14 Chapter 14

What happened?

I was in a strange place for sometime. The environment was dark, and I was floating. I tried to swim or at least move, but my arms grew tired after some few swings, and it felt like I hadn't moved at all. I gave into the darkness, and hoped the next time I open my eyes, I'll be out of this place.

I often heard surrounding voices, but I was sure I was alone in there. Sometimes I would call out to the voices, sometimes I would listen to them.

Once I heard a conversation between a man and a woman. The woman's voice was quavering, like she had been crying for long.

Finally, my eyelids decided to move. I opened my eyes slowly, but I shut it back again. I guess I wasn't ready to wake up . I had opened my eyes long before now, but I was surrounded by foggy images of people. But there was one person amongst them, a young man, with a worrisome look. I felt I saw him better because he was closest to me.

I opened my eyes again, and I tried to adjust to the light. I heard those beeping soundd that signified that one was still alive, right next to me. It didn't take me much time to realise I was at the hospital. I looked around and I found two empty beds in the room. The room was white, bright and large.

My left hand felt warmer than my right, and it felt like someone was holding it. I looked to my left hand, and I saw someone's head resting on my bed. I tried to move my hand, but I think I ended up waking the person.

"Elena" a male voice called softly, and the head was lifted up.

It was the same person I saw the last time I woke up. He had a concerned expression on his face. He squeezed my hand a little tighter and he brushed it gently with his thumb.

He rose up from his seat, and a smile formed around his face.

I loved the smile, but I had no idea who this stranger is. He was tall, like about 5'9 inches. He moved a little closer to me, and he leaned down. I felt a kiss on my forehead.

Was this young man alright? What was that for? He wasn't my brother and neither was he Arthur. What or whom gave him the right to do that? Who was he?- I questioned myself.

But I have to admit, he really was cute.

I looked at him confused, and I think he noticed my facial expression. He let go of my hand slowly, and I watched him cross over to the entrance door. He placed his hand on the door knob, and he pulled it. He peeped his head out and he called for a nurse and two familiar names.

Rodrigo and Diego- my brothers names

My brothers rushed into the room immediately, and I was thankful they both showed up. Maybe they can both explain who this foreign and freakishly handsome young man is.

My brothers turned to me, and were approaching my bed, but the young man pulled them aside and whispered something to them.

My brothers turned to me like they were shocked with what the young man might have told them.

"Its alright, just go get the doctor" I heard Rodrigo say to the young man.

"Elena" Diego called me softly.

He and Rodrigo had both gained some weight. They both looked fit, and older, but no facial hair. They both liked to maintain a smooth face.

Diego approached me slowly, and I grew worried.

"Do you remember me?" he asked nervously

What sorth of question was that? Ofcourse I remembered him.

"Of course I do, why won't I" I answered.

I stared at Diego confused, why did he ask such a ridiculous question.

"What about Rodrigo, you remember him too right?" he asked softly, and Rodrigo crossed over to my bed. His movements were slow, like he was taking caution.

He and Diego stood next to each other, their smooth faces looming over my bed.

Why were they both acting in such an off manner? I was starting to get worried.

What happened and how did I get here?

Is something wrong? I wanted to ask, but a doctor and the handsome fellow from earlier walked in.

"Elena how are you feeling?" the doctor asked nicely.

He too was tall, with a slender moustache. He had a blonde hair, with a slender moustache.

"I feel okay" I answered

I fixed my eyes on the young man who walked in after him. He as well fixed his eyes on me. He still kept smiling, like everything was going to be okay.

Who was he? I desperately wanted to know.

"Elena, can you please tell me about yourself" the doctor asked.

He had a note book in his hand, and I wondered why I hadn't noticed it earlier.

"Sure" I answered "I'm 18. I'm about to graduate from high school, which I'm looking forward to. I live with my two brothers and mother, and I'm the only girl. My dad hardly visited, but he always maintained communications with us. And during the holidays, we visit him as well."

"So Miss Elena, you're saying you're high school?" the doctor said nicely, and he smiled.

Of course I'm in high school. Didn't he hear a word I just said?

"Yes, yes I am doctor" I answered, and why did he suddenly call me miss.

"What's wrong?" I asked

All four of them had the same facial expressions; worried and scared.

