"Good morning, my sweet little sugar plum," Leon said, stroking Risa's left cheek lewdly. That was Leon and Risa's little play game. Generally, at 6:30 a.m. one would always wake up the other. The wake-up was done in the lewdest and most erotic manner ever. Leon would sometimes grope Risa's breast and give her a massage while she was asleep. Risa would sometimes stroke Leon's man-stick. They had several arousing techniques to wake up each other. Leon had made Risa see passed beyond blood barriers and moral barriers. But for 2 weeks, since Risa returned from her renewal date with Joseph, Risa never went to Leon's room to wake him up. When she would get up, she will just go and bang at the door loudly, waking her uncle up. Leon on the other hand tried several times to go to her in the morning but her room was always locked. One day, Risa returned from school late and tired and forgot to lock her room. That allowed Leon to slip into Risa's room and engage in what he had missed for so long. That morning, he began whispering sweet words into Risa's ears, caressing her jaws, and giving her little kisses on her forehead. That seemed to have no effect. Risa was exhausted and deeply asleep.
"Well, that seems not to work. Let's boost things up a little." Leon whispered. He began groping Risa's breast and giving into his desires. Risa began moaning in her sleep. He bent down to kiss her, but at that moment Risa opened her eyes and woke up abruptly. That had as effect of her accidentally head-butting Leon. It wasn't a little head-butt. She woke up with such speed that, the collision of their two heads made a very audible noise.
"What are you doing in my room, Uncle Leon?" Risa exclaimed, holding her forehead in pain.
"You know what I am doing here Risa." Leon chuckled, lying on the floor and looking at the ceiling.
"I don't know. You shouldn't just enter anyhow in my room. What if I had screamed?" Risa questioned, frowning at her uncle.
"You are kidding, right? You wouldn't scream over such a trifle thing." Leon reassured, sitting up and facing Risa.
"Don't tell me you have forgotten our morning wake-up ritual. We would render the morning good for our day to begin in passion. We would—" Leon stopped, seeing Risa's hand signalling him to keep quiet.
"I haven't forgotten. And remembering it makes me embarrassed. How come I accepted doing such things with my uncle?" Risa answered. That remark was the last stroke that broke the camel's back. Risa never once complained about their practice. Au contraire, she was delighted to do that every morning. But something in her had changed. Rectification, Risa had evolved. The gullible little niece who was brainwashed to think that having sexual desires for a family member wasn't bad, was no more. Risa 2.0 seemed assertive, strong, upright and above all, disciplined. That kind of change doesn't happen overnight but for Risa happened overnight. Leon could recount his last activity with Risa two weeks past. But now Risa seemed to be running away from his company. Something was definitely wrong somewhere and that didn't suit Leon. It didn't suit Leon at all. Leon saw he couldn't have his way with his niece. No more morning delicacies. So, he stood up and left Risa's room and went to his room. He picked up a pillow and screamed in it.
"This can't be happening," Leon screamed in his pillow.
"Since when does a puppet speak back to his master," Leon screamed once more, with the sound muffled by the pillow he held on his face.
"I didn't factor this scenario out. The puppet wasn't meant to evolve. That calls for a change in plans. I need a new marionette to replenish myself." Leon said, placing the pillow gently on the bed and preparing to go for his daily business. During the day Leon was plagued with ill luck and misfortune. He had a rendezvous with certain doctors for a conference and a book he was writing. But all of it was cancelled and given to someone 'less worthy'. As if it wasn't sufficient, the merchandise he had ordered from Douala, were all stollen. Such misfortune in a day didn't make sense but Leon brushed it off as mere coincidence. But when it continued for a whole week, he understood he had to replenish his luck and fortune. He needed another source since his number one source had suddenly rebelled. Leon cooked up an ingenious but stressful plan. He devised what is called in French; Le Parcours du combatant. He needed the same morning delicacies easily offered by Risa from somewhere else. So, he made up a list consisting of potential ladies with whom he could spend the night and consume them in the morning before engaging in any activity. He contacted his ex-girlfriends, potential classmates crushing on him, and female working colleagues. He implemented his plan, sleeping with each of the ladies that fell for his charms. Rotating them in such an artistic manner that all the ladies thought that they had finally found a serious and objective man. A genius like him knew that the plan couldn't last for long. Indeed, after a month, Leon's looks had deprecated. He had lost much weight and seemed exhausted. But the nice part of the story was that he had risen up to how he was. A life going in his direction. Not plagued with misfortune, or surprised random events. He could predict almost everything and make everything