Love Came After Memories Chapter 1 - Awakening From Past

  The year was 2036, and the morning sun cast its gentle rays upon the city of Auckland, painting the sky with hues of dawn. Light filtered through the windows of a modest 2-bedroom home, illuminating the carefully arranged furniture with a warm glow.

  Amidst the tranquil morning scene, a couple lay sleeping in the bedroom. As the clock struck 6:30 a.m., the wife, Leena, stirred from her slumber and gently nudged her husband, “Vijay, awake. Vijay, it's 6:30 a.m.,” she whispered, urging him to rise for the day. After rousing Vijay, Leena freshened up and proceeded to the kitchen to begin her daily chores. As she busied herself with tasks, she glanced at the clock and noted that it was already 7:30 a.m. Without delay, she poured a cup of milk and made her way to wake up their son, Prabhakaran.

  She opened the bedroom door and gently tried to rouse her son. “Prabha, my child, wake up. It's 7:30; you need to go to school,” she said softly. Prabhakaran responded in his slumber, “Mom, just five more minutes,” his voice barely audible through the haze of sleep. With a patient smile, Leena persisted, knowing all too well the struggle of rousing a sleepy teenager. “Come on, Prabha, you don't want to be late for school again,” she urged, her tone gentle yet firm. Reluctantly, Prabhakaran finally opened his eyes, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

  He drank up the milk, and Leena started preparing him for school. In the meantime, Vijay got out of the bathroom and began dressing himself for his office. After 15 minutes, he emerged from the room and walked to the dining room, where he started having his breakfast. Five minutes later, Leena and Prabhakaran also walked into the dining room.

  As Leena and Prabhakaran joined Vijay in the dining room, the morning chatter filled the air, creating a sense of warmth and togetherness. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of breakfast, signaling the start of another busy day in their household. During their breakfast, Leena asked, “Vijay, did you send the money to your parents?” Vijay responded, “Yes, I already sent that.”

  After that, Prabha's school bus arrives at their home's door. Vijay boards Prabha onto the school bus. Then we see Vijay was about to leave. At that moment, Leena arrives to say goodbye. Vijay grabs her waist and pulls her into a warm embrace, saying, “I am going to miss my amazing wife for a few hours.” Leena gives him a romantic look and says, “Vijay, you too,” as she plants a kiss on his cheek. Then she adds, “This kiss will be a remedy for those busy hours.”

  With a tender smile, Vijay held Leena close for a moment longer, savoring the warmth of her embrace. “This kiss is a proper remedy,” he murmured softly. Reluctantly, they parted ways, exchanging one final smile before Vijay headed out the door. Leena sighed as she watched him leave, and then made her way to the kitchen to complete the remaining chores. They were a perfect, happy family, the kind that everyone wishes to have. But little did they know, their happiness would soon be tested by challenges from their past.

  After some time, we see Leena with her neighbour Lalita. They were discussing a recent event that happened in Lalita's family in India. As they talked, Leena went to the kitchen to make some juice for herself and Lalita. While making the juice, she tried to reach the sugar tin from the top shelf. She grabbed a stool and attempted to reach it. However, during the process, she fell from the stool, injuring her head primarily.

  Then we see Vijay working at his office when he receives a call from his neighbor. He answers the call, “Hi Lalita ma'am, what’s up?” She responds, “Vijay, I came to your house to talk to Leena. At that moment, she went to make juice. In the midst, she tried to get something from the top shelf. She slipped and now she's asking various questions like 'where am I?' and 'what am I doing here?' I am thinking of taking her to the nearby hospital.” After hearing that, Vijay responds in a hurry, “Lalita ma'am, I am coming back home. Until then, please take care of her. I'll be home in 20 minutes.”

