Till My Heartaches End (TayNew)

"Hi, you must be the new one!" New excitedly greets the new guy, "I'm New. I'm in the room next to yours."

Tay looks at the cheerful guy in front of him. He doesn't expect that someone would bother to visit him in his room. Tay was admitted two days ago, due to cardiac arrest (heart's electrical system malfunctions), and now he's transferred to a private room. If he was not rushed to the hospital immediately, it's going to be too late for him. However, because of his father's fast actions, he was treated well and now resting.

Tay has familial dilated cardiomyopathy (the heart muscle doesn't contract normally and cannot pump blood very well), which he inherited from his mother. Tay has been avoiding strenuous physical activities due to his condition. When he was young, he had his first cardiac arrest in school, after playing with his classmates during recess. Due to that incident, Tay was pulled out from school and started to resort to homeschooling until he reached high school.

Looking back to Tay's childhood, there were a few to none memorable moments that he could remember. If there were any, he could've written them in his journal. All his life, he was sheltered and schooled inside the four corners of his home. Not that he complains, but he wants to live like anyone else.

"What's your name?" New asks him. The lad gets his way inside Tay's room, roaming around as if it were different from his room. Before Tay utters a word, New continues, "You've been spacing out since I entered your room. If you're still resting, I'll just leave." He beams a sad smile.

Tay shakes his head, "N-no. It's okay. I-I'm just not used to having other p-people around me." Tay offers his available hand for a handshake, "I'm Tay."

New flashes a warm smile and rushes over Tay's side, "Nice to meet you. You're new here, huh?" Tay nods as a response, "I've been here in the hospital for three months. I cannot even go out." He pouts.

"Why not?" Tay asks.

New pouts, "Mama said that the doctors still can't find a compatible heart for me."

Tay wants to ask more, but he couldn't utter a word. He's not really used to having other people around him other than his parents, his instructors and Singto, his cousin. But most of the time, he's nowhere to be found.

"Ah!" New exclaims, "Let me guess, you're also sheltered at home all your life?" Tay nods, "Also home schooled?" Tay nods again, "Whoa, we're the same! Though I've been basically living my life either at home or in this hospital."

New asks him again, "If you don't mind, may I ask what your condition is? I mean, I know it has something to do with the heart because you won't be in this room."

"Familial dilated cardiomyopathy. I got it from my mother." Tay answers.

"We're the same, though I inherited mine from my father. I think we're destined together!" New chuckles, "I mean, look, we have the same story of our boring lives. And we got the same condition, too! Aren't we meant to meet? Finally, I know someone who understands my story. Most kids here come and go because their hearts are stronger than mine. I hope I get some good hearts. My heart is so weak, but I'm trying to be strong. I still want to live long!" New pumps his fist into the air.

Tay looks at him with awe. The lad seems to be more motivated than him. How can someone with a heart disease be this motivated? While Tay thinks that he's been suffering so much that he wants to rest forever, this guy in front of him has so much positive energy inside of him. He wants to be like that, too.

"Oh, medicine time!" New announces when the nurse enters the room. He checks the time on the wall clock, "I got to go, too. It's my medicine time as well. See you later, Tay! It might hurt, but you can do it!" New encourages him.