To Surprise

Sig doubles over. Groans from my unexpected punch to his stomach. I pointedly wipe my mouth. Groan from his unexpected kiss to my lips. I glare at him with fire behind my eyes.

I yell, “What’s the matter with you! You shipwrecked beard-splitter! I ought to mark your face with my palm!”

Before I can do just that, Shuri comes to Sig’s aid. She says, “Serie wait! I mean, Mythriel. Sig is your groom.”

Sig wheezes, “I probably should’ve led with that—”

I look between Sig and Shuri. It feels like I was just slapped across the face. All I can say is, “What?”

Shuri continues, “Look at your hand, child. You have matching engagement rings.”

I look. A bronze ring adorns my left hand, smallest finger. Sig extends his hand to show a similar ring. Both feature a flower and a geode in their design. But the flower is more prominent in mine, where the geode is more prominent in his. He touches the rings together. Light breaks the surface from within. Hidden words become visible. On mine, ‘Forever yours. Love Sig.’ On his, ‘Forever yours. Love Mythriel.’

‘Love Mythriel’? I love Sig? I’m engaged to him? … Sickening!

I go to remove the ring. But I stop short. I can’t. Can’t bring myself to do it. The kiss was a shock. But it’s fading. Now I feel— bad. Like I want to apologize for punching him. Apologize for feeling sickened. Apologize for not remembering him.

Sig recovers from my punch. I stand there. Feeling apologetic. But I can’t say it. Looking at him makes me ruffled. Happy, annoyed, relieved, infuriated. Confused! My head hurts. I turn to Shuri instead.

“Did you know the whole time?” I ask.

She looks sheepish. Says, “Well— bronze isn’t the most popular material for an engagement ring, so I couldn’t be certain that’s what it was. And of course I couldn’t ask. But you did have it on the correct finger, so— yes, I suspected the whole time. I’m sorry child. You already had a lot to manage. I thought it might be best to wait.”

I suddenly feel exhausted. I glance at Sig. Happy, annoyed, relieved, infuriated. I look away.

“It’s okay. You were right not to tell me. This is a lot to take in. Might have been easier without the kiss.” I say, directing the last statement at Sig.

He also looks sheepish. “I thought it would be romantic. A kiss from your true love. Restores your memories. A story for the grandkids.”

He laughs. Awkwardly. I don’t laugh.

He clears his throat then continues, “Okay, I’m sorry. Maybe not my best idea. But it wasn’t for nothing. I did hope it would help. But I’m sorry. Truly.”

My anger fades. Faster than I would like. Perhaps it’s his genuine tone. Or the sincere look in his eyes. Or I actually do love him. Whatever it is. I forgive him. It’s a familiar feeling. As if this has happened before. I think perhaps I always have a hard time staying mad at him.

I release an exaggerated sigh. Say, “Okay. Your forgiven. Just don’t kiss me again unless I say so.”

“Yes boss!” Sig says with a deep bow. This makes me smile. He looks so ridiculous, I almost laugh.

I say, “What are you doing? You know what, don’t explain. I’ll understand once I get my memories back.”

Which reminds me why I’m there. I realize we’ve just been standing outside the hospital instead of going inside. I go to enter, but Marine comes out first. I hadn’t noticed her absence. She’s changed clothes. Her dress and jacket replaced with sterile looking shirt and pants. Which also reminds me, I would love to have some pants!

Marine stops us from going in. Instead, she directs us around the side. Tells us, “This way. I arranged for us to use one of the tents.”

Sig, Shuri and I follow Marine. Coral bounds next to her mother. Squeals, “You missed it, mum! It was exciting! I can’t wait to tell my friends everything that happened today!”

I imagine it. Coral talking to her friends. Tells them how she found an elf crying in a bush. Her mum had to rescue said elf. She taught said elf how to use the crosswalk. Took her to the hospital. Then said elf punched her groom. Yelled at him. Made everyone feel bad and awkward.

I wince. I’m such an idiot. Do I always have to jump to violence? What’s wrong with me? Stop being so violent!

Now I’m thinking about how I punched Sig. I feel guilty. Feel like I should apologize. But is it really my fault? I didn't really mean to punch him. It just sort of happened. There we were. My lips were touching his. I was surprised. Taken off guard. And before I knew it, my fist was buried in his gut. My logic makes me feel more guilty. If I’m going to apologize, I’d better do it now. Before I can change my mind. I say, “I’m sorry I punched you. I was just— not expecting to be kissed.”

Sig smiles at me. I have to look away. His smile makes me confused.