happen the way he wanted. But as the African saying goes; "99 days for the thief, one day for the owner." Just when all seemed to be perfect, karma came to bite back. His plan seemed not to be working in his favour anymore. He impregnated several of those ladies (but with the help of his cousin, he had all the ladies commit abortion) and some wanted him to come see their parents and render the relationship official. His plans were not to get married to any of them, he just needed them as a source of energy. He had reached ground zero. Nothing he did worked, nor did any of his plans transpired. At that point, he needed someone to talk to. The only person that came to his mind was his brother in arms. His one and only true friend, ZENU Joseph. After a long day full of disappointment, Leon stopped a taxi with sole direction, his sweet home. To his greatest surprise and greatest pleasure, he saw Joseph in that taxi. At first glance, he didn't notice his old friend. His looks were different. He looked younger, fresher and gave off a certain presence. Leon had forgotten entirely about who Joseph was and how he was. Despite being happy seeing him, Leon didn't readily greet or move toward him. Instead, being who he is, He began reflecting on how Joseph was alive and correcting that condition. The taxi drove off and for a certain time, the two boys did not speak to each other. Joseph hadn't noticed Leon's presence, for he was absorbed in what he was reading on his android tablet. He was so absorbed that; he didn't care to look when a passenger boarded or left the taxi. Leon, on the other hand, was plagued with mixed feelings. He was scared that Joseph might get back his memories after seeing him. He was also jealous of how Joseph seemed to be glowing. Leon decided to face facts and so, he tapped Joseph's shoulder and greeted;
"Hi bro. Long time no see."
The voice entering Joseph's ear, being converted into nerve impulses and analysed by his brain, brought back such happy memories. With a delightful face, Joseph looked at Leon and answered;
"Long time no see indeed, the broest bro."
It was the fated encounter of two brothers. From different wombs yet having the same aspirations. Both aspired to greatness, recognition and strength to influence their community positively. Leon and Joseph met for their first time in church. It was during a bible study session. They unknowingly confronted each other to critically think about how believers should interact with non-believers in order to effectively reach their souls during evangelism. Joseph was for the old way, going out and singing the same old song on Jesus' second coming and being the saviour of all humanity. Leon was for a modern approach. Instead of reciting the same issue (which many non-believers seem to even know better than believers), he proposed instead testimonial demonstration. He preferred acts. Living like Christ lived, implementing what Paul said to the Romans, or what is said in the book of Hebrews. He voiced that most Christians seem to portray a very sad and contrite face in their day-to-day life. This image was a major counter agent when a Christian goes out for evangelism. It seemed non-convincing to the unbeliever (who are rather very observant of all actions made by believers in their coming out and going in). That is what pulled Joseph towards Leon. The theory of knowledge and the critical thinking he portrayed, filled Joseph with great admiration for Leon. After that bible session, both guys began to walk together, read the bible and exchange thoughts on a weekly basis. They organized special prayer nights and fasting sessions in order to deepen their roots as Christians. They were even termed twins by the church community. Joseph met Risa through Leon's workings. When Risa had just entered university, she had acute difficulties in mathematics. Leon brought Joseph home in order to be Risa's home teacher. That was Joseph's first encounter with Risa. An encounter Joseph wasn't remembering. Leon and Joseph were so close but as time went on, a gap began taking shape. Little by little, that gap grew into a rift and finally into a large void that seemed impossible to fill.
"I heard from Risa that you had been discharged." Leon engaged.
"Yes. It's been a while since I left the hospital." Joseph hesitated.
"Sorry I didn't come sooner to congratulate you on your recovery." Leon started. "You know… My schedule has always been a rather complicated one. It has been literally tearing me up these days."
"No qualms Leon. What matters is the thought. You couldn't be there, but your thoughts served as prayers to accelerate my treatment." Joseph answered, coming closer to Leon and gently tapping his shoulder.
Leon couldn't believe Joseph's reaction. Was Joseph serious or joking? Leon couldn't tell. One thing that was certain was that, from Leon's point of view, Joseph's reaction was abnormal. Others would mockingly respond after hearing Leon's lame excuse. But Joseph seemed to have given Leon's lie a benefit of truth. With his logical analysis, he came out with a scenario that showed that Leon's excuse could be true. With that conclusion, he gave a suitable answer.
"Thanks for understanding me. You haven't changed one little bit." Leon acknowledged.
"No worries bro. It's but normal." Joseph reassured.
