As I turned into the driveway, my stomach somersaulted and I looked very anxiously at my wife, beside me. She patted my hand and said that everything will be all right. I looked at the rear mirror, studying the serious looking child who was looking out of the window. He looked so lost and fragile.

As I parked and got off the car, the giant wooden door quickly opened and the ancient looking butler of the house quickly came out to greet us, saying that his ‘Master’ was expecting us. The sober child in the black suit remains seated and had to be cajoled to come out of the car. My wife quickly knelt down in front of the child, ruffled his hair and gave him a warm smile and assured him that it’s all right as we are both with him, no matter what would happen.

As I straighten my shoulders, I looked upon heaven, holding my tears back, said a silent prayer, asking heaven to grant me the courage and asking sweet Nano help me to protect her only child whom she had left behind in this wretched cruel world. The ancient butler led us into an eerily alleyway, towards the study room. I wonder how did my friend, Dave, manage his miserable childhood in this house, with an authoritarian father who could not stand his rebellious heir’s attitude until the terrible accident six years ago.

I could not stop the butterflies in my stomach as my steps bring me closer to the study room. I looked at my wife and she holds my hand and the hand of the sober child. The look on the six years old child and the way he was holding on to Camellia’s hand so tightly was as if she would run away anytime. Putting an outward brave front, I waited while the butler knocked the large forbidden door, which was quickly opened by a seriously looking young man in his mid thirties.

Dave who was looking out of the window, quickly turned to look at us, with a wide smile on his face. His smile could melt the heart of any woman, just like he did with Nano. Upon seeing me, Dave took three big steps and quickly hugged me and greeted Camellia. He leads us to a big ebony coloured chesterfield couch, near the fireplace. I told Dave that I was expecting to see his father, at which Dave burst out laughing very loudly. Dave’s laughter sounded very strange to my ears and my heart was pounding very loudly. “What’s happening?” I silently asked this question to myself and quickly look at David. He was no longer the stranger to me but my usual partner in crime.

David was sitting very closed to my wife, with his head down. I was brought from my deep thoughts by Dave’s voice. I apologised for my rudeness and realised that Dave was asking me about David. Dave’s question caught me off guard. I stared at Dave, dumbfounded, at lost on how to reply to Dave. I sprang out of the couch and started pacing to and fro on the carpeted floor. Dave laughingly told me to stop pacing to and fro for my pacing will further worn-out the threadbare carpet.

I looked at Dave. He looked so innocent, knowing nothing about his child. Dave had lost most of his memories after the accident and had to be taught all his gross motor skills all over again. His tyrant father had done his best to ensure that Dave was given a fresh fake memory, created at the whims and fancy of his father and kept his son away from the public eyes for few years after the accident.

I thank God that Dave tyrant father did not erase me off from Dave’s memory, for the mean manipulated old man needed me badly for his son. He also extracted a promise from me, that I should not reveal anything to Dave, while Dave recovered from his accident and amnesia. And if I ever did, the malicious man swore that he would make sure that I would have no one to cry for me over my grave.  Knowing what Dave’s father was capable of, I kept my promise to Dave’s father, not because I was afraid of him but because of the promise taken by Nano four years ago, my wife’s sworn sister upon learning that she was pregnant with Dave’s child.

My wife’s coughing brought me to senses. I realised that my handsome friend was now sitting behind the big Burmese Rosewood desk, giving me a devilish smile. “You know Neil, I have missed you very much,” Dave said very softly. I have been so miserable and I do not know whom to talk too. I have been plagued and troubled by flashes of memories and recently they have been very often. I know, Neil that those are my memories and I am afraid of confiding in Dr Reid for I am sure he would talk to dad about it. Neil, I also know dad and myself do not see eye to eye. There are also flashes of him treating mom and me cruelly and beating me for being rebellious.”

