I grew up in a wonderful, stable family where I felt loved and learned about God at a young age. But when cancer hit, I forgot about faith and tried to fight my life without God. I was so lost and couldn't get back to my track.
But a lot of people made me realize that I am not battling alone. Importantly, he is always with me all the time.
Today is the 11th day before my expiration date. The doctor told me and my family how quick the cancer spread all over my body. My brain, the most important organs, everywhere. Lumiit rin ako ng kunti and my skin is now kissing my bones sa sobrang payat ko na. I wasn't shock when they said death is so near. But my parents were.
Sunday, church day and worship gig day. I was lying on the hospital bed with dextrose - which replace the lost fluids and provide carbohydrates to my body and oxygen due uncomfortable breathing. Anak ni manong Jun ang nagbabantay sa akin, si Jea. My parents are on their way here, si kuya naman sinundo ang mga ka churchmate namin dahil bibisitahin daw ko, si Seven naman lumabas para bumili ng pagkain nina Jea, si Angel naman nasa bahay nila kasi nagkasakit din ang mama niya. My body's still weak. Nothing in my body functions normally. I was slowly dying in the inside. I can feel pain eveeywhere.
Maya-maya'y dumating na sina mama. My mother drew smiles in her face but her eyes were so sad - starts grieving. But just like always, papa was so calm. No sadness can be seen in his face but his sigh told a lot of stories. And then, si Seven na naman ang dumating. I looked at him and he smiled at me. He went straight to me and kissed me in my forehead like he always do every time he sees me. His kiss was so warm and brought me to the moment when we first met.
It was May 28, 2018, Friday afternoon. Our class ended too early, so Angel and I decided to go to Convention Center, where there's a whopper book sale hosted by Big Bad wolf - which happened once a year, near our school. We got VIP pass also - only VIPs can enter on the first day of book sale. Surest, today was the first day. So, hindi na namin pinalagpas.
"Ang daming books!!! My Goash!" Angel exclaimed as if she's never been to any book sale.
"Bes, hanapin mo si Mitch Albom. Any books basta sa kanya. Ako kay Rick Riordon. Okay?" Bilin ko sa kanya. She nodded while her eyes were on the books. We parted ways with our cart and agonized the surroundings. I went to Best Seller section. Five feet from where I was, I saw Rick Riordan's book series. There was only one left. I quickly pushed my cart and run. Unfortunately, a guy's cart blocked my way and smashed mine's to his. I almost bumped my head to my cart's handle. I lifted my head and tilted a little bit to check the book but I saw the Rick Riordan's book series in that guy's hand. I almost cried when he motioned and put it in his cart.
"Wait!!" lumingon siya sa akin.
"Bibilhin mo ba yan?" tinuro ko ito.
"Uhuh. Why?" he stared at me, wrinkled-forehead, pouted lips. "
Kasi...." I couldn't think of any alibi but I'm much more than willing to risk. I know this is a bad idea. He stared at me and waited for the next word.
"..I want to gift that to my cousin's birthday.."
"So?" So, I tell a whopper.
"..she's dying.. It's her favorite at gusto ko maging special ang birthday niya. She wanted that for so long, but I couldn't find any. I feel so... bad." I thought he would believe me but he just cracked a small laugh telling me he didn't believe it.
"But it's okay." sighing. I turned away. Pumunta nalang ako sa General fiction. Dismayado ako pero naghanap nalang ako ng ibang books na baka magustuhan ko. But a minute later, someone poked me. Nilingon ko ito. He fully handed me the books. At first hindi pa nagsink-in sa utak ko ang ibig sabihin niya. Nung na gets ko, kinuha ko agad ito sa kamay niya, nilagay sa cart ko at niyakap ko siya in returned to his goodness.
That was Seven's first hug from me.
Later that day, he saw me reading that book in our campus. He was hurt and I was guilty. He was mad at me because he knew I was just telling a lie. Because I really thought, hindi ko na siya makikita pa, same lang pala kami ng school. Such a playful fate, isn't it?
I keep on saying sorry every day to him before the class started and after the class ended. He's as hard as rock at first but then, I slowly knew how to soften him. He soon forgive me. That lie destined us to meet. Naging close na kami simula nun. Eating lunch together, doing homework at the library, saving seats every programs and going home together. Exchanging hugs, thank yous, saying "I miss you". At that time, feelings gone deeper. My "I miss yous" started to have malice. My hugs started to have different meaning. But for him, it was just a hug. It was just 'I miss you' like how you miss a friend . However, I wasn't sure if he felt the same way.
Days passed, I heard Seven broke up with her girlfriend- na hindi ko alam na meron pala. Medyo nalungkot ako para sa kanya but I felt happy despite all.
September 5th, Seven and I's 3rd monthsary, I saw his ex-girlfriend at the coffee shop near our school. I looked at her but she tried not to look at me. I felt there's something horrible I did to her. I felt like I owe her a lot.
I was taken aback when someone planted a kiss on my forehead. It was Seven. I didn't realize I was reminiscing those moment for too long.
"Andyan na sila." I eyed on the doorway.
YOU ARE READING
10 Days Before I Meet God
General Fiction"I wanna question his capability of saving lives but I will not; instead I will worship him even more." -Abby
