MY PERFECT BODYGUARD CHAPTER FIFTY: MEMORY LANE ECHOES

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Richard found himself still in Truto Village. Despite his strong desire to recover his lost memories, he couldn't deny the appeal of the idyllic life he was leading in Truto. Indulging in delicious seafood like shrimps, crabs, and fish, he savored the flavors shared during nightly gatherings with Doris and Hana.

While Richard was aware of the roughness of the city, he felt a growing pressure from those who anticipated his return. Despite this, he chose to take his time. On the other hand, Hana had yet to initiate preparations for jogging Richard's memory.

As they cut and prepared the fish for the evening fire, Doris couldn't help but question Richard.

"Hey, Richy," she began, "I've been meaning to ask. You seem to enjoy it here. Why the insistence on leaving?"

"Well, I don't have a life here," Richard replied. "My life belongs to the city, and I don't want to stay here. Besides, I don't want to be a disturbance."

"But you're not," Doris insisted. "You can stay as long as you want."

"I'm sorry, I just can't," Richard said, standing up and heading inside.

Deep in thought, Doris was determined not to let Richard leave. She pondered on what she could do to convince him.

In the city, Gloria seethes with anger over Richard's disappearance. She entertains the notion that he may have regained his memories. However, the specialist who erased Richard's memories reassures her that such a recovery is not possible.

"I really need to eliminate that girl, but I can't have her blood on my hands. If word gets out that we harmed the Jim family, the company is as good as dead," Gloria muttered as she walked to her basement, where Linda was confined.

"You seem to have lost him," Linda remarked, smiling.

"Who said so?" Gloria questioned.

"He's gone, and I'm almost certain he'll come for me," Linda said in a weak voice.

"Don't give yourself hope, girl. Richard was sent on a mission. Once he's back, it's just a matter of time before we end you," Gloria said with a smile, though Linda didn't share the sentiment.

Back in Truto Village, Richard strolled along the market street. At one point, he noticed some women staring at him, engaged in hushed conversation. Although it felt awkward for Richard, he maintained his composure. As he was about to walk past them, one of the women spoke up.

"So, you are Hana's son-in-law," she said, catching Richard off guard.

"OMG, how did Hana manage to get such a handsome guy for Doris?" they exclaimed. Richard, feeling uncomfortable, interjected, "Excuse me, ma'am, you seem to be mistaken. I'm not marrying anyone."

"What are you saying? You seem shy, though. Don't worry; Hana was the one who told us. So, you have nothing to be shy about," they said, bursting into laughter.

The uncomfortable situation drove Richard to confront Hana as he rushed back to the house.

"I think it's time you help me jog my memories. I can't stay here any longer," Richard expressed in frustration.

"Why all of a sudden?" Hana questioned.

"I've been with you guys for like two months, and all we do is cook, clean, and do things that make me forget why we were here in the first place. I came here to jog my memories, not to marry someone," Richard said, venting his anger.

"So, this is what it's all about," Hana said.

"How can you guys treat me like a toy? When did I say I want to marry your daughter?" Richard clarified. "Don't get me wrong; your daughter is amazing, beautiful, and gorgeous, but that is not why I'm here."

"I love you," Doris said from behind. "Don't you love me too?"

Richard, filled with confusion, didn't know how to respond. "You were never gonna help me in the first place," he expressed. "You guys think I'm just some toy or something."

"When you came here, we saw a lot of scars on your body. You said you were a guard or something, that you've been injured severely, shot at. In this village, there is no such thing. Here, you get to live as happily as you want, sleep with both eyes closed," Doris explained.

"Are you even a specialist?" Richard questioned Hana as he turned to her again.

"Of course, I am," Hana affirmed.

"Guess this is a waste of time," Richard said as he went inside to pack his things. Doris broke out in tears, and Hana couldn't help the situation.

After Richard packed his bag and was about to leave, Hana spoke up, "Hey, Richard, I know what I did was terrible, and I'm sure you won't forgive me. I just saw that you were a good person with a big heart, and I wanted you to marry my daughter, but I guess I was being selfish. I know you're furious, but let me help you jog your memories."

"Are you serious?" Richard asked.

"Of course, I'm serious. Go inside, remove your top, and come out with only shorts. Come to the backyard," Hana said as she left for the backyard. Richard followed her instructions, took his bath, and did as Hana told him.

In the backyard, there was a large and massive basin filled with water, with some herbs being poured into it by Doris. After the herbs were added to the water, Hana instructed Richard to lie down with his face up above the water to prevent it from entering his nose.

"These are meji leaves and debris flowers. They've been used by old people to make their memories look fresh when they start forgetting things. It's a remedy so they don't forget what their children look like. I believe it will help you journey through your memory lane without any pain. You have to lay on it, and it will take you back to where it all began, the day you started remembering things, maybe from your age 5," Hana explained.

After receiving the information, Richard went into the basin, lay down, and closed his eyes. The water calmed his muscles from moving as it took some time before he dozed off.

As Richard dozed off, he entered a kind of dream, although it wasn't exactly a dream. In this vision, he found himself playing with his dad.

"Hey, dad, I shot you!" Richard exclaimed as his dad faked a fall from his son's pretend gunshot. They played and laughed, knowing it was his dad's last stay with them before returning to military duty.

"I want to be like you, Dad. I want to save people, just like the way you do," Richard expressed.

"Of course, you can. You just have to believe in yourself. But make sure you go to school before becoming a soldier," his dad advised. After his dad's stay, it was time for him to leave. His dad gave him a necklace with a crocodile tooth.

"I want you to have this, boy. I want you to be good to your mom, make sure you take care of your little sis and Mom for me. You're the man of the house now," his dad said as he left.

After a few weeks, military personnel came to visit their family and announced his father's death.

The entire family burst into tears, especially Richard, upon hearing the news of his father's death. At this point, Richard woke up from the herbs, screaming in pain. Immediately, Doris held onto him, saying, "Hey, I'm here," as Richard kept panicking.

Doris held him tight, reassuring him, "It's okay, I'm here." After minutes of panicking, Doris gently lowered him back into the water as he went back to the memory lane.