Forbidden Dreams (Forbidden Love #1) (Completed)

Epilogue

"Dear God, guide my older brother. I pray that he gets better," I pray while in front of the church inside the hospital where my family and I are now.

May sakit si Kuya. Palabas-pasok kami ng hospital dahil mahina ang pangangatawan niya. Madalas siyang magkaroon ng sakit dahil hindi siyang healthy.

Mom insists on him eating healthy food. The doctor mentioned that it is typical for a malnourished child to have a reduced appetite. He has been malnourished since birth. I'm grateful that I am not in that situation.

"Kumain ka na kasi, Manuel, hindi ka gagaling niyan e," narinig kong sabi ni Mama papasok pa lang ako sa hospital room ni Kuya.

"I don't feel like it, mom, please don't force me," pagod na sinabi ni Kuya.

After I entered, Kuya laid down on his bed and covered himself with a blanket. He truly does not want to live.

I'm just a 12-year-old boy, praying for Kuya to improve. I hope he regains his appetite for everything.

Lumabas si Mommy dala-dala ang pagkain na hindi man lang nagalaw ni Kuya. Umupo ako sa katabing upuan ng kaniyang hinihigaan.

"Thank you for praying, Nimuel, but I don't want to live. Look at me," he said. "I'm so thin, you can almost see my bones. I also keep going in and out of the hospital; it's so boring."

"You won't improve, Kuya, if you don't take any action. Try eating more and taking oral vitamins to help you recover," I said.

"Kumakain ako-"

"Pero hindi marami," pagputol ko sa kaniya.

He stopped speaking because he knew he wouldn't win this conversation with me.

I left the room to search for Daddy. I went to the main entrance of the hospital and noticed two women entering. One of the women was holding her daughter's hand.

When I caught a glimpse of the girl's face, everything else seemed to fade away. Her mother conversed with her briefly before she approached a male doctor, likely her father.

I found myself drawn to their vicinity. "Hiraya..." The male doctor called out to the girl.

The girl smiled at the boy. I was captivated by her smile. It felt like her smile held no hidden malice, although I knew there was. The way she smiled seemed to make any problem disappear.

What was her name again? Hiraya?

Another male doctor approached them and waved at her, and she waved back. I smiled at the sight of her small hand.

"Hello, little girl, what's your name?" The doctor inquired.

"Hi po! Ako po si Hiraya Felestine Serraño! Bunsong anak ni Doctor Serraño. I'm 12 years old na po, hindi na po ako bata," ngiting-ngiting sagot ng babae.

Is she twelve years old? We are the same age, but her height is like that of a seven-year-old. She appears kind, and I feel like I can look after her.

The next day, I accompanied Kuya to explore the garden behind the hospital. I didn't expect to encounter the lovely girl there.