Eye Of The Storm

Chapter Seven: High Hopes

ASHTON'S POV:

She didn't allow me to sleep in her room that night so I spent the night on the chair in the waiting lounge. 

Every thing has a "first". First dates, first kiss, first fight, first tear, first heartbreak, first trauma... This was her first night sleeping with no memory of anyone or anything.

I tried to be as understanding as I could possibly be and tried to accept the fact that she just can't remember who I am. The harsh reality was unforgivingly slow and leaden.

No one could hear the demented clamour of the excruciating voices in my head that were vociferous and violent. 

I sat in that waiting lounge mute and bewildered as voices fill the void. Voices in my head, and at the front of the cacophony was my own insistent pleading.

A kind of one-sided bargaining with a God whose existence I thought I had long ceased to believe in. But I prayed for her to get through this; for US to get through this and I swear I heard an answer to my prayers. A promise. A whisper. Because despite the ominous silence that had already smothered my prayer for a miracle, from somewhere inside me a tiny gimmer of hope wriggled free.

Morning came and I waited till the sun was shining to enter her room so I don't wake her up or disturb her sleep. 

She sleeps like an angel.

I slowly entered her room and I found her half-awake. Eyes slightly open and she looked my way.

"Goodmorning," she said with a soft morning-voice.

"Hey Babe-" 

"Don't call me babe. I don't know you. I wanted to ask why are you still here," she said bluntly.

"I couldn't leave you alone and I have been outside all night praying you remember us," I said as I walked towards her bed with slow and steady paces. 

"There was no us! If there was, I wouldn't forget." Her voice was shaking a bit. I could tell she was truley scared. After all, I've known her long enough for me to tell when she's afraid and when she is not.

"Jade, you had a car accident and it caused you to lose your memory. The doctors said there is still hope of you retrieving your memories but it requires consistent efforts. And that answers your question of why I'm here. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make you remember me." I said loud and clear.

"I won't recoup my memory because that's impossible. I'm not dumb. And what makes you think i trust you to be around me. You might be a catfish or a kidnapper or some theif who is pretending he knows me and just wants to take advantage of me at my weakness." She said as she stared into my eyes. A piercing glare that punctured and ripped me up. 

I tried to remain optimistic and not let the rage bubbling inside me break free. 

Undeterred and emboldened by the feeling of anger that was beginning to rise to my throat, I took a deep breath and exerted laborious efforts to remain sane and calm.

I looked at her. Her placid beauty calmed me ddown instantly and tamed the raging beasts within me. I couldn't resist the thought of holding her. 

I took a few steps forward and rested the palm of my hand on the bed railing. She didn't complain.

I tried to maintain eye-contact with her in hope that she'll magically recoup her memory and see flashbacks of our life in my eyes which were begging for her attention and recognition. 

"I- I - I just can't remember who you are... I'm really sorry." She looked at me apologetically.

A tear involuntarily slipped from my lids and went trickling down on my cheek. 

I knew she could see I'm in pain. She looked at me and then said, "I can tell you aren't lying, but I just can't fully trust what you are telling me if I can't percisely know who you are." 

"I'm not giving up on you Jade. Mark my words." I paused for a breath and then added, "I will do whatever it takes to make you remember us." 

I uttered those last words and touched her face for a fraction of a second then left the room. I closed the door behind me and cried secretly.

Minutes later, I put on the brave mask and left the hospital.