Roses and Thorns – Episodes 46

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

Melody lay down helplessly on the hospital bed, she was on drip. she stared up at the ceiling, counting how many pieces was used for the roofing. The door opened and Joel walked in with his parents, Melody still lay without moving a muscle.

“Hello, Flower, how are you doing today?” Joel asked all smiles walking towards the cupboard beside the small table top fridge, he kept the provision and fruits he bought and walked towards the bed.

“Melody my dear, how are you feeling now?” the elderly woman asked.

“Do you need anything?” the Husband asked almost immediately.

“Who are you people?” Melody asked all of a sudden sending everyone into confusion.

“Bambi, what do you mean?” Joel asked trying to hold her hand.

“Stop calling me that” Melody flinched, snatching her hand from his grip. “Who am i? how did i get here, Melody? is that my name?” she breathed in and out hastily.

“Joel dear, what is she saying?” The elderly woman asked looking from Melody to Joel and then to her husband.

“I don’t know, Mom” Joel replied crouching to be the same height with Melody. “Sunshine, it is me, Joel, we are dating and we are so much in love with each other, don’t you remember?” Joel asked greasing his face in confusion.

“I don’t know who you are, neither do i remember being in a relationship with you” Melody replied glaring at Joel.

“Nnam, (My Son) i think you should go and meet the doctor, this is getting out of hand” his father suggested.

“Okay Dad, i will be right back” Joel answered rushing out immediately.

The doctor was on the phone with someone when Joel rushed into his office without knocking.

“Oh, am sorry” he muttered.

“Let me call you back ASAP, i think i have an emergency now” the doctor said hanging up.

“It’s a good thing you referred to it as an emergency because it is really an emergency” Joel bellowed, his heart was beating fast and loud like the day he handled their church drum, that was when he was 16.

“Okay Captain, what is the problem?” the doctor asked leaning towards the desk.

“Agwo no na akirika (There is a snake in a thatched roof). An igbo proverb concurrent to “There is fire on the mountain”.

“Captain just go ahead and tell me what happened, this one you are speaking Igbo?” the doctor sighed.

“It is Melody, she lost her memory. Memories of us and all the time we spent together, all gone” Joel replied weakly, he hadn’t bothered to sit down.

“Which Melody?” the doctor asked confused.

“Oh God, what kind of question is that? how many Melody did i bring to this hospital?” Joel hissed.

“One na, and if she is the one you are referring to, that means you have nothing to worry about because i ran every necessary test on her just two days ago, so she didn’t lose her memory” he exclaimed hastily almost out of breath.

“But she denied knowing or remembering who i am, or even who she is, damn, and even my Parents too” Joel bellowed.

“Captain, that girl is hurt, she is pained, it’s possible she is trying to live in Oblivion of what happened to her, it’s better she pretends to forget than keeping it in her mind. Just talk to her and make her remember the good memories of you guys” the doctor explained with a smile.

“Okay then” Joel replied with a frown. He got back to the ward and his parents rushed him with questions, he sighed and slowly muttered “Mom, Dad, you guys should give me some time alone with her, i need to talk deeply with her” he let out a breath. His parents left the room without arguing. He slowly walked towards the bed and crouched down again to be the same height with Melody who stared at the 24 inches plasma television hung on the wall.

“Bambi” he called out slowly taking her hand in his “do you remember the night we spent together in my room? the night we shared our first kiss? the night we slept, cuddled in each other’s arms, the night we shared our past with each other, do you remember? the night i told you how much i love you”? Melody flinched and slowly removed her hands turning to the other side of the bed, her back turned on Joel.

Joel sighed, got up and walked to the other side of the bed and crouched down again. “Sunshine, you are the love of my life, God knows i have no other, I love you, Melody, you redesigned me. you showed me what true love is. You think am not hurting too? you have been here for the past 6 months, i miss you, my Lady, i miss you so much. These past few months have been hell for me, without you” Melody sniffed, the tears poured, she wiped effortlessly.

“Joel” she muttered slowly “That bas***d raped me, i felt pain, i called out to you, i screamed, i yelled, i warned, i threatened and i pleaded with him but all to no avail” She spoke amidst sobs.

“Am feeling guilty Bambi, i have been filled with guilt since all these happened, i feel guilty for not getting to you on time, i feel so guilty for letting that idiot lay his hands on you, Am sorry, i don’t have any excuse, please forgive me” Joel cried too hugging her.

“My Virginity is gone” she whispered with a sniff.

“Shhhhhhh, it’s okay, just let it go and focus on the good memories of us” Joel said still hugging her dearly.

“Am sorry, i faked Amnesia” she sniffed again.

“It’s okay Bambi, even if you have Amnesia, i would have still loved you the same” Joel said separating from the hug.

“Won’t you feel somehow? seeing me will constantly remind you that another man took what i would have given to you. I think you should let me go, Joel, i want to go somewhere far and start up a new life” she wiped her tears.

“Go where? Melody, i love you and not your Virginity, yes, i was proud that you were one, but circumstances have changed everything. you think what i feel for you is a joke? I love you with every fiber of my being, you are my Treasure, i want you for life. You are not going anywhere Madam, you are stucked with me” Joel eyed her.

“Am sorry” she said hugging him, the tears poured. “I love you Joel, am sorry i suggested leaving” she sniffed.

“I won’t even let you go, am holding you tight” Joel replied hugging her affectionately.

“Where are your parents? I need to apologise to them too” She said as she separated from the hug.

“I will call them in right away” Joel said, stood up and left the room.

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