Her last days | √

First Chapter

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Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names ,
characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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"If today is all you have to live, what will you do?"
- Lailah Gifty Akita

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/Chapter 1: Dear Ivan,/

My dear Ivan,

You're like a mushroom, popping all of a sudden in my mind. Oh, right. You're always in my mind, love.

By the way, I just happen to have a paper and pen in my hand and I feel like writing you a letter, telling you how much I love you. Words aren't enough but I love you. I love you. I really do.

Chara

A GASP escaped my lips. For the nth time, I'm having a hard time breathing again.

Hinayaan kong manatiling nakapikit ang aking mga mata. I can feel the coldness seeping through me. Kahit papaano ay nakatulong ang malamig na pakiramdam para mapakalma ko ang sarili ko.

With a heavy feeling, I slowly opened my eyes. I looked at the wall clock, showing that it is already eight in the morning.

I whispered a short prayer, thanking God for this another day. I'm so grateful. Despite of feeling ill, I'm still happy.

Napabaling ako sa aking pintuan nang may kumatok. Ilang sandali pa ay bumukas 'yon at ang maamong mukha ng aking ina ang bumungad sa 'kin.

A smile automatically formed in my lips.

"Good morning, anak." Malambing niyang bati. She lay down beside me and wrapped her arms around lovingly. Ah. It feels so peaceful to be in her arms.

"Good morning, Ma." Mahina kong bati.

She gently combed my hair with her fingers, soothing every pain I'm feeling right now. Her touch is even more effective than the painkillers I'm taking.

"How are you? Hmm?"

I licked my chapped lips, "Better." Matipid kong sagot.

"I've heard you have a date with your boyfriend?" She said, teasing me. I know she just wants to make me feel better. Kahit naman kasi hindi ko sabihin ang sakit na nararamdaman ko, ay alam niya 'yon. Alam nila ni Papa 'yon.

"Yeah. He'll be here any minute from now." I said, giggling. I always love the thought of my boyfriend.

"Then you must start getting ready." Sabi ni Mama at saka bumangon na. "Did he tell you kung saan ka niya idadala mamaya?"

I pursed my lips, thinking. "No, Ma. I think it's a surprise again? You know how he loves surprising me." Natatawa kong sabi. I can finally feel the energy in my body. Maingat akong tumayo upang pumunta sa banyo. I know my mom wants to help me, but I'm thankful she lets me move like I'm fine. Like I am a normal girl, having all the energy in the world.

"Chara, anak, Ivan's already here!" Sigaw ni Mama mula sa labas. Buti na lang at may hinanda na si Mama na maligamgam na tubig pampaligo ko. I chuckled to myself. Most of the times, I feel like a kid. Lahat, hinahanda para sa 'kin. Well, my parents love me so much and so are my brothers, too. Ah. I suddenly missed my brothers. Nasa Australia kasi sila ngayon with my grandma.

I took a bath quickly. Pagkalabas ko ay nakahanda na sa kama ko ang isusuot ko. An off-shoulder white dress, reaching my thighs.

I looked at myself. Ang putla ko. I applied lip balm and cheek tint to add color and life to my face. Hinanda ko ang hair blower at nang sisimulan ko nang patuyuin ang buhok ko, siya namang pagpasok ni Ivan.

Agad akong napangiti. "Hey."

"Hello, beautiful." Bati niya sabay abot ng isang long stemmed rose. "I missed you." He murmured against my head.

I looked at his reflection, "I missed you, too."

Kinuha niya sa 'kin ang hair blower, "Let me." Aniya at sinimulang patuyuin ang buhok ko.

I smiled while watching him. It isn't the first time he blow dried my hair. He always loves doing things for me, malilit man o malalaking bagay.

Nilapag niya ang hairblower nang tuluyang matuyo ang buhok ko. I giggled when he started braiding my hair.

"Sana magawa mo na 'yan ng mas maayos." Biro ko sa kaniya. Lagi kasi siyang nalilito kapag sinusubukan niyang i-braid ang buhok ko. He always ends up frustrated.

He grinned at me. "Don't worry, love. I downloaded some vid tutorials on YouTube. It wasn't really hard." He said confidently. And true to his words, maganda nga ang kinalabasan ng ginawa niya sa buhok ko.

"Ang galing mo!" Natutuwa kong puri sa kaniya.

"Mas lalo ka na namang na-in love sa 'kin." Tukso niya.

With a smile, I stood up and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Have I already told you how much I love you?"

He pulled me in a tight hug. "You can tell me about it over and over again and it won't lose its meaning."

"Mahal kita." Masuyo kong sabi habang hinahaplos ang malambot niyang buhok.

"Sobrang mahal kita." Aniya at mas hinigpitan pa ang yakap sa 'kin.

Nanatili kaming magkayakap. "I love your hugs." I said randomly.

"More than my kisses?" He asked in a teasing tone.

I pouted. "Don't make me choose. Mahirap mamili!"

His body vibrated because of his laugh. Bahagya siyang humiwalay sa 'kin upang matingnan ang mukha ko. "Don't worry. You can have both." He said with a wink.

He stared at me for a long time. I can't help but smile every time he does that. I don't feel awkward or intimidated. I just feel happy because he always has his eyes on me.

"You're staring longer than usual." Nakataas ang kilay kong sabi.

"Uh-huh." He chuckled and pulled me in a hug again. "I'm just thinking..." He gently swayed us back and forth.

"What is it?" Mahina kong tanong. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng antok. It feels so comfortable having him this close.

"About what did I do in my past life to have an amazing woman like you here in my arms." He said sweetly.

Tahimik akong ngumiti at ninamnam ang kapayapaang nararamdaman.

Oh, my dear Ivan...