CHAPTER 2: OBLIVION

                    (10:05 A.M.; CLEMENTE

                           PSYCH HOSPITAL)

                          [TWO months ago....]

              {START OF LONG FLASHBACK}

AERIS VIDALES  P.O.V.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw myself laying in bed. Looking around, all I can see were white curtains that bordered my bed entirely. I hissed, my head hurts! Unaware of the things happened, and hoping for someone to notice me, while weakly positioning myself upright, I gently leaned my head against the headboard.

"You're awake?"

A voice abruptly emerged within this small room. Shifting my head from left to right only to cover my sight with white curtains wrapping the whole area. I feebly tried to grasp the left curtain using my left arm when a hand grabbed my left arm in an instant, between the curtain. It was a sudden movement and instead of a surprise reaction, I was irritated and disturbed. When the hand didn't let go quickly, my stomach growled giving me nausea. I want to throw up! Enveloping my mouth with my free hand, and a forcible strength swiftly transpired inside my muscles as I struggled to escaped from the grip.

As soon as I felt that the hand freed me, I slid away the curtain harshly and it turned out to be Tin. He smiled widely at me, massaging his hand. This guys is really childish.

Not long enough, I opened my mouth ready to throw up everything in front of him. While  continuously spitting out the sticky colorless liquid combined with the dissolved supplements coming from my abdomen, I saw him gasped and covered his mouth turning his back at me. He hates to witness scenes like this but I can't help it. After I messed up the bed, he then moved his body to face me again. Still hesitant to come near he offered the box of tissues to me. Burping out after getting some tissues, and wiped it out across my mouth, he then took the blanket that covered me that is now a gross thing to watch.

"I'm sorry"

I enquired, but he just smiled, nodding his head, and muttered "it's alright". As he clean the messiness of my bed, I took the initiative to asked him how did I ended up in here.

"Tin, why am I here?"

"Secret."

"Are you serious? Tin, I'm at the hospital. I can't remember anything and you're confusing me."

"There's nothing to be confused about. Why do patients are in the hospital at the first place? Because patients like you must be treated."

"Treated? I'm not sick. I'm fine."

"Let's not tackle about that for now. You just woke up and you need not to work your brain or else it might get damage."

"It's always not working."

As I sulked and halted the questions, he then finished cleaning and went straight outside the room, bringing out the dirty cloth and trashes of used tissues. I let him shut his mouth for now but I won't stop looking for answers. I waited for him to come inside again knowing that he will.

After few moments of tarrying, finally the door click open and because my body remained lifeless, I couldn't touch the curtain and witness who's coming. A delicate pace of footsteps along with a series of clinks of some sort of glasswares can be detected.

"Aeris, time for meal."

Upon hearing the jolly voice, I was relieved realizing the owner of that voice was Tin. Having him

"Here. It's for you. You just spitted out the food you ate during lunch time. Such a waste! Why did you do that in front of me? It's so so gross Aeris!"

He's nagging me now, just like my father. I took the tray with variety of food and placed it on the bed. I sit up straight choosing what to eat first. I decided to dig the rice first, then the scrambled egg, then the hotdog, then the ham. I ate it those food at once. I must say he's right. I wasted my food so I must replace another food. The sound of crunching, munching , slurping, biting , and chewing can be heard during my eating session. Not minding him, I took the last bite of a crispy pata. Although my mouth is so much full, I still manage to drive it down to my throat ,continuing into my esophagus, and finally ended inside my stomach.

"Here. Drink this. All those food you ate were unhealthy. But since I know you wouldn't eat healthy foods ,that are most recommended inside your body, I thought of buying the food that you love. "

He enquired, stretching his right hand towards my face ,holding a cup of chamomile tea. A sweet scent that wafts through my nostrils captured my heart. Receiving the small white cup from him, Tinoco, slightly nod his head . Chamomile tea has gentle notes of apple, and there is a mellow, honey-like sweetness in the cup. It has a silky mouth feel and yet remains a clean, delicately floral herbal tea, and even from the very first sip it feels wonderfully soothing.

"Thanks."

"You're always welcome Aeris. By the way, are you doing good now?"

Upon hearing him, I know he's concerned between his words. Now that I know I'm not at school, perhaps I'm starting to wonder why am I in the hospital.

"No. Not until you tell me why am I here."

"Hey! Aeris. You just sounded like our boss in the cafe! Why are you like that ? Can you talk gently?"

"I hate repeating my words Tin. It's either tell, or not tell. You choose."

I enquired, while he perceived into my eyes, his facial expression immediately change as well as his body language. He understands that I'm not playing nor having fun with him.

"You fainted."

I almost rolled my eyes catching the words came out from his small mouth. I just fainted yet, here I am staying in a small bed with dextrose IV attaching in my right arm, and most especially wearing a surgical gown. How stupid!

"Can you explain further?"

He didn't utter a word, while avoiding my gaze. Oh really? What are you doing Tin? Is this kind of mind playing games?

"You'll not going to buy it"

"Buy?...buy what?"

"See? Even though it's a question, coming from your own mouth, It still feel an order from the higher ups of army."

"So...what's the connection?"

"Nothing. Hehe "

Due to my frustration, I simply pinch my thighs until it gets bleed. I don't know why, but I just can't hurt someone or maybe I just hate physical contact so I'd rather hurt myself than touching a human skin. Tinoco, didn't notice the print of blood under my hospital gown and that's a good thing to know.

Before I can declare a sound, he stand right away in front of me clearing the things away from me. He took the tray , my empty cup, and those unneeded things just by a swift. The curtains, that covered up the whole area , were now open . Finally, I can see light , a refreshing smell though the scent is still weird since I'm at the hospital.

I took this chance to close my eyes, clearing my mind amidst the question,I badly want an answer.

"You're awake."

Opening my eyes to see the doctor's soft voice calling my attention. I look around finding Tinoco but he's not there. How long I've been shutting my eyes? And where is he? She walk slowly checking my vital signs.

"It's been a week Miss Vidales, you're finally awake now. Good thing is ..you're starting to recover. Your guardian will be here soon. She's the one who saved you and took you here."

"Doc...wait..week? I've been shutting my eyes for a whole week? Did I just fainted? Why one week? And...who is she..that you're talking about Doc?"

"One at a time miss Vidales, so here....yes, you have been sleeping for a week and Mrs. Helen Garcia took you here."

She explained it to me one by one but still, I couldn't comprehend every words. Mrs. Garcia my homeroom teacher when I was in grade 7, and also the cafe owner,that  I'm currently working, took me here for the reason that I don't know. It may sound weird but I couldn't remember what just happened to me.

"Uhm..miss Vidales? Are you alright? Your heartbeat is showing an abnormal state."

I lightly nod my head. Suddenly, a person came in and I averted my gaze to that person. It's Mrs. Garcia followed by Tinoco. So he left me.

"Good thing, you're awake , Aeris. "

"Thank you Mrs. Garcia. Uhm...what happened to me?"

I enquired, and I saw the three looking at each other confusingly. Is it really that bad?

"Don't you remember anything? I gave you pills but it doesn't affect your memory function."

The doctor enquired, checking again my status on her folder.

"By the way, I'm a psychiatrist . Doctor Emma. From now on you're my patient."

Instead of stretching her hand towards me, she just smiled and put her folder on the side. I notice that Tin and Mrs. Garcia were a little bit down today. I didn't know I'm with a psychiatrist, until I feel sleepy again. Before I let myself put into a deep slumber, I heard the doctor's voice.

"You must take a rest a little longer."