“I also remembered our trip to the mountain and camping there at night to watch the stars. How we cooked the fish, which we caught in the river over the fire, Dave said.” I was shocked and flabbergasted. I did not know that Dave’s memory was slowly coming back. I was elated at the same time. My friend was coming back to me. I nodded with happiness and quickly walked over to hug Dave. “I am so happy to have you back with me, my dear friend.” I have missed you too, stranger. So the old man is not aware?” Thanks God Dave, I said. Is there anyone else you remember beside me?” Dave said he remembered Camellia and attending our wedding, mentioned some random friends of ours from the university and mostly getting beaten from his father and he rebelling more against the old man. He also remembered his mother dying of heart ailment too and the old butler comforting and loving him more like a son than the master’s son.

I was like a fool. I was so happy and smiling at Dave with tears in my eyes. Dave’s next revelation freaked me out. Dave told me that very frequently he has seen flashes of a young beautiful woman with dark emerald green eyes, who called him lovingly and looked at him with so much of love in her eyes. All Dave could said was that the figure was not clear to him and no matter how much he tried, he could not figure out who she was and asked me if she was one of our friend from the campus. I kept numb about it and asked Dave if he could give more information. Dave just shook his head. I then told Dave not worry and to concentrate on getting better and stronger not for his dad’s sake but for his own sake.

Dave gave me a weak smile and sat on the chair again. “One day, I will get my memory back and I would know that beautiful lady in my memory.” I could hear the beating of my own heart. Oh! God. How am I going to break the news to Dave that the woman in his memory was no other but Nano, his lover, whom he had loved and the mother of his child, who was no longer alive.

Oh Nano! How could you cruelly leave the world while Dave was still struggling with his amnesia and leave it to me to inform Dave about your existence. Though Dave was now slowly on his way to recovery after four and a half years, but he still does not remember his rebellious nature and how he turned over a new leaf only after meeting the orphaned Nano. Nano, who had so much of love to give away and who always put others to shame with her good and laughing nature.

Camellia, my wife and Nano were both orphaned at a young age. They grew up in an orphanage. Nano was a year older than Camellia. Both meet in the orphanage when Camellia aunt, who often beat Camellia, left Camellia cruelly at the orphanage. When Nano was first sent to the orphanage, she was the first to stand up against bullies who harassed the quiet and fearful. Under Nano’s care, Camellia grew up to be a beautiful, strong, loved and well protected. As years go by, their friendship bond grew stronger and stronger. Both could not be separated from each other and when Nano left the orphanage at the age of twenty-four, she brought Camellia out with her and promised my sweet wife that they will be sisters forever and ever.

It was through Dave and Nano that I met my beautiful wife. Nano would often warn me if she sees any tears in Camellia’s eyes, she would have my soul. She was like a lioness, protecting her cub. As I got to know Nano better, I could see why Dave was such a gentle lamb under Nano’s care. Nano has the charisma to make people fall in love with her. She was a perfect lover to Dave, a perfect “mother” to Camellia and a perfect sister to me. How could I pay her back for reforming two rakes into wonderful men but alas for one who now has no memory of her but only in his dream now.

While I was still in deep thoughts and reminiscing over all the past, I heard Dave’s loud voice in my ears. It was a habit of Dave to shout into my ears whenever I was not paying attention to him. For a moment, I could see Dave’s playful nature and the mischievous look in his eyes. I wanted to reprimand Dave for his silliness when all of a sudden Dave became very serious. “Neil! Dave said seriously “I am asking you again whose child (pointing to David)?” I was caught off guard again. Cat got my tongue. I looked bewilderedly both at my wife and David simultaneously. I could not bring myself to answer Dave’s question. As Dave questioned me the second time again regarding David, I muttered the only thing I could think about. “Dave, does your dad know anything about the beautiful lady in your dream?” Dave shook his head and overlooked at the beautiful garden outside his window. “Neil, you do know the woman in my dream and memory, don’t you?”

