Memory Lane
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In the endless time, we are born in the same age.
In that infinite space, to be able to meet and become one with you it's a miracle too great.
- Kong Ah-Jung, Lie to Me

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He woke up to find himself in a quiet room, panting and sweating as if he'd just ran a marathon. His body was covered with a thin white sheet, his feet clad within blue socks that matched the lines of the PJs he wore. Frowning he looked down at his chest and found he wore a blue t-shirt that was comfortable and warm; but for some reason it wasn't his style, this wasn't his style. The echo of a whimper made him turn and find a surprised nurse standing by the door pointing at him, mouth open and whimpering once again her surprise. She quickly left the room, making him frown and fall back to bed. He blinked several times and tried to figure out where he was.

He turned to his right, finding he was alone in bed, and for some reason felt oddly aware that something was missing. This scene of an empty bed was not right. His hand trembled slightly and he noticed two things; he was wearing a gold band and two he had his vein open with an IV and a drip connected to his arm. A doctor arrived dragged by in by the scared nurse; and a thick file was pulled out from the side of the bed. "Hello, how are you feeling?"

"I'm dizzy."

"Completely normal, can you tell me what's your name?"

The question produced a sudden halt in his train of thought; a dark block in his mind made him breath in deeply realizing the information requested was gone. He frowned, eyes moving quickly as if the files filled with blanks were before his eyes but the result was the same: there was no data to answer the question. "I don't... I can't..."

A headache built quickly and the dizziness became worse prompting the newly awoken man to fall to the side and vomit. The nurse seemed to know this would happen and was quick to lift the bucket of trash and save the day for the cleaning lady, while slapping the man's back softly, soothing the pain of such sudden actions. He breathed in deeply afterwards, and leaned back on the bed, groaning. Still no information.

The doctor did a quick check up on the man, and found his heartbeat a little too erratic for his taste, but that didn't stop the man for talking. "How did I get here?" The doctor lifted his stethoscope and breathed in, and sat by the man's bed; his voice was soft as he spoke and informed the situation to the man; he'd been found on the side of the road, bleeding and wearing a tux and carried to a small community hospital where he'd been in a coma for ten months. His amnesia could be product of a contusion to the head received probably right before fainting and could last easily his entire lifetime or been temporary. Only time could tell.

"We found no ID or any personal belongings to identify you beyond your wedding band and wrist watch. The nurses call you Puchai."

"What?"

"They say you look like a man from a drama they are all watching." The newly named Puchai stared at the chuckling doctor draining the humor from the situation with a cold stare. The doctor cleared his throat. "You remember nothing at all?"

"No."

"Considering your reaction it would be better not to push you too hard about it, just take your time for now and rest."

"No, I have to go. I have to get back."

"Where?"

"I don't know but I've got to find out and get back to SanGoJae." he was ripping off the sheet and looking down at the lined white and blue PJs, that were definitely too big for him, while the doctor stared at him. Then the realization of having said a name he did not remember two minutes ago hit Puchai.

"What is SanGoJae?" asked the doctor curious. Puchai turned from the clothes to the man and confused as ever frowned, thought swirled through his head. Why this sudden need to return to this place he had no idea where it was? What was this place anyway?

"I don't know, but as soon as I find out I'll let you know." he turned to the closet and opened the door. The space was empty except for a bag, and a small box overhead, he looked at the bag and frowned, daring to touch it because the doctor encouraged him to inspect the items. Usually handling belongings used to bring back memories. "I was wearing this?" he said pulling out the cleaner's bag full of black and white; the tux was of the finest design and seemed to be custom made.

"Yes."

"They are really expensive clothes, aren't they?"

"Yes, what made us think you are not from around here."

"Why not?"

The doctor opened the blinds revealing a calm fishing port; a boat was passing by and the loud horn from the old iron boat echoed in the small room, it was a miracle such a loud thing didn't wake him from the coma. "What fisherman's son would be wearing such expensive clothes without having calluses in his hand?"

"Oh." looking down at his hands Puchai saw he indeed had no calluses. "Where am I?"

"North coast, not to far from Jumunjin." Puchai nodded, the information meaning nothing really, as he had no idea as to where to start looking, and the doctor smiled. "if I had lost myself I would start looking at Seol." The man moved to the bathroom, finding it small and clean, not up to his usual expectations (whatever those were) and he quickly changed into the clothes. He came out, hiding his bowtie in his pocket and looking down at his polished shoes. They were comfortable and looked brand new, but it couldn't be; they were perfectly preserved from time and use.

"Am I far from Seol?" he asked the doctor, who smiled.

