PHOTOS
Instead of saying "123 Smile", I'll always say "123 I love you", so that I could see that beautiful smile of hers. I really like it when I saw her smiling. We've been dating for 6 years already. I'm happy with her. I like spoiling her with foods just because I know she won't get fat. Well, even if she will get fat I won't leave by her side, I'll stay with her forever. I promised that to her. We've promised to each other that we'd stay by our side no matter what happens.
At first her family was against our relationship. Who would not be? Right? She said "yes" to me when she was 15 years and I was 17 years old. Every girls has a rule not to enter relationships with that age. But Claire did. She said "yes" to me that time. After 6 months, she told me that she will let me meet her family. At first I was nervous. Not with her mother but with her father, I know how strict her father is. She even told me not to be nervous that time
"Hey."
"Yeah?", she grabbed my hand and said.
"Don't be nervous, I know this won't be easy, but our relationship will be stronger enough, if we let our both families know.", Claire said.
"I'm not that nervous Claire, what if your father doesn't like me? What if --", she cut off what I'm about to say that time.
"Nah! You are thinking to much. Just let it pass that "what if's" of yours Troy."
"Okay.", I surrender. I know that I would not win with her.
"Now let's take a photo again, Troy.", she said.
She really likes having photos with me. My room is full of pictures of us. If it's not us. It's only her pictures. I really love taking photos of her. Stolen or not. I love it, just like how I love her.
She invited me on a dinner to meet her family. I didn't get nervous just like what she said. I let it pass all the "what if's" I had in my mind. This time I will be brave. I will so that my relationship with her will be okay. I'll have to take the risk for the sake of our relationship.
The dinner ended and looks like her father doesn't had any problems about her daughter having a boyfriend. I did introduced myself in front of them. That time I get it why her father is so strict to her. We did had a manly talk.
Even Claire's greatest secret I knew that time.i knew that Claire has been diagnosed with a disease that can led her to death anytime. That was a heart disease. I did prepare myself for that. I know that Claire would leave thus world anytime. And I don't know how did she survive this 6 years of our relationship.
I'm always taking her a photos. Anytime and anywhere. Atleast I'll have a photo with her even if she'll be gone in this world. I'm ready on that.
And that days has come. Right now, today. Claire is too weak already. I'm here at work right now, and now heading to the hospital where Claire is confined.
I've arrived at the hospital, and went to her room. I saw her parents with her. Her parent's won't leave her incase something will happen.
"Tita.", I kissed Tita's cheeks and hugged Tito.
"Hi love.", I greeted Claire.
"We will be out for a moment, son.", tito said.
"You two have some talk, Claire misses you a lot even though you are out only for 4 hours.", tita said while laughing a little.
"Okay, tita, I'll call you if I'll go back to work, or maybe I will stay here with Claire until night.", I said to them.
They nod and went out if the room.
"Claire.", I called her.
"You shouldn't be here, Troy.", she said.
"Of course I will be here, you're my girlfriend. I promise that I would stay by your side right? No matter what happens I will stay by your side.", I said to her. "Now let's take a photo.", I smiled while saying that to her.
"Okay.", she said.
I look up, for me not to cry. I did promised t myself that I won't cry in front of her. That I would be strong when I am with her. While we were taking some photos Claire called my name.
"Troy.", she said.
"Yeah? What is it?", I asked her while looking at the photos we just take. This will only the a memory if you will be gone Claire.
"I'm sorry, Troy. I'm sorry if I can't stay with you for long. I'm sorry, Troy.", she said while her tears are coming out of her eyes.
"No, hey don't say that. You did fight for that illness of yours. You even last for another 3 years. We've been spending our relationship for 6 years and now you did fight for that for another 3 years. Imagine how strong you are, fighting right now of that illness of yours.", I said to her. Tears won't stop falling on her eyes. "God did gave a strong girlfriend that I didn't taught I would have to. God gave me you, He gave me the girl that I would love for the rest of my life.", I said.
"Troy, promise me.", oh great now she's doing a favor. Well I have to do this.
"Promise what? Hmm?", I asked.
"Promise me that you will not be broken for years. Promise me that you'll be happy even if I'm not with you, even if I'm already gone.", God! It's not that easy. My tears are starting to fall too. My phone is ringing so I have to answer it. It was tita.
"Yes tita?", I asked her on the phone.
"Can we go inside right now?", she asked.
"Yes tita.", I answered
"Okay, we'll be there.", I few minutes past, tita and tito did entered the room.
"Troy, are you listening? Promise me that please.", I don't know what to say. But still I will do that promise.
"Okay, Claire. I promise.", I said to her.
"Mom, Dad.", Claire called tita and tito.
"Yes baby?", tita ask. I can saw Tita's eyes. It's like she's going to cry anytime.
"Come here you two, please.", she pleased again.
Tita and tito did what Claire said.
"Mom, Dad and Troy, I know all of you will cry after this but can you all promise me this? That all three of you won't be in pain for too long. That you would understand what God is planning to do for me. Mom, promise me that you won't be crying all night after this day, please mom. I don't like seeing you crying. Dad? Please take good care of mom, please don't leave by her side, always stay at her side no matter what just like how Troy stayed with me even though he knew that this day would happen.",she said. I am taking a photo of the three of them. Atleast they will have the very last picture of them together.
"Troy.", she called me.
"Yes?", I asked.
"I'm tired.", I heard Tita crying right now. Tito is hugging her.
"I'm sleepy, Troy. Come here, sit here in my bed. Hug me for the last time, Troy. I want to to hug you too.", she said. I did what she said and there I heard what she said after closing her eyes and sleep peacefully.
You all want to know what she said? This is what she said.
"I love you, Troy, thank you for staying with me until the end."
The photos I've took. The photos that, the two of us will only became a memory right now.
"Pictures."
You can look at him all the time but you can't turn back time so that you and her will be together again.
All the pictures that I captured with her are all here in my room. Inside my cabinet, beside the mirror which Claire really love, and beside my bed. I've put them all inside my room. In order for me not to forget about her.
I hope you will be happy there in heaven, Claire. Just what I promise. I won't be in pain for too long. I love you,Claire. Thank you for the memories we had together♥
BY: K R S T N C Y Y Y Y