"So, what's up?" Leon inquired.
"Nothing new. Just work, work and work." Joseph explained. "What of you? How has the great Leon been?"
"Well, struggles upon struggles but a man has been up. Pushing every obstacle in his way." Leon responded, with a pinch of pride in his voice. Leon always liked to show off (that wasn't confidential), especially to those he saw to be inferior to him or to those he needed to impress.
"Thank God." Joseph nodded. The guys began discussing of everything. Politics, mundane concepts, beliefs, meta-physical developments, reminiscing the past.
"It's been long we had such an intense discussion," Leon said, sighing joyfully.
"Indeed. It brings us way back to those days." Joseph added.
"Yeah… Those days of long communion, meditation and bible studies," Leon gently voiced.
"Yeah. Sharpening our convictions and faith, strengthening our grip in the understanding of the word, fellowshipping…." Joseph said, with a sad and longing tone. Those were their glorious times. But yet, despite such complicity, something separated them. Joseph couldn't remember what it was. All he could remember when he stretched his memories was an intricate feeling of sadness, emptiness and bitterness. His persona seemed to remember something that broke their relationship apart. But his brain couldn't connect all the fragments.
"What created this rift in our bro-zone," Joseph asked.
"Don't know brother. What really pulled us apart remains a mystery to me." Leon answered. Leon knew what had pulled them apart but part of him wanted to wipe it off, forget about it. Part of him wanted to try and rekindle that flame and complicity that he shared with Joseph. So, he lied. Surely, if Joseph didn't remember the origin of the rift in their friendship, surely, they could start things back from square one.
"By the way, where are you headed to? The taxi has crossed your entrance." Leon questioned.
"Ah! We are headed to the same place. I am going to your place. I have a rendezvous with Risa." Joseph happily announced.
"I see. That's wonderful." Leon answered, less thrilled compared to Joseph. They remained silent for the rest of the trip. At the gate, Leon pressed the bell and the 'queen mother' opened the gate. Leon's mother, the woman who gave birth to 5 strong boys, was spending vacations with her children. She had come to town for a change of scenery and was welcomed by Leon. Leon, his twin and two other brothers were living in a house bought by their eldest brother. In that house resided the children of the eldest brother (Risa, her two younger sisters, and her little brother) and their mother. Risa's grandmother was nicknamed the 'queen mother' due to her authoritative nature. Despite her old age and feeble looks, her voice was sometimes menacing. She didn't tolerate useless arguments and her decisions were always final.
"Welcome back Leon." The queen mother said. She looked at Joseph intently in order to figure out who he was.
"Risa's teacher? It's been awfully long. How have you been?" She asked. She had met Joseph during the period he was teaching Risa and she had never forgotten him.
"I am just fine mommy. You haven't changed since we met. Your beauty is as always; impeccable." Joseph answered, making a poppysmic sound with his lips.
"You have always been a smooth talker. No wonder Risa fell for you." She answered, laughing gently.
"Can't hide anything from you," Joseph answered embracing her warmly.
"Enter boy. Your brother entered since mean while I am blocking you at the gate." She answered. Joseph entered and sat on the wooden chair close to the dining table. The BINGANA's house had a large parlour. Hence, they divided it into two: A living room with a 45-inch flat-screen ITEL smart TV, and a dining shed having a long wooden table with several wooden chairs. Leon was sitting on the sofa swapping channels in search of a news channel. The only spirits present at home were the two bros, the queen mother and someone's 'before-anyone-else'.
"Risa!! He is here waiting for you." Risa's grandmother screamed.
