“Just do it… despite the fear that cripples you. You’d be surprised at how much you can achieve by just daring to overcome your fear.”
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~ Elizabeth ~
“Ice cream or popcorn?” Patrick's voice rang beside me.
We were currently standing in front of a movie theater. I didn’t think it was necessary—especially with how expensive theaters are—but Patrick had insisted. And I couldn’t help but give in, especially since the movie showing was an adaptation of my favorite book: The Fault in Our Stars. I just hoped the movie was as good as the book—or even better.
“Popcorn, of course,” I replied—because really, who licks ice cream in a theater?
“Okay.” I watched as he purchased two large cups of popcorn with extra sugar, then turned to the seller, a girl about my age, and told her to keep the change. The gesture touched my heart. I could only imagine how far that little extra income might go for her.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.
I nodded as he hooked his right arm with mine. His other hand held the paper bag carrying our popcorn.
We made our way slowly into the cinema, which was already almost full—even though the movie wouldn’t start for another twenty minutes. Was that how many people loved the book? John Green did do a great job with it.
“It’s my first time seeing the movie, too,” Patrick whispered as we took seats in the middle row.
“Really? Tell me you’ve read the book!” I turned to him, almost desperate. Who hadn’t read The Fault in Our Stars? Everyone I know has—even Dad, and he isn’t much of a reader.
“I haven’t.” His smile held a trace of awkwardness.
Oh wow…
“Well, I assumed it was overhyped… but we’ll figure it out together, won’t we?” he said.
“We would.” I nodded, leaning back into my seat—his arm slipped around my shoulders like it belonged there. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. Maybe it was.
The movie began right on schedule, and I stayed glued to my seat. It was just as emotional and nerve-wracking as I remembered.
I munched on my popcorn while the scenes shifted, occasionally sneaking glances at Patrick—who was also deeply engrossed, much to my surprise.
Then came one of the most gripping parts—where they finally came to terms with the distance between them. Their stars were faulted, and there was nothing they could do about it. Destiny had made its choice.
All they could do was hold on to what they had in the moment—not to a future they wished for but might never have.
After all, life is best lived in the now.
And then the plot twist came. The male lead’s cancer was back—and this time, he would likely die before her.
The tears came, and I couldn’t stop them. Why did someone else’s impending death remind me so much of Eliezer’s?
Her death had been sudden and sharp. We hadn’t been given time to react or even prepare for it.
But would being prepared have made a difference? I would’ve lost my sister anyway—slowly or suddenly. Either way, the pain would’ve been unbearable.
I’ve heard people say they’d prefer their loved ones to die quickly rather than watch them waste away. That way, all the memories would remain beautiful, untarnished by the final painful days.
And I wondered—would I remember Eliezer as fondly as I do now if I’d watched her slowly lose her hair, her smile, her dreams? Probably not. That would’ve been more brutal than this.
“Hey… It’s okay,” Patrick whispered. I hadn’t realized how close we were sitting until then. I could practically feel his heartbeat against mine.
I didn’t get the chance to say anything before he pulled out a small box of tissues. I hadn’t even seen him buy it. Had he… anticipated this?
“I figured you might be a crybaby,” he said with a soft smile, as if reading my thoughts. He gently wiped away my tears. Our eyes met—and for a moment, I saw something in his gaze. Tenderness? Or maybe I was imagining it.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He nodded, and we turned back to the screen, continuing the movie in silence.
But not for long. My eyes welled up again when the male lead made the female lead read out the eulogy she’d written for him. The weight of that moment crushed me.
I could only imagine how much it hurt her to read that. That should be illegal. Emotional pain like that should be a crime.
But then again… who could blame them? Life isn’t fair. Not to lovers torn apart by illness. Not to those who buy poison to end each other’s suffering. Not to anyone, sometimes.
When the movie ended, I wasn’t the only one clinging to their partner like they were the only solid thing left in the world.
It had been gut-wrenching. No heartless person could’ve kept a straight face after that.
“It was very emotional…” Patrick said. The heaviness in his voice said everything he didn’t.
The Fault in Our Stars was a movie that struck at the heart. It portrayed love, heartbreak, grief, and death so honestly, so deeply—it was a must-watch.
“The book was even more vivid,” I said. The book had always held a sacred space in my heart. Or maybe that was just because I’d read it first.
“Hm.” Patrick nodded, not saying much on the Uber ride back to the hotel, which took about thirty minutes.
We had just gotten off and I was about to head inside when he said, “I was reminded of how short life is today, Bethley…”
The redness in his eyes made my heart ache. What had he been thinking?
“Yeah… it is,” I replied quietly.
“And I’d like to cherish every moment of it…” With you—I read it in his eyes. Or maybe it was just my imagination again.
“Same here,” I whispered, leaning into his open arms.
“See you tomorrow?”
“Sure.” I stepped away and watched as he mounted a rented bike, heading back to his Airbnb.
Maybe this was the right thing to do after all…
Because life is short, isn’t it?
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A/N: What did you think of this chapter, guys?