The next day went without any significant events. The Doctor and Inspector visited me frequently to check up on me.
The Inspector kept asking me the same questions regarding the incident. He was getting more disappointed with each passing session. I also overheared part of his conversation with the Doctor outside the room.
“How long till his memory recovers. The media is behind us, and he is the only clue we have. This should be an open and shut case. We have an eye witness to the murder, for God's sake.”
“As I told you already, it could take a long time for Jacob to recover his memory. You should probably explore other options.”
“Is there anything that we can do to speed up his memory recovery?”
“Trying sophisticated methods could cause long-term harm to his brain. We need to let his mind heal on its own.”
I could feel the frustration in the Inspectors voice. Can’t blame him. But I don’t like that he is putting all his hopes on my recovery and not doing anything else.
After another day, I start wondering whether I have any friends as I haven’t got any visitors apart from the hospital staff and the Inspector.
I decided to ask the Doctor about this, and his reply shocked me. The Inspector had restricted anyone else from visiting me. I decided to end that the next time the Inspector visits me and I get my chance very soon.
“Inspector, I was wondering if I could see my friends and colleagues.”
“I’m not sure if that is the right way to spend your time Jacob. We want you to focus on remembering what happened without any distractions.”
“I think being in this room alone is not helping me at all. I believe being around familiar faces might help me to remember more.”
I think I stuck the right chord with that as he seemed to think seriously about that.
“Ok, I’ll agree to that as long you promise to tell me first if you remember anything. You should not tell anyone, not your friends or even the Doctor.”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Fair enough, I agree.”
Once the Inspector agreed, I start to wonder again. What if I don’t have any friends? I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
----------------------------------------
The next day I had my first real friendly visitor. She was a young girl around my age with a simple, pretty face. From the wrinkles and the dark circles around her eyes, I could make out that she has been under a lot of stress lately. She looked relieved to me see.
I’m guessing she should be my college friend or colleague from my recent work. Or maybe someone closer.
She started speaking as soon as she got the chance.
“Hi, I’m Mary. I had been waiting outside since you got admitted to meet you. But the police were not allowing any visitors to come inside. I heard from the Doctor about your condition. I feel awful for what happened. I don’t know what to say."
She continued after a pause.
"In a way, may be it’s good that you don’t have your memory right now. I can’t imagine how you would have felt or known what to tell you."
I guess she is more than just a colleague from how upset she sounds. But I still couldn’t recall anything about her.
“Hi, Mary. I’m happy to see you. But unfortunately, I can’t remember anything. The Doctor tells me it’s due to my head injury. I hope I start to remember things soon. Could you let me know how we know each other?”
He felt hurt at my words. She tried her best not to show it and it was still visible on her face.
“You really can’t remember me. I am surprised by that. I don’t know if the Doctor told you that you don’t have any family. You were raised in an orphanage.“
“Yes, the doctor did mention that.”
“I was also raised in the same orphanage. We have been in the same class from junior high school and have been friends for more than 10 years now. “
“Wow. Sorry. I didn’t realize we have known each other for so long.”
“It’s ok. I’m sure you will remember everything in due time. And I hope I’m not disturbing you in your recovery.”
“Oh no. I feel happy to have some company. Even the Doctor agrees that it might help with the recovery to have familiar people around.”
She seems happy to hear that.
“In that case, I’ll make sure to come as much as possible.”
“I appreciate that.”
I couldn’t help but smile. After so many meetings with the Inspector, I was happy to finally meet someone who genuinely cared for me for a change.
Mary left soon, so I could take some rest. I couldn’t help but imagine what was happening in the outside world and how I would continue with my work.
The Doctor came around after some time and told me that I could leave the hospital in another day or two. He stressed that I shouldn’t try too hard to remember as it could be counterproductive and let my mind heal slowly.
He again did mention the rare cases where people did lose their memory permanently. But the chances for that were very slim.
I always believed the chances for anything happening were 50/50. It either happens, or it doesn’t.
I remember how this thinking used to give me confidence to face any impossbile tasks in life.
Seems like, for now, at least a part of my mind is working just fine.
Now if only I could start remembering the important parts soon.