"I am coming. I am almost ready" Risa's voice echoed distantly. She had a date with Joseph and had instructed her grandmother to notify her when Joseph arrived. Leon couldn't help but increase the size of his external ear, picking up any sound signal in the room that might be interesting. While being focused on the TV, he was discretely monitoring the ambience of the room. A few minutes after her answer, Risa descended to the living room. Dressed in a curve-tracing Kabba, with black low heels and slight make-up on the face, Risa changed the mood of the room. Joseph looked at the creature standing in front of him and couldn't help but positively nod his head to God's creativity. Leon looked at his niece and couldn't help but swallow saliva, swallowing down at the same time his lewd thoughts. The Kabba is a Cameroonian traditional style of dress. Generally sown from a multi-coloured and multi-patterned loin cloth, this dress is worn by women for traditional meetings or important gatherings. Several designs can be seen, with the most common ones covering the whole body (and much more Solomonic). But with the fusion of African sowing and European designs, several innovative and sexier designs popped up. It was this innovative style that Risa was wearing. The material used in sowing a Kabba isn't an elastic or shape-tracing kind of material. But with the right amount of elastic, stiff material and the know-how, one could produce a sexier and more arousing traditional attire. While Joseph was thanking God for putting such a beauty in his life, Leon was cursing his luck for having lost such a potential. Joseph couldn't resist hugging his bae. But Risa wasn't satisfied with Joseph's hug. She deeply kissed him. In front of her grandmother and particularly in front of Leon. This was a message she was sending to the attention of Leon. Telling him that she belonged to Joseph and only Joseph. That had a negative effect on Leon. All the things he had put under the rug resurfaced. His animalistic envy and jealousy for Joseph heightened. Leon remembered again why he had decided to stay far from Joseph, why their friendship had begun to deprecate with the flowing of time. It was due to acute envy and jealousy. At one point in time, Leon began being jealous of Joseph. Envying Joseph and comparing himself with Joseph. But jealousy wasn't a heavy reason to send Joseph to the great beyond. Jealousy wasn't an inch enough. But that incident was. That incident forgotten by Joseph but freshly remembered by Leon and another third party was enough. That incident made Leon want to shoot two birds with one stone. Had he succeeded, he would have gotten rid of a pestilence and gotten rid of his envy and jealousy in the fray. But it didn't go as planned. The method he used was a sure hit-sure kill method. So, Leon was greatly surprised when he heard that Joseph had recovered. But what was comforting was that Joseph couldn't remember anything surrounding the night he was poisoned. That meant that Leon had a second chance to execute his target.
"Momma, bro, we are off," Joseph announced, leaving the house with Risa.
"Go feel yourselves." Risa's grandmother responded. Leon remained silent, pretending to be focused on whatever he was watching on TV. When they had left, Leon's mom said;
"Aren't they cute? Displaying such intense love toward each other. I just hope they are capable of maintaining it. That their love can survive the test of times."
"I hope too. I GREATLY HOPE." Leon added.
The feeling of loving and being loved is the epitome of emotions. Every human being, young or old is pulled towards that. We want to be loved and we want someone to love. It must not be the romantic kind. Filial love and friendship are other forms that bind humanity together. Generally, when love is well exercised, it is divine. It brings peace, brings comfort and literally refreshes the soul. But when it isn't well applied, both parties understand what it means to 'fall' in love. The fall results in pain and sometimes the pain never subsides. Joseph and Risa were sharing a love envied by many people. Love without prejudice. Love with complete delivery of one's inner being to their partner. Joseph and Risa had decided to take a stroll this time around. No more expensive restaurants, or clubs. No more noisy environments or overcrowded spaces. They needed a calm area out of their daily routine. They took a taxi for BOIS SAINTE ANASTASIE. BOIS SAINTE ANASTASIE, found in the central town of Yaounde, is said to be the most romantic area for those with a limited budget. Indeed, if you wished to listen to birds chirping, if you wished to relax with the sound of streams slowly flowing, if you wished to enjoy sitting in a public space and breathing fresh air, there weren't two choices. That was one of the places where the privileged, less privileged and least privileged could mingle in equity. The natural peace made everyone there forget their status, enjoying the calm, the scenery, and the meals served. Joseph and Risa had agreed to go there for a review of how they have been moving, exchange short-term couple plans, and encourage each other in any struggle they were going through.
"It's been more than two months now…" Joseph spoke, sitting on the green grass found in the public space.
"Yeah. Time flies, isn't it?" Risa answered, sitting next to him.
"So, with what shall we begin?" Joseph dived into the matter of the day.
"First our opening prayer and then freestyle through the prepared schedule," Risa answered, smiling at Joseph. They both said the Lord's prayer and proceeded with their discussion.
"I have been greatly blessed these days," Joseph began, telling her his encounters, difficulties and the good things he witnessed.
"Wow. These past months were very rich for you," Risa began. "Just school stressing me, and little skirmishes at home."
"At home? Hope it is not serious." Joseph inquired
"Nah. Don't worry. Just family issues." Risa reassured, faking a smile. She couldn't spill the beans concerning what Leon was doing or forcing her to redo. True she had been happily doing those stuff but she had stopped and didn't want to go back to those carnal pleasures. But she was still plagued with guilt. Hence, she couldn't confess to Joseph for the moment.
