Our Love Story

The dry air made Annette cough loudly as she walked away from the hospital, glancing back at the place where she had spent the last few months, confused and in search of her identity. Four months ago, according to the doctors who treated her, she had been rushed to the hospital following a helicopter crash in which she was the sole survivor. Unfortunately , the pilot did not survive the accident. A cab pulled up in front of her, and she got inside without knowing where she was heading. She rummaged through her bag and was relieved to find her passport still intact, along with her phone, which had a broken screen and wouldn't turn on. She had come to this city for a business trip, but now all she could remember was the crash. “Madam, where are you heading to?” asked the driver, noticing that Annette seemed lost in thought. When she didn't respond, he honked the horn, jolting her back to reality. “Uhm, sorry... I... I am so sorry,” she stammered, disoriented. The driver smiled at her, sensing the unease and confusion on her face. “Where are you heading to, ma'am?” “I really do not know... I don’t know anywhere here,” she replied, almost bursting into tears. “I’m sorry, madam, but I cannot help you,” he said, forcing a smile as she nodded and gently stepped out of the car. All she knew was that she was in the city of Hong Kong and had come here for a business trip, was hospitalized which had resulted in her memory loss. Dejected, Annette wandered the streets, unsure of where to go. As she looked through her bag again, she discovered some money. She recalled that one of the nurses had given her the cash out of pity. Passing a motel, she decided to go inside. “I need a room for tonight and maybe tomorrow. How much is it?” she asked. The receptionist a lady looked up at her and scanned her caramel skin. “No English.” Sighing in frustration, Annette ruffled her hair. “Room, please. Room!” she repeated. “No English,” the receptionist replied harshly . Turning to leave, Annette heard a voice behind her. “Ma'am, did you say you needed a room?” A young man in his twenties appeared. “Yes, please,” she said, feeling a wave of relief. “One night is 100 HKD,” he informed her. Annette rifled through her purse and discovered she had about 500 HKD. “Two nights,” she said, handing him the money. “Here is your key, ma'am. Room 240. Welcome to Regent Motel.” She took the key and walked into the elevator, waiting for it to reach her floor. As the elevator doors opened, she heard the young man conversing with the receptionist. “I’ve told you to stop chasing customers away. If you don’t want to do this job, quit and don’t ruin it for Pa!” Annette walked down the hallway until she found her room, entered it, and immediately fell onto the bed. At least she had two nights of small comfort. In the morning, she would have to look for a job or something to do while she figured out her memory and how to return home. Her eyes closed slowly, and she drifted into a deep sleep. ****** “Good morning, miss,” the young man at the motel’s front desk greeted Annette as she made her way out. She turned and smiled. “Hi. Thank you so much for yesterday.” “Just doing my job, miss. Do you mind a coffee?” He reached for a cup from the desk, already moving to pour from the kettle. He looked young, probably no more than twenty. Annette hesitated for a second before shaking her head. “I’m really late. I don’t think I can stay for that. Maybe next time.” Before he could respond, she stepped outside. The cold air hit her instantly, making her shiver. The sky was just starting to brighten, the streets still quiet. She had made sure to wake up early today, she needed to find a job. She had to figure out the next step in her life. As she walked, she scanned every shop, hoping to see a sign for employment. Some were still closed, others just opening, their owners setting up for the day. A little ahead, she spotted a small child playing by the roadside. He laughed as he ran in circles, his tiny hands reaching out as if trying to catch something only he could see. Annette found herself smiling, watching how carefree he was. A woman probably his mother stepped out of a shop and picked him up, carrying him inside. Annette’s smile faded. Something about the moment made her pause. She tried to remember her own childhood, but there was nothing. Just a black hole where memories should have been. It was a feeling she hated, like drowning in something she couldn’t see. She stood there for a while, watching as the mother disappeared into a backroom. The child, now alone, wiggled free and ran back outside, giggling as he played in the cold air. Then a honk. Annette’s heart stopped. The boy was in the middle of the street, completely unaware of the car speeding toward him. People shouted for him to move, but he just kept playing. She didn’t think. She just ran. Her legs moved before her brain could catch up, her breath sharp in the icy air. She reached him just as the car came too close, scooping him up in her arms. The rush of wind from the vehicle brushed against her back as it sped past. The child clung to her, burying his face in her coat. A woman’s scream cut through the air, and suddenly, his mother was there, running toward them. “Oh my God! Thank you, thank you so much!” She grabbed her son, holding him tightly as she looked at Annette with wide, teary eyes. Annette let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Be careful,” she said, her voice quieter than she expected. The woman nodded, hugging the boy even closer. “I will. I swear.” Annette gave the child one last glance before turning and walking away. Her hands were still shaking, but she ignored it. She had woken up today thinking about how to move forward. She never expected to start by saving a life. Maybe life had a plan for her after all.