Behind the Clouds (Published under Viva Books)

Chapter 8: The wishlist

Star's POV

Kinabukasan ay nagpunta ako sa ospital upang dalawin si Mandy. I will face her. I will face this. And together we will face her situation. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko habang umaakyat ang elevator. Kinakabahan ako habang papalapit ako nang papalapit sa kwarto ni Mandy. How should I approach her? Should I just say hi? Or should I just go and hug her? Bigla namang may pumatak na luha sa mga mata ko. Agad ko din itong pinunasan. Hindi ako pwedeng umiyak. Hindi pwedeng makita ni Mandy na mahina ako.

Nakita ko si Steven na lumabas ng pintuan ng kwarto ni Mandy. Nginitian niya ako at sinenyasan na pumunta muna kami sa lobby ng floor kung nasaan ang kwarto ni Mandy. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya. Kakamustahin ko na sana sakanya si Mandy nang bigla siyang napabuntong hininga.

"Haaaaaay!"

"How is she?" I asked him.

"She's doing great." he answered.

"How did she handle the result?"

"She handled it well. Alam mo bang never siyang sumimangot o umiyak noong nalaman niya? She was with us when the doctor discussed her condition. She was even smilimg while the doctor was telling us that she has leukemia. Mandy. Our Mandy. She has really grown up."

"She may be strong on the outside. But I am sure she is hurting on the inside. My bestfriend. She does not deserve this kind of pain." Tears began falling on my eyes. I just can't help it.

"So, you are finally here. Does this mean that you have already accepted the situation?" he asked me.

"Hindi pa totally. Pero I am trying. Besides, wala din namang magagawa kung magmumukmok ako sa kwarto ko. Sooner or later, I need to face this. What we need to do is to make Mandy's remaining days happy and memorable."

"You will help us in doing that, right?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Yes Steven. I will always be here for Mandy. I will do everything for her." I quickly answered. I will do everything. Literally everything and anything just to make sure that Mandy is happy everyday. I will make sure na matatakpan ng saya ang lahat ng sakit at lungkot na mararamdaman niya. I will make her the happiest.

"Mandy is so lucky to have you, Star." He held my hand and gave me a smile.

"And I am lucky to have her too. Let's keep fighting for her. And let me know kung may magagawa ako para sa kanya."

"Actually, madami. We let Mandy wrote her wishlist. Yung mga gusto niyang magawa bago siya mawala. And halos lahat ng sinulat niya ay ikaw yung makakatupad." Inabot sa akin ni Steven ang isang notebook. It's Mandy's handwriting. Her wishlist.

"Maiwan na muna kita dyan. Pasok ka sa room after mong basahin. Mauna na ako don." pagpapaalam ni Steven. I immediately read what are written.

Mandy's Wishlist

Number one. To learn how to play the piano.

Mandy is horrible when it comes to music. Ilang beses ko na siyang tinuruan magpiano pero mukhang hindi talaga para sa kanya. I'll try harder so she can learn playing the piano.

Number two. Makapunta sa Hongkong Disneyland with Star.

Pangarap namin ito mula bata kami. Madalas kasi naming mapanood si Mickey Mouse. Nagpinky-swear pa kami noong grade 2 na paglaki namin ay pupunta kami sa Disneyland. Tanda pa pala niya. Hindi pa niya nakakalimutan.