This choice: It started at the hospital: Mihoko's Amnesia. • Go Back...Chapter #4One Month Ago: Mihoko's Amnesia. by: AridWD   "Mom!"
Entering the hospital room where your mother, Mihoko lied, you got a call from a doctor that she had finally awoken from her coma. After being hit by a falling rusty stop sign while walking leisurely back home with groceries in her hand, it her at the right angle for her to lose consciousness. Luckily, someone was in the area to call the ambulance.
Your father died when you were young, so your mother was your only family. You were naturally close and she raised you well to study hard. Her efforts paid off when you heard that you got accepted into a major university overseas in the U.S.. Although it pained you to leave your mother alone, you knew that you wanted to pay her back for all the love and effort she made in raising you and that meant getting a job to support you and her.
Her accident was unexpected though and for a week, you were a terrible mess, hoping and crying out for your mother to open her eyes. You had gone through nearly a quarter of your savings from various part time jobs just to help treat her for injuries and support her stay at the hospital. Thankfully, her coma wasn't long relative to other people and she made a quick recovery.
With three quarters of your savings left, it was just barely enough to support your plan to go on a trip to a resort with your mother as a farewell gift before you enter college. There, you wouldn't have to worry too much about money as your stay and school was paid for by scholarship; however, there was still an unexpected wrench to be thrown in that plan as well as the resort plan as you would find out.
"...Your mother has a severe case of Amnesia, I'm afraid."
"Huh?"
Mihoko lied upright in the patient bed, deeply ashamed and dared not to look at anyone in the face. There was confusion and fear written all over her face. It was a horrible sight to see and you couldn't imagine how conflicted she must feel to want to know who she is, but unable to.
The more you stare at your mother, the more you realize the doctor's words in front of you is no joke. With the man's serious expression, you find yourself with your mouth open and at a loss.
Closing your eyes and breathing deeply, you regain your composure. Ultimately, your mother has woken up within a week of being in a coma. Amnesia, however severe, is a small price to pay just to see the woman who raised you lively again.
Opening your eyes, you don't stare at your mother anymore and focus your attention to the doctor. Lowering your voice, you speak openly.
"So...how long will this last?"
The doctor had a difficult expression as he turned around to gaze at the mother. "Could be weeks...months...but the important thing is that she needs to be near you and wherever she travels the most often. That is the best way to jog her memory and slowly recover; however, it may still end up incomplete for her. We measure how bad amnesia is based on what was lost. Your mother...she can barely remember her own childhood."
"Oh man..."
The doctor focuses back to you and gives a reassuring smile now, deciding to end the solemn and depressing environment. He pats your shoulder. "For now, you need to come here as often as you can. We can't release her yet since we need to make sure there's no lag in her motor function, but if all is well and we don't find any problems physically, we'll release her and then it's up to you to continue her care."
You nod and the doctor pats your shoulder again. "You're a good boy, you know? If there's anything I've seen in my years of experience, a mother's instinct goes far beyond memory and she'll remember you quicker than anything else. Just be patient with her, okay?"
"Right. Thank you doctor....I....really can't thank you enough."
The doctor chuckles. "Well, I'll be on my way. If you want to stay overnight, let a nurse know and we'll make accomodations for you both."
With that, the doctor leaves the room and shuts the door behind him to give privacy to the mother and son. There was an awkard silence between both of you before Mihoko finally looks your way and speaks up.
"I'm...sorry. I understand that you're my son, but..."
You smile warmly. "Hey, it's no problem. Don't try too hard, mom. You just woke up today so there isn't a chance you'll remember so quickly."
Mihoko furrows her eyebrows. "This is just so unbearable for me though. I feel so lost and I just...I feel like I'm falling without anything to grab onto."
Her eyes get misty and you truly feel saddened to see her in this state. She has always been so cheery and positive, so to see her like this makes your heart twist. Quickly moving to her side, you surprise her by hugging her.
"Mom...I'm here, so please, don't cry. If you need to grab onto something, grab onto me, okay?"
Mihoko sniffles and then buries her head into your shoulder. She wraps her arms around your back and hums. "Thank you."
Pulling back after a few seconds, Mihoko starts to smile a little. "It's strange...I don't feel weird hugging you at all. You really are my son...but you're more mature than I expected you to be."
You chuckle, sitting in a chair beside her bed. "Well, that's how you raised me to be, but I'll be honest, I'm not very mature around you."
Your mother cocks her head, confused. "What do you mean?"
You feel embarrassed exposing yourself, but this is your mother and you feel that you need to be open and honest if you are to jog your mother's memories.
"Well...for one, I guess I'm really spoiled around you in some regards. I've...always called you mommy when we're alone. Not only that, we frequently hug and since we're the only two together at home, you're the person I most talk to."
Mihoko doesn't show any sign of disgust or embarrassment. Rather, she smiles more warmly now as she clasps her hands. "That's...actually wonderful. I'm glad that we're so close together. Would you mind calling me that again?"
You raise an eyebrow. "Um...what again?"
"Mommy," she clarifies.
You grow a little red, but force yourself to stand strong and not crumble. "Mommy."
Mihoko can't help but sigh and feel at ease. "Thank you. So please...can you tell me more about yourself?"
From then, you told her everything about yourself and herself from her own history that she knew. Time flew and within three days, Mihoko was released from the hospital after determining she is able to stand and walk on her own. She had at least regained 80% of her strength and the rest would be recovered by performing her usual activities.
You took advice from the doctor who told you not to give any special treatment to your mother and act like you had always around her. That was easier said than done since she gets surprised quicker, but you hugged her as much as you could around the house and gave her kisse son on the cheek.
There was some progress at home as she recalled her grandfather and mother, but there was still missing pieces here and there. As for her memory of you, the most important memory of giving birth to you was remembered after watching a video that showed your deceased father. She teared up and within that night, some differences had started to appear. She started to want to sleep with you in the same bed and hold you tightly. In addition, she also started to refer herself as mommy.
Yet, you weren't going to discourage her. It was too early and you didn't want her recovery to lose momentum. As such, you bared with it and after two weeks of time together, you decide that you needed to get out of the house and take your mother on the long awaited resort vacation you had planned.
How does the trip to the resort start?  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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