She held his hand so tight and they both cried. The pang of pain reigning in their hearts is too much to bear. They both know it is both for their own good and that they have to sacrifice.
"Feona, please do always take good care of yourself. We can make this through. You will always be someone dear to me."
"But Carlo, I just can't let you go like this. It's too much. You are someone worth keeping."
"Shhhh. Feona. I know that. We've talk about that a while ago."
Carlo then gave Feona the tightest hug in the world a guy can give and kissed her in the forehead. He knew someday, their paths will cross again. He knew that they deserve far better than the situation they have right now.
Two years ago, Feona's family moved in a small town named Lilaville. There she met an active, bubbly, friendly guy named Carlo. Carlo was very warm to hear. At that time, they were still in their high school years. Feona in her junior year while Carlo is on his senior year. They both enjoyed each other's company not until..
"Feona, I have something to confess to you. Please don't tell anyone about this especially to the guy. Promise?", Shaira, her younger sister of one year whispered to her.
"Hush. I won't. Ate promises. Okay?" She replied.
"Ate, I really like Carlo. He makes me happy and everytime I see him smile, my heart leaps with joy!" Shaira shared with excitement.
Feona didn't know how to react. She knows the very fact that Carlo is attracted to her and is already planning of courting her but her little sister, her concern is she will first experience her heart being broken.
"Shaira, you are still very young for that. Focus on your studies first."
"But Ate, Carlo is my dream guy. He makes me happy without him knowing it."
"Shai, please listen to me. It's now time to sleep and stop thinking about Carlo now, okay?"
Feona was very bothered that night. The thought made her super sad most especially the concern is towards her little sister.
Weeks later...
"Ate! Ate! Where are you? My head aches so bad!" Shaira exclaimed with great pain.
"Shai! I am coming. My goodness. Don't roll on the floor. Here, take my hand. We'll go to the hospital."
They head to the nearest community hospital and Carlo was there to assist them. Both parents were in US and the ones left with them are their relatives which are on vacation.
"Shaira, we will wait for the diagnosis. We will not leave you, okay? Feel better." Carlo stroked her hair and assured her. Shaira painted a little smile in her face upon gazing his presence. Feona knows that Carlo alone would make Shaira feel better and she is happy about it.
"Miss Feona Lopez, I need to talk to you and discuss important matters. Go with me outside." The doctor commanded her to follow her outside the room for instructions.
"Miss Lopez, I am afraid to say that your sister has a brain cancer. It is now on malignant stage. We cannot cater the needs of her sickness, she needs to be brought to the US. We have contacted your parents already and they feel so sorry. They are now processing your trip to US for medical treatment and probably, you might live there. So here, your mother gave me this number. Call her ASAP."
Feona was dead shocked by what she has just heard. She couldn't believe each word the doctor is saying. She felt as if the happenings were way too fast and she could not grasp the idea of living forever in US. She wants to cry yet she has to remain strong for Shaira. She feels sorry for their situation.
"Shaira, Mom gave this number to the doctor. We have to call her. And Shai, don't be shocked. We will be leaving for US ASAP. The hospital in our country cannot cater your needs. We need to seek the doctors help in the US. Stay strong Shai. I love you!"
Feona hugged her sister so tight and kissed her left hand. She doesn't know how to act okay in front of her and most especially to Carlo. He was very disappointed and sad. He was shocked and his eyes were melancholic.
After one week, they finally had their tickets for US..
"Carlo, please let us not make this hard. I love you but I love my sister more."
"But Feona, she will understand. She knows right from the start I just treat her like a little sister."
What they didn't know is that Shaira was behind them watching them cry and expressing each other's sentiments. Shaira was crying deeply inside that to the point that she could no longer contain it and suddenly, her head ached again, she fainted and collapsed.
"Shaaaaaaira! Oh Lord, please. I am so sorry. Carlo, help me. She is bleeding!"
Carlo then called the ambulance and brought Shaira to the hospital. She was bleeding massively and is also emotionally drained. The doctor said her condition is getting ill. She needs to feel being loved and taken cared of by that one person she adores in order for her to have strength and the answer for that is---Carlo.
"Feona, I just can't do it. It's way too hard to fake my feelings. I love you so much Shaira and I will marry you."
"Carlo, I know this is very painful but this will prolong my sister's life. Help me please. I am begging you."
One week after, the three of them went to US. After two weeks, Shaira and Carlo got married. Shaira's condition got better and better and Feona was happy about it but deep inside very sad. Every night, she cries herself out and asks God why He didn't give Carlo for him. Not until one day...
(TO BE CONTINUED)
