[Stories] Friend, Please Send My Love To Her (Last)

I gathered my wits and my pride prevailed. I went away chin up cause I know I'm innocent even if the person I loved hurt me. Halfway, I felt the hot liquid flowing down my cheeks. Then, I saw Jeff who saw everything. He embraced me and gave me a shoulder to cry on. Deep inside, I asked why couldn't I love this man who is always there for me? Why does my heart beat for that unworthy man?

After that, Jeff and JC didn't talk too much. JC tried to avoid me and didn't even bother to apologize. Jeff and I decided to stay at the Academy for our college courses. I took nursing while Jeff took engineering. I didn't hear anything from JC. Jeff got his girlfriend on our 3rd year. I kept myself busy with study and work. But still I can't avoid crying as I recall those days when I fell in love.

And now, I'm back to reality. The one I wish to see is right in front of me. I miss him but I didn't expect to see him this way. JC sat in the hospital bed where I worked. My heart was beating faster and my eyes were fixed on him.

"J-JC?" at last I found my voice to speak. I saw the amazement in his eyes.

"Anne is that you?" Then my memories of him started to come back. Suddenly his expression changed into dismay and in a sarcastic tone, he told me,

"What are you doing here?" he asked. I didn't expect that kind of question. I sucked my breath and replied,

"I-I am a nurse and assigned to take care of you since I am working here."

"I don't want you to be my. Get out of this room and fetch another nurse for me." He shouted. I was insulted but I tried to hold my feelings.

"Don't I deserve any explanation why you have to insult me?" For that moment I can't hold anymore this rage of anger I felt.

"Just do what I said. I'm your patient so I have the right," he replied calmly. He was like that when confronted, armed with calmness.

"JC, are you just fond of hurting me? Since then, you do nothing but hurt me. If you're happy doing that, okay, go on as you like."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, it's just that, we were so close, we were friends way back. I treasured every moment I was with you. Those were the happiest moment I was with you. Those were the happiest moments I had. Can't you just understand that?" I deliver them with emotions I hid deep inside for years. Why can't this man understand?

"Let's stop this nonsense. Get lost Anne! Get lost!"

"How many times will you tell that to my face and hurt my feelings!"

"I said get lost!" Ouch! Again those words pierced through my heart like a knife plunging to its depth.

The next I heard was that he transferred to another hospital. No one knows where he is. But thank God I met Jeff. I did all the begging and pleadings just to tell me where JC was. I wasted no time and visited him right away.

It was almost dark when I reached there. JC's aunt let me in. Just then I heard a thunderous voice, which made me tremble.

"What are you doing here, again?"

"I just came to visit you."

"But I am not sick."

"Well, uhmmm...I miss you so much that's why."

'Just like that? Oh! Stop that foolishness. I don't need you here. You better go home, it is already dark." After he spoke he turned his back on me. I've got to speak; it's now or never.

"Okay, you just take it like that?" he stopped as I spoke but didn't face me. I continued," After those days we've been through, it's just like that huh? You don't know how I suffered since our high school days because you did not even feel that everything I did were just for you. I was dumbfounded when I knew you had Cathy for a girlfriend but what hurts most, you know, is then you left without saying goodbye!"

My tears were running down my cheeks as I spoke.' And not I am here to show you how much I care, how much I...I... love you but you won't give me a chance. I'm willing to wait, to lower my pride because of the fact that I really love you. But every human's sacrifices have it's end. I do everything for your happiness why not give me a chance to be happy also. If you want, then I'll go. I think this is goodbye."

I kept myself busy but I can't deny the fact that every night I can see his face above the sky. It is harder that I thought; I don't think I am  going to get over this.

Unexpectedly, Jeff visited me one day and told me JC wanted to see me. I can't believe it but still I went with him. The house was silent and I wonder why we are heading to the garden. JC's aunt met us. Her eyes were swollen and her face was sad.

"Where's JC Tita?" I asked.

Lifelessly, she pointed to a coffin in the midst of the garden. I was petrified, I wanted to scream but no voice came out from my mouth. The sorrowful truth slapped me in the face. Oh God! JC was dead! Then tears flowed down from my eyes as if they wont runt dry. Jeff gave me a shoulder to cry on and calmed me down.

"Anne take this," said Jeff.

"What's this?" I asked between my sob. He gave me a piece of paper.

"Just read it," So I did. I was so confused. The truth was in front of me. It said everything but too late, very late.

Dear Jeff,

Friend, I know it is going to be my end. I feel that I will be next victim of our family disease. Sorry for the mistakes I've caused you and Anne.

Jeff, please take care of Anne for me. Look out for her because I love her above anything else. I know she is angry with me but it is better that way. I don't want to be the hindrance for her happiness and freedom. Leukemia is running through our family blood and I'm afraid. I had it already. I don't want to fall in love because I'm afraid that I will be passing this to my children, the reason my aunt didn't marry. Tell her, Cathy blackmailed me during that time. I don't want Anne to be hurt so to stop her I agreed on the deal. It's not all the time that I can protect her from Cathy and that's all assurance I have to keep Anne safe. At that time also, you were courting her, so I just gave way for both of you.

Please tell her that I'm sorry and I miss her. I don't want to see her suffering because of me. Just pray for my soul and bless your life.

P.S. Friend, please send my love to her...

JC

Indeed true love is sacrificing one's interests or oneself for the betterment of the one true love!