Remember My Dreams

8. Visit

The next day, the sun shone softly through the window of my hospital room, waking me with its warm rays. I stretched and felt an unexpected calm wash over me. The events of yesterday felt like a vague dream, but reality hit quickly when Dr. Sophie entered the room.
"Good morning, Elise," she greeted me with her characteristic friendly smile. "How did you sleep?"
"Well, I think," I replied, sitting up and fluffing my pillow. It might not have been the whole truth, but I felt stronger than the day before.
"That's good to hear," she said while checking my blood pressure. "Are you ready to receive visitors today?"
At that question, I immediately felt the tension return. My stomach churned, and my breathing quickened. "Visitors?" I repeated hesitantly. "I... I don't know if I can handle that."
I knew she was referring to Bill Kaulitz. I couldn't face him yet. What would I say to him? That I didn't know him? To see the disappointment in his face? No, I couldn't handle that; I needed time.
Sophie saw the fear in my eyes and gently placed her hand on my arm. "Don't panic, Elise," she said soothingly. "Your best friend Bas will be here shortly. He brought some photos of you two together. It might help to stimulate your memory."
A sigh of relief escaped my mouth. "Bas," I repeated softly. His name brought a vague sense of comfort, as if a part of me wanted to remember him.
"There's no need to worry," Sophie continued. "If you're not ready to see Bill or Tom yet, that's perfectly okay."
I nodded reassuringly to her. "Thank you, Sophie. I really appreciate that."
"Is it okay if Bas comes by this afternoon?" she asked kindly.
I nodded slowly. "Yes, that's fine."
Sophie smiled encouragingly. "Great. I'll let him know he's welcome. And if at any point it feels too much, just let us know. We're here to help you, Elise."
With those words, she left the room, and I was alone again, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotions and memories just out of reach. I tried to imagine Bas, but his face remained vague in my mind. Still, I felt a strange reassurance at the thought of his visit. Maybe he would have answers. Maybe the photos would trigger something.

The hours passed slowly, and I tried to distract myself by watching the birds outside my window. Their cheerful songs contrasted sharply with the chaos in my head. When there was finally another knock on the door, my heart rate shot up. It was time.
Sophie stepped in, followed by a man with a tender smile on his face. His eyes radiated warmth, and I felt a faint recognition. "Elise," he said softly. "It's good to see you."
"Bas?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes," he answered with a reassuring smile. "I'm here to help you, okay? I brought some photos. Maybe they'll help you piece things together."
Bas sat next to me, his presence giving me a sense of safety and trust. I glanced over and saw Sophie in the background, her eyes asking for my approval, seeking a sign that she could leave the room. I gave her a subtle nod and a weak smile, to which she nodded back and quietly left the room.
I turned my full attention to Bas. He looked at me with a gentle smile. It was a familiar face, yet it felt like I was seeing him for the first time. Suddenly, I remembered that he had been in the room yesterday, a silent witness to my confusion.
"How are you feeling?" Bas asked, his voice full of genuine concern.
A smile appeared on my face. "Still struggling with my memory," I admitted.
Bas chuckled softly. "You haven't lost your sense of humor," he laughed, and I gave him a slight nod.
"So, you're my best friend?" I asked, seeking confirmation of what Sophie had told me.
I saw his expression become more serious. "Yes, that's right," he said. "We get along pretty well."

He pulled out a photo album and motioned for me to look through it with him. I nodded and moved a bit closer to him so we could look through the album together.
As we began flipping through the album, I was startled by the first few pages. "Bas, is that us in Madrid?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes," he replied with a smile. "You had never been outside Berlin. That day, we explored Madrid together. And it was actually the beginning of our friendship."
What Bas said was true; I had never been outside Berlin, and this was a dream of mine. I would give anything to see such a beautiful city in person. I took the photo album from him and gently rubbed my fingers over the pictures. These photos didn't lie; I was really in Madrid with Bas by my side.
One of the first photos showed us in front of the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid, with its imposing architecture and sprawling gardens. Our faces radiated joy and excitement. On the next photo, we were at the famous Plaza Mayor, smiling as we shared a traditional Spanish dish at a small table.
"We had so much fun that day," Bas said, pointing at the photos. "We wandered through the narrow streets, visited museums, and enjoyed the delicious food. Here," he said, pointing to a photo of us in front of the impressive Almudena Cathedral, "you were so impressed with the architecture that you almost didn't want to keep walking."
I looked at the photos and felt a deep emptiness inside me. No matter how hard I stared at these pictures, the memories didn't come back. I saw myself laughing and enjoying it, but it felt like I was looking at someone else. In the background, I heard Bas talking about that day. His voice was reassuring, but in my heart, I felt the despair growing.
"Are you okay?" Bas interrupted my thoughts, his voice full of concern.
"Thank you for showing me this," I managed to say, fighting the tears that threatened to come. "It means a lot to me."
Bas quickly realized how I felt and stood up to hold me. "We'll get through this together, Elise, I promise."
I held onto him and let my emotions flow. The tears streamed down my cheeks as I cried into his shoulder. The pain of the lost memories, the confusion about my situation, and the relief that I wasn't alone all came together in this one moment.
"I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I want to remember everything, but it's so hard."
"It's okay," Bas whispered. "You don't need to rush. We'll take all the time you need."
We stood there, embracing each other, while time seemed to stand still. Slowly, I calmed down, my breathing returned to normal, and the tears began to dry. Bas held me tightly, giving me the feeling that everything would eventually be okay.
When I finally let go, Bas looked me straight in the eyes. "You know, Elise," he said softly, "no matter what happens, I'm here for you. We'll get through this together."
I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Bas. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You're stronger than you think," he replied. "And we'll make sure you get all your memories back, at your own pace."