337 days

by Denise Kim Wy

  "They call me a geek way back in high school. But I just kept quiet. I used to dream of having the campus heart rob as my prom date. But I ended up not attending both my junior and senior prom."

  I used my left hand to massage my head. But I know to well that that was useless. I groaned.

  "Rob?" there was worry in her voice.

  I wasn't able to answer this time. The pain suddenly erupted to its highest level; I let out a cry of pain. I rolled over to my left to avoid her.

  "Rob! What's happening?!" I felt her hand on my shoulder.

  I can't describe the pain! I want to bang my head on the ground. It feels like my head is going to explode!

  "What should I do?! Somebody help us please!!!"

  Then the last thing I remembered was the excruciating pain and Althea's voice crying for help.

  ***

  I opened my eyes and immediately knew that I was in a hospital. I stayed long enough to know the smell of a hospital suite.

  I moved my head to my left and saw Althea staring blankly on my hand.

  "I'm sorry for the trouble Althea." I whispered.

  I thought she wasn't going to respond but she did.

  "Why do you have to keep this?" She was absent mindedly playing with my left thumb.

  "You could have told us, or to me at least."

  I stared across the ceiling. This was what I've been avoiding. I just kept silent.

  "Won't even care to say something?" She added.

  I sighed. "What would you like me to say? I planned to keep this all the way until… "

  "Until what?"

  "Nothing."

  "Until what Rob? Until you die?"

  I looked at her. Her eyes were a little bit red and swollen again.

  "This is my life ok?"

  Althea glared at me. "That's what you always say!".

  "You always think only about yourself! You're too selfish!" she covered her face with her hands hiding the tears.

  "It’s just that I don't want other people's sympathy."

  She looked up at me, "Other people? So I'm just one of those 'other' people?"

  "No, you don't understand." I tried to sit up.

  "I just don't want people to worry. I have stopped radiation therapy long time ago because… Because I have already accepted my fate. I want to live the rest of my life as normal as possible. I don't want to die in a hospital bed. I want to live like nothing happened. Though I know it would never be the same and that my days are already numbered. I want to live with people who accepts me for who I am, not with people who look at me as someone who's about to die. My family doesn't even know about this. This is my battle."

  "Battle? I thought you already surrendered." she asked, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

  "Yeah. I did. But at least I did not succumb to defeat completely."

  "And you won't." She gripped my hand.

  "I'm here with you Rob."

  I closed my eyes. It feels good to know that you're not alone but it makes me feel guilty. Guilty knowing that I'll be leaving her never to return.

  ***

  Althea made me want to live life again. She made me feel what being alive really means.

  We were watching the stars as we lay on the soft grass. I tried to push away the events that happened last week.

  She used my right arm as her pillow. "The night sky looks peaceful." she mumbled.

  "Yeah."

  "I want to always be with you Rob."

  "Me too, but we both know that's its impossible."

  "I have faith."

  "Faith only works for those who believe."

  "I believe."

  I just kept quiet. There were many things I've wanted to tell her. The one on top of the priority list is stuck in my throat. The small package on my pocket started to weigh like a ton.

  I just stroked her hair.

  "I don't want to live without you." she continued.

  "Why can't you? You lived twenty years without me."

  "Twenty lonely years."

  "You're young. You can find someone better." the last statement made wince. The idea of her being with another guy made me jealous.

  She sat up. Her back was facing me. "I don't want any other guy."

  "But I can't be here with you… Always."

  "You'll live." her voice was cracking a bit.

  I sat up and wrapped my arms around her.

  "Althea, we're living in reality. This is not fantasy"

  "Let's get married."

  "Wwwhat??" I stammered. Am I really awake?

  "Let's get married."

  "Yeah, I heard you but… ” I was flabbergasted.

  "You don't want to marry me?"

  "No, I mean yes, you've just took the word from my mouth."

  She propped an elbow and looked at me with wide questioning eyes.

  "I wanted to ask you to marry me." I have managed to say it. I took out the small package from my pocket and opened it.

  Inside was a diamond ring.

  "And then you were talking about me finding someone better."

  "Sorry." I mouthed.

  "s'okay." tears started to flow from her eyes.

  "Oh did I make you sad?" I wiped away her tears with my hand.

  "No, I'm just happy." She touched my hand that was still touching her face. "This is the happiest day of my life."

