NYSSA
To my surprise, Kazmir was not mad at me for sneakin’ into the room behind his back.
“Why didn’t you tell me you loved the art studio? I should have known you were doin’ somethin’ behind my back.” He had said and I apologized, listenin’ to his next question ’bout me noticin’ anythin’ at all and there was me who shook my head.
For all that I knew, he didn’t want me tryin’ to recall who I used to be. What use is it tellin’ ‘im I painted the portrait but didn’t know how I did? I wondered while watchin’ ‘im pack up the bag.
It has been a month since I got back to my ‘home’ and ‘husband’ and I saw on the television screen that there was an art gallery outin’.
Who wouldn’t want to go?
There was a lot to find along this path, and I made up my mind from the very moment the advert was placed to go for the outin’. Without lettin’ Kazmir know of my plans, I was able to retrieve some money from ‘im as I planned to be at the show.
Thankfully, it was not so far from the penthouse. With Kazmir’s laptop, I ordered a ride in advance, payin’ as well and selectin’ the outfit for that day after which I ensured to delete all traces. “Are you okay?” Kazmir had asked. “You look excited. Is there somethin’ you’re not tellin’ me?”
“Mm, no. Why?”
“I don’t know,” he laughed. “I’ll see you after work.” He added and the house was left with only me in it. However, it was late in the afternoon when the house phone rang, with a call from a number I didn’t recognize – unlike that of Kazmir’s.
“Hi, Nyssa,” a woman’s voice called from the other end. “It’s me, Ember. Your friend from the mall. Are you in the house?”
“Y-yes,” I grinned with excitement. “I’ll be there shortly,” I added and walked out of the house, answerin’ the call from the gate. “Hi, Ember. Took you long enough, mm? Come on in.”
A good moment with Ember, it was.
But at the end of the day, she was runnin’ back to her apartment. Accordin’ to her, she worked in a firm and they were on a break for the rest of the week – which also means that she will be at the penthouse until the end of the week.
It wasn’t the end of the week, but the day of the art gallery outin’. I was dressed for the show, and mopin’ at myself in the mirror. The man I lived with was gone from the house, and I was left alone and waitin’ for the ride that would take me to the given address.
There were many in the hall.
Some had the badges of an artist worn over their neck and finally, the event was announced to have begun.
With bewilderment in my eyes, I saw many pieces, and also the artists. A smile came alive on my countenance at the sight of women my age, comin’ out to explain what their piece was ’bout and how long it took for them to be done with the piece.
The event was yet to end, but I was pressed. Without wastin’ time, I dropped the bag I came with on the chair after standin’, and then walked to a door I recognized as the bathroom.
After washin’ my face, I was ready to leave. But I stopped in my tracks to listen to the voices of young women who said a thing I did not clearly hear – hence the reason behind me placin’ my ear on the door and now, havin’ access to their gossip.
“Lysander, he’s a beast!” One said.
Lysander-
The name rang a bell in my head, and I recalled who Lysander was. But what if it wasn’t the man I met at my welcoming party the women here referred to? I thought, placin’ my head in the door again. “He is a beast indeed! Do you know what I heard about ‘im and Nyssa?” The other woman with a different voice concurred. “I’ve heard that Lysander was her biggest rival in the art world. Some say he might have done something to cause her memory loss to get rid of the competition.”
“But I hear they have undiscovered artworks that they created together. I’m sure their relationship must have been more than just professional.”
“You hit the nail right on the head!”
“There’s a romantic rumour going around that they were deeply in love but their marriage made it forbidden. Her husband might have made her forget to erase her feelings for Lysander. Oh, that’s certainly the darkest of all.
“You’d be delighted to hear that there’s an even darker rumour. It’s rumoured that Lysander holds the key to her memory. Literally or not, I have no idea. But people think he was involved in something sinister that led to her amnesia, and he’s the only one who can help her remember.”
I wasn’t gettin’ it at this point. But, the name. Wasn’t it the man who claimed to know me from somewhere when the welcomin’ party was thrown on my behalf? And what does it have to do with me? My name was mentioned, wasn’t it? I must be the woman with a memory loss that was referred to in their gossip. Does it mean-I had a relationship with ‘im before the accident?
What is going on?!
After my moment and thoughts in the bathroom, I walked out with a smile that was managed. Suddenly, there was a figure I sighted when I reached my chair. I stopped my thoughts and looked up to be very certain I wasn’t dreamin’ and there was ‘im – a face I recognized from the welcomin’ party and the same man the women talked about while I used the bathroom a few moments ago.
Lysander.
He didn’t say a word, but offered a smile I didn’t hesitate to return. When I thought he was headin’ in my direction for a chitchat, he walked to the stage of the hall and took the mic in his hand. “Ladies and gentlemen-”
Days later, I wondered ’bout what Lysander must have done to me. If he claims to be connected to the past, what did he do to me? Did he at some point have a hand in the accident? I was worried and unsure of what to think at the same time – alongside a wish that I could confide in my husband and let ‘im know of my thoughts.
“Are you okay?” Someone in the livin’ room interrupted my thoughts. “You look far away from the real Nyssa. Somethin’ you wanna share?”
I snapped out of my thoughts finally, puttin’ a piece of cookie in my mouth. Was it okay to let my new friend know I was makin’ progress and tryin’ to recall who I was and what had happened to me before now? I shook my head and put in another cookie, smilin’ and relaxin’ on the large couch. “I’m fine, Ember. I was tryin’ to think, nothin’ more.”
“That was beyond just thinkin’, girl,” she chuckled, sippin’ from her glass. “Are you sure you are fine?” She got up to pick up the television remote, settlin’ back on the couch and turnin’ the volume lower than it was.
“I’m fine, Ember,” I smiled and she lifted her hand. “I just-ne’er mind.” My gaze went to the television screen and back at her face. “Have you ever thought ’bout knowin’ someone or somethin’ and then in reality you see you don’t know them?”
Ember threw another piece of cookie in her mouth. “I don’t know, maybe. Maybe not. Why do you ask though? Are you rememberin’ certain things you would love to share with me?”
“Not really,” I let out. “My sudden love for art, you know? Many other things. At some point, I felt as though I knew you from my past even though I’m sure I didn’t know you. Many other things to prove this point but I can’t say much and this is ’cause I can’t even recall what it’s ’bout. Funny, isn’t it?”
She leaned closer. “I understand,” she let out and hugged me, makin’ me rest on her shoulder. “Let’s know if there are ways we can help, okay? Also, we can go out once in a while and see if it can help, although I doubt that it can – but we must try out many options. If that’s okay with you, Nyssa.”
Why not? It could help with rememberin’ all I wanted to. “That’ll be good,” I mouthed. “When do we go for a walk? I’m afraid to go on my own ’cause of the high chances of me gettin’ lost. Who knows? Another accident could be lurkin’ around somewhere.”
Ember laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Nyssa. No accident is happenin’ again, and we can go for a walk the next time I come to the house.”