I looked at Dave, nodded my head and quickly turned to look at my wife, who now had David on her lap with protective arms around him, with tears beaming in her eyes. “Where is she now, Neil? Where is she now, Dave asked again in a soft voice? Will you bring her to me or can I meet her? Perhaps she can be of help to me.” I looked at Dave, who looked at me with so much of hope in his eyes. Hope that the unknown woman in his memory would be another piece of puzzle of his lost memory. Dave was looking at me with so much of plead in his eyes. “Neil, bring me to that woman now? I looked at Dave, shaking my head and said out the words that I really wanted to say. “Dave, she is dead. She was your lover and that child there is your son. He is yours, Dave. He is all you have left of that woman, whom you very much want to meet and he is the only link you have.

“What rubbish are you talking about?  An angry voice said near the door way.” Both Dave and myself were startled. We were so engrossed in our talking that we did not hear the study door opening. Dave’s father was standing at the doorway, listening to our talk. I stood there like a stone. But it was Dave who answered to his father, saying that he needed to know and has the right to know, since it was his life and part of his lost memory. Dave father was full of apoplexy and his eyes were throwing daggers at me. If I would have been any weaker, I would have fainted but I just stood there by the window, looking at him with so much of hatred and loathing him for causing the death of Nano.

David’s cry caught my attention and my first instinct was to protect Camellia and David. I quickly walked over to Camellia and lifted David into my arms, protecting him and consoling him soft voice. The poor child was sobbing quietly and shivering in my arms. I kept rubbing David’s back and at the same time, uttering cooing words to him. Holding David tightly against me, I took few steps to Dave and said over my shoulder, loud enough for Dave’s father to hear. “Dave, I said, I will tell who this unknown woman is even though you have no memories of hers. The hitting of the walking stick against the study door and the roaring of Dave’s father could no longer detain me.

I had no choice but to turn around and shouted at the old tyrant and asked him “What can you do now? The woman is dead. The same woman who had pleaded with you on her knees, begging you to let her stay with Dave while he (Dave) was in the hospital fighting for his live. The very woman who was there everyday until Dave was out of critical condition. I further continued and said, “You spotted her one day and had dragged her from her hair from the hospital. You pushed her onto the floor and started accusing her of manipulating and stealing your son away from you, calling her a shameless slut who was only after Dave’s money.

I further went to ask Dave’s father if he remembered calling Nano to his office, throwing a large sum of money on her face and telling her to leave Dave alone. I was furiously angry with Dave’s father. I went on and said, “You Sir!….When she had refused the money saying that she loved Dave more than anything else, you had slapped her hard across the cheek. You further warned her that if you ever found her near Dave or anywhere near him, you would make sure that she would be sorry for all her life. And when she had stood by her love for Dave, you got your bodyguards to throw her out of your office. You gave authority to your bodyguards to further abuse and insult her.” My timely arrival had protected her from any further insult and stopped her shivering and a bleeding nose.”

Even though Dave’s father eyes were shooting daggers at me but there were no answers to my questions or a rebuttal from the old man. Dave needed to know the truth since he had lost his memory after the accident. “Look, Dave. Looked this is your child. David was now clinging very tightly to me, almost to a choking point. I kept rubbing his back while talking to Dave. Gently shifting David in my arms, I turned David’s face to Dave. Looking deeply into Dave’s eyes, I said solemnly to Dave. “He is yours. You could do a DNA test or whatever you want to do, as God’s promise Dave, this is your child. This is the child of the woman, whom you badly want to meet. You had met her and lost her forever to death. Dave, she was expecting your child and when she realised it, she was so afraid because you were in the hospital, in critical condition. When you have passed the critical moments, she was very relieved and happy but was caught by your father.

“Dave, I said. “Nano, that’s your lover’s name. She could not bring herself to tell anyone about her pregnancy, as she was afraid that your father would go all the way to harm her and her unborn child. The child was her only hope and her gift of loving you with no conditions.” “Dave, Nano had confided to Camellia and to me. She said you wanted a child very badly. But I could do nothing to help Nano due you had lost your memory and could not remember no one except my face and my name, Neil.”