  I smiled. "No, how about our wedding day?"

  It was her turn to smile now. "That would be the greatest."

  "Will you marry me then?" I'm still holding the ring.

  "Yes." she whispered.

  I inserted the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly.

  She looked at the ring and admired it.

  "It’s beautiful."

  "You're more beautiful than that ring."

  I gently pulled her closer and kissed her.

  I thought silently to myself. 'Yeah, that would be the greatest day of my life too.'

  Chapter 10: Preparations

  Their reactions were all the same, hanging jaws and wide eyes. We announced our wedding plans to our friend during our lunch break.

  "So when and where's the big day?" Karen was the first one to recover from the shock.

  "We want this to be solemn guys." I said.

  "Whaddaya mean?" Sam asked.

  "He meant we're not invited." Mac answered.

  "What?! How could you do this to us?" Shyne said in an exasperated tone. Then she glared at Althea.

  "We want a quiet wedding. If possible, just the two us." I quickly snapped.

  "Its not that we don't want you guys to be part of our wedding, it's just that. It's our thing. You know." Althea finally answered.

  "Let them be. It's their life anyway." Faun said.

  "Faun, come on."

  "What?" He smiled. "I'm not sulky or anything. I understand it." He glanced at Shyne and Karen. "And you girls must respect their privacy."

  Both girls pouted.

  Althea and I laughed out loud.

  ***

  We went to the nearest Christian church in town. We decided that Pastor Perry would be the one to preside on our wedding. But we need a witness so we decided to invite papa Gheto and his wife.

  We both decided to get married on October 8. Althea said that it was her parent's wedding anniversary.

  I can hardly contain the joy I'm feeling at that moment.

  We went to the boutique to buy Althea her wedding dress. She insisted that I buy the cheapest one but I did not.

  "It’s our special day; you must look good enough to marry me." I teased her.

  She poked my ribs with her elbow. "Do you think you're handsome enough to marry me?"

  "Yeah."

  She poked me again.

  ***

  It was eight in the morning and tomorrow would be the big day. I sat behind my computer thinking of telling mom about my wedding. I decided not to. I'm sure she'll insist for a grand wedding and she'll use her maternal charm on me so I woul
dn't be able to say no.

  I grabbed my car keys and went to Althea's dorm. We both decided to skip class for a week. With permission of course.

  "You ready for tomorrow?" I asked as we sat on the sofa.

  "Yeah, are you?" she asked back.

  "Of course! We could do it now if you want to." I hugged her closer to me.

  "Nah, we can afford to wait." She giggled.

  We spent the day on the Chinese market. We tried exotic foods and took snapshots of the area.

  "Tomorrow you'll be known as Mrs. Mansen. How does that sound?"

  "Hmm… " She pretended to think. "Not bad."

  "What kind of reaction is that?" I asked.

  "A reaction to tease my future husband." She touched the tip of my nose with her index finger.

  I grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm not in the very least annoyed."

  She smiled.

  ***

  The sun started to set leaving the sky with a beautiful orange glow. I stood by her dorm's gate, not ready to leave her yet.

  "Why don't you stay at my house tonight?" I suggested.

  "That would be wrong. We're not yet married."

  "I'm civilized you know. And consider it as a slumber party."

  "A slumber party?" She smirked. "Patience my dear." She stroked my hair with her hand.

  I looked at her tenderly. I can't wait to have her as my wife. She's perfect. Her long dark brown hair was gently swaying as the warm air blew past us. I touched her face with the back if my fingers. It felt soft under my touch.

  "Patience." She mouthed again.

  I touched her hand and never want to let go.

  "You go inside now, you need rest." I told her.

  "How can I go with this?" She raised our hands.

  I smiled. "Oh yeah." but I did not let go.

  Finally she decided to call it a day. She smiled as she gently pulled her hand free.

  I just stood there admiring her.

  "Don't worry. I'll show up tomorrow."

  I smiled. "You better be."

  "Goodbye." She gently waved her hand.

  "Bye."

  I waited for her to get in and closed the door before I drove off.

  I was restless that night. The time seemed to annoy me by ticking ever so slowly.

  ***

  Chapter 11: The wedding day

  I woke up early that day. Its October 8, 337th day since the dreadful day. 336 lonely days. But now, things will change. First thing I did was to call her.

