t be a problem,” he, again, whispered while eyeing my necklace.

I know that I needed money that’s why, without thinking twice, I got two gold nuggets from my necklace and gave it to him. He then handed me the bag full of money and after that transaction, he left the bus.

Sighing loudly, I released the breath that I didn’t know I was holding until now. I looked at the bag again. I noticed that it was just an ordinary black string bag. I took a peek inside and what I saw almost made my eyes pop out.

The money inside is not just a small amount of money that I expected it to be. The bag was filled with bundles and bundles of one thousand dollars. ‘What will I do with this amount of money?’

I was still zoning out when the bus arrived at my destination, the city. I became intimidated by how tall the buildings were. I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t even think of the possible things that can happen while I’m here. I’m completely clueless.

With just a backpack full of clothes and other necessities and a string bag full of money, I walked mindlessly along the streets. I looked around trying to find a place to stay. The sun is already up, yet I still have nowhere to go.

As I was walking, I felt and heard my stomach grumbled. Ah, I forgot to eat before going here. I looked around and saw a small eatery just two blocks away. Clutching the bag full of money, I hurriedly walked my way inside and a tasty aroma filled my nose as soon as I entered.

I took my seat in the corner of the eatery. One person approached me and took my order. As I looked at the menu, my stomach grumbled again causing myself to blush. I heard the waitress giggle that made me blush even more.

Since I was a heavy eater, I ordered three viands and two cups of rice. The waitress took my order and while I was waiting, I looked around the small eatery. The interior was simple but what caught my attention is the design on the wall. There, beautifully painted, was the image of four dragons with different colors namely blue, red, brown, and green. On top of the dragons that look like guardians were a black phoenix and a golden-winged horse with a horn.

“A unicorn?” I mumbled quietly but then, my heart almost flew when a beautiful woman said no beside me. She giggled and sat on the seat across mine.

“That isn’t a unicorn,” she started while staring at the painting. “It was the golden Pegasus.”

I just smiled awkwardly as she continues talking. As I stare at her, I saw her nameplate. “Wendy. Owner.” Oh? She’s the owner? She still looks young.

“You’re the very first one who really saw that painting interesting,” I heard her say. I furrowed my eyebrows. “Why? That’s a very beautiful painting. And it’s cool! Whoever painted that sure is beautiful and cool, too,” I exclaimed.

“So, I’m beautiful and cool for you?” she asked making a cute pose on the table. I couldn’t answer her as I blush and looked away. It’s a good thing that my order arrived already.

I was silently eating when she began throwing me questions. I just keep on answering her so that I won’t look rude.

“Are you a tourist?”

“No. I’m moving in.”

“Are you from another country?”

“No. I just came from the province.”

“Do you know anyone here?”

“Nope, I don’t. I actually lost my memories.”

She was silent for a while but continued asking anyway.

“Do you have anywhere to stay?”

“I have nowhere to stay. That’s why I’m having an internal crisis right now,” I said chuckling.

“Stay at my condo. I’m alone anyway.”

“No- wait, what? You’re offering your place for me to stay? If you have bad motives, I decline,” I exclaimed as I finish my food. I was about to call the waitress for my payment when this girl beat me to it. She pays for my food while looking at me pouting.

“Do I look like I can do anything to harm you?” she dramatically asked while turning around showing her small frame to me. Makes sense. The way she moves is so soft that I thought she couldn’t even hurt a fly.

“Alright. But, let me pay for staying. Deal?” I said offering a handshake when she stood up and pulled me for a hug.

“Yay! I have a roommate now!” she squealed like a kid. I just giggled at her childish antics.

‘Golden Phoenix, huh? Interesting.’

Saira’s POV

I was roaming around the mall with some bodyguards around me whom I ordered to wear casual clothes. I don’t want to gather attention with men-in-black people surrounding me.

Mom and dad told me that I should go buy some things that I’ll be needing for the school. Classes are about to start in a week and I haven’t remembered anything yet. What the f*ck will I do there? Just stare at the people while I’m being clueless about the things they’re talking about?

Anyway, I was looking around when a painting with a book freebie caught my attention. It was a big black bird with flowy feathers. I’m not even sure if it was a bird.

I went inside the store and took the painting. The artist was named WNDY and he or she titled the painting ‘The Black Phoenix.’ Oh, so it’s a phoenix, not a bird. Dumb self.

I also took a look at the book. It was entitled ‘The Hidden Prophecy: Dragons and Phoenix’ and of course, the author is also WNDY. I went to the counter and bought the painting.

I went back to buying the things I needed until my bodyguards almost fell on their knees carrying the heavy bags and boxes. I decided to call it a day and went back home.

When we arrived home, the guards carried all the things I brought and put it in my room. I saw mom and dad on the dining table flirting with each other again. Ugh, gross.

I kissed their cheeks and sat on my seat. When the food arrived, we ate while I told them about the painting. We were happily talking when something flashed in my mind. ‘The different eye color.’

I was about to ask them about it when dad got a call from his company. He was told that it was an emergency that’s why he rushed out after kissing us goodbye. Mom also went out after her phone’s alarm beeped signaling her about the meeting she’s going to have in 30 minutes.

I sighed as I didn’t get an answer to my question yet. Going back to my room, I plopped down on my bed but stood up after remembering about the painting. I rummaged through the stuffs I bought and at last, I saw the painting. I removed the plastic wrapper and put the book aside. I looked at the painting once again and decided to put it on the wall. ‘Perfect.’

I held the book and stared at the cover. I’m not really a fan of books but this really took my interest. I was about to read it when I felt the fatigue taking over my body. I fell on my bed and the next thing I knew, darkness cradled me on its arms already.