ROSALEIGH ISABELLÉ
I laid in a peaceful surrounding as a comforting silence embraced me. The room was silent yet I could feel someone's powerful presence. I twisted and turned to my side finally opening my eyes. It took me a while for my eyes to adjust to the bright lights in the room. Alex stood to my side, his piercing grey eyes studying me. I remember fainting when I couldn't handle that intense ache in my head. My doctors had strictly asked me to not force my brain into remembering something.
That's exactly what you did ! said my conscience.
Ignoring it, I sat up straight as Alex assisted me by arranging the pillows suitably.
He held a cup of water, hesistantly bringing it near my lips. Wordlessly I accepted it.
"I hope you are doing well?" It sounded more as a question than a statement. Therefore I nodded my answer to him. Moments later Alex left me alone making sure everything was within my arms reach.
My eyes wandered around the room. It was a typical hospital room with white tiles, blue drapes that shaded the big glass windows. There were some frames here and there on the wall which held health facts. Ever since I remember, hospitals have played a significant role in my life.
It's exactly where I got my parents. Well not in the literal meaning of that sentence.
I still remember how I first woke up after the accident four years ago not remembering anything as the then unknown faces stared at me.
Flashback.
"I hope she is okay" I heard a male's worry filled voice through my last remnants of unconsciousness. My head was pounding with an excruciating pain. My limbs felt numb as I tried to move them.
".... will be fine I .... it. .... may regain ..... senses soon" said another while mild sobbs filled the room. The voices were mushed and I couldn't figure out what exactly were they speaking.
Why the hell is my head thumping so badly?
I let out an inaudible groan.
"Kate, don't worry our girl will be fine... My child too is going through trauma." Said a dominating voice. I was wide awake now yet my eyes remained closed. The ache in head slowly decipating. Soon after the sound of a door opening and footsteps faded.
Someone had walked out.
Suddenly I felt an urge to open my eyes and so did I, only to find myself staring at three unknown faces. Heaving a sigh, I tried sitting up but failed miserably due to the cast I had on my right hand and the slight numbness in my body. The woman rushed towards me and adjusted my bed into a sitting position. I stared at her forest green eyes as she smiled through her tears.
My gaze fell on the man with striking blue eyes, his salt and pepper hair were nicely combed. His expression was similar to the woman's. Affection towards me sparkled in their eyes.
He smiled at me as if I am the most precious person in his life.
Who are these people?
The third person wore a white coat which meant he was the Doctor! His eyes were observing me.
Silence prevailed for couple of minutes as questions came rushing to me. Who is this couple? Why are they looking at me like that? What am I doing in a hospital? And the most important question Why can't I remember anything? Not even my name.
I voiced my last question as the doctor gave me a brief explaination about my condition.
Apparently the couple standing in front of me were my parents and I was involved in a brutal road accident which caused damages to my head, and other parts of the body. I was in an induced coma for the past three months so that my body gets enough rest to heal my wounds. It was already too much for me to process.
Listening to the detail my eyes travelled to my supposed parents. I smiled at them.
"Thanks for coming back Rosaleigh" said my mother as she kissed my bandaged forehead.
***
That day I was skeptical about my own parents. Didn't know if I could trust them! But as the days passed I came to terms with them. In the initial days they were so forbearing towards me. I had panic attacks, anxiety, depression, nightmares and the list goes on. My parents showered me with love and comfort. Thanks Jesus that I was blessed to have them as my parents.
My reverie was broken when Grace barged in, Lucy and Alex followed her in tow. Concern evident on their beautiful faces.
"Why did no one informed us?" Asked Grace glaring particularly at Alex.
"If it wasn't for Aunt Kate, we wouldn't have known that you were in a hospital!" Lucy chided.
"Grace... Lucy.. I was about to inform you after your events" Alex attempted to placate the duo.
" ALEXANDER DAVID KRI- BETSON you think we cared more about the college fest than our bestfriend here?" Grace snapped at him.
It was fun watching my bestfriends rebuking Alex. He stood in front of them, head lowered as his face depicted guilt. He was cute!! A chuckle left my lips making their heads snapped at me.
"I am fine guys, You dont have to scold him like that. I was asleep the whole day just woke up moments before" I reassured them smilingly. Grace and Lucy walked near me and took their seats on either side of my bed hugging me in the process.
A big circular wall clock caught my attention it was eight in the evening. Today was their events even Alex's. I observed Grace, the crown over her head confirmed that she has yet again been crowned as the queen of the college. Looking between Lucy and Alex I asked my question.
"So did you two too win the trophies?" My eyes strained on Alex.
"Grace and I did. While this guy here didn't even come to the college as he was busy looking after you" Lucy sighed.
What??? Alex missed his event just to look after me? The piece of information brought a different kind of feeling, one I couldn't point a finger at.
Just then Doctor Brooks and my parents entered my room greeting. Dr Brooks had asked me to start meditating. It was a way to keep my mind off my past and away from stress. I got discharged after he checked my vitals for the last time.
In no time I was in the back seat of Papa's car with Lucy and Grace beside me. Alex followed us in his own car.
In no time I was home, in my bed as Mama lulled me to dreamless sleep.
***
"You look absolutely stunning." Mama admired again pinning my hair. It was for the nth time in the evening I heard her sigh.
Yes I was been dolled up by Mama.
All my previous plans of ditching the ball went down the sink as I decided to attend the ball with Alex.
It was my way to thank him for all what he did for me yesterday. He'd skipped his event for which he practiced and seemed excited for, 'cause of me. If I ditched him at the last moment he would miss the ball too.
Mama sighed again, bringing me out of my thoughts. She was extremely excited. Afterall it was my first ball technically fourth but this was the first time I was actually going to attend it with a date.
Both Lucy and Grace had stayed at my place and were getting dressed beside me. Taking a look at myself in the mirror I was satisfied. I'd kept my make up subtle as usual.
"Are you not done Grace? We NEED to get going." Lucy reprimanded, her beige dress spreaded on the floor around her legs while she had her hair flow down to its freedom .
"Just a minute Luce" Grace smiled, giving final touches to her smokey eye make up which was perfectly complementing her red dress that had a ombre black effect to it. Her blonde hair put up into braided messy bun. Both of them looked breathtakingly beautiful.
Our dates were waiting downstairs as it was already ten past six in the evening and yet my beautiful friends weren't satisfied with their looks.
We atlast walked out of my room and down the stairs. My breath hitched at the sight of Alex. I took in his appearance as he was busy having a chat with Adam. He was dressed in a silver tuxedo, blue tie matching the colour of my dress.
The clicking of our heels grabbed their attention making their heads turned towards us.
The grey of his eyes scrutinising my appearance as Luke and Adam stood beside him dressed in black and brown suits respectively.
Alex walked towards the end of the stairs, smiling at him I accepted his forwarded hand.
"You look gorgeous" He breathed out making me blush.
"You too are not bad yourself" I replied smirking.
I looked around to find Grace and Lucy already gone.
"You must get going darlings" Mama kissed our cheeks as she sighed for the final time in the evening. Before I could hear more of her sighs and complements I walked out of the house, Alex beside me. He opened the door of the passenger seat as I climbed in and then walked to his driver's seat. The car came to life as I bid adieu to my overwhelming Mother.
***