The Perfect Strangers

Cont. Chapter 10: Peter Pan & Tinkerbell

***Her POV; as we enter the front door, I couldn't hear any sound from the outside. "Wow ang galing naman ng sound proof walls nila dito. I hope to have this kind of wall at home so I won't wake up my dad whenever I will turn my music up. ~laughs~" Baekhyun oppa opened the door for me and when I set foot in the studio lights are off and the music started playing. Only Time by Enya. As the music started playing the lights turned on from dim to bright, the boys started showing themselves wearing their peter pan costumes, those hats and capes are so cute. They are doing a synchronized dance when Baekhyun oppa handed my green fairy wings and my magical wand. When the door closes and I started to walk, a white and pink flower petals are started to pouring like rain drops inside the studio. There were oy 8 elves in front of me and so I asked them, "Where's the other elf?" They all pointed on the ceiling and I saw Chanyeol slowly going down wearing a Peter Pan outfit and Peter Pan song started playing.

Chanyeol: Will you be my Tinkerbell?

Me: Yes. I will forever be your Tinkerbell.

Chanyeol took my hand and went to the table that boys had set up. The table was set up beautifully. The table cloth they used was a baby pink. Table centerpieces are cute angel's breath flowers and candles inside a fish bowl. Above was a white lacey type cloth and they put a pink and white mini floral japanese lanterns. It is indeed another happy and unforgettable memory to keep for me. Chanyeol never failed to surprise me. While we're sitting;

Chanyeol: Zee, can you close your eyes?

Me: Why?

Chanyeol: Just close them. Pleaseeeee....

Me: Fine.

Chanyeol: Can you count from 1 to 10. Please.

Me: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7......

Chanyeol: Keep them close. No peeking.

Me: Ang tagal mo!

Chanyeol: ~walking slowly while carrying the puppy~ open your eyes.

Me: ~slowly opened her eyes and found a cute puppy staring back at her~ wooaaaahhhhhh..... is this mine?

Chanyeol: Yeah. Do you like it?

Me: I love it. Thank you so much ~hugged Chanyeol then her puppy~

Chanyeol: Do you have a name for him?

Me: Hyeon Jeong. ~smiles~

Chanyeol: Why?

Me: Loyal

Chanyeol: Annyeong, Hyeon Jeong-a.

I was trying to hold back my tears then I saw them all lined up again holding balloons and my pretty cake. A cake fit for a fairy like me. As they sang a happy birthday song, when I look at them, it feels like the way These faces I might not see and recognize later on. I stopped in front of Chanyeol and stares at him for a long time. We made eye contact then we both realized we're both crying. It is my second time blowing my birthday candles and this time my wish is different. A typical wish for anyone but it is my last chance. "Please let me live a little longer for them, my dad and for this man. Please don't make me forget him. Please." Everything inside this room was magical. I have my most precious and loved elves and of course, who would forget my handsome Peter Pan. We all stuffed ourselves with delicious food that Chanyeol prepared. I helped them put the decorations away.

***His POV; seeing Zee happy on her special day though it was late is also my happiness. Hearing her laughter made me laugh too. Watching her dance made my feet go crazy dancing too. Whenever she speaks my heart flutters. But when our eyes met earlier, I saw her sadness, her pain and I heard her inner voice telling me that she's not okay. I know in time she would tell me what is wrong. And all I have to do now is wait for her. We started our rehearsals and she was seated a little far from my left.

***Her POV; I have found the best place to watch them. I was seated in front and these gorgeous men are all facing me. But of course, my fangirling will never be complete without my eribong. When I took it out of my bag, they all laughed and I told them to give me a good show. "Planet #5: EXplOration in Studio 1485. Woooooooooo..." watching them perform right in front of me with or without mistakes was truly the best. It feels like I was really in an EXO concert right that very moment. I transferred at the back so they can continue to focus on their practice and I was feeling a little dizzy. I sat on the couch and everything went dark. I was calling Baekhyun oppa but it feels like he couldn't hear me. Then later on I lay on my side still and closed my eyes. "I can't see anything. I'm scared. Please help me. Please." That was the last thing I remember that afternoon.

