Seven

He was there when he saw the woman in a coma with tears in her eyes.

"Oh my God! She's crying!" the nurse exclaimed in surprise.

The doctor told them that it's normal because of the subconscious mind of the patient.

He moves closer to the patient and holds her hand. He was surprised when she suddenly clasped his hand.

"Did you see that, Doc? She holds my hand," he said, looking at the doctor

"I saw that too. Let's wait for awhile; we cannot force to wake her up. She is regaining strength for the weeks she's in a coma. Be patient. She'll open her eyes soon," the doctor told them.

He didn't let go of her hand.

He just sat there beside her bed.

He wanted to be the first person she should see when she opened her eyes.

He was right; after a few moments, they heard her first word.

"Nauuhaw ako! (I'm thirsty)," she said in a hoarse voice.

He could see that she was slowly opening her eyes.

"What did she say?" The doctor asked the Filipina nurse.

"She said she's thirsty," replied the nurse.

The nurse talked to her. They are both Filipino.

While the nurse is getting water, the doctor helps her to sit up. He helped the doctor. They put her pillow in her back.

Then the nurse handed a water bottle with a plastic straw to the doctor.

"Here, sip a little in this straw, not too fast," said the doctor

Now that the woman has opened her eyes, he couldn't help but admire the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen. Those lips sipping the water from that straw is very sweet. The nose that's like being curved by the great sculpture. She's beautiful. Her skin is pale due to a lack of sunlight.

"I'm Leandro." He moved towards the bed when the nurse finally took the water bottle and put it on the bedside table.

"You were in a coma for almost three months," he told her.

"I'm..." she can't finish her word.

Her tears racing down her cheeks.

"I can't remember my name," she admitted.

"Don't worry, your memory will come soon, but don't force yourself to remember everything, just slowly," said the doctor.

"Now that you are awake and all your vitals are well, we can release you anytime soon," he continued.

He could see the fear in her eyes.

He's certainly sure that she's terrified. Then she closed her eyes.

and suddenly he noticed she winched from pain. Maybe she is trying to remember about her, about everything.

"You may take your rest now. I'll remind you once again, don't force yourself to think. It will give you a headache instead," the doctor said

"I'll be back later to check; bye for now, Mr. Dell Valle." Then he left. The nurse followed through.

"Go to sleep, Lizzy; I'll be right here," he said after the doctor and the nurse went out of the room.

What has come into his mind is why he called her Lizzy. He has no idea where she got that name.

It simply rolled in his tongue just to let her feel she's not unknown.

That she will not feel abandoned.

He will pretend that he knows her so that she will not force herself to think.

The doctor said that she must not force herself to think.

If she doesn't feel that someone knew her, she will force herself, which might harm her memory even more.

So it's better to be this way. When her memory comes back, he could explain. He's sure she will understand that what he did is for her own good.

Settled.

Beside, he readied everything already. When the doctor announced that woman has amnesia. And since she doesn't have any identification, he will pretend that he's her fiance.