Present Time

Preston

"Ate naman! Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin yung kondisyon ni Sarah!" I yelled at her.

Dra. Rhealyn Cara San Diego is my cousin at my mother's side. We are close that some of her patients are from my referrals.

We were at her clinic and I stormed off here when I learned from her parents what happened to one of my best friends.

Sarah has always been the most understanding in our group. She is also the most patient and her sense of humor is lit.

It pained me when I found out from Sarah's mother what happened to her. She asked me to look for her daughter's records in my cousin's clinic.

According to her doctor, he needs to verify how far was her illness been progressing.

"It's the patient's decision to keep it to herself. I have no right to interfere with it. Sinabi ko na din sa kanya na hangga't maari, kailangan niya ng karamay para malampasan niya ang sakit niya." Ate Cara sighed. She lazily stretched her arms and yawned.

It's past lunch time when I arrived here. Obviously, I interfered with her siesta time.

"Sarah isn't just any other patient, Ate! She is my best friend! You know her ever since I was in college!" I complained, hot, angry tears spilled down my cheeks.

"Relax, cuz." Ate Cara said and touched my arms as she looked into my eyes through her wide-brimmed glasses. "Cachexia can be treated. I diagnosed it earlier. She just needs to be determined to fight it over."

A wave of hope rushed to me with what she said.

"Wha-how?" I asked, blinking in disbelief.

"I have told her to keep an eye on her nutrition and even referred her to my dietitian friend. I don't know what happened after. Selene told me that she didn't visit her after I asked her to." Ate Cara commented and I groaned at her story.

Sarah can indeed be pretty stubborn for her own good.

Then again, maybe she didn't find her reason to live because of things happening around her.

Oh, shit.

Alam na ba niya?

Ang tungkol sa magaling niyang fiancee?

At kay bitchesang Nathalie?

"Here are her records. Photocopy na yan. The original documents are still with me." Ate Cara distracted my thoughts.

"Can you send me the number of her dietitian? I will also tell Sarah's parents about it." I said in a hurry.

Ate Cara raised her eyebrow at me. "Wag mong lalandiin si Selene. Ikakasal na yun sa isang buwan. Tigilan mo ko."

"Ate! Hindi ako ganon!" I protested and she cackled.

"Talaga ba? How are you and Zenaida?" She teased me as she showed me Selene's number and I put it into my contacts.

"Still working my way into her heart again." I remarked before I slid my phone back into my pocket.

"Ang tanda mo na! Ayusin mo na yang lovelife mo at bigyan mo na ng kalaro si baby Adonis ko." Ate Cara exclaimed shaking her head.

"Easy ka lang, Ate. Pretty soon, may playmate na si Adonis." I winked at her and bent down to kiss her on the cheeks. I grabbed the brown envelope where Sarah's records are and I met her eyes. "Thanks for this, Ate! See you around!"

"Shoo! Istorbo ka sa siesta ko!" She said and I closed the door behind me.

You must live, Sarah.

You deserve to live.

✉✉✉

Tyler

I don't know what has come to me but I found myself in front of Billy's house.

I cannot take this anymore. I have been patient with everything around me.

Hanggat maari hindi ako nakikialam sa buhay ng iba. But when I knew that his bastard has been playing fire with Sarah's supposed-to-be bestfriend, I just couldn't stay still.

I have loved Sarah for the longest time. I respect their relationship kaya nagdesisyon akong magparaya.

At sa nakikita ko, mahal na mahal siya ni Sarah.

It is heartbreaking enough to know that she cannot love me back but it is more painstaking to know that the one she loves is just putting her feelings to waste.

"Magandang hapon po, Sir." A helper greeted me when she placed the garbage bag into the trash bin outside of his house. "Si Sir Billy po ba ang sadya ninyo?"

For a while, I forgot what to say. I blinked and flashed her a smile, "ah opo. Andyan po ba siya?"

"Sunod po kayo sa akin, Sir. Nasa kwarto po si Sir Billy." The helper said and I followed her inside, closing the gate behind me.

As I went inside his house, I saw how much love and care this household has. Paintings are being displayed from the living room to the den and in the dining area.

We treaded upwards to his bedroom and she said, "maiwan ko na po kayo, Sir. Tutulungan ko pa po ang kasama ko sa paghahanda ng meryenda ninyo ni Sir Billy."

"Salamat ho." I said and she left me standing outside the bastard's room.
I was contemplating if my decision to be here is right or should I walk away until I give up.

I knocked on his door and he shouted for me to come in. I entered his room after his words.

As soon as I stepped inside, our eyes met. He was wearing his plain white shirt and rainbow colored shorts.

For someone who is having problems with his condition, he sure doesn't look like it.

"Walsh." I began as I walked towards him.

"Williams." He acknowledged.

✉✉✉

What will happen to them now?