The Last String

|20| The Last Drop

|20| The Last Drop

When I was younger, I always find myself watching the people around me doing the things that they wanted. My dad was rarely home doing business which he bet his life on. Mom was busy handling her businesses and her social life. They were all living the life they wanted and I was there alone waiting for them to come home and feel the warmth that I'm deprived of.

At least writing has kept me sane through the years.

I don't know if I'm just a pessimistic b***h or I really have a hidden talent of guessing what's going to happen next. 

After the gala, my friends decided to come over and sleep together in my condo. It was a fun night. I've met a lot of people in the gala and my co-students at MAE were happy to meet us in personal. I'm not a social person but I really enjoyed talking to them for quite awhile.

"I wish you good luck for this year!" Chitoge, a junior student, told me with her pretty slit eyes glistening in happiness.

"I wish you all the best," I replied, half smiling.

New Year's eve should represent good beginnings—a new chapter of our lives and a turning point wherein we should be better as individuals but in my case, I guess I'm not lucky at all to have my chance of being better.

It was mid morning when I woke up, cold and shivering, dizzy and had the urge to vomit. I almost stumbled upon opening the bathroom door with such force that it created a loud bang. The lights opened in a sudden and I felt Gavin's presence beside me with Maria and Taehyung standing at the back. 

"What's wrong, Sera? Tell me," Gavin asked while cupping my face and wiping the side of my lips with a clean towel. I can't find my voice to speak and  to top it all, I don't know what to say. I'm cold and my joints are hurting so bad with my head pounding so hard.

I can't utter a single word but then, my body speaks for me.

"Y-your nose is bleeding..." Maria said almost whispering.

That night, Gavin's voice calling my name was the last thing that I heard.

I woke up with the smell of alcohol in the air and I wasn't surprised when I found myself laid on the hospital bed with an iv pierced on my hand. I was...blank. I can hear them but I can't process what they were saying. They've done tests after tests after tests. I saw how Maria cried and how Taehyung's knuckles turned white. But what made me back to my senses is Gavin's strained voice, calling my name.

"We're here for you, Sera," he kissed my bruised hand with his unshed tears on his eyes. "I'm here for you love."

I'm sick. Periodt. 

"Acute myelogenous leukemia..." I whispered as I watch the twilight turning into night. I thought everything was going well but it seems like after tasting a slight taste of what heaven feels like life is going to shove me back to the hell that I've been living for years.

It's been two weeks since I've been absent from school and by now I was sure that the school has sent mails to my parents regarding my absence. I don't know if Gavin told the admin about my admission in the hospital because one of the admin called and told me that they're offering  online classes for special case students in which I gladly accepted. 

Gavin, Maria, and Taehyung were helping me out with the school stuffs that I'm missing. The three of them wanted to stay here with me but I refused because they have the life of their own. They can visit me, although I requested to my doctors to do not let them overstay here since I'll be starting my chemotherapy soon. 

The doctors highly suggested that we should go for stem cell transplant. I'll be given high doses of chemotherapy to destroy the cancer cells in my bone marrow. Then, I'll get the new stem cells through an infusion into one of my veins. They will grow into new, healthy blood cells. They think it would best suit in my condition and we're hoping for best results. 

I was worrying about the bill but Gavin—the three of them told me they would handle it. Imagine the scowl on my face as I forcefully gave my card to them. I should pay for my bills! I have money left in my bank account and  I could just sell things that I don't really needed aka branded clothes and bags on display in my condo. 

I know. I'm studying in an elite school. Who would f*****g buy second hand things when they can afford buying brand new? But still, it's a chance to raise money. Good thing Maria volunteered to organize an auction for my things. Knowing Maria, she'll do  her best while at it. Also, I've come to use my hidden talent that no one knew except me. 

"Wow. That looks real..." I looked back and saw  Gavin, Maria, and Taehyung all clad in our school uniform, sanitizing their hand and wearing the surgical face mask upon entering my room. Even with his mask on, I can clearly picture the awe on Taehyung's face. 

"I wanted to buy your all pieces because they're all beautiful but I know you wouldn't want that!" Maria said before jumping on the couch next to my bed with a silly grin on her face.

"You work fast, huh? You have five paintings done and one in process of finishing it up in a span of two weeks! That's some mad skills you got there!" Taehyung said and looked at the finished canvas neatly piled against the wall. 

"Got a lot of time to work on 'em," I said and shrugged and smirked afterwards.

"How about your classes?" Gavin asked with his eyebrow raising. I bit back a laugh. He looks cute although I knew he's trying to be strict and stern but he just—can't. 

"My class will start next week, Gav." Gavin heaved a sigh and smiled at me.

I'm really lucky to have them by my side. 

"This setup must've been tiring the three of you," I said laughingly while looking outside, watching the setting sun. "I'm sick but I'll get some treatments for it but we still don't know what will happen next."

The room fell in an awkward silence. The sound of the ac was the only thing that you can hear inside but I know they're listening to my whims. 

"But hey cheer up! Even if this sickness is hell, if this is what it takes to feel heaven with you guys, then I'm willing to taste hell on earth just to be with you." I looked back only to see their face streaming with hot tears. Maria's holding her sobs as Taehyung's patting her shoulder. Gavin's looking at me with a small smile on his face. 

My love. 

"I love you," I mouthed. Gavin chuckled as his tears fell once more. "I love you," he replied. 

I love you and I wish to spend my future with you...if God permits.

Now that I have completed my bargain, I can't wish for more.

