with my Tita Caroline here at McConnell Hospital in New York waiting for the result of my check-up. Hindi naman nagtagal 'yong paghihintay namin dahil dumating na rin 'yong doctor ko dala 'yong resulta ng check-up ko. Pagka-upo ni Dr. Curtis ay agad ko siyang tinanong.

"How's my health doc?"

"Ms. Stevenson, does your family have some cases of bone marrow cancer or blood related cancer?" Natigilan naman ako sa tanong ni Dr. Curtis at agad na nilingon si Tita Caroline dahil hindi ko alam kung meron ba talagang cases na ganon sa pamilya namin.

"Uhmm... our father had a bone marrow cancer doc," sagot ni Tita.

"How about her father?"

"I'm positive that he doesn't have a bone marrow cancer or any cancer of the blood doc."

"But maybe your father Mr. Stevenson was a carrier of that cancer. That's why you have a chronic lymphocytic leukemia," Dr. Curtis said.

"Is that really worse doc? We can do something about it right? We can treat that right?" Tita asked hysterically.

"This is a veru rare case; mostly CLL happen during adulthood at the age of 60 or 70 Mrs. Thompson," Dr. Curtis explained to Tita Caroline then looked at my direction. "And in your case Ms. Stevenson it was passed down by your father's family history of bone marrow cancer. Your CLL is at an early stage and we don't require immediate treatment to it except if you want to. And let me be honest with you, in the history of CLL cases there was no person who recovers from that disease. Some of them just live longer but maybe miracles can happen to you Ms. Stevenson if you want to start being diagnose."

Agad naman akong napailing sa sinabi niya. Maybe this is a sign that it's time for me to follow my parents. I don't have anyone anymore. I am all alone now. "I don't want to undergo any treatment doc. As you said it's very impossible for me to be cured---,"

"Don't say that, Lily!" Tita Caroline exclaimed angrily.

"Be positive Ms. Stevenson. We can start diagnosing you to prevent your CLL to be worse," suhestiyon ni Dr. Curtis pero umiling lamang ako.

"No doc, I'm fine. I don't want to be cured. It is just a waste of money," I said before looking straight to the eyes of my Tita. "Please Tita, I don't want to be treated."

Tumulo naman 'yong luha ni Tita sa sinabi ko. "Lily..."

"Please." Maluha-luha ko na ring paki-usap sa kanya. Kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi ang tumango sa'kin.

"But if you change your mind Ms. Stevenson just contact me," ani ni Dr. Curtis at tumango naman ako sa kanya.

been 2 months since I found out that I have a CLL and since then I'm enjoying myself taking care of my café here in Castile.

Hinayaan na rin naman ako ni Tita pero palagi pa rin niya akong kinukumusta. Minsan nga kapag tumatawag siya gusto niya akong piliting magpa-diagnose kaso pinuputol ko na agad 'yong sasabihin niya at papalitan 'yong topic namin. I enjoyed Tita Caroline comfort's everytime she visits me. I know she has a family to be cared of, but she still worry about me and that makes me happy.

I was checking some list of orders in the counter when a baritone voice called me for his order. Agad naman akong pumunta sa harap ng pwesto niya at nong napa-angat na 'yong tingin ko sa kanya tila na-hipnotismo ako sa mga mata niya. That amber eye looks hypnotizing, that pointed nose, perfect jawline and that red kissable lips.

"Hey miss," he called which got me off from reverie.

"Oh I'm sorry sir. What was that again? Your order?"

He let out a chuckle because of that and I find him so... handsome.

"I want a cappuccino... Lily," he said then smiled at me and that made me stop.

-DarkNiebla ❤

Hindi ko po talaga planong maglagay ng mga characters but since sila po 'yong naiimagine ko as Lily Stevenson and Mickel Martinez share ko na lang po sa inyo. Ewan ko po e pero sila talaga pumapasok sa isip ko kapag nag-iimagine ako kung sino si Lily at kung sino si Mickel. 😂