  She agrees to that and ends the call. As soon as she hangs up, Vijay takes a day off from his office and tries to reach home in his electric car. During the journey, his mind flashes back to past events, and he realizes that the day he feared has finally arrived. After a few minutes, he arrives home and is welcomed by Lalita. He asks, “Thank you, ma'am, for taking care of her. Where is Leena?” She responds, “She's in the living hall. From her actions, I can tell that she has lost some of her memories due to that accident. But why is she saying that she is a first-year student and lives in Mumbai? I don’t know why she's saying that.”

  In response, Vijay said, “I understand what she's saying.” Lalita responded, “Take care of her,” and Vijay nodded in agreement. Then she left the house. Vijay walked into the living hall with slight hesitation. He saw Leena with her head bowed down. He tried to call her, “Leena.” Leena looked at Vijay as if he were a stranger. Vijay further said, “Are you okay?”

  Leena, with slight hesitation, says, “Not really. By the way, who are you?” Vijay responds in a slow pitch, “Actually, I am your husband, Leena. You are my wife.” Leena's eyebrows raise as she says, “No, it can’t be. You're kidding, right?” Vijay responds, “I know what you're going through. Trust me, I will explain everything.”

  They both took a seat on the sofa. Vijay said, “I will ask three questions first. Please answer them honestly.” She nodded in agreement. He then asked, “Do you remember what you were studying?” She responded, “I am a first-year B.Com student.” He then asked, “What was the last thing you were doing?” She thought for a moment and responded, “I was heading to my friend's house.”

  Vijay understood her state, and then he asked, “It's what I expected. Do you remember your classmate Vijay from 10th grade who proposed to you?” Leena thought for a moment and responded, “Yes, he was quite nervous that day when he was proposing to me. He was saying many things. But I rejected his proposal.” Vijay responded in a hurry, “I am that same Vijay.” It shocked her; the guy she rejected in 10th grade was her husband now. She asked, “Is it really you, Vijay?” He agreed and said, “Yes, I am that same nerdy Vijay.”

  Leena started asking in a hurried manner, “Vijay, what's happening here? Where am I? And how did we get married? We both were from different religions.” Vijay tried to calm her down and make her understand, “Leena, calm down. I know this is shocking for you. I will explain everything.” Leena started listening silently. Vijay further said, “First thing, you are in Auckland, New Zealand. We shifted here 5 years ago after our marriage. The year we have now is 2036, but you have memories up to 2022. In 2022, you suffered an incident where you lost some of your memories. Today, you have regained your past memories, but due to that, you don’t remember what happened between 2022 and 2036, my guess.”

  Leena couldn’t understand what he was trying to say. She interrupted him and asked, “Vijay, everything is bouncing around in my brain. Please explain each and every event.” Vijay agreed to that and said, “Okay, let me explain what happened on 15th April 2022.” Vijay started narrating the past.

  The timeline shifts to 15th April 2022 , where we see 19-year-old Vijay going to a shop to buy something. He had recently moved on from his first love, Leena, although it was only a one-sided love. Despite not being in touch with her for the past three years, sometimes understanding love in its true sense can be difficult. Even though it was a one-sided love, waiting for such a long period made it challenging to comprehend. As he walked, he unexpectedly saw her.

  Leena, the love of his life once, was heading to her friend’s house. Seeing her again evoked a mixed reaction in Vijay. However, he decided not to try to contact her. After walking away some distance, he heard a sudden skidding sound of a car. He turned and walked towards the sound, only to witness Leena lying in a pool of blood. His hands and legs started trembling, unsure of what to do. He instantly tried to wake her up, but she remained unconscious. With the help of local people, he admitted her to the nearby hospital.

  After a few moments, we see him standing outside the operation theatre, praying for Leena's recovery. In the midst of his prayers, Leena’s family arrived at the hospital. Her family consisted of four members: her dad, mom, Leena, and her brother. They were distraught upon seeing Leena in such a state. Vijay refrained from approaching them, as their distressed state saddened him. Eventually, Leena noticed him.

