ALFRED

“She is still unconscious,” he said quietly. “We need to do brain surgery. It’s serious. And the cost… it’s way too much.”

I stood up, my heart pounding. “Do it,” I said. “I’ll pay whatever it is. Just make sure she stays alive.

Days passed. Finally, I was back at the hospital. My hands shook with the weight of hope and fear. I held a bag in my hand as I walked into the doctor’s office.

“Good day Doc. Is she okay?” I asked, my voice full of worry.

The doctor looked at me with kind eyes. “Yes,” he said. “She’s okay. The surgery went well.”

Relief hit me like warm sunlight. I clenched my hands in joy. “Thank you, doctor. Really, thank you.”

“Can I see her now?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. He told me the ward where she was resting. Gave me directions to her room.

I walked slowly through the halls, my bag swinging at my side. My heart, beating very fast. I pushed open the door to her room softly.

There she was. Laying in bed, pale but breathing. Her eyes opened, and she gave me a small smile.

“Hi,” I said softly.

“Hi,” she replied, her voice weak but sweet.

I smiled wide. “I can see you are healing. That makes me so happy.”

I introduced myself. “I’m Alfred Gonzalo.” My voice caught. “I was the one who brought you here when I saw you unconscious by the roadside.”

She looked confused, then whispered, “Oh… It’s you… Thank you so much, Mr. Alfred. I really wish I could repay you. I’m really grateful.” Tears nearly came.

I shook my head. “You don’t need to thank me. All you need to do right now is, get better so I can take you home.”

Her eyes brightened. She said, “Doctor said I can go home today.”

“Oh…that’s great!” The news lifted me.

From my bag, I pulled out fruit and some food. I handed her a plate, gently.

She sat up a little and ate. I watched her eat and saw her smile more. It felt like my heart was lighter.

When she finished, I told her to relax. “Take your time. I’ll take you home later.”

Then I asked, “Where do you stay?”

She looked at me with confusion, then said softly, “I… I don’t know.”

My heart stopped.

“You don’t know where you stay?”

She didn’t answer right away. Was that a joke?

That question hung heavy in the quiet room as I thought about what I had just heard.

That was the moment I realized there was still so much I didn’t know about her.

I stood by the door, watching her from a short distance. She was sitting quietly on the hospital bed, her eyes blank, like she was trying to remember something… anything.

“What about your parents? Your family?”

She looked up at me with the calmest expression and simply said, “I don’t know.”

That answer shook me more than I expected. I had no idea what to say next.

“Excuse me for a minute,” I told her and stepped out.

I walked straight into the doctor’s office and sat down opposite him. “Doc, she’s doing really well now. She looks stable. But… she says she doesn’t know where she’s from or who her people are.”

The doctor sighed and nodded slowly. “Yes, Mr. Alfred. That’s because she has memory loss. Her brain took a serious hit from the accident. She can’t remember anything from her past… at least, not for now.”

My eyes widened. “Memory loss? Is there anything that can help? No treatment?”

“There’s no specific medicine,” he said. “But with proper rest, a peaceful environment, and good nutrition, her memory might come back gradually.”

I nodded, even though my heart was heavy. “Alright… thank you, Doctor.”

As I got up to leave, he added, “By the way, she’ll be discharged later today. You can take her with you.”

I nodded again and left the office.

Now I stood by the door of her room, hesitating. I didn’t know whether to open it or walk away.

This girl doesn’t even remember her name. And here I am… about to take her to my house. What would Dad say? What would he think of me?

Still, something deep inside told me this was the right thing to do.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.