Prince

Chapter 3

(Max)

We have continued his therapy as scheduled, just like before; I am still amazed by the speed at which he could do things on his own. I have seen so many patients where they have either recovered way ahead of schedule, some take way too long to improve, and then here is KM. He has exceeded every expectation.

To someone who has never been with him will say that he has been undergoing this therapy for years while, on the contrary, it has only been ten months since we have started. His recovery speed is exceeding my expectation.

His parents have hired both Ethan and me with a 1-year contract. I hate to say that the remaining two months of our commitment makes me feel like I am about to lose a part of my self. It feels like I have always been there to guide and make sure that he makes 100% recovery.

I know that both Ethan and I will never forget the time we spent caring for him. As his Physical Therapist, I will do my very best to ensure that he gets the best therapy to have a 100% recovery.

(KM)

It has been almost a year since I have started this therapy. It has been painful, but it's all worth it. As to what I can see based on Max's reactions, I can say that I have been an excellent patient.

All of this pain, to get back on my feet and prove to myself that love is not all worth it. Love is the most overrated emotion.

Love only gives us a false perception of hope that someone is willing to go above and beyond our happiness. I can say that even though I can see that both of my Fathers love each other, I know that deep inside, they have regrets. The kind that they wish they had never met each other.

Being in-love is pointless after giving all your effort and time to that person. In the end, all you get is pain because they will leave you for someone else when they feel that you could not give what they want or die after long decades of being together.

"There you are!" The voice behind me

I looked back and saw Ethan with his annoying smile. Who would have thought that I have once fallen in love with this person before? Now running in my thoughts, there are only two more months, and then they won't be bothering me gives me relief.

"What do you want?" I answered

"It is time for your medicine, so come along, be a good lad and drink up."

(Ethan)

Before, he was sitting in his wheelchair most of the time; now, he can stand and walk independently with just a cane. Though the tremors on his hand persist, each episode is not like what it used to be.

"Here!" I gave him the batch of the medicine that he needs to drink for the time.

I don't need to keep a close eye on him when it comes to his medicines. He doesn't like to miss a single dose, unlike for Max, where there would be times when Martin would make all sorts of reasons to skip the therapy sessions.

He quickly took the medicines and then turned his back on me—a sign telling me to leave him alone. I did what he wanted and left but did check up on him every once in a while. Some might say that it could be negligence on my part. Still, the way I know him before tells me that he is not stupid enough to harm himself. After all the surgeries, medicines, and therapy sessions that he went through.

Seeing him like that still gives me some pinch in my heart after all we dated before. These feelings might be because we never had any proper closure. He just left without saying anything. I just got a message saying, "I love you. Don't wait for me."

I was confused about the meaning of his message. Then I learned that he moved to the Philippines. I was devastated. I felt like I was lost and had no real direction. It lasted quite a while before I got a grip on reality that he is never coming back.

After a while, I continued my studies, and then there, I met Max, and the rest is history as we speak. We are getting married after this commitment.

(KM)

I was phasing out again. This pain inside my chest, his face, smile, the kiss I can't get rid of it, and I hate it. I hate that he lost the memories that we had spent together, and I hate that he is my brother after all this time.

I keep on staring into the horizon from the view on our terrace. This is the only way I know I can control these emotions. And escape reality every time I face my family.

"Hey..." I felt Daddy Jam's hand on my shoulder. I looked at him, and then I can see through his eyes. He is still worried. What used to be eyes filled with love and joy are now filled with worries.

"Are you ok?" Daddy asked me again

"I'm good..." my simple reply. It still hurts me just by looking at him. All the secrets that both of them kept from me. It feels like they have kept half of my life from me. I felt deprived of my own identity, and now I can't even look at them.

"Do you want to talk?" Daddy asked again

"Talk about what?" My short and sarcastic reply.

"You tell me... I know both Jom and I made a huge mistake of keeping something important to you, so I am giving you the freedom to ask away or better yet exhaust all your anger."

He sat next to me and looked into the horizon, preparing for my anger, but I won't give in that easily. I will make them feel the pain bit by bit.