I Remember You

Chapter 2:Echoes of the Past

Steven stood by the window of his room, taking a moment to give thanks. "Thank you, Lord, for my life. After all that's happened, I'm sure I've moved on and am ready to face new challenges."

A voice called out from downstairs. "Steven, breakfast is ready!" It was Aunt Silvia, her tone warm and inviting.

Steven replied, "I'm coming down."

He made his way to the kitchen, where Aunt Silvia and her husband, Uncle Rod, had been his steadfast guardians since the passing of his parents. Their son, Alex, was also present—his business partner in their computer shop.

Alex looked up from his breakfast and asked, "How's your head?"

"It's fine. Nothing to worry about," Steven assured him.

Alex's brow furrowed slightly. "Maybe you're thinking about her again."

Steven shook his head. "No, maybe I'm just tired."

"I'm just reminding you," Alex said, his voice tinged with concern.

"I'm fine, okay? I have a date later at Ochando's Restaurant," Steven replied, trying to sound upbeat.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Really? Again? Who's the lucky girl this time?"

"I just met her online," Steven said with a hint of excitement. "She's beautiful."

Alex's tone grew skeptical. "Just be careful. Some women look great online but turn out to be quite different in reality."

"Have you experienced that?" Steven asked, half-smiling.

"No, but I saw it on YouTube," Alex said with a shrug. "They use a lot of makeup to look perfect."

Steven chuckled. "You overthink things, Alex. I'm sure she's beautiful."

"I'm just saying..." Alex trailed off.

"I'm going to get ready for my date," Steven said, heading towards the stairs. "Take good care of our business for a while."

"Okay, good luck," Alex called after him. "Aliens are everywhere!"

"Shut up!" Steven replied, a grin tugging at his lips as he disappeared up the stairs.

Steven sat at the table in Ochando's Restaurant, his heart a mixture of hope and apprehension. He had been through a lot in his life and was determined to start over. After dating various women, he hoped that this time, with Sharon, things might be different.

"Flowers for you, Sharon," Steven said, presenting a bouquet with a smile.

Sharon's face lit up with pleasure. "Thank you, you're so sweet."

"You're so beautiful," Steven complimented, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Thanks," Sharon replied, her cheeks flushed.

Just as Steven was about to continue, a voice interrupted their moment. "Excuse me..."

Steven turned to see a woman standing by their table. "Our order is pizza, spaghetti, and two sodas," he said, assuming she was a waitress.

"I'm not a waiter," the woman responded tersely.

"Who are you, then?" Steven asked, bewildered.

"I'm your wife," the woman declared.

Sharon's eyes widened in shock. "Your wife? You lied to me, Steven!"

"No, I don't know her. Please, come back!" Steven pleaded with Sharon, his heart sinking.

"I'm sorry about the interruption," the woman said, her gaze shifting to Steven. "But can we talk?"

"You just ruined my date!" Steven snapped, frustration evident in his voice.

The woman handed him a piece of paper. "Here's the document. We are married."

Steven's face paled as he looked at the paper. "Liza, you're alive?"

"Yes, I am alive. What do you mean?" Liza asked, confusion in her eyes.

"I thought you were..." Steven's voice trailed off. "Anyway, you've changed a lot. How did you find me?"

"On Facebook," Liza replied. "We really need to talk."

Steven sighed deeply. "You don't remember anything?"

"No, that's why I'm here," Liza said. "I need to ask you everything."

Steven began to explain. "You used to live here. We became friends, then you became my girlfriend. We decided to get married without telling your parents because your mother didn't like me. She thought I wasn't rich enough. Then one day, you just disappeared. I went to your house, but a man told me you had gone to Canada. I asked Stefany, our mutual friend, and she told me you were dead, that you had an accident."

"How come I don't remember any of that?" Liza asked, her voice tinged with distress.

"Did you really have an accident?" Steven inquired.

"I don't know," Liza admitted. "All I know is that we need to fix this. We need to divorce."

Steven's face hardened. "Oh, I don't believe in divorce. And I am happy that you came back, my wife."

"I am not your wife!" Liza retorted. "Steven, I'm getting married to my boyfriend next year. I need to fix this paperwork."

Steven's eyes filled with pain. "You know, I nearly lost myself when I thought you were gone. I fell ill and lost the will to work or live. And now, you tell me you're getting married to someone else?"

Liza's expression softened with sympathy. "Steven, I don't really know who you are. My head is aching now. I'll come back some other time."

"Are you okay? Do you need help?" Steven asked, concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine. I'm going home," Liza replied, turning to leave.

"Please, remember me," Steven called after her, his voice filled with longing.

Steven sat in the living room, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions he'd experienced earlier. "Liza is alive," he said, a mix of disbelief and relief in his voice. "This is unbelievable. Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayers."

Alex, who had been listening intently, shook his head in astonishment. "You know, when Liza came here and asked about you, I couldn't believe it. It was like a dream."

Rod, who had just joined the conversation, nodded. "Still beautiful," he said, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Aunt Silvia, frowning slightly, added, "But she looks different."

Steven sighed deeply. "She wants a divorce."

Rod's face darkened. "What divorce? That's not right."

"Why?" Aunt Silvia asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Because she's planning to get married," Steven explained.

"What? That's impossible!" Alex exclaimed, his voice filled with shock.

"The problem is," Steven continued, "she doesn't remember anything about us."

"She doesn't know you?" Alex asked, incredulous.

"Exactly," Steven said. "It's like we never met before."

Rod's face grew serious. "That's the problem."

Aunt Silvia's expression softened with sympathy. "Maybe she's saying that because she loves someone else now."

Alex shook his head, his expression one of frustration. "We all know that Liza really loved Steven. That's why they got married."

Aunt Silvia looked thoughtful. "So, what happens to her now?"

Steven's gaze was resolute. "She'll come back. Soon, I'll find the answers."