"Ok. I trust you to take care of yourself." Joseph closed the topic. With their formal attires, they lay like kids on the grass, gazing at the infinite stretch above their heads. Passers-by looked at them. Others laughed and others did like them. Tired of looking at the skies, they faced each other.
"You are beautiful. So beautiful it hurts." Joseph voiced.
"It hurts?" Risa wondered.
"Yes. It hurts because you are not yet mine. It hurts because I am not yet close to making you mine. It hurts the more when I think you might end up with someone else other than me." Joseph answered.
"Why would you think of all that? Doesn't it weigh your soul down?" Risa asked.
"Why wouldn't I think of that?" Joseph said. "I am not gullible enough to believe in the concept of perpetual existence and infinite continuity."
"Oh, Lord! You can't leave mathematics for once." Risa laughed.
"Nope, I can't. Mathematics is life." Joseph said sitting up and pulling Risa up.
"What did you mean by those concepts?" Risa asked.
"Nothing is eternal apart from eternity itself. Hence, I have to factor out the prospects of our relationship failing at some point. The only thing I wish is that it shouldn't be one of us causing that." Joseph answered.
"Or that our relationship shouldn't fail at all. Let's fight to make that possible." Risa added.
"Yeah. Let's put our souls into our relationship." Joseph pressed.
They stood up and went to the buffet restaurant and ate there. After eating they boarded a taxi, heading toward home. In the taxi, Joseph's phone kept vibrating all along but he didn't look or pick. The Taxi dropped Risa in front of her gate before departing again with Joseph. When Joseph landed at home (early this time around and less tired) and immediately went to the bathroom. Coming from the bathroom, he picked up his phone and saw several missed calls. Some were from a colleague, some from his sister, some from his mother and messages from Risa thanking him and wishing him goodnight. Joseph called back his colleague first to inquire about the reason for his missed call. Then he called his sister.
"Hey, Sis. How far?" Joseph greeted.
"Look who is calling. So, you wouldn't have called back if I hadn't called, right?" Sephora spoke. She didn't scream. The tune was rather calm and serene. But her question transpired a fit of anger deeper and darker than depts of the infinite cosmos. And it was justified. Since Joseph was chased from home, he never called back to update them on his wellbeing. He didn't cough a word about his whereabouts nor his workings. He just remained silent. Little did he know that his sister was steadily recording the silence created by his absence and lack of feedback.
"What do you want me to say? Apologizing won't soothe you." Joseph pleaded.
"Is that all you have to say?" Sephora responded.
"I am sorry," Joseph begged.
"Sorry? For what?" Risa questioned.
"For staying silent for so long without any feedback from me," Joseph said.
"And for being a jerk, irresponsible and immature elder brother," Risa added.
"Yes. And also, for being a jerk, irresponsible and immature elder brother," Joseph repeated, with a feverish and submissive tone.
"Good as you know that. Anyways, how far?" Sephora asked jovially.
"I have been up and down. The usual stuff, per se. I got to correct many things too." Joseph answered.
"If I may guess, Risa is included in those many things, right?" Sephora asked, with her tone slightly spiking.
"She can't lack," Joseph answered. That manner of answering; bold, confident and without an inch of hesitation was more than proof of Joseph's maturity. During his absence, Joseph didn't sleep, nor did he slack off. It was a series of challenges upon challenges and his answer made Sephora realise that.
"I see that your life hasn't been a stroll in a park. Your answer justifies your absence." Sephora admitted.
"How can you see that?" Joseph inquired.
"Call it a woman's feeling," Sephora whispered.
"Why did God not give us such a gift," Joseph asked.
"Because men in general are not weak. Be it physically or psychologically. In order to cover up that, women were given instincts. Instincts so strong that sometimes it can predict the future." Sephora answered, boasting of being a woman. Boasting of being Joseph's younger sister. They continued discussing about matters surrounding the family during Joseph's absence. Their ups and downs, their fortunes and misfortunes. Seems like their dad had fallen sick twice, though it wasn't alarming. The triplets were the triplets. Joseph's mom on the other hand had a breakthrough in her commercial activities and seemed to sustain the family. But the load wasn't light and her shoulders weren't that strong.
"By the way, mom wants to discuss about a certain issue with you," Sephora mentioned.
"Me too, I need to converse with her on a certain matter," Joseph added.
Sephora abruptly dropped the call and immediately called back.
"Why did you drop the call?" Joseph began.
"My son. My son… Joseph…" Joseph's mother called out.
