Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Flavia POV

Whose voice is that? Why are you all whispering like that? I can’t hear it. Can you come closer? Whoever it is?

“When did you wake up? Don’t you miss me?”

Ah, that’s Uncle’s voice. Uncle, I can hear you. I miss you too.

Is that your hand touching my cheek? I want to open my eyes too, but for some reason, it feels so hard.

“I’ll go now, I’ll be back later.”

Don’t go. I don’t want to be alone. Why are you leaving me?

“Via, the new menu at our restaurant has been launched. The response from the customers is very good, and even today’s sales are very high.”

Abby. That’s Abigail’s voice, right? Abby, I want to wake up. But I can’t. Abby, please. Help me…

“Ignazio keeps asking me to cook our new menu. That chubby kid. Seems like he’s never full. I’m already kind enough to cook that food for him, and he says your cooking is better than mine. Come on, wake up, Via. Aunty Ada has given birth. It’s a boy. Falisha is happy because she remains the prettiest child of Uncle Altezza.”

Falisha, Geremia? Ignazio, Francisca? Abby, how long have I been sleeping? I want to wake up, Abby. Please ask anyone to wake me up.

Why is it so quiet? Why does it feel unpleasant?

My body feels tired. I want to stretch, why is it so difficult? My head hurts. “Eerghh…”

“Via?”

Whose voice is that? There’s a hand squeezing mine. Gentle, and warm.

“Darling, open your eyes.” It’s a man’s voice, and it’s too close. His breath brushes against my cheek. Who is he, why is he holding me?

“Let me check, Doctor.”

Whose voice is that now? Someone is opening my eyes and shining a light. Oh God, it’s blinding. Did that person do it on purpose? My head is throbbing again.

I try to blink. It’s so heavy. “Via, can you hear me?” The man’s voice asks again. My eyes sting, hurt, and dazzle.

“Via?” Finally, I can see him. The man has a handsome face, why is he looking at me with concern? “Via, are you awake now?” He asks again.

Via? Is that my name? I furrow my brow. I want to answer him, but my throat is so sore.

“Drink. Just a sip first.” The man offers a straw to my mouth again. I stare at him for a moment.

He’s handsome, but looks disheveled. Tired. There are even bags under his eyes. I comply, sucking the water in one full gulp. Swallowing slowly and it tastes so good. I even want to moan because of it.

“Okay, now look at me.” The sweet doctor in a suit commands. I redirect my gaze to him.

“How many fingers is this?” The doctor raises his index finger.

“One.” I reply still with a hoarse voice. Or is my voice always like this?

“Is it blurry?” He asks again.

“No.”

“And this?” The doctor raises his finger again.

“Eight.”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Alright. Now, try to clench both of your hands.” I comply. It feels quite painful. My muscles seem to scream in protest. “Good,” the doctor praises. “Now, your toes.” I obey. Curling my toes and it feels the same. My muscles scream. “Do you recognize me?” The man asks again. I furrow my brow.

“You’re a doctor, right?” I ask, feeling confused. He’s wearing a doctor’s coat, so he must be a doctor, right?

The man smiles sweetly. “Yes. But do you remember my name?” He asks patiently.

I can’t shake my head. There seems to be something blocking in my head. “I’m sorry, Doc. Do we know each other?”

Once again, the doctor just smiles, but his smile looks sad. “Alright. Then do you remember who this man is?” The doctor taps the shoulder of the man who gave me the straw.

I glance at him. What kind of gaze is that? Why does he look sad and longing? Should I say that he seems to be looking at me with longing?

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know you guys.” I reply again. My head is pounding hard, but it feels completely empty.

“Tell me what you remember.” The sweet doctor asks again. I try to think. There’s nothing in my memory. I just shake my head. Then a name suddenly pops up.

“Abigail?” I ask uncertainly.

Who is Abigail?

“Alright. Call for Abigail.” The sweet doctor says to someone, I’m not sure who.

A beautiful girl with a tall, slim figure, straight black hair, and fair skin smiles at me.

