Whoever said that life is fair is one delusional prick. These were the words that lingered in Tala’s mind when she woke up the next day. She snuggled beside Jake. A feeling so foreign but felt so right at the same time. They cried themselves to sleep last night. No words were exchanged just tears, hugs and chaste kisses. Her bed was too small for them but it didn’t matter. Suddenly she heard somebody knock on her door. The door was open anyway.
“River cooked lunch” Matt told her when she looked towards his direction. Their landlady doesn’t cook.
“Doesn’t she have work or something?” she asked. She felt Jake stir.
“She has work tonight” he answered. “Jake’s usually grumpy for an hour when he wakes up”
“I know” she laughed. “I’ll just wash my face and brush my teeth”.
“Okay” Matt said as he left the room. Tala stared at Jake. She touched his long eyelashes. She always wanted to do that. He stirred again. That was her cue to get up. She slowly tried to get up but Jake wrapped his arms around her.
“Don’t go” his words were soft but it sounded more like a plea.
“River cooked lunch” she told him. They were now face to face on her small bed. Jake kissed her on her lips.
“I want to know the names of the doctor’s you’ve seen” he looked at her.
“Jake I don’t want to have an operation. We’re talking about my brain. What if I wake up and I don’t remember a single thing?” she looked at him.
“That’s not going to happen” he said but there was fear in his eyes.
“No surgeries whatsoever. I just want something for the pain” she looked at him.
“I will not just watch you die. I’m not going to lose you” his eyes were teary.
“Jake I don’t want to argue about this again. No surgeries. I just want something for the pain” she repeated.
“I want the names of the doctor’s you’ve seen” he asked.
“What for? The results won’t change anyway” she laughed bitterly. Jake got up quickly without saying a word.
==========
Jake didn’t join them for lunch. Tala spent the rest of the afternoon typing away because she had a deadline to meet. Somebody knocked on her door and it swung open.
“Jake’s outside” Matt announced.
“I just need to finish this” she replied without looking away from the screen.
“You have visitors”
“Visitors?” she looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
“Yes” he replied. He was uneasy. Tala got up and went out of the room. Her parents were seated at the living room.
BINABASA MO ANG
Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness (Stellar)
General FictionTala left home to pursue her dream in writing Tagalog Romantic Novels; it was something her parents frowned upon. While making ends meet, she met Jake. He became her savior and best friend. For short, he was her everything. But here's the kicker...
