HE opened his eyes, and he was greeted with a room painted in white. He already had an idea what happened and where he was—hospital suite.
He looked around and found that no one was inside the suite except him. He sat up and cupped his forehead.
He knew something had changed in him. He remembered something.
His name was not Samuel. He was called by the name Jan. He remembered that before he lost consciousness from a terrible headache. It must be the reason why he was rushed to the hospital. Aside from his name, he also remembered another name—Katherine. But he was not sure who she was. It kept echoing at the back of his head, making him feel dizzy again.
He turned in the direction of the door when he heard it open and closed. Mara came in carrying a bag. He could not help but worry about her. What would she feel, or how would she react if she learned that he was slowly regaining his memories?
“Samuel! Oh, thank God, you’re a
JAN was spacing out as he sipped his coffee on the front porch. He woke up earlier than usual, for he could not sleep. His mind would never stop wondering about his life and who was that woman he remembered.He palmed his chest when he felt a jolt of pain as he was reminded of that woman’s name once again.Katherine… Who are you?Why was he feeling that way? Just who was she in his life for him to…His reverie was cut-off suddenly when he heard the hinges creaked. He turned around immediately and found Mara sauntering towards her, holding a mug of coffee.“You’re up early,” she said and took a couple of sips. Mara looked at him straight in the eyes as though she was reading what was on his mind.Jan slowly looked away and heaved a sigh.“I… couldn’t sleep lately. A lot is going on inside my head right now.”“And… what are those?” Mara lea
JAN stared at Winona with his mouth open. She was not Katherine, and that woman was his wife. He cupped his forehead when he suddenly felt a throbbing pain on his head. There was that painful headache again.“Damn it,” he cursed under his breath.He felt her hand grasp her arm.“Jan, are you alright?”He could not answer, though he managed to shake his head.“Oh, shit!”Winona went out of the car. She was with the nurses when she returned. The two of them helped him out and lay him down on the stretcher, and he was rushed inside the hospital. Jan insisted that he was fine, but Winona was not convinced. She even admitted him to the hospital.“This is unnecessary,” Jan said when he was transferred to the hospital suite.“You shouldn’t have fainted in front of me, Jan.” She folded her arms across her chest and sat on the end of the bed. Winona did not take her eyes
“WHAT took you so long, Samuel?” Mara rushed to him the moment he entered the house. The expression on her face says that she was really worried about him. “How come you leave early in the morning and only came home after sunset? You could’ve called or texted me if you’re running late. Did you know how worried I am? I thought something happened to you and—”“Mara, calm down.” He grasped her arms and looked at her straight in the eyes. “I’m home now, so there’s nothing to worry about.”Jan heaved a deep sigh and freed her. When she did not answer, he headed to the kitchen and went straight to the fridge. He got a pitcher of cold water and got himself a glass. He was settling on the stool when Mara arrived at the kitchen.“Did you really go to the hospital to see the doctor?” She cocked her head to the sighed and folded her arms across her chest.Mara sounded like a wi
“ARE you sure about this, Jan?” Winona asked after he told her his plans.“Yes,” he said with conviction. “It’s about time for me to meet Katherine. She’s my wife, after all.”His friend heaved a deep sigh.“Well, then I must talk to her and arrange your meeting. Oh, I bet we should call it a reunion instead.”Jan fished out his phone from his pocket and looked around the vineyard before calling Winona. He could not reach her at first, but after a few tries, she finally answered.“Jan, I’m sorry. I was in the middle of preparation for the ball.”“You’re busy?”“Quite. But go on, you may speak.”“How was it? Have you told her?” His heart started to beat faster than normal. But he did not know if he was feeling excited or nervous.“I’m meeting her tonight at
“AND now… may we call on the CEO for her closing remarks,” the emcee said on the microphone.Kate rose from her seat; Fernan stood up too and escorted her. Everyone applauded the moment she reached the front.She looked around and smiled.“To the shareholders, guests, friends, families, and of course, our dear employees… thank you very much for joining us as we celebrate the founding anniversary. It has been a tough journey indeed… from the day my father started this little empire until this very day that I am standing here in front of you all. This company is my father’s blood, sweat, and tears… This is not just his legacy but also an important memory, for me at least. So, to everyone who helped and stayed with me until this day, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And may we have more beautiful and successful days ahead of us.” Kate paused and swallowed hard, for she was reminded again of Jan.
JAN decided to follow Katherine and Fernan. He watched them from afar as they ate inside the kid’s favorite cake shop. Yes, he was acting like a stalker, and he just could not help it. Jan did all that as his chest hurt. But when he followed them to the house, that was when he could no longer hold himself back.He fished the phone from his pocket when it buzzed continuously. Winona was calling her. His friend must be checking on him.“Where are you, Jan? I’m here at your place. Are you still out?”“I decided to reveal myself to them—”“What?! Jan, calm down and get back here!” His friend sounded hysterical on the other line. “This is not the right time to—”“And when was the right time, Winona?” he said through gritted teeth. “It seems that I already lost everything to my brother. Why didn’t you tell me that he’s with my wife and they have a daught
JAN’s mother rushed to him and hugged him as she cried. Kate was hoping for a better reunion than that. But what could she do when it was not the case? Now, her husband seemed to be mad at him. He saw her and their daughter with Fernan. It made her think she had betrayed him. If Jan would only know the amount of pain she endured for years while he was gone. But he would not listen to her. His mind must have been clouded with emotions, and he could not think rationally at that moment.“Oh… Jan,” his mom cried.“M-mom…”Kate’s forehead creased when she saw how Jan seemed to be having second thoughts if he would hug his mother back. And then, she came up with a conclusion. However, she kept it to herself. She should listen to whatever Jan would say first.She then turned in the direction of her father-in-law. Unlike his wife, he looked more composed. Well, they needed someone like that at that moment. She cou
JAN tossed and turned to the bed, but no matter what he did, he still could not sleep. That day, he remained in his parents’ home. Even Katherine and her daughter were there, except for his brother. No one knew where Fernan went. He must have escaped or out there, cooling down. Winona had been calling him all night, and he did not answer her calls. Jan just sent his friend a message, telling her that everything would be fine in time. She did not respond. Perhaps she accepted and respected his decisions. However, he seemed to regret what he did.He acted out of his raging emotions that made things worst. Maybe he should have followed Winona’s suggestion; to stay away and observe.Soon, Jan decided to leave the room. He went downstairs to get something to drink from the bar, hoping that it would help him fall asleep. But it seemed that he was not the only one who had difficulty sleeping that night because he found his father sitting on a stool as he sipped so