The penetrating gazes of my saviors had me biting my lip nervously.
I was nervous because I didn’t know what they would do to me, now that I was awake. Would they send me away, or would they keep me? I was hoping for the latter.
“Maya…” The woman called this time around, placing her hand on my shoulder, her eyes a canvas of affection and care. These were loving people, and I wished to stay with them longer if they would take me in.
“I am fine, I am just nervous.” I said, deciding to be upfront with them-that way I would know my stand and the next step to take.
“About what?” The man asked. I still didn’t know his name.
“Well, I am awake now. And even though I can’t thank you enough for nursing me back to life, I was wondering what you will do with me now. Will you send me away or keep me? That is the reason for my nervousness.” I answered, looking everywhere but at them.
It was as if my old timid self was coming back and I didn’t like it. This was a new place, and a good place to start over, a good place to become whoever I wanted to be.
After my statement, the couple sighed, and Diana looked at her parents, her eyes darting from her mother to her father. She was just so curious about the situation like me.
“Dad, she can stay, right? I want her to stay.” Diana mentioned, stepping forward to tug at her father’s hand, her cute eyes brimming with tears.
Was she really going to cry for me? The girl literally just took my heart. I was in love with her now.
The man sighed and then looked at his wife, who shifted her attention to me.
“Let’s talk about it in the sitting room, over dinner.” She said, before giving me a short smile, that promised goodwill before stepping away from us, and walking the path that led to the clinic and the three houses surrounding them.
Diana ran along until she caught up with her mother. She laughed as her mother held her hand, and swung it side to side, her worry forgotten. I had almost forgotten how it felt to bask under a mother’s love. I missed my mother.
“We should be going after them.” The man cut into my thoughts. “My wife prepares the best mac in the community. You would not want to miss it.” He said, before walking toward the path too, leaving me behind.
Two steps ahead, he stopped and turned around. “Aren’t you coming?”
“I am.” I replied, walking toward him. “You never told me your name.” I said, when I walked up to him.
“Peter. My wife’s name is Laura.” He mentioned, a blissful look on his face when he spoke his wife’s name. The look that spoke of love and trust.
I knew because Adam used to have that look on his face whenever he spoke to me, right up to the party, before the veil of fantasy was removed from my eyes.
He lied. The looks had been false. And although I hadn’t been smart enough to decipher then, I could surely tell this one, probably because I wasn’t the center of attraction. The man really loved his wife.
“Okay Peter. Thank you for saving my life.” I said, as we walked down the path. My stomach started then, to sing songs of hunger.
Peter laughed, and shook his head. He must have heard them too.
“Your stomach seems to be curious about Laura’s food. And for the record, her food is the best you will ever taste.”
I laughed, finding the man’s devotion funny. But I wasn’t obliged to do the same. “I don’t think so.”
“You want to bet?” He asked, but I shook my head. I had no betting substance.
“So, do you remember anything from that night, probably the reason why you were in an almost dead state?” He asked me, changing the topic drastically.
Well, I could, but I won’t say it. I had to change the topic.
The farmland will be a nice topic to talk about. Was that his occupation?
“I am a farmer. I love vegetables. The work helps me focus.” Peter suddenly said, smiling when he saw shock on my face.
“No, I don’t read minds. Your face was enough to question what I do for a living.” He muttered, and I bowed my head in shame. The man must think I was taking him for granted.
“I’m sorry.. I just..” I was still saying when he cut me off.
“No, it’s okay, Maya. I understand. Now back to my question, do you remember anything at all?”
I shook my head, sad that I was lying to him, but unable to stop myself. “I can’t remember. I am sorry.”
I wondered how he got to know my name.
The only person I had told was Diana, some minutes ago, when she had come into the clinic with the dog. I have been with her the whole time, and she didn’t call my name out to her parents. So how had they known? There was no way the little girl could have transported that message to them. It was impossible without a mind link, and I was sure they were not werewolves.
So what were they? Or rather how did they know my name? Had I muttered it whilst sleeping? That didn’t even make sense. Why would I mutter my name?
“Don’t stress yourself.” Peter said, tapping my shoulder gently. “The memories would come on their own time. Laura confirmed that your brain is okay… I believe her. You should too.”