TEN YEARS

PROLOGUE

Baby please wake up, mommy loves you. Mommy misses you. Please come back.

That's the same thing I hear every single time my mom is ready to leave.

She starts this one sided conversation the same way and end it the same way. Today is no different. She start telling me how my siblings are fairing, succeeding and wishing I was awake. My siblings too, they try to visit me despite their tight schedule. They keep telling me how they miss me, especially my cooking even if I use to burn the food most of the time.

They keep reminding me of the time we spent together, that I should come back, I should fight it. Apart from that, they keep me pasted on what's going on in planet earth. Everything. Business, music, sport, fashion, new brand, new design, politics, every single thing I could think of

I don't know how long I have been here. All I know is that it is very dark here, no single light. So dark.......

But that is going to change today. I'm tired of hearing sad voices..... things must change for good.......

I fear to shut my eyes after opening it, just so I wouldn't go back to the dark but the light is too bright. I decided to squint my eyes, open it slowly as I got used to the light.

Mommy can you please get me a cup of water? I croaked. My throat is parched.

Oh my God. My mom who was holding the door handle suddenly exclaimed. Am I dreaming? Am I hearing things?

No mommy, I'm awake.

My mom suddenly start crying.

Mom why are you crying?

I'm just happy dear.

Let me call the doctor. She said picking up her phone.

What type of phone is this? Mom must have changed her phone. I thought.

Suddenly looking around

I am in a hospital, but why?

Mom why am I in the hospital? I asked my mom who had just finish making calls.

Oh my dear she burst into tears again.

Mom why are you crying? Did I faint?

Mom didn't get the chance to reply as a nurse walk in with a jug of water. Not that she would have replied.

That water looks yummy.

The nurse poured me a glass of water and I gulped it down in a go.

I must be really thirsty. I don't remember being able to drink that m....

Do you want more water? The nurse asked cutting off my thought.

Yes I do.

Hmmm, surprisingly , my chest has swell in just a span of... let me guess...... one week. Or is it clothe?

Mom, did they put clothe in my chest? I asked touching my breast?

It feels so real. I muttered. But before mom could answer me again, the doctor walked in.

The doctor looks to be in his late thirties.

Hi, I'm doctor smith.

Now I'm surprised. The doctor is white. Or is he an albino? No albinos don't have curly hair and they are somewhat blind. Hmmm

Hello doctor. He sounded white too.

No Rachael, he's educated. My subconscious replied.

Think my dear, the nurse is also white.

No dear, she's an albino. It could be an hospital full of albino staffs

No......

Are you there? The doctor said waving his hands to my face

Oh sorry. I said smiling sheepishly.

It's okay dear. I'd be asking you some questions and I want you to answer as truthful as you can.

Okay doctor.

How are you feeling right now?

I feel okay, a little sore.

Hmm, that's expected. Now let's see if you remember. What's your name?

Why won't I remember my name? did I hit my head on the floor or something? I remember going to sleep. Ah did I fall off the bed?

It's okay dear, take your time, try to remember.

At that moment, my dad and some people I don't recognize walked in

OMG she is truly awake. Thank God I decided to arrive last night. One of the strangers, a female exclaimed

Hmm who are they and why did my dad not come with my siblings?

Now that I notice, dad has more white hair than before or is my eyes not working? Hmm must have been the stress of his first daughter knows the hospital.

Please answer the question. Now it was my mom that talked after being silent for long.

My name is Rachael Justin.

Good. Rachael, what year are we? Do you remember anything?Doctor asked again

Hmm. Now that was a weird question.

Huh..

Hmm.....well, yesterday was December 31st.

Oh my gawd doctor,, today is new year's day. How could I have forgotten. Now I remember. So today should be first of January 2009. I had said these while counting my finger.

No wonder mom was crying. I thought In my mind. She should be celebrating new year's day in her home not the hospital.

I look up to see one of the stranger shaking his head.

Am I wrong? I wondered. How many days have I spent in the hospital.

Mom, how many days have I spent in the hospital?

Not days my dear. The doctor answered instead.

Weeks then.

No dear.

How long then?

10 years dear, 10 years.

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