His Amnesiac Woman

Warmth

Him:

We were packing bags and suitcases to finally get out of this hygienic prison. I had been staying with the Ginarts since 2 weeks now. I was more than uncomfortable.

 Not that I had a problem living in a one storey house but their family was very warm and I wasn't used to something this. 

I have stayed alone ever since I was 16. After my parents' divorce none of them wanted me. Maybe that is why I can understand Xael a little better. Having done everything on your own makes you uncomfortable when people offer help.

 Everything that I have from my empire to my house to even the food on my table is all because of myself. I had no one to look after me, and no one I had to take care of.

No one, until she entered. Like the mild sun on a cold winter morning. The one that just keeps you warm enough. The one that visits you when you expect it the least. The one that makes you not hate the winters, rather you know you'd enjoy the cold weather just with her. This was her.

 And I was too selfish to let it go. It breaks my heart to know she doesn't remember me and not just that, she hates me even. 

But a part of me is thankful that she doesn't remember anything of those 3 months. Those horrible 3 months of her life. This accident has been enough of a shock for her, I don't wish to add on more to her memory.

But still I know I had to stay here. I had to stay here cause it was just me, who knows what has happened.

The ward room was chaotic and amidst the mess I took a while to just look at her. How brave she has been. She started walking around with the assistive device, helping her mother take the orange bag, that contained her medical supplies, down to the car.

The doctors believed that her amnesia is not due to the trauma to her head, rather it could psychological. They had found suspicious marks on her body, that read assault. These marks weren't related to the accident.

 I had practically begged the doctor to keep this information between the two of us. Although they obeyed, they did ask her to consider counseling.

***

I helped the lady out of the car while Cree went ahead fidgeting with the lock on the door.

She held my hand while supporting the other with cane. Struggling to keep her feet out of the car, while I just stood other observing her face a little closely this time. She stumbled her way out, which I managed to get hold of. My hands now across her thorax holding the opposite shoulder. She turned her head and I nodded mine in reassurance.

We must have been like for a while, staring at each other, because the next thing we saw was Cree standing at the door, looking at us in pure annoyance.

"How long?" he sounded bored after witnessing our little romantic drama moment.

'Uh Ahem' I cleared my throat. "help her in."

"Shall I ?" that was supposed to be a mock.

I took a step back, while Cree came forward taking her hands away from mine. As much as I could make out in the sun, her face did look tinted.

Shy or embarrassed? I guess we'll never know.

We entered the warm tiny residence. Covered with brown tiles and few wooden furnitures. Dimly lit with yellow light are the centre of the passage that leads to the living room. The living room faced the main street with a table in the centre and two chairs facing each other on either side of the table . The centre was meant for the couch that matched the chairs. They had that classic 90s table lamp kept in the corner of the room , next to which were books.

The four of us entered the house, and it already felt stuffed. That is the thing about tiny houses, you are close to each other always , and so the place in warm. 

Warm, in every sense.

We sat together at the dining table for dinner. there was a fade smile on the faces of the the mother and daughter that somehow I read and Cree ignored.

He was busy on his iphone 12, his mother getting irritated with every ding that made him chuckle

I sat straight spreading out 5 cards that I held in my pocket, on the table. All the members looked up their plates or phones to the cards and then watched my face.

Obviously they expected me to explain, but with the timing that I had, I just stuffed in a large piece of steak in my mouth.

So they had to wait while I chew.

"These.." I said after I was done munching and gulping down the cooked flesh "are the contact numbers of some of the most expert psychiatrists." I paused, waiting for their reaction. And when it gave a green signal I went ahead. 

"and these two.." I continued , passing 2 of the five names spread on the table "are my friends, so you can have a go there."

"Friends?" she spoke, Xael. 

"are you a psychiatrist yourself?" she asked. I did not see this coming. 

"no." it was all I could utter.

"Come to think of it, what do you actually do?" she finally questioned. I had been with her for weeks, and her not asking me this bothered me a bit.

"I? I do business." I realized I did not have a job that I could say in front of her family.

"what business?" she was right on her part to investigate. Afterall I was staying at her place.

"I help the cops."

"what?" her face mimicked the same disgusted look that Cree had given us this morning at the door.

"don't worry, its nothing illegal." I mocked. My eyes not leaving her stare.

I am sure her mother must have sensed the tension in the atmosphere.

She interrupted "uh.. wha.. whats this about.?" She turned the attention back to the business cards

"The doctor said , she needs counseling" I turned to the older version of Xael. "it will help her with the trauma and also with her memory perhaps." I tried convincing.

Even though I wasn't sure about whether I want her to remember all of it.

"is it really neces-" her mom was as always, undecisive.

"yes mom."Xael chipped in. I could sense the firm confidence in her voice.

"If anything, I would like to recollect all that had happened to me." I was sure at this point that now she wouldn't budge.

"And don't worry about the money" she continued, staring at her mom, but for me to hear "I have it ready."

I gave a quick glance to her mother and smiled, looking back at the food on my plate. This was embarrassing for some reason. 

________________________________________________________________________________

I know it's been a while. I have no excuses whatsoever. 

Sorry about that. 

I hope you are all doing well. I love you all.