Chapter four :- "A Home That Feels Like Mine"
(When my eyes flutter open again, the sterile white ceiling of a hospital greets me. A faint beeping echoes beside me. As my vision clears, I see two figures—an old couple—standing quietly near my bed. To my left, a doctor and nurse exchange looks).
[The doctor steps forward gently, his voice calm yet firm].
"They're your parents," he says, gesturing to the couple. "They brought you here after you were found unconscious near the water."
(I slowly turn my gaze toward them.
They offer me a warm, fragile smile).
[The woman takes a small step forward, her voice trembling slightly].
"I'm your mother," she says. "This is your father. You… you're our daughter, Lena. You went to the market to fetch some things, and when you didn't return, we searched everywhere... until we found you lying near the riverbank."
(I just stare at them. Their faces hold nothing but love and concern. But inside me? It's empty).
(I don't know if what they're saying is real… or just a well-rehearsed lie).
{Then her hand reaches for mine — trembling, warm, gentle}.
(And in that moment... I feel it.
A mother's touch. That unspeakable softness… the one that tells you), ["You're safe now."]
(I glance at her hand in mine. I don't pull away)).
- I don't know if I'm truly their daughter.
- I don't know if this is my real life…
(But when they take me to their house, everything feels strangely… good. Soft. Warm).
(They treat me like a child rediscovered.
She cooks, dad goes out to the fields to work, and when he returns, they both sit beside me with laughter and care. Like a home I never remembered having… but secretly I like it).
- They call me Lena.
- She asks me to call her Mom.
- And I do.
(They give me food, affection, security — everything a human heart quietly begs for).
(But when I'm alone in that quiet room, staring out the window)…
"A single thought haunts me":-
-What if none of this is true?
-What if I'm not Lena at all?....
(Back in the present)
(My daze breaks the moment I hear her voice echo softly in the distance).
"Lena… Lena!"
(I blink hard, pulled out from the spiral of memories. I was supposed to collect eggs from the farm, but I stood there, lost again — completely still, six warm eggs resting in my hands).
[I rush back to the kitchen].
"Mom! Here—your six beautiful eggs!"
(I say with a quick smile, trying to sound light, normal... anything but distant.
Because deep down, I don't want my parents to notice my distress. I don't want them to worry).
[She turns toward me, gently closing the stove's flame. Her eyes meet mine — soft, concerned].
"Are you okay, Lena?" (she asks).
"If there's something on your mind... anything you want to say, just tell me, sweetheart."
- I hesitate.
(For a moment, the truth tugs at my throat).
(I want to say it — that I don't feel like I'm truly their daughter).
(That there are no childhood photos of me in this house).
(Why would there be no trace of me if I truly belonged here)?
(But then… I remember what they told me.
That an accident burned their home to ashes — every photo, every memory lost in flames).
- Only love remained.
- And I could feel that love.
(I look at her, her eyes still watching me patiently, like she's ready to listen if I choose to speak).
[So I choose to smile instead —
and say in a playful tone],
"No, Mom. It's nothing, seriously!"
"When I went to the farm, I picked the eggs, but then I started checking out your kitchen garden and totally forgot I had them in my hand!"
"I'm sorry. Are you mad at me, hmm?"
(I reach forward and pinch her cheeks softly, the way a child would).
(She chuckles, warmth blooming in her eyes, and lightly slaps my shoulder).
"Lena, always playful, huh?"
"I just get afraid sometimes… What if something happens to you from overworking or stress?"
"You know I'm your mom. I found you. I just want you to be happy… feel safe. That's all that matters to me."
(Her words hang in the air like a warm hug. And the way she says "I found you" makes something ache in my chest — not in pain, but in comfort).
[I smile gently, then raise my voice with pretend drama],
"Mooom, I'm your daughter — brave and strong, remember?"
"And now can you stop with the worrying? I'm starving!"
Growl....
(Right on cue, my stomach growls loudly).
{She laughs and pats my cheeks like a child}.
"Oh, my child…" (she whispers, her voice full of love as she turns back to the stove).
(I walk over to the dining table, ready to eat, but then—
the familiar sound of a tractor rumbles from outside).
"Mom! Dad's back!"[ I say excitedly, my voice rising].
(Without wasting a second, I run toward the door, swinging it open).
(Something about seeing my father again always fills me with joy — even if I don't know why).
- I don't have memories of growing up with him…
- I don't remember birthdays or family dinners…
(But the way I feel around him — this warm pull, this silent connection — it's real).
- They never forced me to call them Mom or Dad.
- They never pushed anything on me.
- They just gave me love — raw, unconditional, patient.
(And maybe… that's what made me believe).
-- Because now, even without memories…
-- Even with the doubts still echoing inside me)…
• I think this is my family.
• And I think… I truly love them.
BEEP.....
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"She couldn't remember the past—
but their love made forgetting feel safe."
"STALKED BY MY OWN STORY"
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✨ Author's Note ✨
- Hello, lovely readers!
Yes, I'm back again with a brand new chapter! 💖
I hope you enjoyed reading it — and if you did, don't forget to drop a comment.
I'm always waiting to hear your thoughts (seriously, I read every single one!). 😌💬
And hey, if you're curious about Lena's future and don't want her story to slip through your fingers…
Add this story to your collection! 📚✨
That way, you won't miss a thing.
• Okay then, until next time —
Take care, stay safe, and peace out! ☁️🕊️
— Veronica_Moon09 🌙