Present Time

                                    

                                          


                          
As if he expected me to come, Chanyeol immediately turned to my direction upon hearing me call him.
                          
He looked surprised but the same time glad. He lightly smiled but I knew that there was something behind that smile. 
                          
"What are you doing here?"
                          
He asked as I walk to the empty seat near his bed. He looked thinner than the last time I saw him. He was pale and weak. How can a person change so much in a week?
                          
"I wanted to visit you."
                          
His eyes started to glisten with hope. "Mind telling me what's happening?" I asked with a worried tone. 
                          
He chuckled, "I thought they already gave you the brief on the way." I smiled lightly. I wanted to touch his hands but I knew I shouldn't. 
                          
"So?" I wanted to keep it together. When we were dating, I was the one who made sure that you won't feel sad or hurt. I made sure you wouldn't worry about me. I don't want to cry right now because it would be a sign of weakness and right now, I want to show you that I was strong, even if seeing you like this hurt a lot. 
                          
He took a deep breath. He moved his body to lay on the pillow behind him. I stood up to support him and fix the pillow.
                          
"Thank you" his voice was low but it wasn't full of energy like before.
                          
After that, I went back to my seat. He was smiling as he admired my face. "You look beautiful"
                          
"I always do" I replied, in an attempt to make him laugh. He just nodded.
                          
"I'm so sorry, Baek. For lying all these years." 
                          
I looked at him as a part of me understood what he was trying to say.
                          
"I was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago."
                          
"You mean...?"
                          
He nodded lightly while his grip on his blanket tightened. It felt like he didn't want to tell me this but he had no choice. I found out his secret and I demand answers.
                          
"I told you few weeks ago that I left you because it's the only choice I have and that I saw us drifting apart. While those were true, the real reason was because of my ailment. The doctors said I just have a year left."
                          
I couldn't say anything. I just felt my heart slowly shatter as I listen to him. A part of me didn't want to believe him. For the first time, I wanted his bullshit excuses again.
                          
"I can't stay with you and just watch me wither, Baek. You deserve to be with someone who would hold your hand until you die."
                          
"But you started dating again."
                          
He nodded. "I did as it was an attempt to make you forget about me. I erased all the connections we had so you won't contact me. I was in the hospital for a few months after our break up. They didn't know what happened but I lasted until now"
                          
I looked down. My whole body was trembling but I wasn't sure if it was because of anger or pain. 
                          
"So that's what you meant by standing with me for the rest of your life"
                          
He chuckled, "cringe huh?"
                          
"Let's do it"