Chapter 1 The Report

Camila

I stared at the report in my trembling hands. Instantly, tears blurred the lines. The paper fluttered away as my knees buckled under me and I slumped slowly to the floor.

I knew about it, but seeing it clearly written just made everything more real.

I sobbed harder, not caring if it would be heard by anyone. Let them hear. I had just basically been served my death sentence by my doctor.

Suddenly, Sia entered the kitchen, her brow furrowed in confusion the moment she saw me on the floor. "What's wrong, Mila?" she cried, rushing toward me. She crouched down and lifted my chin. "Talk to me. Why are you crying?" Her voice was laced with concern as her eyes scanned my face.

This had always been her routine whenever she saw tears in my eyes over the past 23 years. She would assume my heart disease had flared up, causing me severe pain and discomfort.

I remained silent, my lips quivering as if I were kneeling on broken glass.

"Did you take your medication this morning?" she asked urgently. "You know you can't miss it, not even for a day. Are you feeling any pain?" Her voice cracked; tears welled in her eyes and fell.

I ignored her question, lifting a trembling finger instead to point at the pieces of paper that had practically sealed my fate.

"Wait! I know this," she exclaimed. "Did Doc Simon send this to you?" she inquired, eyeing the report with curiosity.

I remained silent, piquing her curiosity even more.

She picked it up, and I saw her eyes widening as she scanned each word. By the time she was finished, her hands were trembling, with eyes filled with tears

Like the true best friend she was, she could feel my pain.

"Oh, Mila. I'm so sorry." She hugged me. "But it's can't be true. Three years to live is just-"

I shook my head, cutting her words short. Doc Simon would never give me a false report. Furthermore, I had no money to seek a second opinion from another doctor and she knew it.

My shoulders shook as I resumed sobbing, and I clenched my fists against my chest.

Late Miss Abigail, my adoptive mother (may she rest in peace), flashed into my mind-the woman who dedicated her life to caring for orphaned children. She sacrificed her own happiness of marriage and family, choosing instead to work in an orphanage, devoting herself to children who had lost their parents' warmth.

Her warm smile appeared vividly. She had taken me in, a fragile three-week-old, abandoned by my parents due to my incurable illness. I recalled her gentle hands soothing my feverish brow and her soft voice calming my cries. Sia, too, was part of those memories-a toddler giggling and playing beside me. We had both been adopted by Miss Abigail.

Countless times I had asked her about my parents, or if they had ever come back for me; yet her answer was always the same: "I found no one but you at the orphanage gate."

Miss Abigail's sacrifices for me were countless. She spent her life savings on my treatments, seeking the best care possible. She treated me like the daughter she never had. Doc Simon's words echoed in my mind: End-stage cardiomyopathy.... Irreversible damage... Prognosis three years.

My heart shattered as I remembered Miss Abigail's unwavering hope.

It was truly painful to realize my time on earth was limited. Why me? Were all Miss Abigail's efforts in vain now?

I sobbed harder. Sia quickly pulled me into her tight embrace, and we cried on each other's shoulders. She knew how its all stated, all the sacrifices and emotions support they've offered, yet it's all in vain.

The pain was unbearable.

Why hadn't I died at birth?

Why all this suffering with no solution in the end?

"Don't cry, please." Sia's voice cut through the long silence between us. She slowly withdrew from the hug and palming my face. "Even if this is true, death can come and take both of us. I'm not scared." She said bravely, shaking her head, as tears streamed down her cheeks.

I let out a sad smile, wondering what I had done to deserve such amazing people in my life, who had stood by me all those years.

No! I wouldn't let anyone make more sacrifices for me again, and the only way to conceal that thought in her head was to pretend I was fine.

"Yes, no one has the right to make me leave this world, not even STEMI," I said with all the confidence left in me, trying to act brave in front of her.

"Happy Birthday!" She suddenly exclaimed.

