Tying the Red String

1: The Angel and the Red String

Ryelle's POV

"You will only have half a year left if you dont continue the treatment-"

"Doc, I- I have already decided to stop the treatment." Unti-unti kong ini angat ang mukha ko upang salubungin ang tingin ni Doc Suarez sa akin. His eyebrows were furrowed and theres a hint of sadness in his eyes. I looked away, because my eyes started to tear up. He says the surgery was too risky, I might die on the table. And the treatment was too expensive for me to afford, mag co-college pa si Trisha I have to save up the money for her future, kasi pag sa akin na gastos yun wala din naman kasiguraduhan na gagaling ako. Numbing the pain will only prolong the agony. So I decided to feel it all at once, till it hurts no more, until my time comes.

"Did your sister know?" tanong nya. No

"Yes Doc" I lied. I cant tell it to her right now, wala akong lakas ng loob na sabihin yun sa kanya our parents died just 2 years ago, I dont want to break her heart again. I needed more time and courage, though alam ko na kulang na kulang na ang natitirang oras ko sa mundo.

Doc Suarez sighed tapos iniabot nya sa akin ang isang box ng painkillers. You have to atleast continue taking this, are we clear Miss Rivera?

"Thank you, Doc" I smiled, eh painkiller para sa puso kaya Doc meron ka ba? My smile grew bigger with my silly thoughts.

"You smile so brightly na parang wala kang inindang sakit, you know what the deities will give us challenges that will break our hearts, minsan sobrang hirap ng process na pagdadaanan but you know what in the end they are looking forward to see that kind of smile in our faces. Miracles happen anytime to anyone Miss Rivera."

I just nodded to what he just said, but my heart was still heavy as always.

Pagkalabas ko sa hospital ay agad akong nagtungo sa café that my parents owned, and now me and my tito is managing it. This is the only fortune left for us, so with my remaining time I want to make it known and big for my sister.

"Good evening ma'am" bati ng ng part timer that I hired 3 months ago. I normally just smiled at her as a greeting, I am not really a vocal person and I am bad at communicating but since my illness came, I realized I must say anything I wanted to say, wala naisip ko lang less regret atleast nasabi ko kung anong tumatakbo sa isipan ko.

"Good evening, nga pala I will close the café early today so pwede ka nang umuwi kaya ko na to, wala naman na masyadong customer pag gantong oras." I said while wearing my apron.

"Sige maam, thank you mauna na po ako" paalam nya.

A few customers came in after a while. "Two iced Americano and 2 cheesecakes" I announced at kinuha naman ng isang lalake ang order sa counter. After giving their orders ay umupo muna ako and I called my sister to stop by para sabay na kami umuwi.

"Trish, naka uwi ka na ba? "

"Yes why?" she replied.

"Ah I just wanted you to stop by sana dito sa café para sabay tayong umuwi"

"Next time ate, well ano gusto mo na ulam?"

"You know my answer Trishy" I smiled, almost laughing.

"Pork adobo again! Di ka ba nagsasawa?"

"Well, walang adobo sa afterlife" I whispered.

"Ano?"

"Wala ang sabi ko make it sweet and spicy, thank you."

"uhmmkay, bye"

"Thank you maam, thank you sir come again." I greeted the leaving customers.

Okay its time to close the café, tinanggal ko yung suot na apron after I cleaned the tables and wash the dishes that is used for today. I was taking my apron off, nang biglang tumunog yung bell ng pintuan signalling me that someone entered.