  He introduced himself, “Are you...?” Vijay nodded, “Yes, uncle. I'm Vijay, Leena’s classmate from 10th grade.” Her father thanked him, and Vijay responded, “It’s okay, uncle.” Meanwhile, the doctor came out of the operation theatre, confirming that Leena was out of danger but in an unconscious state. He mentioned she would be transferred to the ICU ward for observation.

  Feeling relieved, Leena’s family expressed their gratitude towards Vijay. Even Lucas, Leena’s brother, recognized Vijay. Afterward, Vijay left the hospital, where he encountered Leena’s classmate, Agnes. She inquired why he was there, knowing about the proposal incident. Vijay narrated everything, and upon hearing that, she thanked him before he left.

  The following day, Vijay texted Agnes about Leena’s health. She responded that Leena was still unconscious. Vijay asked if she planned to visit Leena that day, to which Agnes replied affirmatively. Then, he asked if he could accompany her, to which she agreed after some hesitation.

  During their visit, Agnes asked him, “Vijay, it’s been almost four years. Do you still love her?” Vijay responded, “If you had asked me the same question six months ago, my answer would have been different. But now, I have moved on completely. I came to see her to ensure she’s fine.” Agnes nodded in response.

  Before meeting Leena, they encountered her mother outside the ICU ward. While they were conversing, they heard Leena shouting from inside the ward. Rushing in, they saw Leena in a shocked state. Upon seeing her mother, Agnes, and Vijay, she asked, “Who am I? Where am I?”

  Vijay felt his heart skip as he watched Leena’s confusion and fear. Her mother tried to calm her, saying, “Leena, it’s me, your mom. You’re in the hospital. You had an accident.” But Leena couldn’t understand those; she responded, “Mom? Accident? Leena? I don’t know all this.” Agnes stepped forward, “Leena, look at me. Do you recognize me? I am Agnes. I am your best friend.” Still, Leena shook her head in disagreement.

  Vijay recognized that Leena didn’t remember anything. So he stepped forward and tried to calm her down first, saying, “Hey, hey, calm down. Relax. I know what you're going through. You don’t know anything, neither about yourself, nor about your mom, dad, or Agnes. If you calm down, we will explain everything.” Vijay's words gave Leena some comfort. She agreed, and Vijay started explaining, “Your name is Leena. You are a first-year B.Com student. This is your mom, Christy, and she is your best friend, Agnes. You have a father and a brother. Also, my name is Vijay. I was your classmate in 10th grade. Actually, two days ago, you met with an accident. Due to head injuries, you can’t remember anything. Can you grasp all of this?”

  Leena, now understanding what happened, responded with a relieved “Yay.” Vijay then said, “Mom and I will go and call the doctor. Agnes will stay here with you.” Leena agreed, and Vijay along with Leena’s mom went to call the doctor. The doctor arrived and conducted some tests. Then, Leena’s parents met with the doctor along with Vijay, where the doctor confirmed that Leena had lost her memories and was suffering from retrograde amnesia.

  The doctor explained, “She has just lost her memories. She still retains the knowledge of what she has learned. If we administer proper medication, her memories could potentially come back. However, I cannot guarantee a 100% recovery of her memories. It is essential to take care of her preciously. Introducing her to friends, family, and familiar places where she used to go frequently could be beneficial. Familiarity might aid in her recovery process.”

  Vijay and Leena's parents listened intently to the doctor's instructions, their hearts heavy with concern for Leena's well-being. After the doctor left, they gathered around Leena, offering words of comfort and reassurance.

  As the weeks passed, Vijay continued to visit Leena regularly, providing her with support and companionship during her recovery. Their conversations became more extensive and meaningful over time, delving into various topics of the present. Leena's family appreciated Vijay's consistent presence and the compassion he showed towards Leena. 

  Throughout this period, Vijay maintained a close friendship with Leena, and neither he nor Agnes mentioned the proposal incident from their past. They understood the importance of preserving their friendship and didn't want anything to jeopardize the positive dynamic they had developed. So, their bond grew stronger without the weight of past romantic confessions hanging over them.

