Freaking Romance in Progress (Double Trouble Series #1)

FRIP 65 (SEASON 2 FINALE)

This is the final chapter. See you at the special chapter and epilogue!
---

Chapter 65

Yours

"Stage 2 colon cancer."

Napakurap-kurap ako habang hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nasasaksihan. Featuring my shallow tears, I wasn't able to react properly.

Jean was even able to chuckle at the moment. Sinubukan niyang tumayo na agad namang inalalayan ni Colt. She waved her hands to show she can handle.

"Hindi pa naman ako lumpo!" tawa pa niya nang nakatayo na nang tuluyan.

Napailing ako nang nagsimula nang pumatak ang mga luha.

My memories of her becoming surprisingly weak, pale, and timid the past few months suddenly awakened. I don't know if it's part of it... but that day when Jean fainted right in front of me when we were arguing at the rooftop, and Colt's furious reactions, now made sense to me. How Colt got super mad at me for hitting Jean's head with a volleyball, his absolute care for Jean, all of it. I suddenly felt guilty thinking for all of it! In just a split of seconds!

"S-Since when?" I asked with a shaky voice.

Ghunter tried soothing me but I shook my head to dismiss him. Surely, he knew about this, too! Ako lang naman ang laging walang alam, hindi ba?

"I was diagnosed with cancer just this year," Jean sighed. "But don't worry, I'm now under examination and medication. For now... we just want to... hide it from the public. And... take care of the surgeries."

Napayuko siya ngunit pinilit na tumawa bago humarap ulit sa akin. "Hey, why are you crying? I didn't even cry when I heard about it!"

"She's a crybaby, incy," marahang sambit ni Colt sa tabi niya.

I fired him with my glares. Napatikhim ito at muling inabala ang pag-aasikaso sa buhok ni Jean.

I gripped my hand. "How... How's your health? I-Is that severe already? How big is the chance to recover from that? S-Survival rate?"

"We're just avoiding her to get exhausted and stressed, maintaining her proper diet. Nag-wheelchair lang dahil pagod sa byahe," si Colt sabay sulyap sa girlfriend. "A-And... seventy five percent... rate."

I nodded my head gently but the trembling of my hands just couldn't calm down. After that, we decided to head towards the restaurant. Glasses of water were immediately served so I drank one of it when I felt my throat droughty.

Napag-alaman kong pina-reserve nila para ngayong araw ang buong lugar. Dahil bukod sa nais nilang maging pribado ang pag-uusap, mahigpit na iniiwasan na may makaalam sa kondisyon ni Jean. Kahilingan din naman ng huli dahil sa mga nagdaang buwan ay abala para sa mga proyekto, lalo na sa pelikula, kaya malaking tulong ang pansamantalang pahinga na ito.

Ghunter and Colt were the masterminds of this plan. Kaya naman sa mga oras na iyon, isang bagay ang sumulpot sa aking isip.

Closure.

This is a very perfect moment to have that. At last.

The food was served. I tried observing the servants and other workers who are able to witness this little moment. Napansin kong kakaonti lang ang mga nagtatrabaho para sa araw na ito kumpara sa huling pasyal ko rito. Siguro'y piling-pili lang para sa okasyong ito. Ang iba pa'y pinipilit na hindi magawi sa amin ang tingin. Samantalang ang iba naman, kulang na lang ay humaba na ang mga leeg para lang makiusisa.

I shrugged and just focused on what's in front of me.

"Is your stomach empty?" biglang tanong sa akin ni Ghunter.