All these while, Dave was looking at me, so lost and confused. He slowly extended his right arm, which was trembling, and tentatively touched David’s tear stricken face. David was so nervous and trembling in my arms but he was brave enough to let Dave touch him gently on the cheeks. After a couple of unbearable silence, Dave said to David in shaking voice, “Your are definitely mine for I see my younger self in you, especially your eyes.” There were tears in Dave’s eyes. No matter how much he tried to blink it away, it rolled down his cheeks. I don’t know what emotions took over Dave. Giving a loud cry of anguished Dave quickly engulfed David and me into his embrace. He was sobbing for I could see the shaking of his shoulders. I hugged Dave tightly, giving him all comfort and love from my heart. I don’t know how long we stood there, hugging and comforting each other with David in between us.

We were brought to our senses by the shutting of the wooden door loudly. Dave father had left the study, finally knowing that his son was lost to him forever. Camellia came over to us and gave Dave a quick hug and a peck on his cheek and carried David from the warmth of my arms. David the poor child was oblivious to what was happening around him. Shifting David in a comfortable position in her arms, Camellia told David to address Dave as “Daddy” for Dave was his father. She further went to explain to David that she and pointing to me would always be his guardian angles, loving and protecting from him all dangers. David leaned forward and whispered something into Camellia’s ears, which had Camellia smiling and nodding her head in agreement, with tears gleaming in her eyes.

With the acknowledgement from Camellia, David quickly turned his face to Dave and softly said the word that I have been dying to hear from David’s mouth. “Papa” David said softly. My heart was pounding loudly in my ears, waiting for Dave’ s response. Dave’s reaction caught me by surprise. He took three big steps towards Camellia and reached to carry David. David learned forward to Dave and went willingly into Dave’s arms. Dave hugged David so tightly, burying his head in David’s small shoulder, crying and kissing David at the same time.  I stood looking back and forth from Camellia to Dave’s direction. At this moment I deeply wished Nano to be alive to watch this beautiful reunion between a father who had not known that he had a six years old son and a son who knew that he had a father but who can’t remember him. It was such a touching moment and I wanted to capture this moment in my mind and heart forever.  I only realised that both Camellia and myself were crying when I tasted my own salty tears in my mouth.

“Papa”, David said, trying to get out of Dave’s embrace. Knowing David that little rabbit was restless now with too much of things going around him and it was more than enough for today. Dave put David down and gently ruffled his hair. David walked over to Camellia and insisted on being carried, claiming to be sleepy. I happened to glimpse a hurtful look in Dave’s eyes and gently reminded Dave to give David sometime to get used to him as things were going too fast for the young child. We were interrupted by a loud knock on the door and Dave gave permission to enter. The old ancient butler walked in claiming that it was beyond lunchtime and he had taken the opportunity to prepare high tea for us. With all the commotion going around us, even though none of us were hungry, Dave gesture us to have something to eat in order to keep the old man’s heart. I know Dave always have a soft sport for his old butler, who was more than a butler to Dave.

We followed the old butler out into the dining room. There was no sign of Dave’s father. We were told that the master of the house has retired for the day and not to be disturbed. Camellia had to cajoled David to eat whatever he wanted for the child too had refused to eat anything in the morning. Dave was still looking intensely at David. I knew Dave was dying to ask me more information about Nano and David but was holding back. David took a few slices of cheese biscuits and a piece of tomato and cheese sandwich. Upon seeing David with his cheese biscuits and sandwich, Dave grabbed my hand and looked at me, with a question in his eyes. I shake my head, for I knew the question. I told Dave softly that anything that has got to do with cheese and tomatoes were David’s favourite and David had got Dave’s taste bud and preference for cheese and tomatoes too. He was no doubt Dave’s blood and flesh, which made Dave smile lovingly at David, who was eating his tomato and cheese sandwich happily.

