Thingvellir National Park.
Reykjavik-Iceland.Natasha.A month ago I received an invitation from the hospital in Oslo to the international congress of doctors. Few people ever get an invitation. You must have caught the eye of a senior hospital executive, or, you really are a doctor who deserves to expand your knowledge with other colleagues.To be honest I didn't expect to be invited, but I thank whoever did. Because for the first time in a long time, I managed to travel alone and get to know Iceland. I have shared with several people here.Knowledge about any medical subject for me is worth gold.I have tried to talk to someone who is a specialist in neurology, but haven't had much luck. It was a good morning at the hotel. Productive for sharing ideas and lively because they were doing internships on general medicine or, some unusual specialty.At nightfall we were invited to Thingvellir Park for a front row view of the Northern Lights. It is the most beautiful thing my eyes could observe. You breathe peace, tranquility and there are a lot of couples in this place.I was too deep in my thoughts walking in slow motion, when a person, warm enough, stumbles past me making me startle."Oh, I'm so sorry," I excused myself, "I didn't see where I was going. Are you all right?" I look at him with some concern.He's a man... those eyes look like I've seen them before.I hope I didn't hurt him and that he's not someone very important either. If I managed to do him any harm and he is a powerful person, my career as a doctor dies tonight."Don't worry, I was thinking about other things," he smiles at me, and I sigh in relief at that answer."Then I'll leave," I say to him, giving her a friendly smile.The man who could only see a bit of his blond hair. The balaclava didn't leave much to be seen. Those beautiful blue eyes that the guy is wearing, they look at me as if I were something very valuable.For a moment, just for a moment, I think I saw this person.Those eyes are so familiar...Where could I have seen them before?"Are you Russian?" I look at him in astonishment. "Excuse me, I noticed your little accent while you were talking. I'm Russian too, I just try to hide it.""He's terrible at lying. He has a very strong accent" talking to him makes me nostalgic. "Yes, I'm Russian, but I'm much better at hiding it" this time, I spoke properly. "It's just that in my family you have to speak neutral."The blond boy nods, I look at the time on my cell phone and realize I have to go back to the hotel. I look at him embarrassed because even though I want to continue talking to him to find out where I know him from, I know clearly that I can't. I'm not going to be able to."I must go, I hope to see him here again," I look at his clothes, laughing internally because it's the first time I talk to a stranger and I don't judge him. "It's too cold, if I see him again I'm sure I won't recognize him.""Don't worry," he points to the lit screen of my cell phone. "They're waiting for you. I'll see you soon, I promise," I smile, he speaks to me again. "I hope Sasha's death hasn't affected you as much as it has my family."My smile fades quickly, my heart races and a terrible urge to cry comes over me.That name... Sasha, no."Sasha, did he die? I... he... he... it can't be true," I mumble, one of the hotel tour guides comes over to find me. I don't know why his name does this to me."Ask Uncle Stefano, Natasha," I open my eyes in surprise, this guy knows my family. "They will tell you the whole truth, not me."Without further ado, he disappears from my sight, leaving me with a thousand unanswered questions. My heart hurts, I'm dying to cry and the only name that sounds in my mind is that... Sasha.Who is Sasha supposed to be and why does it hurt me, that he died?Why does that boy know my uncle Stefano?What are they hiding from me?Right now I wish I had my memories back. To be able to discover who is the dying boy who owns my dreams and insomnia and for the first time in almost 20 years, to discover who I am.Natasha, who are you supposed to be?Restaurant La Mia Vita.Larchmont Village- United States.Natasha.All my life I have lived with the idea that something is missing. I don't remember precisely what, but it's that feeling that you're living a life that's not yours. That you are living in the wrong place. That something is wrong and you have no idea what it is, or rather, you don't remember. For more than 15 years I have been having the same nightmares. I don't like to sleep with the lights off, I'm terrified of the dark. I went to psychologists, but they said that as I grew up, it would all pass.Liars, nothing changed after I grew up.It got worse.There's a date I hate, a date I wish it didn't affect me, a number I'd like to erase from history, but I can't. Every August 17, my life falls into a thousand pieces. I don't know why, but it overwhelms me so much that I feel suffocated. If only I knew why Sasha's name affects me so much. If only I knew who she is, it would all make sense. My tormented brain would take a b
My uncles come to the serial killer table smiling and looking like it's the most normal thing in the world. The bullies get up with a smile to greet them. I realized that a blue”eyed boy was watching me. That being is scarier than the rest. If it wasn't because he looked awful, I wouldn't have even paid attention to it. I started to feel uncomfortable and a bit intimidated, so I decided to turn around to go with Jay, our cook. I gave him some food orders that I had taken minutes before this get together, and I waited for him to prepare the orders and they were ready.As I happily rambled on in my cerebral monologues judging tough”looking people, my dear aunt had the idea of calling me to introduce myself to those guys."Perfect, take me to the rat slaughterhouse, dear Francesca," I whispered, ignoring her friendly look.Are they crazy or not watching the news? The danger that we human beings run due to the existence of gang members is horrible.I think I'll leave them alone for a lo
