Lost in the Wilderness - The Forest of Evergreen Book 1

by Teresa May B. Bandiola

  “I am so sorry, Sophia,” she cried, kissing Sophia’s hand, as if her daughter felt it.

  After a moment, she was joined again by her family along with Zarah and her parents. Zarah missed Sophia a lot, and could no longer wait to see her best friend finally open her eyes.

  “I really miss my best friend,” Zarah expressed, joining Elizabeth in baring her emotions.

  Alex hurried to comfort them as he himself stood straight and held back his own tears.

  Nadine, the moment she found a space near Sophia’s bed, drew closer and began talking to her unconscious sister.

  “I have a joke, Sophie, and I wish you’ll hear it,” Nadine whispered hopefully. “I swear this joke will not annoy you like I always do,” she lingered, tripping over her tongue.

  When Nadine was about to tell her joke, she noticed her sister’s right index finger moved.

  “Mom, Dad, Alex, Grandma... did you see it?” Nadine asked them, in a surprised tone.

  “What, honey?” Elizabeth pulsated.

  “Sophie just moved her finger. I think she’s awake,” Nadine ensued, already with joy in her voice.

  On a split second, all of them got up from their seats and checked Sophia. They were hugely surprised to see her finally opening her eyes.

  “Oh, my...” they all cried, greatly grateful, couldn’t believe that it was all happening now.

  Jubilation was suddenly in the air!

  “It’s a miracle!” they cried all the more, countlessly thanking the Heavenly Father for such a phenomenon.

  Sophia, dizzy and confused, hardly looked at them. Slowly, she gazed around, trying to clear her vague vision. Then, she spoke, “Who are you?”

  For a shocking moment, they all turned speechless, not believing what they just heard.

  Philippe, as a doctor, already surmised that his daughter had amnesia.

  “Where am I?” Sophia asked them again, with a gentle yet frightened voice. “I don’t know you!” she piercingly added.

  A thunderous crush, and there was a sweeping silence.

  Sophia’s eyes continued to roll at each and everyone of them. Perturbed by their uneasy reaction, she began to act wildly, and the nurses rushed to aid Philippe in calming her down.

  The rest of the family got out of the room temporarily. Stinging silence vanquished them.

  “I can’t believe this is happening!” Grandma Lucy exploded.

  There was, again, silence.

  “Mom, can you at least explain to us what’s happening to her?” Alex harshly approached Elizabeth, who was seriously frozen at that very moment.

  It took ages before Elizabeth responded. With tear-filled, oozing eyes and trembling lips, she spoke, “I think she has... amnesia.”

  At that, everyone became even more sapped of strength.

  As expected, Nadine cheered them up, elucidating that, at least, her sister was now awake and that it would be easy to get her memory back.

  Relieved by Nadine’s positive thinking, they finally tried to calm themselves down, and clung to those hopes.

  * * *

  IN KRAVENA, sorrow and fear still filled the heart of every tribe member.

  Abanir and his family were still in mourning for Karan.

  In the face of it, Datu Ilak had to be strong for the tribe, for his family. He must not dwell on his lamentations.

  He ordered his kansilos to think of an improved scheme to fight the Sulabuns and forced his warriors to pursue harder.

  Abanir pushed himself to the edge. He wanted to be stronger than he was. He wanted vengeance for his brother. Most of the time, he would find himself floating, bordered with intense agony and impatience to defeat the enemies. He frequently flew away from Kravena and wandered alone.

  While roving around one night, he got thirsty and landed at the lake near the Vabueretti lake house. Sipping water through the palms of his hands, he caught himself taking a sight at the house. It reminded him of the strange creature, of Sophia. Her unusual body gestures flashed back to him, all at once, capturing the look of her frightened face when she unexpectedly saw him, that peaceful night. His sorrow subsided at that moment—realizing that such an unlikely creature would help his misery to fade away.

