Chapter 10: Chapter 10

NEVER TO RETURN

Jemimah's face had lightened up. The player's effect on her was very noticeable. "Hey! You are back?" She almost leaped out of the bed when her sister walked in.

"Sure I am! And you are going to spill the beans right this minute." Sophie had never looked so serious. "What's going on between you and the footballer? Where and when did the both of you meet?"

"Are we going to do this again?" Jemimah's countenance changed. "Why do you think I want to even discuss my personal affairs with you?"

"Well, sweetheart, it's the same reason I hurried here to be with you immediately I heard what happened." Sophie wasn't going to take any other answer other than a complete explanation. "I didn't even think about it twice. That's because you are my only family and I care about you more than you can possibly imagine."

The ward was quiet for a few seconds. Both ladies looked at each other intensely. Then, Jemmy heaved a sigh before breaking the silence. "This is the first time I am seeing him in person. How could there be something between us?"

"Are you two trying to play over my intelligence?" Sophie was losing her patience. "It's definitely not working!"

'What do you take me for?'

"Nobody is trying to play over your intelligence," Jemimah said. "It's the truth."

"Are you for real?" Sophie asked. She was very concerned.

"I swear by everything sacred!" Tears rolled down Jemimah's cheek. "It hurts me to see you disbelieve me like this."

"It's not my intention to doubt your words. But love makes a fool of even the strongest among us."

Sophie's words made her sister giggle without meaning to do so. "You think I'm in love with a celebrity who just appeared in front of me today?" Jemimah wiped her tears with her hand.

"For a moment, I thought that the two of you were having a secret relationship. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I remember you asking me what's the last thing I remember," Jemimah replied jokingly. She didn't like the tension that came with their discussion.

A beautiful smile stretched Sophie's lips. "I see that you can never lose your annoying sense of humor. But I meant before the accident."

"Oh that!" Jemimah said casually. Then she paused for a while. It was obvious that she was trying really hard to recall something. "I was on my way to work on the twelfth of June."

"Today is the twenty-seventh of June." Sophie stared at her. "What else do you remember?"

"It was very early in the morning. I was supposed to assist Dr. D.L. Dicke later that day." Jemimah looked at Sophie. She looked a bit worried. "After that, the next thing I remember is waking up here."

"Okay, I believe you. There's nothing to be worried about. It should be as a result of the accident. Let me inform the doctor about it."

"Alright." Jemimah's mind flashed back to Jason Sam's question. Suddenly she felt so embarrassed by her response. 'This only implies that he and I have met before!'

It wasn't long before Sophie returned with a doctor. The woman asked Jemimah some questions. She recalled every little detail of her life until very early that morning. Not for once did she make mention of meeting Jason Sam.

"It's not abnormal to experience some memory loss after such a traumatizing incident. But you will remember everything again soon." The doctor concluded.

After the doctor left, Sophie apologized to Jemimah once more. "I feel really bad for doubting you."

"It wasn't intentional. You were doing your best to look out for me. I understand that," Jemimah replied. "I am immensely grateful for your love and kindness."

"The pleasure is all mine. But you need to be wary of the footballer. For all I know, he might just be taking advantage of the present situation." Sophie said. "What if he is even responsible for the accident?"

"And why would he do that? It's as a result of a failed brake. You told me yourself, didn't you?"

"Yes I did. But that was before I got to know that somehow the man just appeared that very day. And coincidentally, he is the only one you can't remember!"

"So what exactly does that prove?" Jemimah asked. "That's most likely because I met him only moments before the incident."

"Why are you taking his side? You barely even know him!"

"Even if he is an evil man, how did he manage to delete himself from my memory?"

"I'm not accusing him of doing that. But you've got to be careful."

"I admit, it's a spooky coincidence. But Mr. Sam means no harm. He might just be the silver lining to this dark cloud that has befallen me."

"Jemmy! You like him, don't you?"

"Well, he asked me out on a date."

"Are you for real?"

"Yeah, I am."

"And don't you sense any kind of desperation?"

"Perhaps you are right," Jemmy replied. Then with a smile on her face, she said, "Or maybe the accident changed his perspective about life. Hence, Jason now appreciates the fact that time is of the essence."

"What did you say to him then?"

"He is yet to get a concrete answer." Jemimah grinned. "Jason suggested that it should be as soon as I recover though."

"Seriously, I am lost for words as regards what else to say to you right now." Sophie frowned.

"Is anything the matter?"

"I told Mr. Jason Sam to leave and never return!"