Counter Clockwise

Counter Clockwise (part 2)

The next day came and I began to talk more with Katherine. I admit, she is fun to be with.

"I'm glad that you became my friend, Alex." She said while stuffing large rocks in one of our classmate's bag. "It's like I can trust you with any secret!"

I glanced at my watch. Friends don't keep secrets from each other, right?

One day, while we were eating ice cream at my apartment, I asked her what she thought about life and death. I momentarily saw her look alarmed before she put on that why-are-you-asking-me-that look on her face.

"I mean, what happens if you have a device that can tell when you are going to die?"

She thought for a moment. "I'll be sad. I mean it would be depressing watching each second pass knowing that your life is ticking away."

She took a scoopful of ice cream and ate it. "Life would be better just the way it is. Unpredictable."

The next day came and I noticed that Katherine hadn't arrived yet; which is odd.

The teacher started the roll call but she still hadn't arrived. Maybe she had a cold or maybe she ate something bad yesterday which resulted to some digestive problem.

After our class, I immediately called her and asked if something's wrong.

"No, i'm perfectly fine." She said with a weak voice, "I just had a slight fever but i'll be fine."

"Okay, take plenty of rest." I was trying to be calm but why on earth was I so restless? "I'll see you tomorrow."

But she still wasn't in school the next day; or the following days after. And you know what's worse? I missed her badly.

I've never felt so empty in my whole life! Something is terribly wrong with her and I must know what it is.

I went to her house the next day. She wasn't in school for a week. I pressed the doorbell and I was greeted by her mother.

"Alex?" She said with surprise and weariness in her voice. "What brings you here?"

"I just want to check on Katherine. She'd been absent for a week, so I got worried."

She looked a bit shocked. "She didn't tell you?"

I gave her a questioning look and she sighed. There's something wrong here, like a scene of tragedy ready to unfurl before its audience.

"I thought she already told you the situation we are experiencing right now."

"What situation? How can I help?"

She gave me a sad smile. "Katherine is dying."

"What? How?"

Tears were already forming on the edge of her eyes but she just brushed it off. She grabbed a piece of paper and I read it.

"Pancreatic cancer? Why all of a sudden?"

She looked away from me and wiped a tear from her eye. I read the piece of paper again and I felt fear for my friend's life.

I went to the hospital where Katherine had been receiving medication for the past few days.

I went directly to her room, 407, and immediately opened that door. And I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

Katherine was lying on the bed, her cheeks a bit sunken. She must've lost a pound or so. She had this contraption stuck into her body which I found painful to watch. The room was eerily silent except for the sound of the machine that's been monitoring her heartbeat.

I went closer and mustered all my courage to speak.

"I thought we were friends." I continued, "Why didn't you tell me about this? I could've helped."

I looked at my watch. I now understand why my father sacrificed his own life for his friend.

"Even if it means risking my life."

I held her hand and told her everything. It was weird at first but I finally got comfortable. I talked to her about the loneliness, the pain, the longing I felt for the last five years. The way she cured the negative things by just being around, and finally, the reason why my father died and about the watch.

"My father was trying to say something to me but he died before he could ever finish it. I think what he was trying to say is life is more worth it if your reason is worth dying for. Quite ironic, huh?"

I placed my right hand on her wrist, "You have a mother and a good life ahead of you. I just have you. You are worth dying for, Katherine."

I began adjusting the watch and I felt my life draining out of me. I saw her eyelids begin to flutter and she opened her eyes. I never knew that her eyes were like melted chocolate, irresistable and full of life.

"Alex, How...? Why?" She said with a moment of confusion then stares at me accusingly. "I remember. I heard everything. Did you... do something?"

I lifted my arms so that she can see my watch. I can see the anguish and betrayal and... Care? Love? Concern?

"35 seconds and counting." I said nonchalantly.

Tears streamed down her eyes and I laughed. "You look ugly when you cry. Sucks to be you."

She nudged me gently on my side and laughed.

25 seconds.

I've never been this close to death before but seeing her alive beside me, I could never wish for anything better.

She wrapped her arms around me.

15 seconds.

I hugged her back and I could feel her heart beating. Her tears were falling on my chest, soaking my shirt.

10 seconds.

"Katherine?" I whispered gently.

She sobbed. "What?"

5..

4..

3..

"Don't waste my time."

2..

I held Katherine tightly in my arms and I closed my eyes.

1...

I've never felt so alive.

0