The Things I Want to Do With My Remaining Life

Life is truly unpredictable. One day, you're fine, and the next, you're not. One day, you're happy, and the next, you're sad. One day, you're filled with excitement about your future, and then ............ "I'm sorry, but you have cancer, and you only have three months to live." I am Shona, a 25-year-old single woman facing the realities of life head-on. Growing up in a financially struggling family, I had to make sacrifices at a young age. Despite my dreams of completing high school, circumstances forced me to enter the workforce at 16 to support my family. While my older sister pursued her college education and my younger brother continued his studies, I took on the role of a barista in a cozy coffee shop in the city. Each day, I pour my heart and soul into crafting the perfect cup of coffee, finding solace and purpose in my work. Though I couldn't pursue my own education, I find fulfillment in supporting my family and witnessing their educational journeys. I live in a very small room, where only my bed can fit because it's all I can afford. I give 70% of my salary to my family, keeping only 30% for myself. Despite the limited space and financial constraints, I never complain. The reason is simple: I love my family deeply, and I made a promise to them. I vowed to work incredibly hard so that I can give them the life they've always desired, even if it means sacrificing my own. One afternoon, while I was working, a customer became extremely angry with me because she didn't like the coffee I had made. "This is not what I ordered! Did you even listen to me?" the customer shouted in anger. Remaining calm, I responded, "I listened carefully, ma'am, and this is the exact order you requested." The customer questioned, "Are you calling me a liar?" "No, ma'am. I'm simply stating that this is the order you asked for," I calmly explained, as I usually do when dealing with upset customers. "Where is your manager? I demand to speak to your manager!" she exclaimed, causing the attention of all the other customers to be drawn towards us. Upon hearing the commotion, the manager emerged from the kitchen and confronted the disgruntled customer. "What seems to be the issue here?" the manager inquired. "This person called me a liar! This is not what I ordered!" she shouted, vehemently pointing her finger at me. "Alright, ma'am, let's hear her side of the story first, okay?" the manager calmly responded, attempting to diffuse the situation. The manager turned towards me, giving me a reassuring look, and asked me to explain what had happened. I truthfully recounted that I had prepared the coffee exactly as she had ordered. The manager, being familiar with my work ethic and attention to detail, believed my account. "Okay, ma'am. Please hand me the coffee so I can make you a fresh one," the manager calmly negotiated, trying to find a resolution. However, without warning, she angrily threw the cup of hot coffee at me, causing it to spill all over me and the floor. The room fell silent as the other customers watched in shock. "I don't need your coffee!" she exclaimed before storming out of the coffee shop. Left standing there, stunned and unable to move, I found myself in a state of shock. It was the first time I had ever experienced someone throwing coffee at me, and the incident left me feeling shaken and unsure of how to react. "Hey! Stop right there!" the manager yelled, trying to catch the customer, but she managed to get away. Feeling stunned and unable to move, I stood there in disbelief. Just then, a customer named Jake came over and offered his help. "Are you okay?" he asked, gently wiping the coffee off my hair. Then, as Jake attempted to wipe my face with his handkerchief, I gently stopped him and calmly said, "I'll take care of it. Thank you." With a sense of urgency, I rushed towards the backdoor to clean myself up, still feeling the sting of what had just transpired. Soon after, my phone rang, and it was my mom on the line. "Shona, how are you?" she asked, unaware of the recent incident. Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to compose myself. Before I could respond, she added, "Send us some money. Your sister needs a new phone." My sadness quickly turned to disbelief, and I found myself laughing and crying simultaneously. "Shona, are you alright?" my mom asked, concerned by my mixed emotions. "Yeah, Mom. I'm... umm... I'm alright," I replied, trying to regain my composure. "Your sister said her phone is outdated, and she wants a new one," my mom continued. "Mom, I don't have any money right now," I said, wiping away my tears. "What!? Don't be selfish, Shona. She's your sister," my mom exclaimed. "Mom? You said Nica has a job. Why do I need to buy her a new phone?" I asked, still in disbelief. "She quit her job because it was too hard for her. She said she'll find a new one later," my mom explained. "And you believed her?" I questioned, my voice filled with frustration. "Shona! You know that your dad and I don't have the money to buy her a new phone. You have a job, so you can afford it," my mom insisted. "I'll buy her a new phone, but it means using the money that was supposed to be yours," I stated firmly. "What!? No! Use your own money," my mom retorted. "But, Mom, I don't have any extra money. After sending you money, all I have left is for bills, rent, and my own expenses. I can't even afford to take a taxi anymore because it would cost me more," I explained, trying to make her understand. "I don't care! Buy your sister a new phone, or you will never see us again!" she exclaimed, her words filled with anger and ultimatum. As she hung up, tears streamed down my face, realizing that I would have to dip into my savings to buy Nica a new phone. My own phone was far from new, a relic from the past, but I treasured it because I couldn't afford to purchase a new one for myself. The weight of the situation sank in, leaving me feeling both emotionally and financially drained. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my strength and composed myself before returning inside to continue my work. Despite the emotional turmoil and being labeled as a selfish daughter in my mother's eyes, I understood that life did not pause or wait for me. I had to push forward and carry on, focusing on my responsibilities and the tasks at hand. After the manager checked in on me and I assured him that I was fine, I mustered up the courage to ask him for a favor. "Um... Brook, I have a favor to ask," I said nervously. "Sure, what is it?" he replied. "Can I work double shifts for the entire month?" I asked, hoping he would agree. "Again? What is it this time?" he inquired, familiar with my pattern of requesting extra shifts whenever my mom needed additional financial support. Brook had been my manager ever since I started working here, and over time, we had become best friends. He knew me well, and I trusted him with my struggles and challenges. "Nica asked for a new phone, and my mom told me that if I don't buy it for her, I will never see them again," I confided in Brook. "What? Are they serious? Shona, listen to me. Can't you see? They're manipulating you," Brook exclaimed, concerned for my well-being. "They're my family," I replied, my voice filled with a mixture of love, loyalty, and confusion.