Close To You

🎶Why do birds suddenly appear?

Every time you are near?

Just like me they long to be close to you… 🎶

The sound of my favorite music woke me from my deep slumber. Still on bed, I slowly open my eyes. I can tell I am lying on bed in an unfamiliar room. The room is well lighted, has a high ceiling and spacious similar to a hotel room but far different from my private space which is a little shabby and tiny.

I am so confused right now. 'Where am I?' I want to scream or call someone but it seems like my throat is sore and dry that no matter how hard I try to utter something, it just aches. Since I can't call for someone, maybe I should get up and walk out the room. But as I try to move my body, pain starts to crawl in. 'Where am I? What happened to me? Is anybody there?' These are the questions I'm asking myself. I try to recall what happened before I got into this situation but I honestly can't remember anything. My head just hurts when I push myself to recall what happened last.
Since I have no recollection of what happened last, I stop thinking. I'll just continue to lie on this comfortable bed until someone walks in and tell me how I got into this terrible situation.

🎶On the day that you were born

The angels got together and decided to create a dream come true.

So they sprinkled moon-dust
In your hair of gold

And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the girls in town follow you all around

Just like me they long to be close to you…🎶

As I listen to the song, I heard the door open. Few slow and heavy footsteps approach to where I am lying, for sure. Few seconds later, an image of an old fat woman in her sixties I guess appears. With her expression, I can tell that she's shocked but later it turned into excitement, I guess.

"Oh, thank God Maggie you're now awake," says this old woman.

But wait. Did I hear it right? She called me Maggie?

"I'm happy finally you're awake. Did you just know that you've been in coma? You've been lying on bed unconscious for two weeks until last, last night, miracle happened. You've survived from coma but then you've fell from sleep again but the doctor told your parents it's just normal and you're now stable. Thank God!"

I am shocked. Yes, I heard it right. She called me Maggie. And what's more shocking is that I almost died! I was in coma! I am having goose bumps right now because of what I've heard.

"I'll call your parents and your doctor" Then she left the room.

Few minutes later, I think they're here, the old woman, the doctor and my supposed to be parents. My "parents", happy as they seem come close to me, kissing my forehead with teary eyes.

"Maggie..." my ‘mother’ sobs "My dear Maggie, how are you feeling? Don't worry, you'll be okay," says this beautiful woman with a young face, wearing an expensive dress and jewelries. I totally have no reaction. I am still dumbfounded. Someone's calling me a different name and I have different parents. What really is this?

"Honey, let the doctor see Maggie," now says my ‘father’ who is a little older than my supposed mother. Same as her, this man seems rich because of the way he dresses. He’s in suit. It's like he owns a company or works in an office.

The doctor approaches me. He asks several questions usually yes-no questions. I just nod if it's yes and shakes my head if it's a no. He examines my body- arms and legs to see if I can move them. Thank God I can though it's still painful.

"Don't worry. Your daughter is okay. But if ever she cannot remember things, names... don't panic. It will be temporary- you know, this loss of memory since her head was badly hit." the doctor explains. "She just needs rest. In a few days for sure she can get up. Just assist her but eventually she'll be back to normal soon."

"Thank you so much", my parents both thank the doctor.

The old fat woman ushers then the doctor on his way out the room. My parents are still with me.

"Maggie, can you remember me or your Dad?" asks my ‘mom’. I just shake my head because of course they are not my parents. I know who my parents are.

"It's okay dear. You don't have to push yourself. We are your parents and we're always here for you. We'll help you remember,” says my ‘dad’.
My ‘mom’ is so sad for I can’t remember them though the truth is I totally don’t know them at all.

"Dear, if you need anything, just tell Nanny Cynthia." I bet she's talking about the old fat woman.

They left the room. And just like that, I was left with unanswered questions in my head. But if I want them to be answered, I need to recover faster to know the truth.

****
It's seven in the evening. Two days had passed by since the catheter and tube for my waste in my body were removed. I also can now move my body though Nanny Cynthia still assists me getting up. I think I need to go to the bathroom. So, I call Nanny. My voice is now back. I call her in a low voice. "Nanny, can you help me go to the bathroom?" She nods and helps me get out of the bed. Slowly, we walk towards the bathroom.

As we enter the fancy bathroom, I now feel weak. Not because I walked few steps away or my knees are just too weak being bedridden for weeks but because of what I am seeing now in my reflection in the mirror. That face in the mirror is not me! That face, that body. I touch my face, my body. This is not me! This body is not mine! I am shaking.

"Maggie, are you alright?" Cynthia asks because she can sense that I don't feel okay.

I look at her looking confused, shocked. "Can you tell me this is all just a dream? Can you hit me instead?" I ask her. Please. Tell me I'm just dreaming. What I'm seeing and what is happening is not true because if it is, I'm going crazy!

"Maggie, what are you saying? Come on let's just go back maybe you are still not okay."

Am I really crazy? I bet I am because what is happening is extremely insane! How come I'm inside someone else's body?

"Nanny, can you please leave me. I'll just call you if I'm done."

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asks, worriedly. I nod.

She left.

And here I am staring at my reflection. No, it’s someone else's reflection. Big round black eyes like that of a doll, well-groomed straight eyebrows, perfect pointed nose, cherry lips, and hair dyed brown.
Who are you? What am I doing in your body? I ask my reflection. So confused, I just cry.

I can't believe this is happening. I thought this only happens in movies!
After a long cry, I wash my face. I stare my new face. I really need to find out who am I now, now that I'm trapped in someone else's. I need to know who this fucking body is and what happened to my real body. How can I go back?