After tea was over, I informed Dave that I have over stayed my welcome and need to leave. I informed Dave that I would bring David back home with me and Dave was always welcome to visit Dave whenever he wanted. And hopefully David will be accustomed to Dave and perhaps one day Dave can bring his son back home, where he belongs. Dave totally agreed with my suggestion and upon giving David a kiss on his forehead, he bid us goodbye at the driveway, promising David to visit him soon.

As time goes by, Dave was frequent face at our house, playing with my children Lily, Sam and David. I have never seen a happier Dave. Dave claimed that he had started his therapy with his neurologist friend instead of Dr Reid and was seriously following up with his therapist session to get his memory back as much as he can. It was almost more than four months since Dave started coming to my place after work or whenever he got the time. One day Dave came over to my place, full of anxiety and shaking all over as if he was running a fever. He was shaking and crying so badly that we had to settle him down before asking him any questions. I assured Dave that we would always be there for him and David and to take his time to settle his pent up emotions.

After taking control of his emotions, he confided to us that he had got a good flashback memory of Nano, wearing her favourite purple blouse, with her long hair tied up in a loose bun around her neck. Both of them were in their favourite park by the lake, sun tanning in the afternoon sun when she got serious and confided to him that they both need to have a serious talk about their future.

Grabbing my hand tightly, Dave next revelation almost stopped my heartbeat. “Neil, this is my Nano, my green eyed lover with whom I fell deeply in love. I know her. I know her, my friend and how could I have not remembered her all these years. Why? Oh God why? Neil, she did inform me about her suspicion of being pregnant with my child. You know she being very stubborn has insisted that it could also be a delayed in her cycle too for she has no sign and symptoms of pregnancy. Grabbing my hand tighter, Dave next revealed that he remembered having a fight with his dad before his accident. He had informed the old tyrant that he was going to marry Nano, no matter what and the old can go to hell”. Dave further continued, “Neil, my friend I was going to meet her and marry her on the very day I left my dad’s house angrily. That was the same day that I got into the accident with an on coming truck. By now, Dave was crying uncontrollably as if his world has shattered into thousand of pieces that could not be mended. Reality hit me. My friend finally got his full memory after six years and I do not know whether to cry or to be happy over my friend’s recovery.

I sat dumbfounded on the sofa, hugging Dave like a child. We had so much of bound with each other as we were terrible rakes in our university days. We were more of blood brothers than good friends. Camellia quietly got up to make coffee for us, knowing our preference of coffee over tea and also to give Dave the privacy he needed. I encouraged Dave to express his emotions and cry out his hurt feelings for himself and for Nano. As for myself, I was lost in my own thoughts. I don’t remember Nano confiding in Camellia or me that Dave knew about the pregnancy or the marriage proposal. Nano must have been pretty shaken after Dave’s accident and the threat and treatment she had received from that old tyrant father of Dave.

Camellia walked in with the coffee tray and some snacks just as Dave was getting control of his emotion. Leaving the coffee tray on the coffee table, she quietly exited, giving us more privacy. I reassured Dave that it was all right to voice his fear, anger, frustration and loss of love one. Dave further revealed that he remembered how he met Nano and what a selfish rake he was while in the university. I sat next to Dave and laughingly said, “Look Dave, both of us were top class selfish rakes who got no respect for others until we met our other half. Do you remember Camellia is Nano’s sworn sister, I asked Dave?” Dave nodded his head and said in a soft voice, “Neil, I got back my full memory.”

Looking directly in my eyes, Dave continued and said, “I remembered being crazily in love with Nano and her emerald green eyes. It was her eyes that attracted me to her. I first saw her in the convenience store near our University campus. I was flirting with Ruth, the cashier. Nano had given me a hard cold stare with her green eyes and shook her head in disgust. She paid for her items and left the store in hurry.” Dave was silence for few seconds and with tears rolling down his cheeks, he said, “Neil, I remembered shadowing her shamelessly everywhere for four months. I pursued her until she has no choice but to accept me.” Dave started laughing and I looked at him with a puzzle look on my face. “What happened?” I asked. Dave shook his head and said; “One day while I was kissing Nano passionately, I ended up crying her in arms. That was the time that I realised that I could give up my life for her.” She became my “Mary and I her gentle lamb.” That’s what Nano used to call me lovingly, “My gentle lamb” and would lovingly feed me and hug me every time she sees me.”

