Beneath the Country Sky

Chapter 16: In the Shadow of Illness

A few days had passed since Cooper had arrived in Manila, navigating through a maze of emotions and uncertainty. He had visited Isabel's family home multiple times, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but each visit had ended in disappointment. Each door that closed behind him felt like another piece of his heart being shut away.

As he sat on the edge of his bed in the small hotel room he had rented, frustration mounted within him. He had come so far, pushed through his fears, and yet he still had no answers. It was time to reach out to Chris again, but this time, he needed to be direct. He dialed Chris's number, his heart racing as he waited for him to pick up.

"Hey, Cooper," Chris answered, sounding somewhat surprised.

"Hey, Chris. I really need to know how Isabel is doing. I've been trying to find her, but no one seems to know where she is," Cooper admitted, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.

"Um, she's in Manila. I thought you knew," Chris replied, confusion evident in his tone.

"Yeah, I know she's here, but where? I can't seem to reach her, and I'm worried," Cooper pressed, frustration seeping into his words.

"Look, I can't give you the exact details, but she's in the hospital," Chris finally said, the revelation hanging heavy in the air.

Cooper's heart sank as he processed the information. "What do you mean she's in the hospital? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"I'm sorry, Cooper. I thought Isabel had reached out to you. I didn't know she hadn't," Chris replied, sounding genuinely remorseful. "She was diagnosed with leukemia a few months back. I thought she would've let you know."

The words struck Cooper like a punch to the gut. He felt the air rush out of his lungs, replaced by an overwhelming wave of emotions. Anger, guilt, fear-everything crashed over him at once. "Leukemia? Why wouldn't she tell me? We were together for so long; she should have trusted me with this!"

"I don't know, man. She's been dealing with a lot. She didn't want to burden you," Chris explained, his voice sympathetic. "Isabel thought it would be easier for you if she distanced herself, and I think she's trying to find a way to handle everything on her own."

Cooper was silent for a moment, the weight of Chris's words settling in. The thought of Isabel facing such a monumental struggle alone was unbearable. "Where is she in the hospital?" he finally asked, determination hardening in his voice.

"I'll text you the details. Just promise me to take it easy, okay? She's going through a lot, and it might be overwhelming for her to see you right now," Chris cautioned.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," Cooper said, but the urgency within him was too strong. He needed to see Isabel, to be there for her in whatever way he could. "Thanks, Chris. Really."

As Cooper hung up the phone, a mix of emotions swirled inside him. The fear of losing Isabel and the realization that she had kept something so significant from him gnawed at his heart. He felt angry, but more than that, he felt helpless. He had come to Manila searching for answers, but now he felt as if he had stumbled upon a deeper mystery-a hidden pain that Isabel had carried alone.

Without wasting another moment, he grabbed his jacket and rushed out of his hotel room. The hospital was a short taxi ride away, but every second felt like an eternity. As he drove through the bustling streets of Manila, the vibrant city seemed oblivious to the turmoil within him. He could barely process the sights and sounds around him, his mind consumed with thoughts of Isabel.

What would he say to her? Would she even want to see him after everything? The questions buzzed in his head, creating a storm of anxiety.

Upon arriving at the hospital, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. The imposing structure loomed before him, sterile and intimidating. He approached the reception desk, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Hi, I'm looking for Isabel Reyes. Can you tell me what room she's in?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The nurse glanced up from her computer, her expression shifting from routine to one of concern. "Visiting hours are limited, but let me check for you," she said, typing away at the keyboard.

Cooper waited impatiently, glancing at the clock on the wall as the seconds dragged by. Finally, the nurse looked up. "She's in room 312. Just be gentle with her, okay? She's been through a lot."

"Thank you," he replied, his stomach churning with anxiety.

As he made his way to the elevator, Cooper's heart raced with each step. What would he find? Would Isabel be angry with him for not knowing? Would she want to see him at all? He pressed the button for the third floor, his mind racing with possibilities.

When the elevator doors slid open, he stepped out into the corridor, taking a moment to gather himself. The hospital was quiet, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of unspoken fears and hopes. He approached room 312, his hand trembling slightly as he raised it to knock.

Before he could tap on the door, it swung open, and there stood Isabel's mother, her expression shifting from surprise to concern. "Cooper? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and worry.

"I came to see Isabel," he said, his voice firm yet laced with anxiety. "I heard she's not well."

Isabel's mother nodded slowly, stepping aside to let him in. "She's resting. I wasn't sure if you would come... it's been complicated," she said, her gaze downcast.

"Complicated? I just want to make sure she's okay," Cooper replied, stepping into the room.

As he crossed the threshold, the sight of Isabel lying in the hospital bed took his breath away. Her face was pale, framed by messy strands of hair that lay against the pillow. The soft beeping of the machines around her seemed to echo the pounding of his heart. She looked fragile, and the sight shattered him.

Isabel stirred, her eyes fluttering open. They widened in surprise as she spotted Cooper standing there. "Cooper?" she whispered, disbelief coloring her voice.

"Hey," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. "I came as soon as I heard."

"What are you doing here?" Isabel asked, her voice thick with exhaustion and uncertainty.

"I heard from Chris... about everything," he said, his throat tightening as he fought back tears. "You should have told me, Isabel. I could have been here for you."

She looked away, guilt shadowing her features. "I didn't want to burden you," she admitted, her voice breaking.

"You're not a burden. You're the person I care about most," Cooper replied, stepping closer to her bedside. "You should have let me be there for you."

Tears brimmed in Isabel's eyes as she met his gaze. "I thought distancing myself would make it easier for you, for both of us," she confessed, her voice trembling. "I didn't want to watch you suffer while I'm going through this."

"Isabel, I don't care about that. I care about you. I wanted to fight this with you, not alone," he said, his heart aching at the sight of her pain.

Isabel looked at him, vulnerability etched on her face. "I'm scared, Cooper. I'm so scared."

"I know," he whispered, taking her hand in his. "But you don't have to face this alone. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

In that moment, as their hands clasped tightly together, Cooper felt a flicker of hope igniting within him. They had a long road ahead, but they would face it together. And finally, he had found the closure he had been desperately searching for-an opportunity to fight alongside Isabel, to love her through the darkness, and to be the person she needed him to be.