Darius sat down and let out a deep sigh. “She was a dashing woman. She was beautiful, and she was good at her studies and dancing. Many guys at our university were head over heels for her. They would go to the library just to see her,” he said, his voice drifting as his mind thought about the distant past.
“Back then, my designated seat in the library was right opposite your mother’s. A lot of the guys would come to me asking me to give up my seat to them. When your mom found out that some seniors were pressuring me to change my seat with them, she thought of a good idea. She suggested I ask them for money in exchange for my seat, and that was exactly what I did. That was how I ended up getting money from them every day. Your mom never went to the library ever again, though. She went up to the rooftop to read. We were all so young and carefree back then. I’ll always remember her sweet and friendly smile. Her eyes curved in a crescent shape every time she smiled, you know?”
“She must have been really beautiful,” I whispered.
“She was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She left an impression on every man who beheld her.” I could tell from Darius’ voice that he was pleased reminiscing about the past. “But your mother loved your dad, and only him. That’s why everyone boycotted your dad back when we were at university.”
“She must really love him, right?” I finally uttered the burning question I had kept hidden over the years. I had wondered if Mom really loved Dad all this while. If she loved him, why would she leave? If she did not, why did she marry him in the first place?
“Of course she loved your dad.” Darius was taken aback that that was even a question. “She loved him relentlessly. They fell in love at university, got married, and then they had you.”
“But… I don’t understand. What happened between them? My dad ended up having another woman, and my mom left.”
“I have no idea what happened eventually as I graduated before she did. When I heard news about her again, she had already left Avenport.” Although I could not see his face, I could tell he was feeling regretful and resigned.
A brief silence ensued. “Could you tell me how long I have left?” I looked up and finally confronted my fear.
Darius was surprised by how direct I was. He chuckled bitterly. “So you knew? Dad and Mom were still thinking about breaking it gently to you.”
“Yeah. It’s better to know about it sooner than later.” I forced a smile and swallowed my tears back.
“The doctors say you have three months left. You will lose your sight in the beginning.”
“And after that? You can be honest with me. I already knew about it anyway.” I closed my eyes, expecting the worst.
“You will lose your sense of smell and hearing. They also said you will start to faint more often,” he said slowly. “I’m sorry. I promised to take care of you.”
“Don’t be. Things happen, but I have to say, three months is really too short.” I could not believe my life would come to an abrupt end after twenty-two good years. I could have had a long and happy life, but fate could not allow me that luxury.
I was afraid; there was no denying it.
I finally understood why the elderly would break down in tears when they knew they were going to die although they were already advanced in years. Death was disconcerting.
“I’ll ask the Martins to get the best doctors. You have to hang in there.”
It was easier said than done. My sickness was out of my control, and I felt helpless. When I went over to see Christopher again, my eyes were red and swollen from all the crying I did. No one said a word when they saw me.
Monica, who had been playing the piano, left to give us some space.