“Neil, the reason why she used to hug me every time was because she felt that I was deprived of love, was lonely and no one to confide too. She was right. I was totally insecure.  She had so much of love to give me. She filled my heart with such pure love that I felt I would die if she was not around. I also remembered her face lightening up with so much of joy when I bought her hoop earrings for two dollars from the opportunity shop in our campus. It was as if I have put the whole world in her feet. She jumped into my arms and kissed me and kept thanking me for the earrings. She insisted I put on the earrings for her and said so sincerely that the earrings were the most precious gift she had ever received and she would wear it always as a token of my love for her.”

Dave sat on the sofa with pin dropped silence. He was crying silently. I could see tears kept rolling down his cheeks. Suddenly looking at me, Dave said, “Neil, how could I ever forget the woman who made me the centre of her life. Whatever she does, I was always her priority. She always had me in her mind and heart. I think that’s what changed me, Nano’s unconditional love for me. She never asked anything from me and she knew I rarely received pocket money from the old tyrant. She had always encouraged me to study hard and be a better man in the society. Neil, I should have married her the day she confessed that she may be pregnant with my child. I constantly pestered her to have an intimate relationship with me and told her about my desire to belong and to be loved. I even told her openly that I badly wanted a child with her.” “Neil, how stupid and selfish could I be? I only thought about myself and my desire but Nano, Nano thought and cared about me and my desires.”

Dave started sobbing loudly again. I got up from the couch and went over and engulfed Dave into my arms. “Dave, cry out your heart brother. We all missed her. You know she died when David was about nineteen months. You lost your memory and could not remember her. Whenever I visited you, Nano would wait for my return to update her regarding your condition. Even though there was an anguished and painful look in her eyes, she would never shed tears and was always hugging David close to her chest. One day I overheard her telling Camellia that “David was her love child and a precious gift bestowed to her by her lover who had no memories of her now.”

I continued and said solemnly, “Dave, I have never see her crying. She was always cheerful. Deep down both Camellia and I know that she died broken hearted. She was yearning for you deeply but kept all her feelings to herself. She never blames you for anything. Her illness was just an excuse. On her dead bed, I promised her that I would reunite David with you, no matter what happened. I vowed to her that I would ensure that you would remember her and never forget about her. I also gave Nano my word of honour that in an event if your memory did not return, I would raise David as my own child and even had legal paper drawn up for David to be listed as Camellia and my own blood and flesh.” Upon hearing this, Dave started sobbing loudly and started hitting his chest. All I could do was embrace Dave into my embrace again and let him cry out his pent up emotions, his lost of Nano and all the things that had been dear to him.

I do not know how long I sat with Dave in my embrace. We were interrupted by Camellia knocking on the door. Upon my permission to enter, Camellia said that David has got something for his papa. Dave quickly looked up and wiped his tears. David timidly walked into the drawing room, followed by Sam and Lily (my children). Standing in front of Dave, David said, “Don’t cry, Papa. I am here for you. Sam and Lily are also here for you too. Papa Neil and mama Camellia always talk about you and how much you love my mommy and how much you have missed mommy and me. Papa, now that mommy is not around, I will love you and you can love all of us. Mama Camellia has a gift for you that has been left for you, papa.” With these words spoken, David hugged Dave, followed by Sam and Lily. My heart was breaking, seeing the innocent love the kids had for Dave. There was no pretence in their affection. Tears were forming in my eyes when David turned and hugged me too. “I love you Papa Neil,” David said with a smile on his face.