  Cautiously, he went near the lake house and did not see anyone moving. It was dark and quiet. He attempted to enter it but it was securely closed. Then, he flew gently to the terrace where he saw the strange creature. Looking down, a white piece of cloth caught his sight. It was Sophia’s shawl that she dropped when she surprisingly saw him that night. Abanir, unhesitatingly, picked it up. He could smell the scent of blooming flowers from it.

  For a pleasurable moment, he lingered, observing the fabric. He was about to put it back on the balcony table when the harsh sound of a coming car sidetracked him. On impulse, he flew back to Kravena, with it, unable to leave the fabric, and wondering enormously at the object that had just caused the sound.

  A drunken man ruthlessly got out of the car. It was Jericho. He just came from the town’s popular grill and drowned himself with liquor. His desolation worsened because he overheard about Sophia’s amnesic condition. He knew that Sophia’s loss of memory would completely separate her from him.

  Jericho dragged himself into the lake house front porch and sat by the rocking chair. Sighing, he remembered the days when he and Sophia were playing around the front yard, when they were almost inseparable. They were there, secretly playing every time Sophia was scolded by Grandma Lucy. She would let go of all her emotions there, with him. She would cry on his shoulders. And to perk Sophia up, he would ask her to climb the trees and swim with him at the lake.

  The lake house was Jericho’s greatest link to Sophia. All the memories from it only intensified his raging longing, for her.

  Chapter 13

  Cocoon

  The waiting became almost unbearable when Sophia finally opened her eyes and gawked at her family. They were all there to offer her a grand breakfast, along with their shimmering and hopeful smiles.

  Childlike, Sophia squeezed her eyes shut and tried to understand things in the midst of oblivion. Then, she rolled her eyes at everyone, and finally came to realize that maybe, they were her family indeed.

  “Are you my family?” she asked, in a very small voice.

  Up close, they glowed and nodded, agreeing silently.

  In her highest spirits, Grandma Lucy rushed to hug her, and there was no way that Sophia could ever make a move, for she was entirely buried.

  Is she? Sophia thought and lingered looking at the rest, with more questions in her mind that needed immediate answers.

  Elizabeth feasted her eyes on her daughter, and couldn’t wait for Grandma Lucy to finally release her, so she could embrace her, too.

  The Vabuerettis came to her, one by one, and introduced themselves, in the easiest way they could.

  “Your name is Sophia,” Elizabeth told her daughter, with a smile that hovered between delight and sympathy. “You are a kind and lovable daughter, and also an adorable sister to Alex and Nadine,” she added as she pointed her finger at Alex and Nadine, respectively.

  “Welcome back, Sophie!” Nadine cheered, at the top of her voice. “I miss you tickling me because of my nasty jokes about you,” she said, simpering.

  They all laughed at what Nadine said, perhaps swayed by their combined gladness and excitement, for Sophia.

  Sophia’s face crumpled, and she looked at Nadine deeply, trying her best to recognize her.

  “You are such a clown, Nad,” Alex praised Nadine and muddled her hair gently. “How blessed we are to have you! You’re such an angel!”

  Nadine laughed, and everyone was enchanted by such good rapport arising from all of them. To keep it going, Bea offered them some muffins.

  Bea’s scene-steal captivated Sophia’s attention. Sophia looked at her for so long, and wondered who she was in her life.

  Bea just flashed her a smile but behind it were her sympathy… and hidden hopes.

/>   * * *

  IN FOREST GREEN, Jericho instantaneously got up and found himself sleeping at the lake house, in the front porch. He was surprised at where he just got himself into. Fortunately for him, there were no people who visited the lake house. He looked around and saw an empty bottle of whisky beside him.

  Oh, man! What have I done? He scratched his head.

  He immediately stood up, took the empty bottle, and started his car. Then, he was back to the reality that Sophia didn’t remember him anymore. His heart was breaking, but he had to go back to the town proper, to his responsibility as one of the town’s doctors. But how could he ever do the same things again when he couldn’t even be responsible for his own self? Now, there were no more bridges to Sophia’s life! Memories were the only ones that linked them, and her amnesia was just the dead-end, for them both, now…

  He was blank while driving when his car went slower and slower, not knowing, that he was now running out of gas.

