When the Fireworks Begin

Chapter XXVI

Sunday before Christmas of 2012...

James was up early. He has been cleaning the apartment since yesterday.  Making sure that every spot in their small home is properly dusted.  Devon, together with Aling Linda and Mang Tony will be arriving by lunch time.  From the airport, they will go straight to their home.

Her doctors insist on bringing Devon to the hospital for proper care, but Devon wanted to spend her time at home. So, Edwin Rocafort decided to bring the hospital to his son’s apartment instead.  Devon’s doctor in Singapore and Dr. Alvarez provided medical equipments which will Devon need at home which Mr. Rocafort sent without batting an eyelash. Edwin Rocafort even hired two caregivers to help in taking care of Devon once she’s at home.

Devon, upon hearing this, said thank you until she ran out of breath.  Edwin Rocafort soothed her daughter-in-law through phone.

“Just let me do this to make-up with you and your family,” Mr. Rocafort insisted.

“You’ve made up a long time ago,” Devon assured.

James puffed the pillows in the guest room which was converted into Devon’s bedroom.  He placed some fresh flowers on the table at the end of the room.  He decided to take out some of Devon’s favourite stuffed toys and placed it on the table, too.

James glanced at his watch.  It was almost lunch time. He should be going to the airport now to meet Devon. 

As he was driving to the airport he remembered the day he left Singapore.  It was two hours before his flight and he was still sitting down in Devon’s hospital room.  Aling Linda was trying to get him out of the room, fearing he will miss his flight.

“Go,” Devon coaxed.

Finally, he was able to pull himself up from the chair. He kissed Devon and told her that he will miss her terribly.  Devon smiled and typed on her computer.

“I will miss you more,” Devon typed.

“I can stay, you know,” James insisted.

But Devon was adamant. “Go and do your job,” Devon typed. 

James leaned forward and kissed her again on the lips.  James has never been apart from Devon for this long, since her diagnosis.  And he feels that every minute, every hour seems to be longer when he was not with her.

Once he got back to Cebu, the first thing he did was call his wife.  Then he contacted Dr. Alvarez regarding the medical facilities and other medical needs Devon will require once she got home.  Then he went to the advertising agency to settle the dispute over the contract.

After that meeting, James went online immediately. He checked on Devon and never went offline again, well, until now.  Aling Linda warned him several times that the laptop may overheat since James insisted on looking at Devon the entire day.  Mang Tony eventually managed to convince James to let them turn the laptop off while Devon sleeps.  But James never logged off and turned off his laptop, he patiently waited until Mang Tony appeared online again.