How hard can it be to accept that we are not all the same?Society tends to judge us by race, sex, religion, political ideology, way of dressing, nationality and even your personality. The worst part of it all is that they believe they have the right to do so. Despite coming from parents that I don't remember giving me affection. Rather, parents I don't remember.The abandonment of a child is very common when parents are not prepared to be responsible people.I was raised by my aunt and uncle and for a long time they tried to change what in my childhood, someone taught me. I remember my principles, my Russian values and teachings. I used to be very conceited about my nationality or how perfect I am, but my uncles made me change. They taught me to have respect for the different tastes of all human beings and to be more humble.But let's not fool ourselves. They loathe Russians, they loathe someone? Sasha."You can't judge anyone if you have to save them. You are a doctor and you must d
Westwood Village, California.Natasha.I bet more than once you've heard one of the most famous phrases in the world. Let me tell you that I carry it very much in my life:If something can go wrong, then it will go wrong or, perhaps, worse.I am a true believer that Murphy's law follows me. I must say that after the encounter with the gang members, nothing went very well. I'd better explain. Danielle and I had a lot of things in mind to do, but nothing has gone as expected.The only plan that works perfectly and unfortunately, is to catch the idiotic gang members. Dani and I had agreed that when we had a little....How should I say it to make it sound good?Space, time... no, it's better life... Yes, let's call it that.Let's continue.When we had a life outside the hospital we would move in together, but the harsh reality, money, punched us in the face perfectly. Buying a place or renting was too expensive and we wouldn't have the money in full by the time the realtor needed it. Dani
Ever since I was forced out of my comfort zone and left my home in Russia, I find it hard to trust others. I am beginning to believe that I am paranoid because I distrust even my own shadow. Not remembering my childhood has brought me a lot of inconvenience. I don't remember my family, I have only seen my parents through photos and heard their voice in the few calls they make to me at Christmas. I don't know if I have grandparents, cousins, sisters or brothers. I asked many times about my past, but my uncle Stefano flatly refused to tell me anything about myself."Honey, it will be painful for you, since you don't remember anything. Let's avoid the subject and leave the past where it is, it's best for everyone."Those words he repeated a thousand times as he tried to figure out who I was. One day I just pretended that I stopped caring and went on with my life. The problem for me is sleep. At first I saw a family friend psychologist, he treated me like a lab rat and his conclusions wer
"Everyone sees what you look like, but few guess what you are," Niccolo Machiavelli.Of all the people around us, who truly knows you as you are? One, two, maybe three people. I realized that appearances can be deceiving, just because you dress like a hobo and your way of expressing yourself is different does not mean that you are not a good person. Sometimes in life who dresses better, who treats you better, who talks better, and even who claims to be your friend...That person is the one who stabs, hurts and kills you the best.I am content if I am truly known by only one or maybe two people... maybe.I must admit, though I don't want to, that I feel a little guilty because I am one of those people who judge a book by its cover. My surprise was great to discover that I was quite wrong. At least they are not gangbangers like I really thought they were. It's been a month since the guys came to help us with the move. My new apartment is furnished and makes me feel at home. Even though
The feeling I have in my chest is strange. For no reason I'm excited and uncomfortable. I think it's because of the blue”eyed boy, although I hope it isn't. I don't know him well enough and we've only talked a few times, but I don't understand why my heart is having this kind of emotion.This with other people had never happened to me. Well, as far as I remember, I don't think with anyone. I'm a doctor and I'm going to have to talk to a colleague to get a checkup. I cannot go through life feeling throbbing for practically unknown people.We arrived at the cafeteria a few minutes later and thousands of attempts to make them believe that my curiosity about the boy was genuine and without ulterior motives. But I will admit that I am with some very nice children. Yes, children because that's what these men look like. The only thing they have done since they arrived is talk and joke about series and cartoons."We'll go get the food," Dylan informs me. "Go first, we will find you.""Hospita
Saturday afternoon.Natasha.How quickly the hour passes when you wish you had more time to prepare. After a long day of work and very little rest, the day arrived that, with many nerves, I was waiting for. I don't quite remember the time I arrived, but I can assure you that it was early morning and I was dead sleepy. Nathan and I text each other until I go into my last surgery. In my breaks I tried to answer as much as I could. I wanted to talk to him longer, but circumstances prevented it, even if I fought against her. Nate asked me to write to him when he got home, since I usually leave the hospital very late. He just got worried and I found it quite sweet of him. He said it didn't matter what time it was and even though he was asleep, he wanted to make sure that I was safe sometime in the morning.Did I already say that that gesture where he cares about me seemed cute to me? Well, he does and I'm really not sure what I feel about him, but I like being with his company and most of