We were happy the following months, sem-break went on and we were having a blast, Christmas past us full of promises, a new year went as we continue to love each other, then classes once again resumed and there it began.
We still text, call, and chat; but not that often anymore. We text for almost 5 times a day every week. Well yeah, it tends to happen because of school work and things we do when we are not together, yeah I know it is a little bit frustrating at first and makes me go to her apartment much more often, we help out each other at our homework, I even lied and told her that I need help in one of my subjects; I'll do anything just to be with her without jeopardizing my studies as I promised to her.
And again, another opportunity presented itself. She texted me and said we should go to her cousin who is in the hospital. I was a little bit confused because I remembered she telling me that all of her relatives are abroad, even her parents and she's the only one here, but still, I didn't mentioned it and texted I'll go with her. I was thrilled; yeah I know I'm sick, thrilled for the fact that were going to visit a cousin of hers in the hospital is indeed, wrong. I told her to meet outside the Technology bldg. of FEU and she said yes, I texted her with hugs and kisses but; my phone went silent.
The day arrived and I was waiting for her outside the bldg. as students passes me by. She was 30 mins. late but I didn't care because I will be with her again and I got a chance to meet some of her relatives, my phone ranged and I checked; it was from her:
"Baby, I'm sorry. My uncle insisted me to come early because he said my cousin wants to see me badly so I'm already here at the hospital... :"< "
I texted back and said:
"It's okay Babe, I'll just catch up. What hospital is that and where? :") "
I patiently waited for her text for it took a while and she finally answered:
"Uhm, the Medical City, I forgot where but I know it'll be a jeep ride to robinsons galleria..."
"Oh okay, I know where is that. I'll be there in about 30 mins. . See you there Babe, love ya!!! <3"
I texted as I ran and catches a bus ride towards the hospital.
"Yay! Room 1415. See you too Baby love ya 2!! <3 <3 <3 "
Then I rode towards the hospital. it was fast ride because the traffic was surprisingly light, for a traffic congested city like Manila, that was a huge relief. I arrived at the hospital and my heart was beating oddly, at first I thought that because I haven't seen her for a long while, but as I get in to an elevator, I was kindly nervous; I felt something was wrong. and in front of the room. There was a middle aged man standing; I assumed it was her uncle and he saw me. He was somewhat surprise of my presence and immediately went inside the room. My heart was beating fast, faster than before. The door once again opens and the man looked at me, he was not happy at all, so I fumblingly entered the room as a middle aged woman hugged me tightly, before she exits the room along with a doctor.
And there I saw in the bed, Chloe. I was shocked, dumbfounded and made me tear up fast. I was heartbroken, I saw her, looking outside the window with her smile lingering in her face. Her once flawless skin is now pale, her eyes that once sparkle now is ridden, her lips that was as red as rose is now like a wilted one, her once boyish short hair, is now covered with bandage. I was sad and I couldn't stop my tears from falling, she slowly turns her head towards me and she saw my devastated look, I was speechless but her smile was still there, I don't know what's happening to her but how the middle aged woman cried tells me everything.
"Nathan" she calls me as she extends both her hands wide with the smile to keep me calm, I sat right by her side she hugged me with all her remaining strength. I couldn't utter a single word. But I hugged her tightly and I can feel that she is weak.
"What's going on?" I asked as my tears are running down my cheeks. She giggled but coughed in the last minute.
"I have cancer baby, I'm not gonna tell you what it is because the doctor and my parents refused to tell me..." she said. So they were her parents, I thought. I was brutally crushed, I was scorched alive by the word alone, a burning sensation ravaged my heart and I was in a state of mental pain.
"I love you baby..." she added and I hugged her tight as I felt her tears dropping on my shoulder.
"I love you too baby, we'll get through this, together..." And we both hugged each other for the length of the day.
From then on, I visited her everyday. I bring her flowers, our pictures together, her parents were happy that they see their daughter smiling. I found out that, the day I met her. She was already told of her illness. Her father wants her to be in the states to be treated but, she refused and said she wants to stay here. I was rather thankful because she refused her father's wish, but I was dissappointed at the same time because of it. But still, I will stay by her side till she gets better. Christmas once again went along with us celebrating together, we witnessed new year together and I was again in a complete bliss for it looks like she was getting better. Valentines went on as I surprised her as an entourage of flowers and balloons filled her room. Despite her current predicament, she was happy to the extent that she doesn't care about her illness anymore. And then came, our Anniversary.
I arrived at the hospital, along with her favorite flowers, a teddy bear, a cake and a balloon, and I was frightened because that same heartbeat came again, I was scared as I slowly approach her room and this time there were a lot of people, they were all depressed and I saw her cousins as well as they look at me cold. I entered the room and then, her father hugged me, her mother hugged me, both of them were teary, and as her relatives that was inside exited, they all held me by the shoulder and wasn't able to make eye contact. I was frightened to the point that I can't think straight. The doctor held me by the shoulder and said;
"I'm sorry..." he pats me several times as I put the down the things a brought. She was lying in the bed, motionless and my tears again ran down my cheeks. I held her hand, and she holds mine tight as she can, she opened her eyes, smiled at me and said.
"I love you forever baby..." she said as she was frail with her eyes pleading to be closed.
"I love you too forever babe..." I cried and burst out of sadness, and then her eyes closed, and her grip loosened. I was shocked, sad and destroyed, for that time, I know she is gone, my love is not with me anymore, she is indeed gone.
My world crumbled to the extent that it is non-existent. The funeral went on and heavens cried along with me. I was destroyed, my hopes, my dreams, are gone along with her peaceful death. I wasn't able to eat for days, for weeks, I only lay my head in the pillow, staring the ceiling as I helplessly, fell asleep, and I dream't.
I was in a beach, wearing all white. The sun was bright as I sat in the sands, as the pacific wind blew in my hair and face and then an echoe caught me off guard and made me teary.
"Nathan" that sweet and beautiful voice, oh how I missed it, I cried at once when she wrapped her arms around me.
"I miss you babe..." she uttered. I sighed deeply, as I try to regain control of my emotions, I hold her by her hands and caresses it for a while and I said.
"I miss you too..."
The End...