"Depends, do you have any money?" picking up the box that was in the closet Puchai found several personal items and among them a few bills. "You can buy a bus ticket with that. I can lend you some more and clothes, by the looks of it you'll need them." Swallowing hard, Puchai gave his gratitude in a quiet yet surprised bow, while the doctor took off his stethoscope and white robe. "Shall we?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"My wife is also a nurse here and she says there's someone worried for you. I want to know who it is." The comment prompted a questioning glance from Puchai. "Consider me and my wife hopeless romantics, but don't tell her, alright?" And smiling Puchai agreed.

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The walk to the doctor's house was quiet, and not too far. They passed by several bridges and into a quiet wallpaper like view that lead to a small house where a woman was putting up some sheets up to dry, she turned when she heard the footsteps and smiled for a moment at her husband. She was about to greet him but the noticed the visitor walking besides the good doctor, her hand was already halfway mid air and she waved her hand a few times before been forced to fake a smile as they walked into the doctor's yard.

"You're here." She said in a soft tone, looking up and down at the man and then at her husband. "Are you hungry?"

"We could ask our guest; are you hungry, Puchai?"

"Pu… Puchai!" She asked amazed and pointing at the man while blushing deeply. "Wasn't he in a coma?"

"He woke up," She frowned at her husband, amazed. "Long story. I think some of my clothes will fit him, can you find some for him?" She turned her attention to her husband, the same amazement still in place. "Just do it, Ha Ni." And without questioning any further she hurried into the house. The doctor showed the man in and studying the place Puchai looked at the simple design of the house. Probably this house was built less than a year or so ago, with bare walls of well treated wood and brick. The panels of glass were well aligned to allow light in, during sunset and probably during sunrise as well. The furniture was selected to bring up the simplistic design, making it look classy and homey at the same time. But there was a flaw in the design; the wooden planks of the kitchen were not in harmony with the rest of the house.

Laughing, at the stupidity of his thoughts (how could he be such a snob towards the man who was helping him?), Puchai accepted the seat offered by the man. "You seem to like my house." Commented the doctor, sitting across from the man. "It's quite homey isn't it?"

Puchai chuckled and turned away, noticing the shore close by. This house was surely well placed. Suddenly a girl ran into the room, calling for her father and quickly climbing over the doctor's lap. Father and daughter shared a few laughs as greeting until the girl noticed the man and grew embarrassed.

"Puchai, this is my daughter."

The girl greeted the man, still blushing, and then hid against her father's shoulder, hugging her father tightly. Puchai smiled at the girl, and complemented in her looks, "Obviously she takes after her mother." The mother made her appearance at that moment, smiling at the words and walking quickly towards them, offering a drink to both men.

"No, I think she takes after her grandmother."

"Aish…" Answered the woman angrily turning to her husband in annoyance; then walking away, followed by her daughter. The doctor watched this happen with a broad smile, and then turned to pick his glass and drink.

"Did I mention she was the one to name you?"

"What?"

A slap was delivered to the doctor's back, making him chuckle and shift the subject of the conversation. "You can stay here for the night and tomorrow morning I can take you to the bus station."

"I appreciate it, I have no way of repaying you."

"Just let us know how things work out, alright?"

"Oh, and you must tell us who the lucky girl is." Said the doctor's wife, returning with snacks been carried by her daughter.

"Lucky girl!" Repeated the girl, seeming quite cheerful.

"You've been in a coma for such a long time, she must be worried sick." The woman sat by her husband and their child sat on the ground, with the bowl of sweets and started eating. The doctor tapped the child's head so she would offer their guest some but Puchai encouraged her to keep on indulging in the snack. "Do you remember who she is?"

"Honey." Said the doctor, turning slightly towards her, but Puchai answered quickly.

"No. I can't even remember my own name."

"Oh… sorry." And biting her lip the woman lowered her face and looked down at her drink.

If Puchai said that the rest of the evening went on comfortably he would be lying. Without a guest room, the doctor brought some covers and a pillow so the man could sleep on the sofa, and while resting there the man tried to find some way of fooling the block around his memory. Every time an inner voice spoke softly to him; all the clues were in the wedding band around his finger. He fought sleep, afraid he might not wake up after another month, while struggling with his thoughts and fears.

God, what if his family, not only his wife, were desperate in search for him?

For some reason the thought didn't worry him and the image of balloons and apples lulled him to sleep.

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Author's Ramblings: I have a possible Drama overload. My brain is filled with Korean dramas and I'm loving every second of it. It's something new and amazing to me, to think I ignored these dramas all these years… Uff! Anyway, I had this idea while working the other day and I've wrote everything I could in the course of twelve hours. Now my fingers are tired and I don't know I'll be able to finish this for a while but while working in the SA's fic Clan Buildings I'll be finishing this up. It's more a promise to myself than to you guys but it feels good to share it. Fighting! Hope to hear your reviews, and hope I managed to interest you with the fic, happy reading/writing!