  She answered on the third ring.

  "Good morning! Don't be late okay?"

  "Oh, we have an exam today?" She asked cheerfully.

  "Very funny. Want me to pick you up?" I asked, though I know the answer.

  "No, that's not the way they do that in movies!" She protested.

  "Hahaha! Okay, but can Papa Gheto's car make it through the church?"

  She chuckled, "Of course you silly! He's a great mechanic too you know."

  "Okay." I hesitated. "Guess I'll see you soon?"

  "Yep! I'll be there. I’ll be the one in white"

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah yeah.”

  “See you later then.”

  "Wait!"

  "What?"

  "I love you."

  She chuckled again, "I love you too."

  "I love you more." I added.

  "I love you the most. Oh come on I need to hang up now."

  "Okay. Bye, see yah later."

  "Bye." She hung up.

  I sighed. I looked at my desk calendar. October 8. I love this day.

  I stood up but the room started to spin.

  Oh not now. I tried to stand again and went to my desk to take up my pills.

  I went to shower right away. Never had I imagined that this day would come. Ever since I broke up with Desiree, I thought I'll never fall in love again. But I guess miracles do happen. Well, sometimes.

  I dried myself with a new towel, put on my boxers, slacks, long sleeves and my coat. I faced the mirror and fixed my hair. Now I'm ready.

  After I got dressed I called up my friend Max to help me with my planned honeymoon.

  He answered on the first ring. Good old Max.

  "Yo! Who's this?" He sounded like he had just wakened up.

  "Max it's me. Rob"

  "Rob bro! Sup?"

  "I need a favor bro."

  "Name it!"

  "I want you to reserve me your whole resort there in Macau."

  "What?!" He sounded very awake now.

  "Today's my wedding day bro."

  "Oh really? One day you disappear then now you show up telling me you're getting married? Way to go bro!"

  "Haha! So can you do it?"

  "Of course! But I've got plenty of customers here you see."

  "Just send them off to another resort or hotel. I'll pay for it."

  "Oh, still the generous huh. I see. Well gotta hang up now. Congratulations on your wedding."

  "Thanks."

  He hung up.

  Okay, honeymoon was already set. It's nine in the morning and our wedding will start on eleven but I decided to go to the church since I've got nothing left to do.

  I reached the church in less than an hour. Pastor Perry welcomed me.

  Pastor Perry is on his mid-fifties. He has gray temples and pair of eyes that seem to twinkle all the time.

  "You're so early Mr. Mansen."

  "Guess I'm so excited!"

  We both sat down the bench. I took off my coat.

  "I can see you two are a happy couple." Pastor Perry started.

  "Yeah."

  "But you look worried. Is there something wrong?" He inquired.

  "Father, is it wrong to marry when you know you'll be leaving the person?"

  I asked.

  "What do you mean son? You really don't want to spend your life with her?"

  "No father! I mean, my life… " I hesitated. "My life has a deadline"

  "Oh."

  I continued, "She already knew that. But she still wants to marry me."

  "I see no problem in that." He said.

  "Yes, but, I'm afraid of hurting her when… I'm gone."

  He touched my shoulder and patted it.

  "Of course she will be sad but you both love one another. If you really want to get married death won't stop you. Love is a powerful force."

  "I know that father."

  I glanced at my wrist watch. It's ten twenty.

  ***

  An hour had passed. Still no Althea nor Papa Gheto. I started to worry. Pastor Perry told me not to worry.

  I paced back and forth, thinking of scenarios that might had happened that caused her late attendance. Then my phone rang.

  "Hello?" I answered quickly.

  "Is this Robson Mansen?" The voice was from an old woman.

  "Speaking, who's this?" I asked.

  "This is Anton Gheto's wife." The old woman said.

  "How can I help you ma'am?" For some inexplicable reason, my hands started to tremble.

  "Oh Mr. Mansen please go straight to St.Matthew's hospital now!" her voice cracked.

  I did not think twice, Pastor Perry was asking me what happened but I ran straight to my Porsche leaving his question unanswered.

  ***

  I had a hard time driving because my hand was trembling behind the steering wheel. What could have happened now?

  I reached the hospital and quickly got out of the car. My instinct told me to go to the emergency room.

  I entered the hospital podium and an old lady approached me.