I will never forget the day I received that call. It couldn't have come at a more worse time. I actually had my phone off not wanting to be bothered by anyone or anything. I was on my way to work when I decided to turn my phone on. I see I have more than 20 missed calls, what the hell is going on? I look and see I have missed calls from Asahi and Sugawara. I begin to worry as I decide to call Asahi first.
"Hello," says Asahi.
"Hey," I reply stuffing my wallet into my jeans. "Is everything alright?"
"No everything is not alright!" he exclaims. "I have been calling you."
"I'm sorry but I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone," I explain grabbing my car keys. I close and lock the door to my small apartment.
"I get it, trust me," said Asahi. "There has been an accident."
"Accident?" I question.
"It's Noya…" I feel my heart drop just hearing his name.
"What's wrong?" I asked panicked.
"He was hit by a driver when he was crossing the street" explains Asahi. "He didn't sustain any broken bones but he did get a head injury."
"Oh my god…." I muttered covering my mouth from the shock. I can feel the tears running down my face as my face as sobs finally release from my throat.
"I knew you would be upset," Asahi said sadly. "You can come to the hospital to see him. We are at the main one close to campus."
"Okay," I exclaim my voice breaking through my sobs. "I will see you in 20 minutes! Let me call my job."
"Hinata wait…." I end the call calling my job right away. They're very understanding at the bookstore and let me off for the next two days. I only wanted today off but I will take the extra day my boss is offering. I drive to the hospital completely distracted the whole way there. The past weekend keeps playing through my mind over and over. Why didn't we just come to an agreement? Why did I decide to turn off my damn phone? I find a decent parking space quickly making my way into the hospital. Halfway down the hall on the first floor, I see Asahi. He waves at me spotting me from far. It takes everything in me not to run towards him.
"Asahi," I say lowly. He is standing there looking like the tallest person in the room. He is actually wearing his hair down, a tee and some jeans with sneakers.
"I figured I would meet you down here," he explains. "I was trying to tell you something important before you hung up on me."
"I know, I'm sorry," I apologize. "My boss was nice enough to allow me two days off. I mean I don't understand how something like this could happen." Asahi sighs.
"Some young girl new to driving made a right-hand turn without looking," he explained as we get on the elevator. "She is very apologetic but her parents were so mad. I guess I don't blame them I mean she could have killed him."
"It's a miracle he doesn't have any major injuries," I reply.
"Yeah," said Asahi. "Um as I was saying he has a head injury and will need to have cared for a few days."
"I can take care of him," I volunteer. "He is my boyfriend after all."
"I know," sighs Asahi. "The thing is Noya has some memory loss…" I look at him.
"Okay…" I say slowly. "So are we talking a couple of days…weeks…"
"Years," says Asahi. I feel my face drop.
"What?" I question as the elevator stops on the 5th floor. We walk out of the elevator and I follow Asahi. "Like years? Seriously?"
"Yeah," he says. "I mean I don't even know how he is going to go home with how he is right now." We get to his room and I see Noya is sitting on the bed looking out the window. There are already flowers and balloons wishing him well. Shit, why didn't I think to get him something? He turns towards the door seeing me his face lights up with the grin I love so much.
"Hinata!" he exclaimed.
"Hi," I replied thinking his memory loss is not that bad.
"Did you bring any sweets with you?" he asked as I walked over. "Asahi won't bring me any candy!"
"You don't need it," said Asahi.
"Whatever," said Noya waving him off. "Can you believe this? They think I don't remember anything. I remember things just fine." I don't know what to think about this.
"You know how doctors can be," I state sitting down on the bed beside him.
"Yeah," sighed Noya. "I hope this doesn't mean that I won't be able to play in the final game."
"Final game?" I question.
"Noya, I told you we graduated 3 years ago," explains Asahi.
"Nonsense," says Noya. "I would remember that." He stares at me smiling wide. It dawns on me that he doesn't know we're dating. Noya looks at my hand. "Hey that's a really pretty ring, almost looks like mine." He holds out the necklace that he keeps our promise ring on. I can feel myself blushing not knowing what to say.
"Thanks," I mutter.
"So Noya," said Asahi. "Hinata and I can take turns staying with you at your apartment until you are good to go."
"I still find it hard to believe I graduated," he mumbles. "I do think it's awesome I have my own place!"
"Yeah…" I chuckle nervously. I can't believe this is happening.
"Do I have a car?" he asks.