Turning to Camellia, David asked, “Mama Camellia, can my papa have his gift?” I stood up and Camellia came over and passed an envelope to Dave. Standing in front of Dave, she lifted David onto Dave’s lap and had Sam and Lily seated next to Dave. Dave gave a puzzle look at me but I smile and asked him to open the envelope. With shaking hands, Dave opened the envelope. The first thing that came into Dave’s hands was the hoop earring, which he had bought for Nano. Next were David’s pictures; an image of David as an infant in ultrasound image; as an infant, as a toddler and various pictures of David in his pre-schooler uniform. There was a letter too, which Dave folded and put it into his shirt’s pocket. Dave looked at me with tears filled eyes and mouthed the word “Thank you.” Next he hugged David closed to his chest and kissed him on his head. On seeing David getting a kissed from Dave, Sam and Lily insisted on having a hug and a kiss too. Dave gave them a big hug and kissed all the three children one by one on their forehead. The kids started laughing and giggling at each other and started running towards the door.

With the children gone, Dave looked at Camellia and thanks her for keeping all the precious photos. Looking at Dave, Camellia cleared her throat and said softly, “Dave, there are more pictures of David and Nano too. They are in her room. Are you ready to go into her room? I left her room as it was. Things are left untouched too. I clean and dust the room every week. Would like to go to her room and have some private time with her?” Dave nodded his head and got up from the couch.

Camellia and I walked Dave to Nano’s room. Dave slowly opened the wooden door. Patting on Dave’s shoulder, I told Dave to have his personal time with Nano. Dave walked into Nano’s room and slowly shut the door behind him. Camellia and myself left Dave in Nano’s room and went over to play with the kids in the garden.

Dave went on his knees and let go a cried of deep anguish. It was so emotional for Dave to face Nano. Nano’s photo was framed in a wooden frame, engraved with her favourite flowers, calla lilies. There were fresh white calla lilies in a vase next to the picture too. Dave remembered Nano telling him that calla lilies were associated with holiness, faith and purity. Nano was exactly like the images Dave has in his dream and memory. She was wearing her favourite purple colour blouse, her hair in a loose bun and had the hoop earrings in her ears. She emerald green eyes were smiling, full of life and love. Dave slowly stood up and with wobbling legs went over to pick up Nano’s photo and slide down against the wall. Crying and hugging Nano’s picture to his heart, he kept crying and apologising to Nano for not remembering her and putting her in difficult situation. Dave apologised for all the things he could not do for Nano and for David. He apologised to Nano about the cruel treatment that she had received at his father’s hand. He asked Nano to forgive him for everything that he had done to her and vow to protect David now. He promised Nano that he would love David beyond his breath and will not let anyone harm David.

Dave has no idea how long he sat on the floor, with Nano’s picture in his arms. With shaking hands, Dave put Nano picture against the wall and slowly took out the letter from his pocket. Slowly unfolding the letter, Dave read the letter with silent tears rolling down his cheeks. Nano had declared her unconditional love for Dave and had never regretted giving birth to her love child for it was her most precious gift and joy that her lover had bestowed on her, an orphan woman who had no one to call her own. She further thanks Dave for all the love he had given to her. Nano further state that her only regrets were not being at Dave’s side while he was fighting for his life in the hospital for she was afraid of his father. She wished and prayed for a speedy recovery for Dave. She prayed that Dave would regain his consciousness and get his memory back so that he could be with his love child, David. Nano ended her letter by stating that she had never regretted loving him more than herself and giving him what he had always wanted, a child with her. Before signing off, she requested Dave to love his love child more than he (Dave) had loved her.

It was almost after a few hours when Dave finally walked into the garden with a very heavy heart. David on seeing Dave approaching ran towards Dave with his arms widely opened. Dave quickly stooped and kneels down and embraced David into his arms. “Papa, I love you,” David said loudly. Dave hugging David closed to his chest and kissing David on his head, said very loudly, “I love you too, my love child and silently thanked Nano for her gift of our love child…David.

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