After Techno and Tin Confrontation

** A month ago **

"Maeee.. Please allow me to go to a regular school. I'll be in Bangkok for my check-ups anyway." CAN pleaded.

"You'll be alone there baby. You know we cannot leave our business here in Chiang Mai. It's our only source of living. And your sister study here." Can's mom argued.

"You don't have to be there with me. I can take care of myself." Can said in a persuasive tone. "But what if I really had cancer? The first doctor already told us his diagnosis. I just want to experience being in a normal high school. I just wanna be a normal teenager for once"

"But baby, first diagnosis isn't always correct. That's why wore getting the opinion of one of the best doctors in Bangkok."

"Please Maeee... I beg you." Can pleaded. "If the results say I have cancer, I promise I will go back here to spend the rest of my remaining life with you."

"Don't say that." Can's mom said in a sad bitter tone.

"And if I don't have cancer, I will continue my studies there and prove to you that I can survive a normal high school." Can said proudly. "Please, Maeee... You know that's my only dream."

"That's a hard decision to make, baby. I will have to talk to your father about this first." She hugs her son tightly, as her heart was silently breaking within.

**Flashback End**

The days flew by, and it was just the same old routine for Can. Now that the tension between Ai'No and Ai'Tin have finally subsided, he felt like he's no longer threading a thin line between the two.

But Can's final-check up's day is nearing, he was feeling more and more anxious and nervous.

Everything is fine......

Check-up day has come.

"But how come it only showed up now? He's been blind since he was born." N'Lay asked Dr. Noh while he clutched the result of Can's biopsy and diagnosis. They were finally getting the reading of the samples and tests Can went through upon arriving at Bangkok three weeks ago.

"That's something we are not certain of, whether he's been blind since he was born or if the ferry accident where his parents died has caused this damage on his eyes." Dr. Noh replied. "Either way, in many cases, Intraocular Melanoma's symptoms can develop over lime—sometimes it takes month, years, or in Can's case. probably 10 years. And it was a slow progression."

Can just sat there quiet, listening to his N'Lay and doctor talking about his condition.

"So, what should we do now, doctor?" N'Lay was trying his best to keep himself together and not breakdown inf root of his younger brother.

"Well study this diagnosis and do more scans so we can determine if we can possibly operate his eyes. Or just proceed with radiation treatment. Whichever is safe and best for Can." He explained carefully. "But I also want to be honest with you, his condition has already evolved into a full blown cancer. At this stage, some patients make it until treatment, but some doesn't last that long."

"How long?" N'Lay asked, his voice shaking.

"It's hard to tell, but with the rate on how his cancer cells are maturing and reacting, possibly 3-6 months."

N'Lay finally broke down, pulling his brother into a tight embrace while Can kept a straight face.

He never knew until today, that there's even a darker day than what he's already lived all his life.

When your heart's all worn down

Your spirit's drowned

The time for sleep is now

But it's nothing to cry about

Cos we'll hold each other's hand

I'll follow you into the dark

I'll follow you into the dark

It's the final week for Tin to serve as Can's close student guide. If you would have asked him three weeks ago, he would have straight up told you how he would rather eat horse shit than be someone else's 'personal school bitch' for four weeks. Guess it quickly changed.

Tin found inspiration from Can to be better. Even if he didn't fully understand yet what he wanted to do with his life, all he knew is that like Can, he wanted to be something.

He was finally getting tired of being the bad guy, of being the bully one. For once he wanted to finally change his ways, but he knew it won't happen overnight. And he most certainly couldn't do it alone.

He needed Can to show him the way, as ironic as it may sound, the blind must lead his way.

After his final diagnosis, Can tried his best to put up a strong face. His family has already done everything for him, all he could do for them for now is to stay strong and show them that he is not in pain, he is not troubled, as so should they.

Tin has awakened a part of him he never knew existed. When he would be teased at his former school about girls, he would rarely react. Most guys his age definitely get all gushy and cute when talking about girls and crushes. He just wouldn't. But Tin has opened that side of him.

Meeting Tin and getting to know him, made him understand what 'butterflies in the stomach' means---and it makes him smile every time he thinks of him. He just doesn't know how to deal with the feelings yet---especially now that he knows, he wouldn't get to stay that long anyway.