~Ours~

Song of Marvels: Chapter 3

I was lying on my bed and took my favorite vampire themed book that I bought several months ago. The blessed-female-who-acts-so-weird-in-the-book was in the midst of choosing whom she'll love: the vampire who became her universe or his friend who give him warmth and love during his darkest days. I guess it's like a typical love triangle story that excites every reader, especially how the author describes them. I saw a folded paper that I used as a bookmark. I unfolded it, it was my stupid reflection about life before I had my winter break for being a senior in Allentown High school. I read:

What life is like?

1. Life offers temporary happiness and satisfaction. Thus, everything in life is not permanent.

2. You'll going to expect happy ending even though you knew it won't happen. You just keep on expecting so that your ego won't lose its pride.

3. Strangers offer friendship and love. They'll just use you and get what you possess and left you in misery. Remember: real friend doesn't exist.

4. Head and shoulders don't promise no-dandruff-hair. Such a liar!

5. People around you will have a lot of expectations from you and if you fail they'll curse you.

6. You can pray to someone whom you do not see, but receiving blessings with expiry date.

7. Many religions will deceive you and make you believe you and make you believe that they're right and promised salvation. Religions and denominations are competing like a race who's the best.

8. You don't have total freedom until 18

9. Only wealthy can afford the things you want.

10. Politicians promised a lot and did lies.

11. There is no fairness in the society.

12. You are judge on how you look. People don't recognize such potentials you possess.

13. Many died without justice.

14. Once you're on the top they pull you down.

15. Virginity is treasured-no-more.

16. Fools claim that they know when the world ends: 2012.

17. Once you get old, you'll end up in home for the aged and forgotten by your family.

I prepared myself to hear the findings. Dad placed his hand on my shoulder as we entered the hospital. I felt excited but frightened, curious but ready to step back. Seeing him makes me feel okay, but him, seeing me made him feel upset and angry. How I wish I had a vampire lover who doesn't have a fever. (Guess I'm becoming one of the fans who obsessively fell in love about gorgeous vampires. Who cares?)

The doctor came holding papers, the findings. Dad and I decided to bring my-mom-to-be-without-further-notice and her two sons. This is it. I sighed and smiled at the doctor who looked calm and pleasant in my eyes though his face is unpredictable. He looked at the findings, but dad said something to the doctor. They talked for awhile but their voices were too low for me to hear. Then the doctor left us. Dad holds the paper, as if he was reading it.

“Jen this is the time for you to know,” he said, looking at me in his serious face, “this may be a bad new but you must hear this.”

“Dad...I don't understand you.”

“Achilles kept this from all of you for a long time. I don't know how he did this but he kept a secret so secured and acted as if nothing wrong. Kelly is a strong man although this few days were too unpredictable and ungrateful.”

He paused.

“He has an AIDS. He's an asymptomatic carrier, the signs were too slow for us to notice. It's been with him several years. He's dying Jen.”

What?

What did he say?

AIDS?

Asymptomatic carrier?

Signs?

Dying?

Why?

Where did he get this?

My tears suddenly flowed out of my eyes. My heart ached and I felt that someone hits my head with a cannon ball.

“You knew all about this dad?” I stutters.

He nodded.

“There's no time to show your anger, Jennifer. If you still love Achilles even if he's dying then you must show what you feel.”

I'm loving a dying person? What the hell is this? Ughhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

“Jen, it's up to you.”

I saw Joshua was crying, he suddenly walked towards Kelly's room.

“Joshua, wait. I'll go with you.”

He nodded wiping his tears. I wiped mine. He would notice that we're crying. We must be strong, I must be strong. I don't know how to handle this situation. I don't know if AIDS has a cure or maybe a treatment, or a thing that would prolong his life. I twisted the door knob and ready to face Achilles.

“Hi dude,” Joshua said as if everything's okay.

Kelly smiled.

“Hi,” I said.

No response.

He's dying...

I took a deep breathe, I must be strong. Be strong. And, I just smiled at him.

There was a long silence.

As if we're in a closed box.

“Are you alright dude?”

“Yeah,” he said changing his tune to a joyful one, “I'm fine. I'm doing great. Maybe today the doctor will let me out.”

How could he lie to us until now? Is he that strong to carry things with lies? He is not helping himself.

He's dying....

“Stop lying Kelly!” I snapped.

“Jen,” Joshua said, not expecting something like that.

“So, all of you know that I'm dying?”

I didn't say anything. Then, Joshua attempted to got out wiping his tears.

“Joshua,” Kelly called him, “please stay. I know it's hard for you to know. But please stay.”

“And it's hard for me too, Kelly.”

No response again.