My father stood up to take the food from the table beside the bed.
Meanwhile, I looked around the room. The walls were spotless white, with a standard-sized window—not too big, yet not too small either. Its height reached from an adult's waist to just above their head.
When I looked down, the glossy ceramic floor reflected the light from the ceiling. In that faint reflection, I could see my silhouette—though not very clearly.
A boy, probably around sixteen years old, thin with a little fat, and with dark black hair whose fringe covered his forehead—that was what I saw there.
After looking around the room, I realized my father had already prepared a place for me to eat—pulling over a small wheeled table attached to the side of the bed. On top of it were soft foods like porridge, a bowl of warm vegetable soup, and several slices of peeled apple.
"For now, try eating the hospital food first. If it doesn't taste good, I'll find you something else later."
I nodded slowly and began eating the porridge that was served on the table.
While enjoying my meal, my father told me a little about our family.
From what I gathered, my family used to consist of four people. My father's name was Evan Nathanael, he was from Australia, and he was married to my mother, Lin Mei, a woman from China.
From there, I also learned my name—Arael Nathanael. My last name is the same as my father's and my brother's, Julian Nathanael, who died in the same accident as me.
Now, the only ones left in this family are my father and me, because my mother died when she gave birth to me.
Despite these circumstances, I am very grateful that at least there is one person who cares for and supports me.
In the past, I had to survive on my own from childhood until I was thirty years old. Even though I had parents. My father was addicted to gambling and alcohol, While my mother left me with my abusive father, from that day on my life was filled with torment from him.
Yet somehow, I managed to survive—perhaps because I always hoped that one day my life would change.
Now, I have it: a father who truly cares for me. All I need to do now is repay that care by taking the best possible care of him.
***
In the hospital bed, father and son seemed busy with their own affairs. The father recounted the family's situation, trying to explain slowly to his son who had lost his memory, while the son seriously devoured the hospital food, indicating that he was listening to every word.
After finishing my meal, my father returned the rolling table to its original place beside the bed.
The intense sunlight streaming through the window made my eyes feel extremely sore. I rubbed my eyes, and a few tears fell unbidden.
My father, seeing my discomfort, took the initiative to stand up and close the curtains on the window.
"Even though our situation is like this now, I hope you remember that your father always supports you. Whatever decisions you make or desires you have, I will listen," My father said softly.
After closing the curtain, he walked back to the chair where he had been sitting earlier.
"I understand, Dad. I don't know if I'll remember that in the future. But don't worry; I won't disappoint you."
I still pretend to have lost my memory of my father as he is now. I hope it will never be discovered. I want to be his son. I don't want to disappoint him. I want to make him happy, as is my duty as a child to my parents.
As soon as the curtains were closed, the blinding sunlight vanished. The lingering warmth of the sun, combined with my full stomach, made me feel drowsy.
I slowly lay down. My father helped me pull the blanket over me. Just as I closed my eyes, I felt his warm, gentle palm touch my hair. This loving touch, unlike anything I had ever felt before, brought a comforting sensation that was hard to describe.
Without realizing it, tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. For some reason, my emotions had been more easily stirred since being in this body. Perhaps it was the influence of my new body.
I hoped that when I woke up, none of this would be a dream.
However, if this was indeed my last dream, that was okay too. Because, for the first time, I truly felt happy.