  The day shifts to the present timeline. As Vijay finishes recounting the events of how Leena lost her memories, he observes her sitting beside him, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. Leena's mind races with questions, her memories still fragmented and elusive. “Vijay, I... I don't know what to say. It all feels so surreal.” Vijay reaches out, gently placing a comforting hand on Leena's shoulder. “I understand, Leena. It's a lot to process. But I will help you. We'll get through this together, I promise.”

  At that time, someone knocked at the door. Vijay's eyes glanced at the clock. The time was 3:25 p.m. In that moment, he said, “Oh shit, I totally forgot, Prabha has arrived from school.” After saying that, he got up from the sofa. Leena asked, “Who is Prabha?” Vijay responded, “He is our son.” Leena asked in shock, “Wait, do we have a son?” Vijay responded, “Oh, come on, Leena, it’s been 7 years since we married. We have a son named Prabhakaran that I forgot to tell you.” After saying this, Vijay went to welcome him.

  Vijay welcomed him, saying, “Welcome, Junior.” Prabhakaran responded, “Dad, what a surprise! How come you came home early from the office?” Vijay smiled warmly at his son, Prabhakaran, “Well, I took a day off, that's all.” Prabhakaran then asked, “Where is mom?” Vijay responded, “She is in the living hall. How was your day?” Vijay started narrating the events of what happened at school, and both of them walked into the living hall.

  As soon as Prabhakaran sees Leena, he rushes to her and starts narrating how his day went at school. Leena couldn’t believe she had a son. Her eyes were fixed on him, noticing how much Prabhakaran resembled her. Leena was totally frozen. At that moment, Vijay interjected, “Prabha, don’t disturb your mom. She is not feeling well today.” Prabhakaran touched Leena’s head and neck. He asked, “Are you feeling sick, Mom?”

  Leena was touched by his concern. She responded in a low voice, “Just a headache, that's all.” Vijay then added, “She can take care of yourself. You go and change your clothes. Let’s have lunch.” Prabhakaran agreed and went to his room. Vijay said to Leena, “Leena, let's have lunch. Come to the dining room.” She nodded in agreement. After that, they all had their lunch.

  After their lunch, Prabhakaran went to watch some animated shows. In the meantime, we see Leena and Vijay in another room. Leena said, “Vijay, I really couldn’t see Prabha. His face and his actions totally touched my heart. I badly missed my motherhood. I experienced all those but forgot them.” Vijay touched her hand and said, “Leena, he is our son. You are still his mother. It might be new for you, but understand that it's still you.”

  Leena then asked, “What about my mom, dad, and brother?” As he heard the question, Vijay answered in a slightly trembling tone, “Your brother is settled in Hyderabad, working as a prompt engineer at NuvaAI company. Your mom is also with him.” Leena then asked, “What about my dad?”

  Vijay took a deep breath before continuing, his voice steady but tinged with emotion, “Your dad... he passed away three years ago due to cardiac arrest, Leena. It was a tough time for all of us.” Leena's eyes widened in shock and sorrow as she absorbed this news. “I... I don't remember any of this,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Vijay reached out and gently squeezed her hand. “I know, Leena. It's a lot to take in. But you're not alone.” Leena nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and overwhelming sadness for the loss she couldn't remember. She started feeling a headache. She said, “Vijay, I couldn’t able to take all this in at once. I am feeling a headache.” Vijay responded, “Oh, take a rest. The bedroom is upstairs.” She then took her leave.

  She entered the bedroom, her eyes shedding tears for the major events in her life that she had completely forgotten. As Leena lay on the bed, the weight of her forgotten memories pressed heavily on her mind, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and confusion. The events Vijay had recounted seemed like scenes from a distant dream, disconnected from her current reality. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, hoping for some respite in the world of dreams.