“Hi,” she greets.

I look at her, but I don’t recognize her. Do I really know her? Is she an actress? Why does she seem to shine so brightly?

“She’s Abigail. You don’t remember her?” The doctor asks again.

I just shake my head, and the girl looks at me sadly. Have I hurt her?

“Flavia,” the sweet-faced doctor says. “Your name is Flavia Quirino.” He tells me. “Do you recognize that name?” I shake my head again. “Alright. Let’s start slowly. Is there something you want to ask?”

“Are my parents still around?” I finally ask.

I’m confused, truly. I don’t know these people, but they’re staring at me too intensely. Especially the handsome man who has been sitting beside me on my right and hasn’t taken his eyes off me.

I’m a little scared, but at the same time, I feel comfortable.

“Your parents are here,” the doctor nods towards the beautiful girl named Abigail.

The beautiful girl leaves, and a few seconds later, another handsome man enters the room. I guess he’s around fifty. Some strands of white hair, along with a beard and mustache, adorn his face. His eyes have a sharp gaze. But as he approaches, he looks just as sad as the handsome man who is still sitting in his place.

Is that man really my father? As handsome as he is?

If my father is around fifty, then how old am I?

“Via, sweetheart,” his call snaps me out of my own thoughts. And his voice, for some reason, sends shivers down my spine, making my whole body tremble as if it wants to cry.

Why does my chest suddenly feel tight and sad? The large hands of the middle-aged man touch my left hand. Warm. The touch of his hand is warm.

I lift my head and look at him. And suddenly, without my wanting, my eyes feel hot. I feel like I’ve made a big mistake towards this man. But what mistake?

“Via, this is Papa. Don’t you recognize me, sweetheart?” he asks sadly.

I shake my head. My brain is completely empty right now. I feel tired.

My head is throbbing painfully. I hiss. The doctor approaches again.

“Is your head hurting?” he asks with concern. I nod slightly. “Alright, I won’t push you further. Go back to sleep. When you wake up again later, then you can eat.”

I just stare at him and nod again. I dare not glance to my right where the handsome man is still looking at me and holding my hand silently. I swallow my saliva. I feel embarrassed and uncomfortable at the same time. But I also don’t want the man to let go of my hand.

“Can we talk in my office, Uncle?” The sweet doctor speaks to the middle-aged man. “With you too.” I see the handsome man holding my hand turn to the sweet doctor. He nods and then stands up.

“I’ll be back soon.” His words sound promising, and it makes my heart race wildly. I look at him, and he also looks back at me with a gentle gaze.

Oh God, it feels…

Oh, what is this feeling? Why do I want to hug him and erase the pain in his eyes?

He strokes my head and then kisses my forehead softly. I’m surprised. Warmth spreads across my face, and my heart races even more wildly.

Who is he? Why did he dare to kiss me? But I also like his touch.

I watch them leave the room, and the beautiful girl named Abigail re-enters and sits in the chair previously occupied by the handsome man.

“Via…” she calls softly. I glance in her direction.

Is she calling me? Flavia. Via. So those are fragments of my name?

“Have you really forgotten about us? You’re not playing around anymore, are you, Via?” she asks hopefully.

“Meaning?” I ask, confused. Am I a mischievous person? Or am I accustomed to nonsensical mischief?

“You deliberately played tricks on us, right, Via? You intended to get back at Uncle, didn’t you? Just tell me, I promise I’ll help you. But don’t do this, Via. You make me sad,” she says, and the girl truly looks sad.

“Uncle? Who do you mean? The bearded man earlier? My father?” I inquire.

The girl’s eyes widen at me. She reaches for my left hand and grips it tightly.

“I’m sorry, I think I misunderstood,” she whispers. Something warm touches the back of my hand. It seems like the girl’s tears. “Go to sleep, I’ll take care of you. I hope when you wake up later, you’ll remember everything.” There’s a pleading tone there. I clearly hear it. I just nod and try to close my eyes.