Remember

Chapter 2: Brown eyes to gray eyes

I heard shuffling of feet, a deep sigh and a phone clicking on my right. I opened my eyes and sighed silently once I saw where I am. I know exactly where I am. How can I not? I've spent the last months of my life stuck in a place like this, where the only things I ever saw were grieving faces of family and friends looking down at me and pitied nurses checking my every move.

But right now, there weren't nurses anywhere, just me and, by the chair on my right, Justin. He hasn't noticed yet that I was awake. One of his hands is on his hair, the other holding a phone. There were dark, purple bags under his eyes, and his shoulders were hunched. He looked tired, scared, and bored.

But I was still happy - at least he isn't hurt. I smiled in spite of myself. I've done my job.

Justin sighed and looked at his left side, bored, like he has been doing it repeatedly for the hundredth time and not expecting anything new anymore. He was wrong of course. He started when he saw me, and he almost fell off his chair.

"Gosh, you scared me." He said, and his voice sounded hoarse. I chuckled, silently, and the movement hurt me. I winced slightly.

"Sorry," I mouthed.

"Does it hurt?" He was all serious in an instant, sitting down on the edge of the bed. My heart swelled. He's talking to me! I couldn't explain how I feel, but I suddenly found it hard it to breathe. I took a deep breath and flinched at the end. The slightest movement hurt me. He winced when he saw me flinch.

"I'm sorry," He whispered. I looked at him questioningly. He just shook his head and sighed. Then he seemed to remember something. "Hey, uh, your mom and dad was here, they just left an hour ago to get some stuffs."

I was utterly shocked. Mom and dad?! Justin saw my reaction and misread it. "The people called them as soon as we identified who you are, and they rushed over here just as your operation started. And then after the operation and you got in your room, they went home to get some clothes and papers and whatever, and they stayed here and never left since then. Except now." He narrated. I don't really understand, but I decided to just ride along with it.

"You?" I mouthed again. I can't seem to find my voice. Nothing just comes out. He shrugged.

"I've never left. My mom runs all my errands for me." I frowned at that. "I didn't want to leave, you know?" He sighed and scratched his nape. "I'm the reason you're here, anyway." I didn't say anything. I was still confused. Does he know who I am? Where did they get my identification? How long have I been out? Justin seemed to remember something again.

"I'm just going to call the doctor." He started to stand up, and I held his wrist to stop him. An electrifying jolt made me pull away immediately. He frowned but ignored it. "They told me to let them know once you wake up." He explained. I nodded slowly. "It's just going to take a minute, okay? I'll be back," He said, again misreading my reaction. He stood up and left.

Am I dreaming or something? Seriously, this is creepy. I'm entirely clueless at everything.

Suddenly, the door opened and revealed a man in his mid-thirties, probably the doctor. He beamed at me, a trained smile, forced. Something he's been doing to all the patients he has met.

"Hi. I'm Dr. Crisostomo." He said with his deep baritone, the lines beside his eyes crinkling as he smiled at me. I answered with a nod. "How are you feeling?" He said while checking the papers he was holding. Tests they've run at me while I was out, probably. I answered with a shrug.

He looked at me, suddenly curious. I feel weird. Somebody being able to see me - it's not normal. Not one human has ever seen me ever since my human death - until now. And perhaps the whole world has already seen me already - on tabloids, on tv. This is too much for me to sink in.