Fragment Of You. (ONGOING)

~~~CHAPTER FIVE~~~

Hibbas sat on the reclined leather chair her heart tapping gently against her ribs. She kept her eyes on the ceiling as the technician, a woman in maroon scrubs and white gloves adjusted the headband-like device on her temples.

It won't hurt. The technician said with a faint smile. Just take a deep breath and calm down. When you're ready, then close your eyes.

Hibba slowly took a deep breath.
Ready she said.

The technician smiled then on the machine.

The machine hummed softly. A low vibration settled at the base of her skul, like an opening of a distant door.
There was a flicker. Then……..

A rush of something unfamiliar.

Not pain, not joy, something deeper but comforting.

She sat on a quiet restaurant near the window. It was raining. It smells like a mixture of sand and water, the breeze was so refreshing. She was laughing joyfully. A man saf across her in navy blue khaftan with Hausa traditional cap laughing with her. He looks like he's in his mid 20’s. Even though his face is kind of blurry

The laughter sounds familiar. It pulled something in her chest.

He was teasing her laughing uncontrollably. She threw pouch at him. He flinched back a little then used hand as shield. She was also laughing. She said look at you as if I've thrown a stone.

And just as she reached her arms to take the pouch, everything vanished.

She opened her eyes slowly and blinked twice. Back in the room she noticed the hum has stopped.

The technician removing the device gently.
“You did well” she said. That was just a preview. The full session start next week.

But Hibba wasn't listening. She was still trying to hold on to that feeling. The fresh sand scent, the man's warmth laugh, and peace of mind.

She didn't know he was. But something told her that wouldn't be the last she'd see him.

She smiled because she felt good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in Dr.Habibs Office.

He looked up from his table as she entered. How do you feel?

Hibba hesitated. Then slowly sank into her chair across from him.

The mood was quieter. Hibba sat across him with her arms loosely wrapped around her self. The smell of fresh linen and Oud still lingered.

He looked at her smiled and asked again.

She looked up. “i don't know she said calmly. Calm?....  I felt like i was somewhere real. I could feel the smell of rain mixed with sand, the laugher and all. I knew it wasn't my memory but it didn't felt like a lie either.”

Habib watched her with his fingers steepled. And emotionally?

She blinked at him then looked down. “i felt seen. Like i belonged there. Just for a moment. I felt peace of mind. I felt at ease.

There was a paused as he typed something into his system. The sound of keyboard is the only thing that filled the silence between them.

Then he looked up. “That's strong response for a preview.
Not everyone feels that level of connection immediately. But it's good. It's okay. You did good. It's a good sign. You're open.”

“too open, maybe,” she muttered.

This is a memory that was once real, it's emotional residue remains. Your mind and your heart, just simply accepted it.

“Even if it was never mine?” She asked?

Dr. Habib smiled “does it matter? It helps brings you back to yourself” he said.

Don't worry it won't last long he added.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

She left the Clinic shortly after. Walking out of the mild heat of Abuja afternoon. The Wellness studio’s glass door closed behind her.

The world outside felt different. Brighter, or maybe quieter.

She didn't know who the man at the restaurant was or what role he played in the story.
But for the first time in years, her chest didn't feel so hollow.

And that was a good sign.

~~~~~~~~~

Driving home, she branched at Boaba.com  to get bubble tea. She sat there at window watching people's movement as the reminisce the memory she saw.

Later at night, she decided not to think much about it. She sat at her living room, on TV to watched Netflix while eating dinner. It's been a while. She missed watching..