  “Nice!” He banged the steering wheel in irony. Walking, now, was a choice he must pursue. He got out of the car and called Sophia’s name again and again. He neared the cliff and called her name even louder.

  Amidst those screams were nothing but echoes.

  “Sophia, I miss you!” he cried. He was too lost so that he didn’t notice that the sun finally settled in the west. He just stayed there until a vehicle’s light kindled, before his very eyes. It was Reuben, searching the whole town for him.

  “There you are!” Reuben’s exhausted voice resonated concern. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I knew you would be in the lake house,” he sighed, shaking his head, with its fine, aging lines.

  Still in pain, Jericho joined him in his truck and begged him for another shot of tequila.

  * * *

  AFTER MANY SESSIONS of therapy and various tests, Sophia was finally allowed to leave the hospital.

  Alex and Nadine, to compensate for things, had prepared a superb welcome-back party for their sister. They invited Zarah and almost everyone who knew Sophia.

  When they arrived home, Sophia was surprised to see people of her age coming to hug her. Tired and confused, she did not bother walking out of the party and she, somehow, enjoyed everyone’s company.

  Zarah and some of their classmates sang for her, hoping to flash back into her mind the same scenarios of yesterdays.

  That entire night, Sophia appeared like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, too soon to open its wings and fly away, and as the event progressed, her parents watched her from time to time, sneakily, hoping for her return to her old self!

  Chapter 14

  The Awakening

  A sonata of laughs echoed from downstairs when Elizabeth opened one eye and saw the light of the progressing morning. She looked over to her side and found Philippe, still wrapped as if grease in the cold. He looked exceptionally drained, a reasonable state for a father who had been on-and-off the hospital to take good care of Sophia.

  Groaning sleepily, Elizabeth followed the echoes until she was led to the dining room. There her mother-in-law and Bea were, preparing for breakfast.

  “Good morning!” Grandma Lucy greeted her and pampered herself with the aroma of Darjeeling tea.

  Despite her lack of sleep, Elizabeth managed a cheerful face. The brighter it became when Nadine ran to her, like craving for chocolates.

  “Mommy.” Nadine clung firmly to her shoulders, giving this kitten-like look that was too hard to resist.

  “Hello there, kiddo.” Grandma Lucy beamed, looking at Nadine. “How was your sleep?”

  “It was fine, Gran.” Nadine went to her seat and looked for Sophia.

  “Oh, honey! She’s still in bed,” Elizabeth replied and served her a bowl of choco flakes.

  Then, Alex joined them.

  “I still miss her, Mom.” Nadine, all of sudden, sent a stare of pining.

  “Oh, sweetie! Your sister is here now.” Elizabeth palmed Nadine’s hair and poured sterilized filled milk into her cereal. “And she’s not going anywhere, all right?”

  Nadine’s grimace slowly turned into a smile. “All right,” she nodded, agreeing, and began a spoonful.

  Sophia was still in bed, staring vacantly around her. The surrounding was new and it never felt like she had missed it, never felt that it had always been linked to her all her life. She reached out for some photo frames on the desk and saw nothing but herself. She went to the window and slid back the curtains. The rising sun radiated through her skin, and she wished her memory could shine through, too.

  Lost in thought, a drawer that seemed very special emerged, in her senses. She went to open it and saw a diary, with a piece of photo inserted between the pages. She took it and saw a good-looking guy kissing her cheeks.

  Her mind was in rainstorm now!

  To clear things out, she opened the diary and saw two male names written: Jericho and Giovanni. She went to the last entry and discovered it was almost three months ago. Raring to know who he was, she went to her mother, only to hear the sound of talking voices from the dining room.

  “There you are! The princess has awakened!” Philippe, who just joined the family for breakfast, noticed Sophia’s shadow.