He says, “It’s alright. I should’ve thought that through a bit more. And hey, it wasn’t all for nothing. I got to learn something new about you. I never knew you could throw a punch like that. Once we get your memories back, you’ll have to tell me where you learned it.”

Once we get my memories back? I think he really means if. But I appreciate his confidence. It helps me feel better.

Our group rounds the corner of the hospital. Rows of large tents fill the space. Each marked with a number. Marine leads us in to tent number forty. It’s large enough inside that even Grat could stand comfortably. Marine directs me to sit on a table. I do, and Sig plants himself next to me. I half want to ask him not to. But he is my groom. I suppose I shouldn’t mind. Shuri takes a seat with Coral in the corner.

Marine says, “While we wait for Ebir, you can fill these out, and we can chat about how you came to lose your memories.”

She goes to hand me a board with some papers clipped to it. But Sig intercepts.

“Considering your lack of memories, I think I’ll have to fill these out for you.” He says.

Seeing I only just learned my real name. Can barely read. Have doubts I can write. I must admit he’s right. I let him. And feel more grateful to have him here with me.

“Who’s Ebir? The doctor?” I ask.

“No, he’s the elf liaison. I need him to approve my request to borrow their four aspect healer. I’m the doctor.” Marine says.

“Quite a good one, too.” Shuri comments.

“My mum’s amazing!” Coral adds.

Marine looks mildly put out. But also pleased. “Ahem. Well, I mostly specialize in chronic conditions. I don’t know much about trauma that could cause memory loss. No one at the hospital does, as far as I know. But I do help some seniors with their old age induced memory loss, so we’ll see what I can do. If anything.”

“Psh!” Shuri interjects. She says to Marine. “I know you’ve been reading those medical research papers that started coming out recently. If anyone can help, it’s you. You're the one I was bringing her to see in the first place.”

Marine rolls her eyes. Says, “Reading research and putting it into practice are two different things. I can barely follow those things. As I’ve told you before.”

Something finally dawns on me. I ask, “Do you know each other?”

Shuri answers, “Yes, we’re acquainted. I sometimes help at the hospital when I get the chance.”

Marine adds, “Yes, and she’s an incredible water shaper. Burn victims heal twice as fast after she treats them. And Coral loves the candy that Shuri brings her.”

Coral nods emphatically.

I smile at Coral. I don’t know what a water shaper is, but it sounds impressive. Compared to me, they both sound impressive. I ask Shuri, “Are you a doctor too?”

Shuri shakes her head. “Oh no! Just plenty of life experience. One hundred and eighty years, to be exact.”

My jaw drops.

Shuri chuckles at my reaction. Asks, “Is it that surprising? I do like to say I don’t look a day over one hundred and two, but how old did you think I was?”

I consider. Say, “Maybe fifty.”

“Oh! Oh child, you flatter me! At fifty, I was still traveling the world without a care. Your sense of age is quite mixed up. Must be from your memory loss. How old does Marine look to you?”

I examine Marine. Then guess, “Forty.”

Even with her dark skin, I can see the blush in her cheeks. “I’m eighty-three.” She corrects.

My jaw drops again.

“What about me?” Sig asks. He smiles at me. Clearly enjoying my struggle. Excited to see how off my guess will be. I want to say sixty, just to spite him. But he’s been nothing but kind. So I decide to give an honest effort.

“Twenty-five.” I guess.

Sig nods approvingly, “At least you were closer that time. I’m thirty-two. And may as well put you out of your misery. You are twenty-nine.”

Twenty-nine! I’m no child! I’m nearly a hag! What was I thinking? Acting like a helpless child this whole time? And I held Marine’s hand on the way here! I cover my face with my hands. Feel bright red embarrassment spreading all the way to the tips of my pointy ears. I wish to find a rock and crawl under it.

But Coral forces me to abandon that idea. She pipes up, “Me next! You have to guess how old I am now!”

For Coral, I uncover my face. Act composed. Though I know I’m still bright red. She looks at me expectantly with her bright, innocent eyes. Her cute twin buns. Which I remember, match my own. “Seven.” I say.

She gasps and squeals, “How did you know?!”

We four adults erupt in laughter. Coral joins in a little late. Despite how embarrassing it is, I’m incredibly grateful that Coral found me in that bush. She’s adorable, and I already love her like she were my own little sister. I get the feeling Cara, my important someone, is a similar age. It makes me wonder if she’s my little sister. Maybe Sig knows. I make it a priority to ask him later.

As our laughter dies down, a voice carries in from outside the tent.

“Hello? Healer Marine? It’s Ebir.”