"Elena can you remember what happened to you?" the doctor asked

"I remember arguing with my brothers, and some guy under a rain storm....ummm..." I said and paused. I closed my eyes trying to jog my memory, but all I saw after that was darkness.

"I'm sorry, I can't remember any further" I said apologetically.

"It's alright" the doctor said.

"Pardon me doctor, but what happened to me?" I finally asked

I raised my hand to itch my hair, and I realised my hair had grown longer.

I looked at my hands, they were different; still slim, but prettier..

Oh my!

I hadn't noticed my voice earlier. I sounded different, more like I was mature.

"Are you alright?" the doctor asked concerned

"Yes I am" I answered

"Alright, but before I answer your previous question, please answer this." He said. The doctor turned to the young man from earlier, and he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Do you know this young man?" he asked

I stared at the young man for sometime, maybe a memory of him would pop in my head. But when I got nothing, i finally answered.

"No doctor, I don't"

Four of them looked disappointed, and the young man didn't just look disappointed, he looked hurt as well.

No, did I hurt him? I didn't mean too. His smile had faded away, and I felt hurt inside me. I really wish I knew who he was, can he at least smile again.

The doctor sighed loudly before he spoke, "Firstly, this young man is your fiance, and his name is Lorenzo."

Lorenzo, what a nice name.

Wait! did he say fiance? I'm seriously engaged to this handsome young man, and I don't know him.

Nah! they must be joking or playing a joke, or something. But they all looked so serious about this.

"Movin to your previous question, you were struck by lightning again, and this is your second time surviving it. The first time was when you were 18, on the night of your school prom. Now, you're 26" the doctor began to explain. "The fact that you can't remember who this young man is, simply means you're currently suffering from amnesia. But don't worry, it's only temporarily. You memories would come flooding back after same days or weeks, but in most cases, months"

Doctor, how am I 26 years? this must be a joke.

"Please can I get a mirror?" I asked politely.

"Don't worry" Rodrigo said and he pulled out his smart phone and he handed it to me.

It was already on camera.

"Pardon me doctor, you're saying my sister temporarily lost 8years memories of her life" Rodrigo asked

"Yes, if you put it that way. The side effects of the second strike wiped those memories away." the doctor then paused and smiled "A victim of two lightning strikes, and she's still alive, it's a miracle." he added

I was struck twice, that was the only meaning I got from all this.

But how was this possible?

"Lorenzo" I called softly

"Yes" he answered instantly, but in calm way.

"Did you give this to me?" I asked.

I refered to the ring on my finger. It was beautiful.

"Yes I did." he said softly "I proposed to you two days before your second lightning strike. You don't remember, do you huh" he said. He looked like he was holding back tears.

I too felt like crying.

I didn't mean to forget him.

The doctor came a little closer to me, he placed his hand on my head, and he rubbed it alittle.

"Don't try and force the memories back, like I said it's only temporarily. You would remember him soon, don't rush it. I'll just say, maybe you all start by showing her some pictures, of the both of them. Who knows, anything can cause the memories to come flooding back." the doctor said.

"Thank you doctor" my brothers said.

"Would she be discharged today?" Diego asked

"Certainly" the doctor answered.

"I'll be leaving now miss, I need to get your discharge papers ready. Try not to pressure yourself okay" the doctor said to me.

"Thank you doctor" I said, and the doctor left the room.

Lorenzo remained where he was, he wasn't looking at me anymore, neither was he smiling.

"Relax okay, it's just temporary" Rodrigo said to Lorenzo.

"Where's mama?" I asked curiously

"She's with papa in Mexico. She asked after you today" Diego answered

Just then, Diego's phone rang and he hurried to answer it. He stared at his phone and smiled.

I wondered who was calling him.

"Hey love" he said

Hey love! I repeated in my head

"Yes, I won't be coming home any time soon. I'm still with Elena, she's up now" he said

"Rodrigo" I whispered and he leaned closer to me

"Who is he talking to?" I asked

"His wife" Rodrigo answered

"His what!" I exclaimed

I hadn't noticed the ring earlier.

"Yes my wife" Diego said. He was done with his phone call. "You think I'll remain single forever" Diego said and he smiled.