I blinked my eyes rapidly, as I tried to process what she had said. Then, in a flash, it hit me - today was my birthday. Though not actually the day I was born but the day Miss Abigail found me, which became automatically my day.

I couldn't believe that the day I had been planning for months had slipped my mind so easily.

"Thank you, crocky head, I almost forgot," I said with a mist of my tears.

She raised her hands and wiped away my tears, "Hope you're fine now?" she asked, with concern lingering in her voice.

I let out a heavy sigh. "I know I'm supposed to be one of the happiest people on earth, I'll be fine," I assured her.

Leo called soon after to wish me an happy birthday. We chatted for a bit before saying goodbye. His call brightened my mood, causing a smile to spread across my face. I turned to Sia, who watched me and my phone intently, her smile a bit too wide.

"You and Leo are a perfect match." she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she giggled like a schoolgirl.

My face fell and I quickly held her hands, "Should I tell Leo about it tonight?" I confided in her.

Her expression turned serious. "I would advise you not to tell him. He can't be trust with such information." she said.

"But Leo is different," I protested.

Her gaze dropped. "And Leo is no exception," she said, shattering my last glimmer of hope.

"Just hold on, don't tell him yet." She advised.

"Okay," I mumbled, agreeing with what she said.

"Don't worry. I have a surprise for you when you get back home tonight," she said quickly, bursting into laughter and running out.

"Wait, what? Sia..." I started to say before she left, not allowing me to finish.

After three hours, I quickly gathered my things and left the cafe, so eager to see Leo and what surprise he has for me. Without hesitation, I hailed a cab, and he drove me to my apartment.

Soon we arrived and I paid my fare. I started walking elegantly towards my apartment.

Suddenly the twilight air felt thick. Doc Simon's words echoed again: Three years. My hand flew to my chest, Miss Abigail's hopeful face flashing before me. All for nothing?

Then, Leo's warm voice from our call cut through the chill. My birthday. His surprise. Sia was wrong. He was different. My anchor.

A shaky breath escaped, becoming a determined smile. I walked the last steps towards my apartment and exhaled a deep breath before I slowly pushed the door open and saw everywhere dark.

Boom!

"Happy Birthday!" Sia and Leo said in unison, flipping on the lights. My jaw dropped at the lavishly decorated dining table before me. They looked stunning: Leo in a crisp black suit that matched his jet-black hair and brown eyes, Sia in a vibrant red shirt dress.

Leo rushed over, kissing my forehead, while Sia giggled, pulling me into a hug.

"All this... for me?" My voice cracked as I moved toward the table.

"Come on, babe, sit." Leo pulled out a chair, and I sank into it.

I couldn't contain my widening smile or the joy bubbling inside me. How did I get such amazing people in my life?

Sia sat beside me. "Here's your gift, Mila." She slid a small box toward me. "Open it!" she urged, beaming.

I started unwrapping it, but she suddenly placed her hands over mine. I looked up, brows furrowed.

"Make a wish first," she whispered.

I shut my eyes, palms pressed together. 'I wish that no matter how short... my time on earth, May it be filled with happiness Amen.'

I opened my eyes and finished unwrapping the gift. My breath caught. Inside lay a delicate gold necklace. I instantly pulled her into a fierce hug.

"I'm so glad you like it," she whispered, hugging me back. "And amen to your wish." She drew away, smiling.

Leo reached across the table, his hand open. I placed mine in his, and he gently smoothed my knuckles.

'Why hide this? We've always confided in each other. Hiding this betrayed everything we were.' My thought reeled. Yet fear lingered. How would he react to knowing his girlfriend had only three years to live? I had to tell him.

I gulped. "Leo... I have something to tell you," I murmured, barely audible. Sia immediately tugged my sleeve to keep quiet, but I ignored her.

Leo smiled, warm and pure. "What is it, baby?"

I closed my eyes, unable to look at him, "I have terminal heart disease. The doctors say... I have three years left."