SHORT STORIES

C H A L L E N G E

It was a nice day,  the sun rising up slowly to lighten up the so dark world. The living things  finally waking up after their deep slumber, others still laying on their bed due to laziness. Jonathan yawned and sat down on his doorstep, getting a good view of the sunrise. He sipped his coffee taking a deep breath when he heard his house phone ringing as it echoed around the place. Jonathan stood and walked to the wireless phone, picking it up and going to his previous position on the door step again. 

"Hello?" He said taking a gulp from the mug on his hand after. 

"Jon?" A sweet voice said in the other side. Jonathan smiled as he heard the voice that always make his day every time.

 "What's wrong, babe?" He asked putting the empty mug beside him. Then he heard a distressed sigh on the other side. 

"Can I do a challenge for you?" The other asked quietly, making Jonathan a little bit worried. 

"What challenge? Babe, you're scaring me." He heard a little chuckle right on his ear, that chuckle that will always lighten up the room you're in. 

"Don't worry, babe, it's an harmless challenge. The challenge is no communication today, and if you passed. I'll love you forever." Jonathan can hear someone calling his name in the background. It was silent for a minute and his boyfriend came back on the phone.

"Okay, I accept it. But promise me that I'll see you the day afterwards." Jonathan said seriously. There was a bit hesitant tone on the other's voice but said yes. 

"Bye, Evan. I love you."

"Goodbye. I love you too, Jonathan Dennis..." Then there the call ended. Jonathan sighed and inhaled a lot of air, standing up and took the mug with him as he walked in the house. And gets ready for the day without his sunshine in his arms. The day took longer than the days he had before, probably because Evan wasn't there to entertain him. Eventually the day ended with Jonathan smiling all the way to his lover's house. But when he got there, he was greeted by all of Evan's families sobbing in sorrow. Jonathan got curious to all the depressed relatives outside the house, walking up to them he noticed Evan's mother had it worse than anyone. She has red eyes, nose and face, she was crying so hard that the tears in her eyes are drained by her sadness. 

"Mr and Mrs Fong, what happened?" He asked worriedly as Mrs Fong only cried harder and hid her face on her husband's chest, soaking his black shirt he wore. As Mr Fong only worried him more when he saw the sorrow and guilt in his dark brown eyes that Evan got from him. 

"Evan hasn't told you yet?" Jonathan was shocked at what he said. Yeah normally you would be confused at this situation, but not him. He was shocked and a little pissed that Evan kept a secret from him. They promised each other to not keep secrets from the other, important or not they should tell it to the other. 

"What is it that he hasn't told me?"

"I'm sorry Jon but, Evan has brain cancer about a month or so. He doesn't want to tell you cause he doesn't want to worry you. Even though I told him to tell you, he refused to do so. The doctor said yesterday that he has 24 hours left and that we have nothing to do to save him from it. I'm really sorry, Jon." Jonathan wasn't listening to what Evan's father rambled on after his first phrase. He was too shocked and sad that Evan has a serious illness that he hasn't told him anything about. Jonathan was also questioning the same question over and over again. 

'What was the challenge all about?'

"My Evy told me to give this to you when you get here..." Jonathan snapped out of his thoughts to look at what Mrs Fong was holding, to see a neatly folded piece of paper. He shakily grabbed it from her, looking at them after he inspected the paper. They both nodded and he breathed in air, opening the paper carefully. 

Dear Jonathan, 

You did it baby, you managed to live a day without me. Now please do it everyday... I love you, Jonathan Dennis. Forever and always.

Love,
Evan

Jonathan dropped to his knees, holding the letter close to his chest as the tears he was holding in finally fell from his eyes. Sobs coming out of him as he continued to clutch on the letter tight, Mr and Mrs Fong hugged him from behind. Jonathan didn't knew that losing his love one would hurt this much, until now. He promised to himself that until the day he die, he will forever will not date anyone. His lover would only be the only one, and that's his Evan Fong. 

END