CHAPTER FOUR
The next day, the nurse walks out of Tiana’s ward, holding a tray containing a sealed syringe, some pills and an empty plastic cup. Tiana belches and laughs at the sound made; she walked toward the window and pulled the blinds such that the sun could penetrate the window slide panes. She smiled heartily that it formed wrinkles at the edge of her eyes. She was indeed happy one could tell.
Dr. Sam walks into the office, the nurses who had been chatting instead of attending to patients; all stood still awaiting
Dr. Sam’s scolding. As if his expression had yelled at them; they all scurried away to their different duty leaving only the nurse at the counter with Dr. Sam.
“What were you guys gossiping about?” He inquired
“It’s just that, your patient seems happy today” she replied, a bit tensed.
“Are you sure?” Dr. Sam’s eyes widened
“Yes sir!” the nurse now relaxed, “Nurse Ella said when she entered the room, she saw the ‘patient’ awake already and
very calm” she concluded
“I must speak with Nurse Ella” Dr. Sam left the counter.
Tiana turns around to see who had entered her ‘cell’. “Good morning” was the first thing he said, “I’m fine, thank you” she replied
“Hope you had a good night rest?” he asked
“I sure did” She smiled. “I’m sorry I have been hostile, I am Tiana” she extends her hand for a handshake.
Dr. Sam receives it with a warm smile on her face. “I am urrrgh… really surprised at your warmth today”. He said still smiling “Did you have a wonderful dream last night?”
“You didn’t say your name” she said politely
“Oh! Forgive my manners; I am Dr. Sam” He replied.
“Nice to meet you doc” looking as though she was disappointed but was trying to hide it with a forced smile. “Doctor?”
“Yes Doctor”
“But I am not sick”
Dr. Sam then realized that this was a rare opportunity; and that he had to take advantage of it. “Ma’am, you aren’t sick, you’re very healthy” he lied. “You were brought here because of what happened 11 months ago”. He told her
“11 months ago?” Tiana frowns
“Yes 11 months ago; you were brought by the police” he added.
“The police?” she turns around trying to think as she bit the tip of her nails. “What could I have done?” she asked Dr. Sam
“That’s why I am here, to help you” he replied.
“Oh no!” she screamed
Dr. Sam stunned moves close to her “What could be the problem?”
Tiana turned to look at Dr. Sam “I… I really can’t remember what happened 11 months ago” she slumped in to the bed looking very sad. “Am I…?”
“I am sorry to break the news to you” Dr. Sam replied with pity echoing in his voice box. “You have amnesia”.
“Amnesia?” Tiana looked up to Dr. Sam looking like a sad lost puppy. “But how do I remember my name?” she inquired from Dr. Sam staring with distrust in his competence.
“It is called Retrograde Amnesia” he said. “This is as a result of what you had passed through in the past”. He added
Tiana bows her head, “Would I ever remember anything?” she said, her voice breaking underneath her nose.
Dr. Sam stares down at her; “You will, I will make sure of that” he picks up his file and scribbles upon it. “I’ll have one of the nurses bring you some medicine that will help you regain your memory”
“Thank you” she said sniffling. “I will cooperate with you”.
Dr. Sam looks at Tiana who was sitting on the edge of the bed moving her left hand toward her nose to clean off the mucus gathering, with the back of her hand. He dipped his right hand into his lap coat and brings out a spotless white handkerchief; squats and handed the handkerchief to Tiana.
Tiana who had been worried about the doctor seeing through her act, she hoped he hadn’t caught her. She didn’t look at his face, but she could feel his suspicion and decided not to look him in the eye. She received the handkerchief and murmured a low ‘thank you’ under her nose as she sniffled.
Dr. Sam stands up and turns to leave the room. “Do have a great day; we will take our time, so you don’t get stressed” he said with a warm smile. He turns around and added “you should never stop smiling, you look beautiful when you smile” he walks out of the room.
Tiana raises her head, cleans her eyes and blows her nose until air could go in easily, and it blocked her right ear. She stands up, looks outside the window and sighs. She ran her fingers through the blinds which hung above the window; then she sits and stares at nothing in particular with constant sighs.
