Youssef woke up in the hospital, remembering only that he had been in the forest. His wife entered crying and apologizing, but he didn't understand why she was sorry—or why he felt uneasy around her.
Sarah approached Youssef, then the doctor came in and told her that Youssef had lost his memory, and that he only remembered being married with children. At that moment, Sarah's expression changed and she stopped apologizing. The doctor left the room.
Youssef: Why were you apologizing?
Sarah: I don't know… I thought you were angry with me.
Youssef: Why would I be angry? What happened before I ended up in the hospital?
Sarah: Just rest now, my love.
Youssef: Were we fighting?
Sarah: Yes, but it doesn't matter now.
Youssef: Why were we fighting?
Sarah: The doctor told you to rest.
Visiting hours ended, so Sarah left, and Youssef fell asleep.
He woke up to the sound of the TV—it was on. He opened his eyes fully and saw a man sitting in a chair near the window, wearing a mask that covered his entire face.
Youssef felt afraid.
Youssef: Who are you? Do I know you?
Strange Man: Maybe.
Youssef: What do you mean?
Strange Man: No, we haven't met in human form… but yes, we met when you were a wolf.
Youssef: I've lost part of my memory, but I'm not stupid.
Strange Man: I'm the wolf that bit you.
Youssef (sarcastic): So now I'm a werewolf?
Strange Man: You can become a wolf—or any other animal—if you want.
Youssef: Great. Then I want to turn into a bird. (sarcastic)
Strange Man: You can. All you have to do is close your eyes and imagine it.
Youssef did as he was told. He transformed into a bird for a moment, flew around the room, then returned to his human form, breathing heavily. He was stunned, unable to understand what had just happened.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Sarah came in and looked at the strange man.
Sarah: Youssef, who is this?
Youssef: Umm… a friend.
Sarah (eyeing the strange man with a forced smile): Youssef never told me about you.
Strange Man: We just met.
Then he said,
Strange Man: Well, until next time.
And he left the room.
Sarah: You didn't tell me you had new friends.
Youssef (calmly): That doesn't matter now… Tell me about us, about our family. Were we happy?
Sarah (softly smiling): Yes, we were. We have two beautiful children… Adam and Eva.
Youssef (sighing, doubt in his eyes): Then why do I feel like something was wrong between us?
Tension crept across his face; his lips trembled despite his still handsome features.
Sarah (quietly): Every family has good days and bad days, Youssef…
Youssef (looking directly at her): But why were you apologizing that day? What really happened?
Sarah (looking away, a tear silently falling): Please… stop. It was just a small fight… and—
Youssef still felt something strange, a sense of unease that haunted him whenever he tried to remember that mysterious day.
Suddenly, before Sarah could continue, the doctor entered. The room grew heavy with silence.
The doctor forced a polite smile as he spoke to Youssef:
Doctor: You're lucky. Mrs. Sarah cares for you deeply.
He examined Youssef quickly, then left the room without another word. Sarah followed a moment later, her eyes lingering on Youssef as if she wanted to say something… but couldn't. She walked out behind the doctor, leaving Youssef alone in the room, surrounded by suffocating silence and unanswered questions.
He whispered to himself:
Youssef: Something doesn't add up… her smile, her tears, my blurry memories… was it really just a fight?