"We have been married for a year now. The day you got struck, the second time was our one year wedding anniversary"

My smile faded away, and I was looking like Lorenzo now.

"Don't feel bad, honestly she's happy you're okay." Diego said.

3hours later, I was discharged from the hospital. I rode I Rodrigo's car, and Diego, and Lorenzo, rode in theirs.

Diego's car was in front of Rodrigo's, and Lorenzo drove behind us.

We arrived at Rodrigo's place. His house was beautiful and large, and so was the street. All the house on the street were large, this was definitely a place for the rich.

Diego and Lorenzo parked their vehicles behind the building. Rodrigo told me that there was a garage out back, and a garden as well.

A beautiful lady was right in front of the house, waiting to welcome us. She was carrying a little girl, while another stood next to her.

"Aunty Elena" they both called excitedly, and they both rushed to me immediately I alighted from the car.

They hugged me, and I hugged them back. Despite the fact I had no idea who they were.

"Come on girls, aunty just got out of the hospital. She needs rest, and don't be offended if she doesn't remember you okay" Rodrigo said to them.

"Yes daddy" the both said and one of them kissed Rodrigo's face.

Daddy!

what else did I miss?

The lady crossed over to me and she hugged me. She seemed nice, and her hug was tight.

One of the little girls ran towards Diego, and Diego carried her.

"Jana" I suddenly said

"Yes" she replied instantly. She sounded excited. "You remember me"

"See Lorenzo, gradually. She hasn't fully forgotten you okay" Diego said, and I watched a smile appear on his face again.

"How did you know my name?" she asked

"It just came to me, like immediately you hugged me." I answered

"Maybe it's the hug" Diego said smiling "You know, I don't think Lorenzo hugged Elena since we left the hospital, although he was holding her hand. Maybe it wasn't enough, let's give the hug a try"

Rodrigo and Diego guffawed at what Diego said.

"You're right, you two hug this instant" Rodrigo said.

I knew this idea wasn't going to work, but I was willingly to give it a try. My brothers were trying so hard to cheer Lorenzo up, and I'll like to as well.

I turned to Lorenzo with a smile. He raised his hand to cover his face, he seemed to be blushing. It's quite funny seeing a guy blush.

"Come on" I said with a smile, and I opened my arms wide.

Lorenzo crossed the distance between us and he hugged me.

Something about the hug, made me feel good. It was lo g, tight; not the choking type, but an affectionate type of tight. I didn't want to pull away, but the hug was getting longer than a normal one.

I pulled away slowly, but I still didn't remember him.

I turned to Diego and he understood my facial expression.

"It's alright. Maybe it wasn't the hug, maybe we just need a little patience" Diego said

Rodrigo led me to one of the guest rooms upstairs. "This would be your room in the meantime" he said.

He then pulled a key from his pocket, and he unlocked the door. He placed the key in my hands, before he walked in and groped for the light switch.

The room was then lit up with some orange lights, which went we with the furniture. The room was spacious and well ventilated.

I crossed over to the bed and I sat on it. The mattress was hard, just the way I like it. Rodrigo then came and he sat next to me.

"Are you feeling okay? Hope you like the room? he asked

I nodded in reply and I smiled. Rodrigo placed his arm around me, and he pulled me towards him. He kissed my fore head, and stroke my back to comfort me.

"Daddy" one of Rodrigo's daughters called running into the the room. She seemed to be the older one.

"Will aunty play with us later?" she asked softly

"Aunty is a little tired, she'll play with you when she's feeling better. Where is your sister? You too can go play with uncle Diego." Rodrigo said.

"She's in uncle Diego's room, lying on his bed. Uncle Diego said he wanted to sleep, but she refused to leave" She said

Rodrigo sighed loudly, "Go help mummy in the kitchen" he said to her

"Okay daddy" she said excitedly

"Do I have a phone?" I asked Rodrigo

"Of course you do" he answered "I think Lorenzo has it. I'll send him up" Rodrigo said "But do you want anything asides your phone?"

"No" I simply answered

"Alright" Rodrigo said and he left the room

Moments later, they was a rap knock against my door.

"Yes" I responded

The door opened and Lorenzo walked in.

"Hi, mind if I stay for a while?" he said softly.