Looking back, I've many things that I've regretted but somehow at this point of my life, all I can remember are the beautiful things that I have in my life: the warm smile of Grandma, the serene face of my Mom, the stern look of my Dad, Maria's eye smile, Taehyung's rectangular smile, and Gavin's beautiful soul. These are the gifts that I'll forever treasure.

With my weak hands, I scribbled the things that I've wanted to say in my diary which was my companion ever since this whole battle started. I'm losing this battle but I know deep inside, I'm still the winner cos I have the people whom I love dearly with me. Giving me support when I needed it the most and loving me with their all even they're almost drained from taking care of me. What I wanted is to make them happy and I wanted to make it possible even if I'm not there to witness it. 

"Finn, Gavin's here," Nurse Joy announced and I excitedly let my eyes wandered until I found him leaning by the doorframe holding a brown paper bag and a long stemmed pink rose. This guy has been with me together through ups and downs. I'm so lucky to have met someone like him. He's all that I have ever wished for to be with me for a lifetime.

Too bad my life is short but still I love him with all that I am and with all that I have.

"Hey there gorgeous," Gavin smiled and plopped on the couch beside my bed and gave me the rose that he's holding. After that, he disinfect his hands with alcohol to keep the germs away from me. 

"Thank you! Wait, did you buy the thing that I asked you to buy?" I asked. With Gavin's laughter, I guess sparkles are visible in my eyes while asking that. I've been meaning to get that thing but I always forget to buy one. 

"Here," he opened the paper bag and my jaw dropped as soon as I saw the beautiful red wig that he's holding.

"I've always adore my red hair," I mumbled. "This one's much alive and fiery than my real hair! I like it!"

"Let me help you put this thing on," Gavin said and assisted me. 

My eyes swelled up with tears as soon as I saw my reflection on the mirror. This has been nothing if I were the same Finn five months ago but now it has become a dream for me and I can't believe that I'm actually seeing myself with the long red hair that I always wanted. 

When I started chemotherapy four months ago, I noticed the hair falls every time I brush my hair. I knew it was normal for a cancer patient like me to lose hairs when undergoing chemotherapy but I guess it was the starting point where it slapped me hard that what I'm facing is not just some random disease. Cancer is a b***h. It was a hard decision since I love my long hair so much but seeing it falls is kinda depressing. 

Borrowing some shears from the nurse's station, I let Maria cut my hair from my waist length hair to a bob cut. 

I looked fine and I realized that short hair suits me too.

But then maybe I was really meant to be bald. 

Weeks after that the loss of hair was rather noticeable as there were some patches of my head without hair. I would always scowl every time I see my face but I made sure that they were not around. My hair keeps on falling and falling to the point that I had enough.

"Gavin, can you call someone to shave my head?"

His face was shocked to the core. He must've not seen that one coming but he still, complied with my request.

"Who's look are you after? The Rock?" Gavin joked and I had to slap his arm with a pout on my lips.

"I'd prefer Saitama," I said and winked. 

The day that Gavin scheduled for my haircut came and I fought hard not to cry as I witness my hair falling and baring the skin of my head. Gavin was holding my frail hand tightly as a hairdresser shaves my head, leaving no trace of hair behind.

Imagine the shock on Maria and Taehyung's face when they saw me bald when they visited me the next day I swear they could pass as some meme sensations. Since that day, Maria has been ordering some cute bandanas and wigs for me plus some false eyelashes when she noticed that I'm losing my eyelashes too. 

"From baldy to baddie. I look so hot," I joked and Gavin laughed heartily. "You look so fine, baby. Damn I can't believe that you're my girlfriend like really I'm so damn lucky." He caressed my cheeks. 

"I'm so lucky to have you, Gavin." I whispered almost breathless.

Gavin shook his head and smiled. "It's the other way around, Sera." He said. 

"I'm so lucky to have you, Seraphine Mallory Gray."

I almost stumbled on my feet if it wasn't for Gavin who caught me as I vomit everything that I ate. It was like my insides are churning and I can feel the cold sweats on my back as I shiver in cold. I had my shot of chemo this morning and this is my body reacting to it. 

I hate it. Chemo hurts so bad. I hate it. But this is for me...this is for my friends...my family. 

I have to endure everything.

"I'm here, love. I'm here," Gavin whispered. 

I know Gavin, and I am thankful to have you.

Gavin carefully laid me on my bed and sat on the couch beside me. 

"Finn? Are you okay?" Maria asked as she fix my duvet and wipe my cold sweats on my forehead.

"Do you need anything? I'll get it for you," Taehyung said and stood beside Maria with a concerned look on his face. 

"I'm fine. Thank you," I said with a small smile. 

Gavin then grasped my hand and kissed the back of my hand multiple times before meeting my gaze.

"You know, I'm so proud of you." He said with a faint smile on his face.

"And why is that?" I asked.

"Because finally, you're now living." 

Living, huh? When my soul started living, my body started to die. 

How ironic. 

The door busted open revealing my parents clad in their business suits.

"How are you, Mom?" I asked with a smile on my face. As if on cue, my Mom's tears fell down and she almost stumble if it wasn't for my dad beside her. 

For some reason, this has been the best day of my life. With my friends and family with me, I feel complete.

For a moment, for some unknown reason, I feel peace. 

Smiling, I closed my eyes slowly.

Finally...the last string dropped. 

#

end of chapter twenty

A/N:

Hey loves! Thank you for making it this far! The next update would be the last chapter! I hope you learned something from this (hehe I wish!!!) This story started one frustrating night. Just one last tip loves: it isn't late to make things right. Speak up and open up your hearts.