  “Princess? Really, Dad?” Nadine reacted, kind of jealous, in the way she asked it.

  “Oh! Are you jealous, Nadine?” Alex cracked a joke.

  “Of course, not!” Nadine turned defensive.

  The fight was cut as soon as Sophia went near them, with a face that needed to be cleared immediately. “I wonder if you know this guy, with me in this picture,” she said, while handing it to them.

  Across the silence, everyone looked at each other.

  “Is he?” Sophia managed to talk again, halfway between crying and excitement, and asking for some answers. “I saw it when I opened my diary and... I wonder if he is my... boyfriend.”

  Silence overtook the room, once again.

  Then, Alex immediately stood up and left the dining room. His conscience was killing him. He knew it was Giovanni and he just didn’t find it bearable to answer her.

  Sophia wanted an answer right away but her brother’s walk-out scene, somewhat bothered her.

  Elizabeth initiated a motion towards Sophia, while battling with herself, regarding how to say it. She knew her daughter had the right to know everything, but it felt like it wasn’t the right time, not now that Sophia had just come back from coma.

  “Sophia, he’s Giovanni... your boyfriend.” Elizabeth finally unwrapped a portion of her Pandora box.

  “Where is he, Mom? Does he know I’m here?”

  Sophia’s seeking for answers put Elizabeth to the snapping point. But Elizabeth wasn’t the only one. The rest was also on the brink, searching for the right words, to answer Sophia.

  “And why did Alex leave?” Sophia proceeded. “Is there something wrong?”

  Once again, everyone was unspeaking.

  “Why are you not answering me?” Now, Sophia’s voice quivered. “Mom, I’m asking you. Where is he?”

  “Sophia, please, calm down for a while. We will explain to you everything but… this is not the right time to tell you everything!” Philippe finally talked, with a sidestepping look, then realized it was a stupid response.

  “What do you mean, Dad?” Sophia’s tone was probing.

  Uncomfortable yet bold enough, Grandma Lucy spoke, “He’s… he’s already gone, Sophia!”

  An aching moment passed. All eyes were unblinking!

  “He passed away when you had your car accident,” Grandma Lucy further said, forcing her nerves to be strong with the truth.

  Shaken, tears immediately streamed down Sophia’s face. It was all hard to process so that she almost fell down to the floor, and felt as if her mind would separate from her body.

  “Sophia, honey, listen,” Elizabeth implored.

  Disbelieving, Sophia ran to her room and locked herself… crying, struggling to breathe, to understand, to remember Giovanni… but, all the while
, the entirety of herself was shouting for more truth, and for the return of her memory.

  She had a boyfriend. But now he was gone. Forever gone.

  Grandma Lucy could not leave the city for Forest Green. She knew that Sophia was unstable, and it felt more important to focus on her than on anything else. She begged for Bea’s help—to go back to Forest Green and to take good care of their trades, and to ensure that someone was there to do decisions, on her behalf. Bea willingly agreed, and she planned to leave the following day.

  Sophia lamented all day.

  Her worried parents had been knocking on her door, but she just couldn’t bear the thought that she’d lost Giovanni. Although she remembered nothing about him, she knew in her heart that she had loved him.

  Midnight was arriving, and Alex was not yet home. He hadn’t been answering his cell phone and nothing served as a sign of his whereabouts.

  Worried, Philippe and Elizabeth sought for police help. Grandma Lucy was very more worried, so that she almost had a heart attack.

  Elizabeth’s dense emotions worsened. She couldn’t risk to hear more bad news. She was fully stretched to the breaking point, and one more strain would finally drop her right into the brink of sanity.

  Subsequently, a call seized their attention.

  Philippe hastened to answer it, and was informed of Alex’s arrest, for driving under the influence of alcohol.

  Hurrying to fix their son’s mess, Philippe and Elizabeth used up all their remaining strength and asked Grandma Lucy to look after the girls.

  It was already dawn when the couple arrived home. Alex was still at the precinct and he would be released after twenty four hours.