CHAPTER 31

On Monday morning, I stood before the hospital entrance, waiting for someone I had diligently searched for. This person was the only one who could help me with my plans. He had a connection to Hector back then.

I immediately greeted him upon his arrival. His face showed surprise, as I had constantly searched for him for a long time using social media.

"Wow, I met you again after so many years, Ara. You're still beautiful," Pete said.

I smiled. "You haven't changed, Pete." He was Peter Alcantara, one of Hector's close friends back then.

He was Hector's brother in their fraternity, and I still remember how Hector lent him money during our college enrollment. Pete still owed a lot to Hector and took his help as a debt of gratitude. He never forgot Hector for being a genuine person and friend. He was also devastated about Hector's death from the accident that occurred seven years ago. But now, he would be even more surprised when he discovered the news I was about to show him later.

"I am just telling the truth. If not for Tor, I would have courted you before. But I'm only kidding, or else he might haunt me in my sleep," he joked.

I stared blankly into space, becoming solemn. I needed to learn how to explain everything to Pete. "If only you knew, Pete. That's why I searched for you. I need to ask for your help. Come with me first."

"Oh, by the way, what is it?" he asked curiously. "How can I be of great help?"

I didn't answer him anymore. I just turned around and walked away. I could feel him following me, sensing some underlying uncertainty on his face earlier, but he was trying to hide it.

We reached the hospital's laboratory department. Hector was there for his blood chemistry test. His operation was scheduled for Wednesday. I glanced at Peter and showed him the view from the room's large window.

I observed his sudden reaction as his eyes widened. He turned to look at me, his surprise evident. He even placed his left hand on his chest.

"Was... was that Tor? What's happening?"

"Yes, Pete, that's Hector. He's alive, but he doesn't remember anything... he has amnesia."

He kept changing his gaze from the window to me. "But how did it happen? Who was the one we thought was dead?"

I turned to the window, my breath hitching as I fought to control my emotions. "It's a long story, Pete, but anyway, our paths suddenly crossed out of nowhere."

Hector was lying on the examination table, receiving an injection. He didn't notice us because the nurses and medical technicians surrounded him. Maya and his son were sitting a few meters away from him, facing away from our direction.

I couldn't be glad, but I was determined to fulfill my plan. While gazing out the window, I began to tell Pete my story—about how I met Hector and his amnesia. He couldn't utter a word, maybe just like me on the first day I saw Hector. The reality was hard to believe, even until now.

"So, how can I help you?" Pete asked after hearing my story.

"I will try to contact his parents." Pete listened attentively. I could feel his sincerity in wanting to help. "You will be the reason for their meeting. You'll tell his parents that you accidentally saw him."

Pete frowned slightly. "Why not just tell them directly?"

I shook my head. "I don't want his wife to know we have a connection. Please don't mention me to Hector, either."

Peter nodded in agreement. He looked at me, trying to read my feelings. "Do you still love him?" he asked suddenly.

I sighed deeply and gazed back at the glass window. "Yes, Pete," I admitted. "But I have nothing to return to and have already accepted everything." I raised my left hand and showed the ring I was wearing. "And besides, I am getting married soon."

I turned to him again, and he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Clara; I'll help you. Can I approach him?"

I nodded while trying to keep my tears from falling completely. We saw Hector and his family leaving the room. Peter left me and went toward the door. That's when I had the chance to run away from him, away from impending tears.

I hurriedly walked down the hallway, wiping my slightly watery eyes. Whenever I felt alone, I went to my usual spot in the hospital: the rooftop. I leaned against the railings and talked to myself. "Don't worry, Hector. I will do everything to help you."

***

"Ara! How are you?" Mommy Gloria greeted me. I kissed her cheek.

She just came out of the arrival area, and we were at NAIA Terminal 3. I picked her up after a few days of exchanging chat messages.

I noticed she came out alone. "I'm okay, Mom. Where is Dad?"

I helped her carry one of her bags. My car stopped in front of the terminal's arrival area.

"He's fine, and I suppose we've moved on after all these years, Ara," said Mommy Gloria.

I drove the car as we left the arrival area. We didn't go out near the airport terminal; we stopped at a parking area.

"Mom, I have something to tell you," I said calmly. Mommy Gloria turned to me, her face showing confusion. "The engagement party was just my alibi. It happened a long time ago. There's a reason why I brought you back here."

Mommy Gloria didn't speak, and I sensed she had many questions to ask me. Instead of wasting our time in silence, I took the laptop from the backseat.

I took a deep breath and opened it. I also opened an image and made it full-screen. I gave the laptop to Mommy Gloria. "That guy is my patient now."

She glanced at me as if she wanted to ask something but focused on the screen again. She suddenly covered her mouth when she stared at the image. I also noticed her hands start to tremble while holding the laptop. She looked at me again, but no words came out of her mouth. Her eye expressions were the ones asking.

"He's alive, Mom."

She finally blurted out, "Is this true, Ara? Is this some joke?"

The tone of her voice became hoarse. Tears were welling up in her eyes. There were times when she clutched at her chest.

I had requested to take a picture of Hector with his family, telling them I would use it for my case study. Little did they know I was using this picture as part of my plan.

I moved closer to Mommy Gloria. "It's true, Mom; Hector is alive. He has amnesia."

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed. Her face gleamed with tears, and I felt affected, too. "How did this happen? Who was the person we thought died?"

"Long story, Mom," I said, holding her trembling hands. "Even I couldn't believe it until now. See the woman and the boy; she is his wife and their child."

My tears streamed unnoticed, and Mommy Gloria stared at me with pity. "I want to see him, Ara," she said.

"I will accompany you tomorrow. It will also be the final test for Hector's surgery."

Once again, Mommy Gloria blurted out, "What surgery? What happened to him?"

"He suffered a brain injury. Remember the accident he had before? That was the cause of his amnesia," I explained. I needed to stay calm because Mommy Gloria couldn't stop crying. "That's why I brought you back here to our country. He needs you. His surgery will cost a large sum of money."

"Oh God! My son, why did this happen to him? Why did this happen to us?"

I hugged Mommy Gloria tightly. "Mom, please calm down. Everything will be okay. Hector will get better."

I let Mommy Gloria stay in my unit for a while. I told her about my plan for their reunion with Hector and reminded her that we must work it out as if I had no involvement in that setup.

Mommy Gloria showed great sympathy for my current situation and was always ready to help with whatever I had planned. I allowed her to prepare herself for her reunion with Hector. This time around, it eased my feelings. I told myself that this was just a way of helping him and that our past was no longer relevant here.