SAVE ME, MR. SCOTT

CHAPTER 4: FORGETFULNESS

Many sad experiences in our lives are what we fear and don't want to go through, but these are important for our growth and resilience. The pain and sadness brought by these experiences give us the opportunity to grow and gain a deeper understanding of life. Accepting challenges and moments of sorrow is part of the process of becoming strong and successful in facing life's challenges.

"Is this what you want, dear?" Mom asked me as she handed me the book titled 'Love's Complicated Path'.

She gave it to me, but I also threw it away because of its musty smell.

"Where did you get that, Mom? It smells bad!" I complained to her.

Currently, we're in my room in our new residence here in Tagaytay. Although it's not big, we're still happy with the fresh start. We recently moved here, so everything is still somewhat unfamiliar. It's also strange because they mention names that I don't know. Right now, we're discussing names of people around us whom I don't know. They mention things that seem incomprehensible to us.

"Your friends gave it to you before, dear." She explained, but I could hear her irritation in her voice.

"Which friends, Mom? Did I have friends before?" I asked curiously.

Who is she talking about?

I can't remember having any friends.

"Ma'am, please stop. Your child needs rest." Our helper, who looks somewhat familiar to me but I can't remember when I last saw her, said.

Maybe in the kitchen, hehe.

"But she needs to remember!" Mom suddenly raised her voice, obviously getting angry.

"I know, ma'am, but it will be difficult for you, ma'am. Four years of her memory are missing." Our helper's words surprised Mom.

What are they talking about?

"Four years? How did you know that? The doctor told me her memory loss is temporary!" Mom shouted in anger, so I approached her.

"Mom, calm down, please. Whoever has memory loss will regain it soon." I said to her while gently rubbing her back to calm her down.

Whoever has memory loss?

Who is she talking about?

She's arguing with Mom and the helper here at home.

"Let's talk outside." Mom said and started walking.

I was about to follow but stopped when she angrily looked at me.

"I'm not talking to you; I'm talking to her." She pointed at our nanny.

I forced a smile at her before sitting on my bed.

It's strange because Mom's behavior is so different from the past years. It's unfamiliar and confusing because she doesn't seem like the Mom I knew. I noticed that she's become stricter and gets angry more often even over simple things. It's like her emotions and personality suddenly changed. I don't know why, but it's causing doubt and worry in my heart. Maybe there are things she's going through that she can't tell me. I also realized that as a child, I should understand and support her through whatever she's going through.

Dad's disappearance brought significant changes to her life. There are stories from our household helpers saying that Dad died in the basement due to a heart attack during a fight. On the other hand, Mom says that Dad passed away in the hospital due to a heart condition while he was in surgery. The difference in these stories shows a complicated situation and disagreements behind Dad's passing. These events can cause confusion and emotional trials in our family that need attention and understanding to achieve unity and healing.

Even with that happening, I'm still happy because even at my young age, I got to be with Dad and we were happy together.

Mom's behavior of always being hot-tempered and angry with me whenever she sees me is a puzzling and alarming situation. Her kindness and care in front of other people show a difference in her attitude when we're alone. Mom's statement that her anger is directed towards me because of Dad's passing causes deeper complications in our relationship. Such thoughts and behaviors can lead to misunderstandings and distancing between mother and child. It's important to have proper communication and understanding between parents and children to resolve issues and bring healing to their family, but what if neither of them wants to let go of their pride?

Why am I being blamed when I'm not the doctor who operated or, even more so, not the man he fought with in the basement?

Anyway, while waiting for my phone to fully charge, I started organizing my things. I first arranged my clothes and put them in my small drawer. Next, I organized my notebooks that I used in school. When I opened them, my attention was immediately drawn to the scrapbook and diary included with my notebooks. I took them and flipped through each one.

The diary contained my thoughts and experiences every day. It's like this became my friend where I tell things even if it doesn't respond. It also contains my crushes and happy days with my friends. I paused reading when my head suddenly throbbed, and it seemed like a memory entered my mind.

Three girls who I'm always with and who also help me when I'm with them?

Oh! My? Who are they? Who are they in my life?

Even though I'm confused and my head continues to hurt, I continued reading my diary. I discovered many new things about myself there, so I became more curious about my past. Next, I opened the scrapbook, and I was immediately amazed because upon opening the first page, it was already filled with pictures of me when I was young, and it also contained my personal information like my favorite colors, food, and many more. I continued flipping through the scrapbook, and there I saw various pictures of me with my family and friends.

Tears suddenly flowed down my cheeks when I read the last page.

'Hearts retain what mind loses. I hope you always remember us, Jairah Domingo. We are Caely, Casey, and Keziah, your charming friend.'

Those were the last words I read in the scrapbook that made me cry.

They're my friends?

How come I can't remember them?

How did I forget the important people in my life?

Did I get sick?

I need to know the answers to my questions!

I quickly stood up and wiped my tears before running outside to find Mom.

I need answers to my questions!

I won't let this go!

"Mommy! Mommy! Where are you? I need to talk." I shouted as I looked for Mom.

I reached the kitchen, but I didn't see her. I decided to go to the garden hoping to find Mom there, and I was right in going to that place because she was there talking to our nanny, but I involuntarily stopped approaching them when I heard what Mom said.

"My child doesn't need to know this. It needs to remain a secret, do you understand?" Mom assured our nanny.

"Yes, ma'am, but won't that be a hindrance to her because she might remember something one day?" The nanny asked.

"Let's just ignore that. My child has memory loss, so it will take her a long time to recover from that." Mom said, surprising me.

I have memory loss?

How serious is it?

Is that why I can't remember events from my past?

What should I do?