"I am here mom. I am right here." Joseph answered.
"How have you been? I dreamed of you last night." His mother continued, clearing her throat several times.
"Mom, is everything ok?" Joseph inquired emotionally.
"Don't worry. I am still that strong and beautiful babe you know." His mother laughed.
"That's reassuring," Joseph responded, driving away all negative ideas clouding his thoughts.
"So, as I was saying, I dreamed about you last night." His mother spoke.
"What was this dream all about?" Joseph asked, with a lot of curiosity.
"You were in a hospital room looking after a young girl lying on a hospital bed. The girl looked pale and dying. She had an empty drip on her hand. Instead of a solution being injected into her, blood was instead leaving her." His mother narrated.
"Scary. Is that all?" Joseph asked.
"I am coming to the scariest part. As we all know, when we lose blood, we lose our essence. So, she kept on being pale, with her liveliness fading with each drop leaving her vein. You hurriedly picked up the doctor's knife, clenched your left fist and waited for a vein to appear. The first vein that appeared, you sliced through it. You then disconnected the plastic from the sac and dipped it inside your wound. The lady's blood began flowing back to her and yours with it. And as she regained her colours, yours slowly faded away. I got up only to realise it was a dream. But it felt so real. I felt you dying." His mother narrated, with a mournful voice. Joseph could feel his mother crying. He could picture her face twisted in sadness and fear. She was scared of losing her son and she was crying because that dream felt not like a dream but a premonition. She believed that her son will die.
"Mommy, don't cry. I am still alive. We are here discussing with one another. My time hasn't come." Joseph reassured his mother but he too was scared of that dream. Joseph grew up witnessing his mom predicting so many events in their lives. No one could hide anything from her. No one could lie to her. She always revealed the truth. Generally, she always reveals that saying she dreamt of something, or she saw something. That had as effect of raising kids who found it difficult to lie to anyone.
"Just be more careful." His mother spoke again.
"I will mom. Don't worry about that. My second name is carefulness." He laughed. It was a dream and if it scared his mother, he ought to be scared too. But it wasn't yet the moment of being scared. He had a reason for calling his mother and that reason had not left his thoughts (despite the scary dream).
"Mom, could you still have Dr Primera's number?" Joseph asked.
"Yes, I still have it. Do you need it?" His mother inquired.
"Yes. I need it. I need it urgently." Joseph pressed
"Ok son. Sephora will text you her number. But take care. I plead you to redouble carefulness." His mother said, dropping the call. Scary was the dream, but skeptical was Joseph. Finding all sorts of logical reasons, he buried the dream in several layers of psychology and philosophy. As said by his mom, Sephora texted Joseph Dr. Primera's number and wished him goodnight. Joseph immediately called but fell on her voicemail. A few minutes later he called back again but no one picked. Surely, she is asleep, Joseph thought. But he still called again. Fortunately, this time around someone picked. The voice wasn't feminine. It was a deep, rough and battered voice. A voice plagued with so much palm wine, red wine and whisky. The voice didn't seem pleased but relinquished the phone to Dr. Primera.
"Don't you know, there are certain hours you shouldn't call a married woman?" Dr. Primera started.
"Sorry Doctor." Joseph trembled.
"Don't wet your panties son. If you called it should be quite the reason." Dr. Primera said, reassuring Joseph of her mood.
"Yes, Doctor. Remember the last words you told me when I was leaving your office?" Joseph asked.
"Chrystal clear." Dr. Primera responded.
"Great. As you said, the signs manifested. That is why I am calling you." Joseph said
"Selective amnesia, right?" Dr. Primera asked.
"Yes. I remember little about some events. Sometimes I forget who I am. It is so grave that I forget my name from time to time." Joseph said sadly.
"Have you told your parents?" Dr. Primera asked.
"No. I don't want to worry them." Joseph sighed.
"You should. Because the affliction you suffered wasn't due to poisoning." Dr. Primera said.
"What do you mean? You said I was poisoned. You showed me the clinical results." Joseph said, with his face turning sour.
"Yes. The signs you showed led us to conclude that it was poisoning. But there wasn't any trace of toxins in your blood. What I want to say is, you were unwell but nothing afflicted you physically. Dr. Primera said, striking Joseph with another wave of fright. Two scary revelations in one night spelled cautiousness and consciousness. Joseph booked a rendezvous with Dr. Primera and then dropped the call.
"What happened to me? Is that even the right question? No. The thing is, what is happening to me?" Joseph asked himself.