"Congratulations for passing the board exam in US biggest college University, Mr. Monteserio. You can start in Monday."
I just gave the professor a small smile before getting the result of my exam. It was perfect. I know it. I prepared all this so that I could study in the US even if it was just my first year of college. I just want to grant her wish, to achieve my goals in life.
Studying in US is my first ever dream. I planned to bring her when we graduated but I failed to do it. I sighed in frustration and packed all my things. I know now the result will be given and when I pass, only then will I leave for the US. I've been wanting to go there for a long time but I can't just leave my studies here. Actually, I graduated two months ago. Yeah, that fast.
I took the board exam too early to be sure. I will get a new condo when I got there and I make sure that she's just near with me.
"Are you sure you're leaving now? Mom and dad---"
"What now, Sister?! Are they going to stop me again from doing what I love? Are they going to control my life like what they did?! You know even if they didn't do anything, I still blame them for what happened to my girlfriend. I hope they give her sympathy for her last day, but they DIDN'T. I don't want to talk anymore, I'm leaving." I let out a heavily deep sigh while pulling my luggages and carry my bag.
"I understand you. Goodbye, lil brother. Take care. Sister loves you." She kissed my forehead and I just nodded.
"Take care too. We'll call each other everyday." I kissed her cheeks before walking in the living room with her at my back.
"Son! Son! I-I know that you passed the exam but... do you think---"
"I think I'd better leave this place now. This house really sucks," I cut off her words and get out of the fucking house.
"Cahleen, I won't stop you from doing this but take care of yourself. Your mom will probably worry about you," dad said at my back that made me stop a bit.
"If she does worry about me, then she would have treated Shara in a nice way. She's acting like she's in a higher level than anyone else's. I changed because of her. I became a good version of myself. The reason why I passes the exam is all because of her! And I still kept my promise to her because that's the only thing that I've been holding on, "I answered without emotion and continued walking until I could get in my car.
When I arrived at the airport, Ziro, Hades, and Maureen were already there. Seems like they were going to bid goodbye to me because I'll flew there first before them. Just like me, it's also hard for Mau to cope up. She also cried day and night, minutes and hours, and days until month. We're brokenhearted up until now.
"I'm going now. I'll take care of myself. Maureen, you're next."
She nodded at me and smile a little before I entered the airplane. It took three hours to travel until I finally get there. A wide smile was plastered onto my face after seeing the view. I look at the sky, hoping that she will come back to me earlier than ever.
My baby, wait for me. I love you.
I ride a taxi to the hospital that Mama texted me. When I got there, I immediately greeted them with a hug and smiled. They were already been here since the day we thought she's gone on our lives. Yes, she's alive but still not responding to us.
Because she's in a state of comatose.
By the time we thought he had given up, his heartbeat was still there and it was three hours before it stopped. We didn't expect that the teachers in our Academy, in my school, suddenly arrived and asked for her condition. The teachers, even the principal, were close to her so they decided to transfer her to US for some treatment. There's a possibility that she'll live if she will be taken immediately. They even used a private jet to arrive there in just half an hour.
And now, even if she's in a coma, I'm still happy because she's continuing to survive. Her body no longer uses life support and she breathes herself. Every day there is treatment done to her to maintain this condition of her while she is not yet responding.
"Hi baby. You're awake. I'll just arrive so I'm a little tired but when I see you, I'll relax again. You're my resting peace remember? Just fight for yourself and I'll take care of us." I kissed her forehead, talking as if she could hear me but hoping that she will.
That was my daily routine until the first semester of my college life started. It was still going smooth since it's just the first. A lot of foreigners were scattering around and talking to each other's friends. I just sat on the side and watched the pictures of us together again. I want to hear her voice in the recorder where she made records for me but I might cry here... in the crowd. They even think I'm crazy.
"Hi! I'm Samantha, a freshmen and a single. Do you mind if I sit here?" A girl asked beside me.
I just nodded in respond and continue looking at my phone, didn't bother to show any interest on her. For fucking sake I don't cheat. No matter how long, as long as his body doesn't give up, I will continue to fight for the two of us.
"Uhm ... May I mind if I ask who's that girl in the picture? Is she your sister?" he asked me again.
I shook my head."No, she's my girlfriend."
The class started with a simple introduction and a not so hard lesson. I'm taking a course in Civil Engineering because it's my dream. She said chase your dream and so I did.
When it's snack time and lunch time, I'm just at the library or I stay in the comfort lounge. I don't want to mingle with others and make friends because I already have it in Philippines. I also don't have time to rejoice because until now I am still injured. Time doesn't heal your wound that fast... especially if that person is really special to you.
The day went okay and I went back to my newly bought condo first to change my clothes. After I changed into a shirt and pajamas I cooked my own food first. I already know how to cook because I learned it. I want to impress her when she wakes up so that I'll be the one to cook for us. When that day comes, I won't really let her go.
I'll marry her. Whether there is a barrier or not.
I put on a thick leather jacket because it was really cold outside and I was going to visit the private hospital where Shara was lying. I automatically smiled when I see her. All my tiredness really disappeared and I had the courage to do the projects and outputs that were given to us right away.
