Operation Centuria: The First 25

Day 13: Bites "The Last One" by Jane

Be realistic. That’s always the words she had to say before I leave her room. I wrote the date today on my mini notebook. Is this really the end? Is she really going to die? I count the dates left before she abandon this world. 2 more days.

“Jeyna?” the nurse asked me. It was really unsightly seeing a girl sitting at the floor with her hair messed up. “Hey Dorothy” I dust off my pants before I stand up. “Hey, you need a new haircut” she softly smiled at me. “Thanks for the advice” and then she went off.

Just as promised, I need what I have to do, to make her smile everyday and never leave her when she’s in pain. But what if I’m in pain too? Do I still need to be realistic?

I saw new patients today at the hospital. Sounds like there are disease spreading around. “Oh Jeyna, you’re here again” Eve saw me while checking her big notebook. “Yeah, I’ll visit her again” Eve is her nurse and she’s the one securing around for her safety. Safety? Ha. 

I deeply inhaled before I enter her room. She’s sitting at her bed, while her hair was braided and put it on one side. She’s still pretty. “Jeyna dear” she quickly gave me a sweet smile. “I leave you two alone to talk” and after some seconds, Eve left the room. “Hey auntie” I sat near her feet. “So, how you feeling today?” I asked her. She look at me like saying she’s still fine. Still fine. “Auntie, I’ll miss you” and she reluctantly wipe my tears in my cheeks. Again. “Jeyna, be strong okay? Even if I’m not here anymore, try to fight and thankful because God had given me time and such a wonderful daughter” I didn’t stop crying, although she’s not my real mother, she acted as if she was. I am thankful for giving her to me. 

I left her room, while I’m still crying. I’m not angry with God, but I’m really thankful that I have landed to a woman who loved me with all her heart and treated me as if I’m her real daughter. I wrote everything that happened today on my mini notebook. 

The last day. Yesterday, we celebrated her birthday. It was fun. Uncle was there and even my unreal brothers and sisters. Auntie was happy too and she never felt as if she was going to leave us. She looks so strong… but that was yesterday.

And now, uncle and I were in the chapel. It sounds a bit wrong but were still hoping that she’ll live more longer. I hope. I still don’t want her to go. I’m still hoping… 

“You can go first Jeyna, she’s waiting” I saw uncle’s crying face. It was horrible, All throughout the year, this was the first time I saw him crying. “Uncle, we will go together okay?” I held his hands and smile at him.  “Jess did the right thing, I’m so glad the we adopted you, I’m so glad Jeyna… I’m really happy that there’s still someone caring for her” The crying goes on. Uncle’s eyes and mine met, we nodded to each other. “Let’s go Uncle” this is the time we need to say goodbye to her. My brothers and sisters just left her room, and they were crying… but not enough for me, they’re now regretting what they have done! Leaving her alone! Fortunately, I was there, for her and I’ll promise not to leave her anymore.

Uncle opened the door, and there was she, sitting and gazing the sun outside, and when she noticed that we were there, she slowly smiled. I prepared the fruits for her. She took a bite and smiled again. “Auntie why are you smiling? You do know that you’re gonna leave us today right?” there was bitterness in my voice. “Jeyna” Uncle glared at me. “Sorry” I said.  “Its okay Jeyna,it’s okay” She sweetly smiled at me again. Countless smiles. She then took another bite from the apple I gave her. And then uncle and I started crying again. She’ll leave us and will not comeback. She hated apples, how come she’s eating it?

“Before I go, Jeyna, I want you to be strong, promise me okay? Like the last time you promised to me, I love you so much, and so do you honey, be sure to protect everyone okay? be sure to accept everything even when I’m gone, Be sure, ‘coz I’m gonna go to heaven and look down for you… I love you both, don’t cry please”  We did what she had said. Don’t cry. We both nod to her. She used her hands to close my eyes, at first I tried to refuse,but she begged me to. 

I was crying. And after some minutes, her grip loosen. When I open my eyes, uncle was still crying and I saw my mother holding the apple with her last bite. My tears fell down on my cheeks. Goodbye. 

I wrote what happened today, 

My mother just left me, but she didn’t forget to show me how she loves me so much. Eating the apples, she used to hate. And leaving her last bite. Thank you God, for such a wonderful person that you had given to me. I’ll still continue my journey without the person who used to be my inspiration in life.