From Afar : A Story of Silent Admiration

Chapter 5: Unending Goodbyes

In the sterile confines of the hospital, Oliver was facing his own battles. His days were filled with treatments, tests, and the constant ticking of the clock. His once vibrant life had been replaced with the harsh reality of his illness.

One day, his doctor came to visit him with a somber expression. The news was not good. Oliver's condition had worsened, and despite their best efforts, the treatments were not working as they had hoped. The doctor gently told Oliver that he only had a few days to live.

The news hit Oliver like a ton of bricks. He had been prepared for the worst, but hearing the words out loud was a different matter altogether. He was scared, angry, and heartbroken. But amidst all the emotions, he made a decision - he wouldn't tell Celestial or his other friends at Starlight High about his prognosis.

He didn't want their last memories of him to be filled with sadness and pity. He wanted them to remember him as he was - cheerful, vibrant, and full of life. He decided to keep his secret, to carry his burden alone.

Back at Starlight High, life continued as usual. Celestial and William were growing closer, their bond strengthening with each passing day. They were navigating their changing relationship, exploring the depth of their feelings for each other.

Celestial often thought about Oliver, missing his presence and his friendship. She wished she could be there for him, to offer him comfort and support. Little did she know about the harsh reality that Oliver was facing alone.

As the days passed, Celestial found herself thinking about Oliver more and more. She missed his laughter, his insightful conversations, and his comforting presence. She realized that her feelings for Oliver had grown beyond friendship. She cared for him, perhaps more than she had initially realized.

Deciding to act on her feelings, Celestial decided to visit Oliver in the hospital. She wanted to be there for him, to offer him comfort and support, and to let him know how she felt.

However, nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her. The hospital room, which she had expected to be filled with Oliver's cheerful presence, was eerily quiet. A nurse, upon seeing Celestial's confusion, gently broke the news to her. Oliver had passed away.

The world seemed to stop for Celestial. She felt as if the floor had been pulled from under her feet. The news of Oliver's death hit her like a freight train, leaving her heartbroken and devastated.

As the reality of Oliver's death sunk in, she learned about his secret. Oliver had been battling cancer. He had known about his limited time, yet he had chosen to keep it a secret. He had faced his battle alone, not wanting to burden his friends with his pain.

Celestial was left reeling from the revelation. She felt a profound sense of loss, not only for the friend she had lost but for the moments they could have shared, for the words left unspoken, for the feelings left unexplored.

In the wake of Oliver's death, Celestial found herself drawn to his grave. It became her sanctuary, a place where she could feel close to Oliver, a place where she could mourn her loss.

Every day, she would sit by Oliver's grave, talking to him as if he was still there. She would tell him about her day, about her feelings, about the emptiness she felt in his absence. She would laugh at the memories they shared, cry at the loss she felt, and comfort herself with the thought that Oliver was in a better place.

She would often bring a sketchbook with her, drawing as she talked to Oliver. She would sketch the scenery, the flowers, and sometimes, she would sketch Oliver, capturing his smile, his kindness, his spirit in her drawings.

Her visits to Oliver's grave didn't go unnoticed. Her friends at Starlight High noticed her frequent absences, her quiet demeanor, and her melancholy. They worried for her, but they understood her need for solitude, her need to grieve.

William, in particular, found himself torn between his concern for Celestial and his respect for her privacy. He wanted to comfort her, to be there for her, but he didn't want to intrude on her grief. He decided to give her space, to let her come to terms with her loss in her own time.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. But Celestial's visits to Oliver's grave didn't cease. It was as if a part of her was unwilling to let go, unwilling to say goodbye. It was as if, by talking to Oliver, by visiting his grave, she was keeping a part of him alive.

                                                   
   

                                                   She had loved him to late.