"No," I reply. "It was either a car or your own place, you decided to get your own place."
"Sounds about right," says Noya thoughtfully. He looks at me smiling completely unaware of how much I'm hurting behind this. "I don't think I need looking after that."
"We talked about this," said Asahi.
"Yeah yeah," says Noya. "Can you at least run and get me some tea. I can't have coffee but they okayed me to have tea. They both have caffeine in it so what is the difference."
"Alright I will get your tea," said Asahi. "Hinata, do you want anything?" I shake my head no and he is out the door. I turn back to Noya who is looking at me intensely.
"What?" I ask.
"Nothing," he replies slowly. "I think….man this is so weird."
"I know," I agree.
"So did we win the championship?" he asked. "Did I play? I mean where are the rest of our teammates? Asahi wouldn't tell me anything."
"Should I even be telling you anything?" I asked concerned.
"It's my fucking life," he snaps. "I don't see what is wrong with me wanting to know what the fuck happened." I grab his hand giving it a squeeze before he pulls away from me like I zapped him. I can't stop the sadness that is creeping in.
"We did go to the championship and win," I tell him. "It's on YouTube if you want to see it."
"Seriously!" he exclaimed. "God I wish I could remember it. Alright once I get rid of Asahi you have to show me." I nod in agreement not sure if I should be doing this but he seems to be willing to take on the memories. I will have to get more information from Asahi. "So I know Asahi said that it is either you or him that will care for me but I would rather it be you." I'm taken back by this but thrilled at the same time.
"You don't want Asahi to help you?" I asked.
"So far I like you doing it better," he snorts. "At least you are trying to allow me to have a little fun."
"You know how Asahi is," I laugh. "He is just concerned about you."
"Um hm," says Noya beginning to play with the ring on his chain spacing out. He looks at me looking serious. "It's not like I don't remember who I am completely, just the past couple of years. I just need…." I'm not sure what is happening as his eyes roll in the back of his head with him hitting the pillow. I get scared and called for the nurse. The nurse enters the room at the same time as Asahi.
"I was gone for 5 minutes!" he exclaims. "What happened?"
"I-I don't know!" I exclaim.
"He's okay," said the nurse checking his vitals. "He is probably overwhelmed."
"What did you say to him?" asked Asahi sitting Noya's tea on the nightstand.
"I told him that we did win the championship his 3rd year," I explain. "He was saying how he wanted me to help him."
"You're his boyfriend correct?" asked the nurse. I nod yes. "Asahi told me about you. Can you tell me more about the conversation?"
"Uh, he was saying how he wanted me to help him at home and that was mostly it," I explained.
"He may have experienced some memories coming back," explained the nurse. "You're more than welcome to share stuff with him but it may be too much for him at moments."
"He is begging for us to tell him what has happened in his life" I reply. "I mean he seems like himself beside not remembering our relationship."
"I know it seems that way but you still must be careful," explained the nurse. "He may remember with time or he may not."
"What do you mean?" I asked now frightened.
"Sometimes people never regain their memories," says the nurse calmly. "At least he remembers who he is."
"Is there anything I can do?" I asked.
"Just don't tell him too much at once. He is going to need the support of all his friends and family. It may seem like it is not a big deal but it is." I sit there thinking about everything the doctor said. I don't even know how to feel right now. The thought of Noya never remembering us is heartbreaking. The nurse leaves the room and Asahi is staring at me.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked.
"I don't know…." I mutter blinking back tears.
"Noya told me about your fight," he states. I sigh in response. "I think this is ridiculous. I mean you both have fucking promise rings. Why not move in together?"
"I like my independence," I replied. "I worked hard to obtain my own place and I like having my space."
"Does it feel worth it?" asked Asahi. I feel this pain in my heart that unbearable. I get up to leave when Noya grabs my wrist. I look down at his hand before looking at his face. His eyes slowly open.
"Where are you going?" Noya asked. Asahi rushes over to the bed.
"Noya," he says.
"I'm fine," Noya replied. "I just got a little dizzy. What were you guys talking about?"
"Nothing!" I lied with the guilt kicking in. "Um, when will you be checking out?"
"I think in 3 days or something like that," said Noya. "You're going to come to get me right?"
"It depends on if I have to work," I replied. "You know I would." Noya smiles looking more like himself. God, I'm so nervous. I have no idea what to do or how I'm going to handle this. I will do my best for Noya's sake.