YURI

CHAPTER SIX

The doctor gave us a moment, then added, “She’ll need comfort, support, and… time with her loved ones. I suggest you all make the most of it.”

Those words echoed in my mind like a cruel countdown.

The doctor’s voice cut through the haze of shock. “Who is Yuri?”

My head jerked up. “That’s me,” I managed to say, my voice barely more than a whisper.

“She’d like to see you,” he said gently.

I rose on shaky legs and followed him down the quiet corridor, the rhythmic beeping of machines from nearby rooms filling the air. When we reached her door, he opened it for me, and there she was—my mom—looking so small against the white sheets, her skin pale but her eyes still warm when they found mine.

I walked in slowly and sat beside her, my fingers brushing against hers. I had promised myself I’d be strong for her, but the moment I felt her weak grip, the dam broke.

The tears poured down my cheeks, my chest shaking as I whispered, “Why, Mom? Why didn’t you tell me? Why… why do you want to leave me?”

Her thumb tried to wipe my tears even though her hand trembled. “Oh, my little one,” she said softly, “I never wanted to leave you. I just… wanted you to live without fear. I wanted you to remember me smiling, not sick.”

I clutched her hand tighter, desperate to anchor her here with me, even though I knew deep down I couldn’t stop time.

“Oh, honey,” she whispered, her voice weak but steady, “don’t you know… if it were up to me, I’d stay here with you until you’re a hundred. I’d see every birthday, every laugh, every tear. But I can’t… and that doesn’t change how much I love you. Not one bit.”

Her words wrapped around my heart like a bittersweet hug, the kind you never want to let go of. I buried my face into her hand, the faint scent of her favorite jasmine lotion still lingering. My tears kept falling, hot and endless, soaking her skin as I clung to her.

The steady rhythm of her breathing became my lullaby, even though each inhale reminded me of how fragile this moment was. I cried until exhaustion pulled me under, my cheek still resting against her arm.

When I woke up, the sunlight had shifted in the room, casting a soft golden glow over her face. She was asleep too, her chest rising and falling in slow, peaceful motions. I stayed still, afraid that if I moved, the moment would shatter.