So Close (Book 1)

Chapter 3

NAT'S POV

Ako? Married?

What?

"I'm sorry but I'm not." sagot ko sa kanya. 

Lumingon yung lalaki sa doctor. 

"Doc, anong meron sa asawa ko? Bakit hindi niya ako natatandaan?" tanong niya. 

It was actually getting on my nerves. Pag tinatawag niya akong asawa niya, I really wanted to snap at him and tell him that I'm not married. And, for the love of God, napano na ang fashion show ni Tammy?

"Yes, please tell me, Doc. Gusto ko na rin po umalis ng hospital." I said. 

The doctor turned to me. "Mrs. Ro--"

"Natalie." I snapped. 

"Natalie," ulit ng doctor. "Can you tell me what day it is?"

"It's wednesday." I said without hesitation. 

"How about the date?" he asked. 

"January 21, 2012." I answered. 

Mom looked horrified and so did dad. Yung lalaki naman, he turned away and rubbed his face with his hand. He looked disappointed. 

"Could you please tell me what's wrong?" I asked. 

"Natalie, 

December 16 na."

BRYCE'S POV

My wife doesn't know me. At all. 

Oh, God. Please, let her have her memory back. Kahit nandoon pa man ang memory niya about seeing me with Stella, it's okay. At least she knows me. 

But seeing her like this, in a hospital bed no less, pains me. 

I want everything back to normal. 

But I just can't close my eyes and snap my fingers. 

This is reality and I knew I had to make it work. 

I have to do something. 

I listened to the doctor.

My wife has retrogade amnesia.

"Natalie, anak," I heard mom say. Lumapit na siya sa kama ni Natalie. "Wag ka mag-alala. You'll be fine."

I turned and saw my wife crying. 

My heart lurched in my chest. She looks small and helpless. Kaya ko naman siyang tulungan pero I just know it that she won't accept any help I give her. Alam kong asawa ko siya, but she doesn't. 

In fact, para sa kanya, I never existed at all.

"Doc, how can I help her?" tanong ko sa doctor. 

"Perhaps  meron kang mga memorabilia na pwede mong ipakita kay Mrs. Ross for her memory to trigger back. Pero it will be a long process." sagot niya. 

"Doc, for my wife, I'm willing to do anything." sabi ko. 

He patted my shoulder. "Mr. Ross, dealing with patients na may amnesia is a serious task. At first, there will be denial on their part. They will believe what they know."

"I know that, doc."

"Of course, Mr. Ross. And it will take a lot of patience." sabi pa niya. 

I sighed. "Of course." 

I turned back to my wife. She was staring at me. I neared her and sat at the foot of the bed. 

"Should I know you?" tanong niya. 

I tried to smile despite the fact that I was broken. 

"You must. Asawa mo ako e." I told her lightly. 

She nodded. "And you're...?"

"Bryce." sabi ko. 

"Bryce." 

I took the wedding ring from my finger and placed it on her palm. "I have your name engraved in there." sabi ko.

She looked at the inside of the ring. 

"Natalie... for all time." she read.

The doors sounded and I realized that we were all alone.

"Bryce?" she asked. 

"Yes, love?"

"Since we're married, 

may anak na ba tayo?" she asked me. 

I looked away. 

Buntis si Natalie nang masagasaan siya. She was two-to-three months pregnant at that time. 

Hindi nabuhay ang anak namin. 

"Love," my voice was hoarse. "Buntis ka nang masagaan ka. You survived...

But our baby didn't."

Napapikit siya.

"Oh, my God." sabi niya. 

Naluha ako. Looking at my wife so torn and broken was like torture to me. 

I felt something brush the tears from my eyes and when I looked, it was Natalie. 

"At least we have a little angel to watch over us." sabi niya. 

Hinalikan ko ang noo niya. 

"Our perfect little angel, love." sabi ko. 

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ulit ang parents ni Natalie at ang doctor. 

"Natalie, anak, pwede ka na daw irelease." sabi ni dad.

She nodded. 

"Saan mo gusto umuwi, anak?" tanong ni mom.

"I want to go home...

With my husband."