***His POV; I saw her sleeping on the couch. She was looking so tired but there were times that we saw her smiling while asleep. I went to see her during our break, I sat on the floor and was just staring at her. She has gotten thinner, a little paler, tired and a little more emotional than the first time I have met her. "What's wrong Zee? You can tell me everything. I'll wait until you're ready to tell me. I promise I won't judge you." I wanted to touch her face but I'd rather not too because I might wake her up. I can't count how many times I have stared at her without her knowledge but every time I do, she always looks lovely into my eyes. Then she opened her eyes.

Me: Did I wake you up?

Zee: No.

Me: How was your sleep?

Zee: It was good actually.

Me: Would you like some water?

Zee: Yes.

Me: Okay. ~he was about to get up but Zee took the bottle he was holding~

Zee: This is fine. Wala ka namang sakit diba?

Me: ~surprised~ What?

Zee: I said, you don't have any contagious disease, right?

Me: Oh of course none

Zee: Then I can drink your water. ~smiles~

Me: ~he sat beside her~ do you want to go on a trip with me tomorrow?

Zee: I can't. Need to go somewhere with oppa.

Me: Oh okay.

Zee: Sorry. But I promise to make time for you after. At least we get to spend time before I leave.

Me: When are you leaving?

Zee: In 2 days. ~smiles~

Me: That was soon.

Zee: Yeah. Oh can you take me to Han River?

Me: Why?

Zee: It's something romantic. Haven't you tried going there just watching the sky and the people passing by. I mean seeing life in your own eyes. I think that was amazing.

Me: Okay. Do you want to go tonight?

Zee: Really?

Me: Yeah.

Zee: Thank you.

After rehearsals I talked to Baekhyun that we'll be going to Han River tonight and he said it's okay.

***Her POV; finally, I'm visiting their ever-famous river. "I'm excited. Thank you Chanyeol." As he drives going to Han River suddenly, Secrets by OneRepublic played and I was silent the whole time. I am guilty but I don't know where to start and how to tell him. I know I will hurt him if I tell the truth but he'll be hurt more if I don't. "Lord, give me a sign that I should tell him about my condition." Then another song played, Tell Me the Truth by Steffany Gretzinger. "If it is your will Lord that I should tell him what's wrong. I know it would hurt him but I know he will understand." I looked at him and smile and he smiled back. After a few minutes we were at our destination. We are walking hand in hand when I suddenly said;

Me: I'm sick Chanyeol.

Chanyeol: what sickness do you have?

Me: I have glioblastoma.

Chanyeol: What's that?

Me: A brain tumor.

Chanyeol: How sick are you?

Me: I have a year or less to live.

Chanyeol: Have you consulted a doctor?

Me: Yes. That's where we are going tomorrow.

Chanyeol: What did the doctor say?

Me: I have to undergo a series of tests again to check how aggressive my tumor was after 3 months.

Chanyeol: can it be cured?

Me: Yes.

Chanyeol: How?

Me: I can get surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Chanyeol: Will you, do it?

Me: I don't know. I am actually afraid of getting bald. ~laughs~

Chanyeol: ~laughs~ Then I will get all my hair shaved then when it happens.

Me: You can't do that.

Chanyeol: Why?

Me: Hey Mr. Park Chanyeol, you're a celebrity. If it doesn't require you to shave your head you shouldn't do it.

Chanyeol: It'll grow anytime.

Me: But you don't look good if you shaved your head.

Chanyeol: I don't care. If you get bald then I'm bald too. ~smile~

Me: Whatever.

Chanyeol: Are you getting treatments now?

Me: Mmmmmm... I'm back to square one. I need to g

Undergo series of tests again. Baekhyun oppa and I will come back to the hospital tomorrow.

Chanyeol: Can I come tomorrow?

Me: Uhhhmmm... uhm... I...

Chanyeol: Please Zee.

Me: Okay.

After that, there was silence between the two of us. I don't know but he sounded so calm and as if the things I said didn't worry him so much. He was telling jokes, talking about stuff like his first experience when he went to Han River before and after they debuted. I was laughing because he was so thin back then but I can't deny that he is really a good-looking man. "Swerte ng nilalang na ito. Ang gwapo mo talaga noon pa man." Whenever I talk in my language he was laughing. While going back to his car we are eating ice cream under the moonlight then he brought me home.

We arrived at Baekhyun oppa' house and then again, he is still up and waiting for me.

Baekhyun: How was the Han River date?

Me: It was good oppa.

Baekhyun: Did you feed her?

Chanyeol: Of course. Why?

Baekhyun: Because after you leave she will ask me to go out with her and eat again.~laughs~

Me: Because I was hungry. Oh, but you love to eat too.

