Isabela
Italy
I slowly opened my eyes while feeling paralyzed. The light of the chandelier stung my eyes so I moved my eyes to the side, my vision was still blurry when I saw a man and a woman talking to each other. I couldn't move my body right now, I couldn't even move my head.
"Isabela?!" The man immediately rushed towards me. When I lethargically cleared my vision, I saw his face.
It was a man I wasn't familiar with, but it seemed like we already met from the past. Hinaplos nya ang aking ulo, looking so happy when I woke up. What was happening to me? Where was I?
"Asan ako?" I asked him with my lethargic voice.
"Nasa hospital ka dito sa Italya," He calmly responded. I wanted to move because this wasn't what I wanted. I had a lot of questions in my head right now.
"Anong nangyari?"
"Isabela, hindi ko na muna kayang sabihin sayo dahil hindi pa ito makakabuti sayo." He explained in just a soft tone.
I sighed deeply because I could not protest. My body was feeling so lazy, and I didn't have the energy to talk. I did not even try hard to ask follow up questions even though I wanted to ask, even though I wanted to ask. I was so inquisitive especially that I was in Italy? Why was I here?
"Magpahinga ka muna, love!" He spoke sweetly which surprised me to the extent.
"Art Hervin." I spoke up. It was the name I remembered. "Art Hervin Tedesco."
His jaw clenched hearing that. He seemed like he didn't like it. The smile on his face faded. "Magpahinga ka na muna, Isabela. Hindi ka pa okay."
I didn't have the courage to relax when my thoughts were drifting. I was searching for Art Hervin, unsure why I was with another man instead of him who should have been by my side. Additionally, I was at the hospital. I was very angry that I was unable to do anything at the moment, not even able to talk or express my frustration as my body felt paralyzed.
Everyday, I was visited by him as I was feeling better, but still I was consistently spacing out. He was the one feeding me, but I didn't want him to do that. Iniiwas ko ang mukha ko pag ginagawa nya 'yan.
"Love, kumain ka na." He softly spoke which just turned my stomach upside down. I would see how his face would turn stern. I didn't know him.
And why would he have that kind of endearment? Am I what to him? Were we in a relationship? But he wasn't the man I could recall in my memories. He was far different sa lalakeng nasa isip ko.
Mag-iisang buwan na yata akong pumirme sa hospital bago pa man ako makalabas at inuwi sa white mansion in front of a lake. I could walk, but I felt paralyzed. Tulala lang ako palagi kahit andami ko nang tanong.
"Ang asawa nyo po, Mr. Florentino, kailangan nyo pong bantayan ng maigi dahil sa mild schizophrenia nya. Kaya pag may mini-mention syang mga tao o alaala na hindi nangyari, ito ay separasyon sa realidad." The old male doctor said nang bumisita ito sa bahay. "Besides, hindi nya pa naaalala ang lahat ng memorya nya kaya medyo complicated ito."
I was extremely surprised to the point my eyes widened when I heard that. "Asawa? Wala akong asawa."
But a memory flashed in my head. I was walking in an extended shoreline with a tall and handsome man. He was peeling an orange for me. We seemed in love.
"Hervin..." I spoke the name again.
"See? If you noticed she's like this, you have to make her drink the medicines I gave you."
