He's sick. Stephen has stage 4 cancer and he's dying. Na diagnose lang daw na may cancer siya noong panahon na naaksidente siya. The doctors said that his days are numbered and there's nothing much they can do for him but to prolong his agony.
That's why he started pushing me away. Dahil ayaw niya daw akong masaktan dahil eventually ay iiwan din niya ako. As much as I want to understand his choices, ay hindi ko magawa. He could have just said it instead of ruining everything we had.
Parang isang malaking joke na ang buhay ko. It's like life doesn't want me to be happy. Stephen asked me to go with him in the US and be with him while he's doing his chemo. Ang nakakaloko pa, Viki also begged me to go with him because Stephen won't take his madications without me.
So here I am. A day after my graduation, I'm flying to the US with Stephen.
I waved at my parents as we enter the airport. Si Ranz naman ay iyak ng iyak habang tinatahan ni Harold. Sabi ko sa kanya, wag siyang magpapakasal hanggat hindi ako bumabalik. She said her wedding will never be perfect without me. It's really heart warming and sweet. I'm really thankful na may isang Ranz na ipinagsisikan ang sarili niyang maging bestfriend ko.
And there is Jace. Giving me an assuring smile. Hindi ko gagawin ang pagkakamali ni Stephen noon. I know what I feel for Jace at hindi ko hahayaang mawasak ang kung anu mang meron kame ngayon. So talked to him yesterday and asked him if. he could wait for me.
"I don't care how long, as long as I know you'll come back to me."
I'm very thankful that God gave Jace to me. He was my refuge, my friend and I love him.
"I'm sorry Sophia." Stephen said while holding my hand. Nandito kame ngayon sa ospital para sa first chemo session niya. "I know I'm being selfish but I can't help it. Kahit sa huling pagkakataon lang, kahit ngayon lang Phia. I want to feel that you are mine, and mine alone. I know this is too much to ask, but please can you forget Jace while we are together?"
I nodded and kissed his forehead.
In order for his theraphy to work, he should also be willing to fight. I need to make him figth this. Everyday became more painful than the other.
Dumating siya sa punto na nirereject na ng body niya ang medicines. He's became thinner at kapansinpansin narin ang panghihina niya.
But he didn't stop fighting and I'm glad I was here for him. Kahit na parang binibiyak ang puso ko sa tuwing nakikita ko siyang nahihirapan.
2 years have passed. Minsan ko lang maka usap sina mommy and daddy. Madalang din akong makapag message kay Ranz. I've dedicated my time to Stephen, he needs me more than anyone.
And Jace, I haven't talked to him. No calls, no messages. I want to keep my promise to Stephen because this is all I can give him.
"Ms. Cojuanco. I'll be honest with you." Nandito ako ngayon sa office ng doctor ni Stephen. " We've tried everything we could possibly do, I'm sorry. His body is not responding to the medications and his not getting better."
My tears fell and my body went numb. I know, somehow this day would eventually come. I was preparing for this since day one. Pero iba parin talaga pag nandyan na. Kahit papano umasa ako na gagaling siya.
"3 months. I'm really sorry."
My heart felt heavy. Parang any moment magbebreakdown nalang ako at iiyak. But I need to be strong, he needs me to be strong.
"Phia. Anong niluluto mo?" Saad ni Stephen habang naka upo sa wheelchair.
"Adobo. Namiss ko na kasi to."
"Masarap ba yan? Mukha naman hindi e." he said, teasing me.
"E di wag kang kumain."
"Joke lang! Alam mo naman na basta luto mo, favorite ko."
We've spent the last days doing stuffs that he haven't done since he entered his medications. Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanya ang sinabi ng doctor. Natatakot ako. Natatakot akong sumuko siya sa sarili niya.
2 months after the doctor told me his condition at bumalik kame sa ospital.
Nagising nalang ako nang isang umaga ay hindi ko na magising si Stephen. He's in a coma. Sabi ng doctor, parang sinadya daw ni Stephen na ilagay ang sarili niya sa coma. He's giving up.
----
Epilogue will be posted soon. <3