Baekhyun: Look at me now. I gained weight right.

Me: Look at me too, I gained weight because you always asked me to make bibimbap.

Chanyeol: Woaaaahhhh.. Byun Baekhyun!!! I didn't know you eat so much at night.

Baekhyun: ~laughing~ It all started when she arrived in Korea.

Me: Hey hey hey don't accuse me of being a glutton.

Baekhyun: Why? You always want to eat.

Chanyeol: I agree with you. I think she will stop eating when she's asleep.

Baekhyun: Yeah yeah but she's dreaming she's eating so..... ~laughs~

Me: I hate you both. Yah! Chanyeol go home. ~she was pushing him at the door~

Chanyeol: Why? Why? Why?

Zee: Tumigil ka! Hindi ka si Jongdae para mag-why why why!!!!!! Go!!!

Chanyeol: Fine fine fine. I didn't get any of what you have said but I heard Jongdae hyung's name so I get what you're saying ~laughing~ I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be here at 7 in the morning. Let's have breakfast together.

Zee: Got it! Thank you. Drive safely Chanyeol. Call me when you get home.

Chanyeol: How can I call you:

I walked near him and put his hands up and searched his pants' pocket like police and when I found it, there was a face recognition so I had to make him look at his phone and it went open. I saved my number and puts his phone back in his pocket. I bid him goodbye again. I told Baekhyun oppa that Chanyeoll knew about my condition and he said he'll come tomorrow at the hospital.

Baekhyun: Thank you for telling him.

Me: Because I can't lie to him oppa.

Baekhyun: Let's take our rest now. We have a long day tomorrow.

Me: Goodnight oppa. Thank you.

Baekhyun: Goodnight Zenaida.

***His POV; I got home I saw my mom watching her favorite variety show on television while Toben is lying beside her on the couch. I sat beside her and on that very moment my tears start falling.

Mom: What happened son?

Me: She's... eomma how can I help her?

Mom: What are you saying? Try to calm down Chanyeol.

Me: Zee is sick. She has glioblastoma.

Mom: What's that?

Me: A brain tumor.

Mom: Oh my, how is she?

Me: She has a year or less to live eommoni. I have waited for 2 years to see and find her again.

Mom: Chanyeol, it's not yet the end of everything. She can still be cured. Is she getting treatments?

Me: She'll undergo a series of tests again but this time she's doing it here in Korea.

Mom: Son, I know it hurts so much to know she was sick but you have to be strong for her. Because it might be hard for her too. Telling you how sick she was. That was one of the bravest things she has done. She told you the truth because she doesn't want to lie to you.

Me: She was too brave too brave. She didn't even cry when she told me.

Mom: ~hugs her son~ she just doesn't want you to pity her. Be that someone who could give her strength. Someone she could lean on.

Me: Eommoni how I can???? When my heart is in so much pain.

Mom: You don't have to try so hard. Being there for her is the best thing you can do now.

Me: Aren't you mad that the girl I like is sick?

Mom: Why would I? It is not her fault to be sick. She didn't inflick herself in that condition.

Me: Is God testing me?

Mom: Maybe. He was testing you both.

Me: But why? Is being far from her in years isn't enough as a test? Isn't he too unfair to us?

Mom: If he was, he wouldn't have let you meet in the first place. Come on rest for now. Tomorrow, you know what to do. Don't forget to pray. He still listens.

Me: Yes eommoni. Goodnight.

I went to my room and I was lying on my bed and thinking about what eommoni has told me. If I have not met her on the island, maybe just maybe I was married to Byul or I am still a bachelor like everyone else. I know from the moment I asked her a favor on that island, I knew things will be different. "What should we do tomorrow? I would want to spend a day with her before she goes back to Manila. Should I teach her how to play intruments? Should we do a vlog regarding our bonding? What should I do?"

***Her POV; I was listening to A Song About Love by Jake Bugg. As I lie awake in bed and was thinking about Chanyeol's reaction earlier. "Maybe he was really that tough." My phone beeps and saw that Baekhyun oppa sent me a few photos. It was me when I was making my wish and when I was blowing my birthday candles and Chanyeol was smiling and crying.

Me: Thank you.

Baekhyun: Welcome. Goodnight.

It was a candid photo and I loved it. "Lord, I am ready. I want to be cured. I want to live. I want to fall in love again."