Ep1: My 5 Years
I opened my eyes to find myself lying in a hospital bed, the steady beeping of machines echoing around me. Sitting beside me was my mother,the woman I had never really known. After her divorce from my father, I hadn't seen her. She sat there almost emotionless, her face a mask of hopelessness. I couldn't understand what was happening.My throat felt dry. I tried to get her attention with my weak voice.
"M...om," I called softly.
Her eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. Her lips moved, "My baby!" She hugged me tightly, filling me with warmth. Her floral scent chased away the sterile smell of the hospital instantly.
"It's me again, falling while trying to learn sports. Don't be sad, it's normal for me," I laughed softly. Then I asked, curious inside, "Mom, how are you? Since you left me with Dad and took my sister, I've wondered."
Her face drained of color, tears welled up in her eyes. "How can you ask that… when you've been in that bed for five… freaking years?" she sniffled.
"Huh?" I couldn't process her words. Her voice blurred as I struggled to sit up, ignoring her protests.
I looked into the mirror across the room. I didn't look 18 anymore. I touched my face, shocked to see a woman in her twenties staring back at me.Dizziness hit me. My legs weakened, and I fell to my knees.
"Mom...," I gasped.
I opened my eyes again, lying in the same place but now with a doctor and a nurse attending. My mother was there too, worry etched on her face.
The doctor asked me, "Miss, are you okay?" I simply nodded in response.
Inside, my mind was a whirlwind. I was 23 now, but I had lost five years. I wanted to remember how I ended up here, but my memory was a blank. The doctor assured me I was fine and promised I would recall everything as days passed.I couldn't accept it. Could I deny it? Ignoring everyone, I moved into my own apartment. It was old but peaceful. I hated the pitying looks people gave me.I returned to university with help from the kind principal and earned my degree. Everything felt numb, as if I existed somewhere I didn't belong. After several failed interviews, I took odd jobs. One evening shift at a supermarket brought someone into my life.
At first glance, he was tall, slender yet mildly muscular, with distinct, handsome features. His green eyes shone under the light like jewels. I didn't even know his name, but he became my only source of joy.
How? Maybe it was the way he thanked me every time with a bright smile, or the day I broke down completely, and his warm handkerchief soothed me.It could be anything. But one thing was clear ,I had fallen in love with this kind stranger I admired from a distance.