CHAPTER 46

When I returned to Maya's funeral, a commotion greeted me at the chapel's entrance. A crowd had gathered at the door, so I rushed towards it.

"What happened?" I asked an older woman.

"Oh dear, Hector is having an outburst inside," she replied.

My eyes widened, and I quickly pushed through the crowd to enter the room. The scent of lilies mixed with the dampness of the rain-soaked air. I found Mommy Gloria and Daddy Ben trying to calm Hector down. Hector was holding a vase of flowers, which he promptly threw, scattering the broken pieces near Maya's coffin.

"Who am I?" Hector cried out, falling to his knees.

Daddy Ben's footsteps were slow and deliberate as he approached, his arms gradually extending. He enveloped Hector in a warm embrace, holding him close. "Hector, that's enough!"

Hector was tapping his head. "Why can't I remember? Why don't I know any of you? Who are you?"

Mommy Gloria came over to his side. "Hector, you're our son. I'm your mother. Please calm down."

I ran over to them, and Mommy Gloria, her face tear-streaked, looked at me. "Ara, what's happening to my son?" she cried.

I was terrified because Hector was struggling so much. "Mom, as I mentioned earlier, his amnesia has gotten worse. Don't worry, everything will be okay. Let's move him away from the coffin."

We gently guided Hector away, his eyes wide and unfocused. His violent reaction seemed to stem from his attempt to remember and connect with what was happening around him. Did he also forget about Maya's death? But why was he feeling pain? His failure to remember everything made him more agitated.

"Papa!" I turned my gaze to the door as Marco appeared.

I glanced at Hector and observed his abrupt release from Daddy Ben. He ran to Marco and embraced him. He responded instinctively to his son's call. After all, he had some declarative memory left.

Daddy Ben hugged Mommy Gloria, and we left Hector and Marco alone. Hector longed for his son's embrace, and it was comforting to see that his heart still remembered someone he needed to recognize. Now, where will all this lead? What else might happen?

***

I decided to stay longer with them until Maya's burial day. I spoke to Rachel about taking a leave of absence and wanted to know how long it would be. I wanted to support Hector and his family. I will monitor his condition in the coming days.

After this, I also talked to Mommy Gloria about admitting him back to our hospital. I know he seems normal, but his treatment will get more focused attention from other experts there, especially concerning his amnesia.

"Marco, are you hungry?" I called the child. He came over to me. I bought a bag of food from a nearby fast-food restaurant. I took out a hamburger and gave it to him. He sat beside me. "Just eat that, and if you want more, you can take another one from the bag."

He nodded without saying a word. Marco is such a good kid; my heart aches for him because of what he's going through. I can't imagine how he's coping with losing his mother and having a father with amnesia.

Thankfully, Hector still recognizes him. Marco's quiet demeanor is a sign of traumatic stress. I decided to assist all of them as much as I could.

"Ate Clara, last night I dreamt about Mama," he said absentmindedly while chewing the hamburger. I watched his face and listened. His eyes were still swollen. "She was standing in front of me and smiling."

I stroked his hair. "Your mama wants you to know she loves you very much."

He stopped eating, and I saw the glisten of tears in his eyes again. Unlike the other children, who would scream and wail, Marco's crying was mature and silent, his shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. Gently, I wrapped my arms around him, drawing him close. "Marco, take care of your papa now. Your mama loves you both very much."

I couldn't believe I said that to him. My respect for Maya grew immensely because she showed me a part of how to love someone like Hector.

I was surprised to see Hector standing in front of us. I swallowed hard. He sat down and wiped Marco's tears away. "Don't cry, Marco. I'm here now."

He caressed his tiny face, and I felt like breaking down at the sight before me. It's okay, Hector, if you don't remember me anymore. I've already accepted the fact. Your son needs your love the most now that you've lost one significant person.

Hector hugged his son and looked at me. He beamed, and I couldn't help but bite my lip with bitterness. It's okay, Hector; don't force yourself to remember who I am in your life.

***

It rained all during Maya's last day of the funeral. It was six in the evening, and Mommy Gloria was busy preparing for tomorrow's burial. The chapel was dimly lit, the sound of rain drumming against the windows, and the air thick with sorrow. Relatives who knew nothing about Maya began tidying up. They said it was compassion that driven them to assist in her funeral.

Once again, I sympathized with Maya because I witnessed what she had been through. I hope she's happy wherever she is now, reunited with her parents.

"Ara, thank you so much," Mommy Gloria said. We sat on a wooden bench outside the chapel, near the door. "Sorry for being an inconvenience."

"Mom! Come on, it's fine. I promised to watch over Hector and continue his treatment. Don't worry, you never bothered me."

She held my right hand. "I don't know if I should be happy or sad about our situation right now."

"Mom, don't worry. Hector will recover."

"I believe in you, Ara—" Hector suddenly appeared near us, cutting her off. He was panting, seemingly from running. An anxious expression appeared as he abruptly stopped in front of us.

Mommy Gloria stood up. "Hector! Why? What happened to you?"

"Marco is missing! My son is missing."

I covered my mouth with my hands. I glanced outside the hallway in which we were standing. The rain outside the building had gotten heavier, and the surroundings had grown darker.