His Love

Chapter 1 : Her

"Amara let's go! The kids are waiting there already!" Mom screamed downstairs. Let me brief you first on why we are in a hurry. Every Saturday, which is my mom's day off from the hospital, we always go visit the orphanage where mom grew up. We always spend our Saturdays there. We prepare games and stories and cook some meals and snacks for the kids. This morning I woke up late, and mom had already started preparing. So I rushed to help her first before preparing myself. After preparing and loading the things in my mom's car, I have to rush to prepare myself too. Mom was just extra excited about this day because today was her birthday. And before you judge me, I prepared a surprise for her last night. That is why I woke up late today.

"Okay Mom. I'll be there in a few!" And rushed downstairs. And then, we're off to the orphanage.

The kids greeted us even before we could get out of the car. I got lots of hugs when I got out of the car, which made me giggle, same situation with Mom. The nuns are smiling at us, seeing how happy the kids are. I noticed they made some decorations in the garden for today's celebration.

"Good morning Sisters." We greeted and hugged them.

"Good morning Amara and Amelia. Happy Birthday Amelia."

"Thank you, Mother Joan."

The day went by so fast. Time flies when you're happy indeed. I gave Mom her present. " Happy Birthday Mom. I love you!". I bought a silver bracelet that you can customize however you want it to look. She was happy about it, although I got a scolding from her saying I didn't need to spend my savings on her. But she said thank you anyway. The kids were so happy also. They organized a special performance for Mom which made Mom cry a little. Happy tears. The kids here treat Mom as their mother and me as their older sister.

Mom grew up in this orphanage and was lucky enough that she got a scholarship from one of the sponsors here and had the chance to study until college. She finished nursing. And she is now working as a nurse at the community hospital here. It is just me and my mom. I've never met my father. I don't know anything about him. Well, based on my mother's story, it was just a night of fun and curiosity. But the past doesn't matter. What is important right now is we are both happy living our simple lives.

When we got home, we saw Mandy, my best friend, waiting for us on our porch. She has a box beside her which I think is a cake.

"Happy Birthday Aunt Amelia!" She hugged mom and gave her the cake.

"Oh you didn't have too. But thank you for this." Mom kissed her. "I wish you could have joined us in the orphanage. It was so fun!"

"I know but I have to attend to a patient." Mandy is a doctor by the way."You know it when duty calls you have to be there."

"I know Mandy. I hope the patient was okay. And I'm happy you're here now. Come on, let's head inside. I'll cook us dinner. You guys watch a movie or something first while I cook."

"We can help Mom." Mandy nodded at my suggestion.

"You're tired, Amara. Do not overdo your body." I signed. "Okay, Mom. Thank you." I hugged her.

We went inside. Me and Mandy headed to my room.

"How did it go in the orphanage?" My face instantly light up.

"The kids were amazing! They have prepared a song and dance number for Mom which made my Mom cry in happiness!" I laughed." Well, you know Mom, she can get a little emotional sometimes when it involves the kids"

She nodded. "I know." She chuckled. "I wish I was there. I need to recharge also and those kids are a breath of fresh air."

I agreed. She is right.

"I just hope that the family they will be in is the best for them. I would hate to see them lose their smiles."

Mandy hugged me all of a sudden. "This best friend of mine is so kind. I swear, if I can adopt even one of them, I will. I know it will make you so happy. I wouldn't want to see my best friend sad either." She chuckled. "Now, what do we watch?"

"Tom and Jerry?" She laughed so hard.

"Oh gosh! You never really change! My very kind, pretty and so innocent best friend Amara!" And she kept rolling on my while laughing.

"Oh shut up! You know I'm not that innocent!" And she looked at me like asking if I was serious.

"Oh really? You can't even watch movies that have bed scenes!" She rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Now let us watch this."

While we were quietly watching Tom and Jerry,

"How's your heart these days?" I smiled at her.

"It's been good. Mom has been keeping an eye on me. She doesn't want me lifting a finger in this house. I'm glad she let me help this morning."

"She just wants you to be careful. We don't want anything to happen to you. You are her life. So always be careful. Alright?" I nodded. She smiled.

I'm sick. Chronic heart failure. I've been diagnosed since I was a teen. Medications are what's keeping me healthy these days. But my doctor said I needed to undergo a heart transplant. But it is really hard to find a donor.

My mom, Mandy, and my doctor were the only ones who knew about my illness. I've accepted my fate. The chance of finding a donor is very slim. I am more worried about Mom, I'm all she has. "Mandy," I paused. "If something happens to me, can you look after my Mom?" She looked at me with her mouth slightly open, which made me chuckle.

"You're crazy! Nothing is going to happen to you!" She scolded me.

"But you will? Right? I mean look after my mom?" She nodded with teary eyes. "Thank you." I hugged her.

"Ladies, dinner is ready!" Mom called from downstairs.

Mandy enjoyed Mom's cooking a little too much, which made Mom happy. I can't blame her though. Mom is an amazing cook. After dinner, we watched a movie in the living room with Mom. Mandy had to go back to the hospital, so we were left alone with the movie.

"Mom, would you like to have a boyfriend?" Which made my mom spill the juice she had just drunk.

"What?" I laughed at her reaction. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm just curious. You've been alone ever since I could remember."

"I don't need one. And I'm not alone, I have you. I'm happy with just the two of us."

"Still, I think you need one. I know someone out there admires you. Perhaps someone from work?" I wiggled my eyebrows at her, teasing her.

"Shut up." She laughed."I don't need one. Okay? You are enough for me."

"I love you, Mom." I hugged her.

"I love you too baby." Deep inside, all I could ever think was, am I the reason why she can't have one?

We decided to call it a night after the first movie ended. Guilt has been eating me these past few days. I went to talk to my doctor a few days ago, and he said my medications are no longer that effective in treating my symptoms. Sure, he can increase the dosage, but it can damage my liver. I was told I only had one to two years to live, depending on my lifestyle, if I couldn't have a transplant. I asked Doc Henry to keep this between us. I don't want my Mom and best friend to worry more about me. They are stressed enough about finding me a donor.

That is why I don't want their lives to revolve around just me. I'm slowly preparing them for my absence. I am hoping that soon enough we will be able to find a donor, but I just want myself to be prepared if situations gets worse.

Tomorrow is not promised. Live every day as if it is my last. Love Mom more and bond with Mandy every chance we get. I'll fight to survive so I won't be the cause of their grief. Amara Marie Lopez is a fighter.