Chapter 433 - The Price

Countless doctors he approached, but none could detect a mishap in his brain. He neither suffered an accident nor has a damaged brain to lose memories. Every doctor would tell him it's just a stress factor and advise a big medication list. But he knew those were baseless, and there was something off with him. Cluelessly, he searched for the reason until his paths accidentally crossed with the memory thief. There he learned the truth. She deliberately operated on him on someone's orders.

He promised Leena not to look for his memories when the blondie returned to Russia by creating a big misunderstanding between them, and he kept that promise intact. But knowing that it's Leena whom he has forgotten, he made up his mind to regain his memories, even if it comes with a price.

Back to the present, Devin stared at Walter's empty hands. ''You are going to bring back my memories without using medical equipment and medications?'' When he investigated doctor Walter's bio, Devin figured out he has been researching memory disorders. He wished at least he could help him in solving the mystery.

''Memories don't deal with medications, Devin. It's a false trope many assume.'' Walter said. ''When did you had an accident? It's a surprise that there is no news spread to the public. How did it happen?''

''Five years back...It was time when I went racing with a friend. It was a minor accident, so not a big deal..but I forgot memories of about six months. I get a trigger when I see the subject's genesis related to my past. I wanted to know if there is something important that happened in the six months.'' Devin lied. Telling him that he has lost memories of one person without an accident would be the most bizarre thing.

''I got it.'' Walter nodded as he lifted Devin's left arm. ''Close your eyes. We will start our first session."

"How many sessions before I gain my memories?"

"I can't assure you the number."

''Are you doing hypnotherapy?'' Devin questioned, eyes still open. ''I mean..you are not a psychologist.''

'''Is there a rule that neurologists shouldn't learn hypnosis?'' Walter extended Devin's left arm to feel for his pulse. ''My grandfather was a famous hypnotherapist. He taught me a little, and I practiced it through books. If you are still in doubt, rest assured. You are my nine hundred and tenth patient.''

''Now I trust in you.'' Admitted Devin before closing his eyes.

''Well..you are already under my command.'' Walter smiled, placing a finger at the arch of Devin's brows. ''How do you feel?'' He asked, gently massaging the acupressure point to stimulate the hormones.

''Relaxed.''

''Look up..'' Eyes still closed, Devin looked up like he had surrendered himself to Walter's command.

''Up...up..the more you try to open, the more your eyes get locked. Keep looking up..until I let you go...3.2.1..'' Walter pulled back his finger and snapped his finger in front of Devin's eyes. ''What do you hear?''

''Your voice.''

''What do you last remember before the accident?'' Walter asked. ''Ask your brain to recall, and open your memories.''

Devin's mind soundlessly rocked as the whirlwind of images cast against the closed eyelids. Fleeting memories were snapping, but none was concrete.

He was at a fashion show wearing a rabbit costume and then at a hilltop. In a matter of seconds, the location changed to under the waters covered in snow. He was swimming in the ice-cold waters aimlessly, the water moved in swirls, trapping him into its abyss. His hands hurt, legs refused to dive further, but his heart was in a desperate search to find her. 

He almost lost hope until he saw someone drowning deep into the lake. He knew it was none other than her. 'Leenaaa...' He soundlessly cried out in fear, holding her shoulders. But she has lost her consciousness to speak.

'Leena, wake up...' As he rescued her to the nearby shore, she was starting to fade out in his hands. Shortly after, the thundering voice of the same woman's voice, which he always hears when he looks for his memories, echoed into his ears. 

''I warned you to stop looking for your memories.'' Her voice roared at him, but he stood still this time despite the bleeding pain in his ears. 

''Why do you keep appearing to torture me. I am not going to let you take her into the mist this time.''

''Devin..''

''Open your eyes, Devin! Remember, you are still under my control.'' Walter screamed, but Devin refused to open his eyelids. ''You are losing focus. Get back here.''

What Walter didn't know was, Devin was operating his memories at his command. ''Let me see my Leena this time...please.'' His pleading voice fell on dead ears, but the blocked memory remained intact.

''Get back here. That's not your memories!'' Walter shouted, tapping Devin's shoulder vigorously.

''They are my fucking memories!'' His thunderous voice was deafening, gravelly penetrating Walter's soul. Walter took a step back in fear.

Devin shrieked open his eyes as the images slowly disappeared, leaving him in nothing but emptiness. His consciousness broke apart from his brain like a swimmer leaping up to the surface water. There was something cold under his eyes, and he reckoned it was his own tears unconsciously coursed down. Prying open his eyes, he blinked as he looked around, lost, and saw Walter looking at him, motionless as if thunder-stricken. 

''I am sorry.'' Racking his hands through his hair, he muttered. ''I lost_''

''You lied to me, right?'' Walter slowly took a step forward. ''You have opened your memories before. What happened during those six months? Why did you call Leena's name? or did you really suffer an accident?'' Walter stared at him, demanding answers. Devin almost had a panic attack, and if he hadn't stopped..he couldn't think of the consequences.

''I..I..I am..I didnot lie_''

''Look, Devin, It's clear that you are hiding something.'' Walter started. ''I am a doctor. I cannot treat a patient without knowing their illness. I need to know the complexity of your illness. Without that, I will not be any help to you.'' Walter sternly said. He received a call from Devin in the morning. Walter assumed Devin called him to talk about Leena's savior, but no...he had an accident, lost his memories, and wanted them back. Walter has helped many patients recover memories through therapies, and he assumed Devin's memories are the same, but his illness is not as easy as he believed.

A couple of seconds later, Devin started. ''I know it sounds weird, but I happened to lose memories of only one person. That is Leena. I remember the number of ads I modeled, I remember the number of employees working in my company, I remember almost every detail that happened in my life. Yet, I have no memories of Leena..her alone.''

''That's not possible.'' Walter shook his head. ''It's only in theories."

Devin unlocked his mobile and passed it to him. ''Look at the picture. You still think that it's all in theories? I am the implemented lab rat.''

Walter's face turned plane as he stared at the picture. ''This...''

''It's me. I never knew I saved Leena until I saw the picture.'' Devin explained.

''There is a block in your brain.'' Walter feed his brain with the bitter truth. ''That's the reason you suffered the panic attack. If my theory is true, the block inside your mind is stronger than I anticipated. Whoever has done this to you can only bring your memories back. I am sorry, Devin, I am no help to you. For me to bring back your memories, it would be your death. Are you willing to pay the price?''

Isn't that what the ghost woman who appears in his memories warned? That he would die if he looked for his memories? ''Is there no other way?'' Still, Devin hopefully asked.