Hundred days from you

1. NICHOLAS

The blurred sounds of people calling, ambulance sounds, and flashy lights in front of me filled my mind. Why is this happening? Let's go back in time for a bit.

5 hours before....

As I was making my way to the set, Ethan came running toward me and asked if I was okay. This guy looks tough and (maybe) acts tough, but he is a total softie. Otherwise, who cries after watching Beauty and the Beast at the age of 26?

I assured him, saying I'm okay, but truthfully, my headache hasn't gone away yet. Even if I'm not okay, the show must go on. And the movie is set to release in 4 months. If the lead actor falls ill, the shoot will be delayed, which is not good for the production. By the way, it's my last day at set today. Might as well make my day worthwhile. I leaped forward to stand in front of the camera. It always feels the same. The pressure in the air, the heaviness of my mind, my fast heartbeats, everything.

I opened my mouth to say my line, but instead, the world started spinning, and I felt myself fall to the ground. As I wasn't entirely unconscious, I heard everything as a metallic sound. And my vision went pitch black.

Present....

"Can you hear me, Mr. Alonso?" I felt like my eyelids were lighter than before. I tried to open my eyes. The doctor was calling me as I opened my eyes. He nearly gauged my eyes when he tried to examine them. I saw Ethan standing next to me. He was looking stressed. I wonder whose fault that is. After a few hours, I fully regained my consciousness. I was bound to be discharged after 1 day of observation. I was just done changing when the nurse came in and told me to meet with the doctor before I was released.

Dr. Lee's chamber was "neater" than I expected. He is 'The' doctor in the Entertainment Industry. Because of the paparazzi, celebrities cannot go to any doctor they want. So they go to Dr. Lee. So, I was rushed to Dr. Lee when I collapsed. I knocked and asked if I could come. He nodded silently and showed me the seat in front of him. I sat. Suddenly, the air felt a little heavier. Before Dr. Lee said anything, I realized what he was about to say was not good news. "Nicholas, you have a brain tumor." Dr. Lee said. He paused for a second but continued. "We have found a tumor in your brain, and it is terminal. With an operation, you can live up to 1 year; without an operation, you have 4 months. There's a high chance you might not be able to make it from the operation table, and even if the operation is successful, you will experience side effects like- paralysis or headaches from time to time."

I started laughing like a maniac. It is such an irony that my life is full of misery. Whenever I think it is finally getting good, it gets messed up. Dr. Lee looked at me. He wanted to tell me something, but he stopped right before. Dr. Lee said, "I have gotten all sorts of reactions from terminal patients. They cry, plead me to save them, and stare at the void. But you are the first one to laugh." I wiped the smile from my face. I did not look in the mirror, but I knew the face I was making was pitiful. "Doctor, do you know how old I am? I'm 26. When I was 12, my dad died. My mother loved him so much that she couldn't forget her grief at losing him. Rather, she decided to go to him. She didn't even think of the 12-year-old boy who had no one but her in this world. Maybe I had everything. My dad's properties gave me enough money to live in luxury for my whole life. But I didn't have a family. I haven't loved it my whole life. And now, I will die without being loved." Dr. Lee leans forward. His eyes became a little softer than before. Maybe it was just my imagination, but his face felt a little sad. "Nicholas, you don't have any idea how grateful I am to you. The way you saved my daughter, no one would have ever done it," he said, grabbing my hand affectionately.

A memory passed through my mind. A runway, bustling media, and cameras everywhere. It was the biggest fashion show of the year. A lot of world-class models were participating in the show that year. Ava Lee was one of the lead models on the runway. I was called into the show as a guest because I had no interest in modeling. Everything was good. The models started walking down the runway. Suddenly, I heard a clicking sound. I realized it was above the runway. One of the lights was not positioned correctly and could fall at any time. Just as Ava was about to cross the place, the light started falling. As I was sitting close, I quickly pushed Ava aside. She fell hard to the ground but was saved. The light grazed my arm. But it wasn't that much. The incident became a trending topic for a long time. Ava Lee sued the organizers. I gave testimony in that trial. As a result, she got a hefty amount as compensation. That's how I became affiliated with Dr. Lee. After all, Ava Lee was his only daughter. Soon, Ava retired from modeling. Last time, I heard she was now in a small city enjoying her retirement.

I said, "Don't be like that, Dr. Lee. I was just there at the moment. So, I just pushed her aside. Nothing else. Besides, Ava is a nice girl. I'm grateful to make her acquaintance." Dr. Lee scoffs a little and says, "How nice an image you do have of Ava. I would say she is anything but nice. I think you would agree if you saw her cursing at the organizer." "However, all jokes aside, I hope you will get the surgery as soon as possible. It is nice to live, even if it is 1 day longer. And there are cases of miracles. I have prescribed some medications if you get headaches. But remember, they are only temporary solutions." I smiled and took leave of him.

The sky was rather gray. Maybe it was about to rain. The weather was as gloomy as my mind. I was not shocked to learn that, I had a ticking timer in my brain. Rather, I felt nothing about it. I didn't feel sadness or the slightest bit of anger. Rather, I felt...Empty. I don't think it's quite normal. I knew I was weird. But I didn't know it was to this extent. I also wanted to feel loved. Do I deserve to die like this? If God truly exists, he is really bad. At least to me, he is. If I'm dying like this, I will enjoy my life to the fullest. I will not diet or act anymore, and of course, I'm going to find love.

Speaking of love, I loved a girl a long time ago. Whenever I think of her, my heart feels empty. An unknown pain starts in my chest. Come on... We were kids at that time. I promised her and broke it. Maybe she doesn't even remember me. Or maybe she does? Should I see it for myself? So, that's how I decided to see my first love after 15 years, leaving everything behind and (maybe) giving my manager, aka my best friend, a heart attack.