In the days that followed, it was okay and normal. Maureen and Ziro are still delayed in coming here because they still have paperwork to take care of and they will arrive next month. It's not that long really because it's the second week of the month now, they'll be here in just two weeks.
It was a rest day for me because we don't have classes for the whole day. The next day we had a preliminary so it was really fast and I had to review. But before that, I went back to the hospital to see her. I'm not tired of visiting him even from time to time. I sat on the chair beside her and opened her phone to watch another video of her again.
What he was wearing, that day we went to the tower to see the city lights. The night that I cried because she's telling me heartbreak words. She was sitting on her bed and the smile was obvious on her face.
'Hi baby. You know what? I'm happy today even though we've only been dating for a few hours. I'm always happy at your side, as long as I'm with you and I see you smiling, that's okay with me. Whatever happens, I will always love you, my baby.
You're my night and day. '
I covered my mouth while crying harder because I don't want someone to hear me. Even though I’ve watched her videos a few times, I couldn’t help but be disgusted. How she suffered hurts me not just twice and thrice but millions of times. I'm really disgusted with myself because I can't do anything to accompany her with that disease. If it could be shared, I would be willing.
I went home with my eyes closed but when I saw his gift to me that day, I just smiled. I opened it exactly on Christmas day but I didn't do what she said that we weren't be together again... because we will be. And that's what I'm waiting for.
"Son... he's awake."
It was like a record that Mama's words repeatedly played in my brain while Papa cried and hugged. She said that Shara wakes up two hours ago but they didn't call me because it's my prelim exam. Maybe I won't finish and I'll go straight here.
"Are you just going to stand up there? Won't you hug me? I thought you missed me?" She still managed to raise her eyebrow at me even if she looks pale.
I chuckled while crying and hugged her in my arms."O-Of course, baby. I missed you and I love you. I can't explain the ecstasy that I'm feeling right now."
A few days later, his friends who paid for his parents' expenses flocked to the place where they lived. They cried harder, most especially Maureen who mourned almost months. I was happy as I looked at them and went out first to let them go. It's their moment so I don't want to ruin it.
"I'm glad he's awake because you're happy too. I thought it would take a few more months before he wakes up. Your first semester isn't over yet, what are your plans now?" Ziro asked me.
I sighed in happiness."Mama and I have already talked about this. We'll stay here for one year. And since they want to go back to the Philippines, you will take them with you. But Shara will stay with me here. In the condo, I will stay with her until the end of a year and there I will continue my studies in the Philippines."
"Yow! Well-planned, engineer. You just need a wedding." Hades shook his head.
I licked my lower lip to stop myself from smiling."Well, I also planned that one. After my first year of college, we will get married on two months vacation. She agreed so it's all settled."
I can’t explain my joy in the days I was with her. Every time I wake up, she immediately opens up to me. In every sleep, coming home from school, in everything I do, she is always with me. She didn't left me again.
"Baby, taste my cooking. Am I ready to be a father?" I joked.
She laughed at me and took a bite of my dish."Luh! It's tasty! Baby, pwede na---"
"What can I do?" I smirked to tease her.
She approached me and wrapped his hand around my neck."You can be my husband now. Yay! You want to be my husband right?"
"I do really love that one, baby. Do you want a child?" I asked out of a sudden.
Her eyes widened in shock."We're not even married yet! Speed."
Months had passed and our 1st anniversary came. In our monthsary, I was the only one celebrating when she was still comatose. But now that she's here with me, everything seems so special. We watched a fireworks display near their big park here in the US and then we ate their delicious food here.
We also took some pictures and because I took care of her phone, it was still fine and there she posted on her instagram account. I also posted on mine. Saying that miracle happens when you do something for it to happen. And also to believe in God.
"Baby, I cooked for you. Sit down quickly! I'll take care of you now because I know you're tired." She took the strapped bag behind me and placed it in the bedroom.
I just let her prepare foods for me because it's what she wants. Also, I was also really tired so I couldn’t move.
"It's okay, baby. I can still do it, I'm doing it for us. Believe me." I kissed her forehead but she just pouted and shook her head on me.
"No! After this, you'd better go to sleep. The rest of your homework, I'll do---"
"But baby, you can't ---"
She glared at me."I haven't finished speaking, Caseth. I know how to do it because I'm also good in Math. I can research information on the internet if I don't know. You're tired so what do you expect me to do ?! I'm going to college next year so I'll help you now. Understand?"
"Okay. I love you. Don't be mad."
When we get tired, it doesn't take a minute and we're greeted right away. That's how we love each other. We work together on things we can’t do alone because we believe in the spirit of love.
"Happy birthday, baby! You're 19 years old now! I love you!"
I chuckled as I blew the candle from the cake that she's holding."I love you too. Where did you buy the cake, baby? That looks delicious."
"I'm not sure if this is delicious because I made this myself. I want to work hard for the birthday of the man I love."
I smiled because of that.
With her, I couldn't wish for more. I can overcome all the hindrances in my life with her. I gain strength by just seeing her smile and confident with her words. For me, she's the special person I never did wished for. And I'm thankful for that.
Your Civil Engineer is now closing the book of their love story. This will be the end.