Unspoken Truth

Tell Me It Isn't

All medical words used in the story are purely fictitious. This is not a true representation of medical facts.

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I know... I know...

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FIVE YEARS AGO

Mom... Becky yelled. I'll be in Freen. I'm going to have a sleepover. Where have you gone?

I'm in the kitchen right now. Becky enters the kitchen. Have you spoken with Freen yet? We'll leave in two days.

I haven't told her yet, Mom, but I plan to do so tonight.

You absolutely must, Becky. If you simply leave her behind, she will be devastated.

Don't be so dramatic, Mom. Freen has a lot of friends. She may miss me, but not in a big way.

Are you trying to convince me or yourself? We both understand how important you are to her and how precious she is to you.

I'm just scared, Mom. What if everything went wrong? What if there isn't a cure?

Beck, put a stop to it! Everything will be alright. You'll be just fine. You will be taken care of. If a bone marrow transplant is required, we will perform it. There is still hope! Is this why you haven't told Freen about your illness? Are you terrified of not being cured? Therefore, you simply want her to carry on with her life without you.

I love her more than I should. I don't want her to be hurt any further. I don't want to promise her I'll be back if I'm not even sure I'll be able to make it.

"Beck, my baby."

They claim a mother's arms are more consoling than anyone else's. This must be real because Becky is experiencing the same emotions. She is thankful she has her mother and family to help her get through this. She wanted to inform Freen. She understands that, aside from her family, the only person she wants by her side is Freen, but she doesn't want Freen to stop her life and wait for her.

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You're spacing out. A penny for your thoughts? Freen's eyes show concern.

Sorry. I'm just wondering what will happen after graduation.

Of course, we'll be going to college together; what more is there to say?

What if we don't attend the same university? Becky inquired.

You're out of luck. That will not happen. I'll go wherever you're going. If not the same college, the campus should be close by so that I may always visit you.

That would be great, Freen. I always want to be close to you. Do you realize how precious you are to me? Becky's glance is filled with affection.

I know, BB. I hope you understand that our feelings are mutual. Come on in. I'd like to be hugged.

I adore your embrace. Where did that BB come from? Becky teased.

It comes from my heart. Do you like it?

I love it, and I love your eyes.

Not as much as I love your smile. Let's get some rest.

Dream about me, Freen. Becky told herself. Do not forget me.

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PRESENT

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare cancer that affects your bone marrow and blood. It's an aggressive cancer that, left untreated, may be life-threatening. I am one of the lucky ones who got the disease. Acute myeloid leukemia affects about 4 in 100,000 adults annually. Each year, about 1,160 children receive an AML diagnosis.

I was a coward for not informing Freen why I left. When we arrived in London, everything was hazy. My father knows a specialist in London. He remarked that I was fortunate that we were able to discover my condition at an early stage. I am grateful to my parents for forcing me to do a blood test. I assumed my fevers were caused by school-related stress. I assumed my weariness was due to school activities. So they and Freen compelled me to take the test. If it were just me, I would just ignore my illness. I managed to conceal the results from Freen, and aside from her insistence on knowing the truth, she simply believes in me that I am okay, even though I am not.

I had chemotherapy while waiting for a stem cell transplant. My father insists on driving me and my mother to the hospital before leaving for his business appointments. Mom insists on hiring a driver to relieve Dad's worry while driving. Richie knows how to drive, but his campus is in the opposite direction of our hospital. Dad agrees as a result of my mother's persistent pleading. Everything is going great, or so I thought.

I only see it on TV news, tabloids, radio, and other media outlets, but I never imagined it would happen to my family. It happens so quickly. Mom went to the bank to settle the payments that would be required for my therapy, but I never imagined that this would result in my mother's death. The driver, whom she trusted, stabbed her to death. He was enraged when Mom informed him that the money had already been transmitted electronically. When Dad heard the news, his heart stopped beating, and he died of a heart attack. The driver was convicted and sentenced, but the scars and suffering he caused will stay with us forever. Richie and I lost our parents on the same day.

Auntie Mhee accompanied me to my appointments. Richie pursued his education while running the company. He is the best brother anyone could ask for. Throughout those years, he has been my rock. I want to tell Freen everything that happened during those difficult years, but I don't want her to suffer. She is entitled to happiness, even if it is not with me. Fortunately, my unrelated donor bone marrow transplant was successful, and I am now in complete remission. I no longer have cancer. It's like if my parents sacrificed their lives so that I might survive. They have become my angels. They are one of the reasons I studied the healthcare sector so that I could care for others.

Earth to Rebecca? Lisa interrupted Becky's train of thought.

Lisa, I am sorry. I believe it is time for me to go back. Tell me when Dr. Jenny arrives so we can spend time together like old times.

That would be fantastic, and Jenny will not object. By the way, what room is she in?

She's in Room 808.

Allow me to accompany you. Lisa offered to help.

Okay, let's go. Becky and Lisa continue to reminisce about the past, and Becky is grateful for the pleasant distraction until they come to a halt in front of Rm. 808.

Oh, and what was her name again?

Freen Sarocha, Srchafreen Sarocha.

No way. Lisa put her hand over her mouth.

Why? Do you know who she is?

Yes, Jenny, and I know her. She's the one we were talking about before, the one from Thailand. Jenny had both of her eyes operated on successfully.

Becky was taken aback. Surprised isn't even a word to express how she feels right now. Why would Freen deceive her? She is confused by what is going on.

I apologize, Lisa. Perhaps you can pay her another visit. For the time being, I need to spend time alone with her.

Yes, I understand. We'll see you both when Jenny arrives.

As Lisa waved goodbye, Becky simply smiled. She's at a loss for words right now. Her hands shook when she opened the door.

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