“Here you go. If you need help, just shout for me, alright? I’ll be nearby.” Nurse Adalyn smiled at me. I looked up at the black-haired nurse in her early twenties from my wheelchair, and replied her smile, mouthing “Thanks” at the same time.

Sitting there under the now-bare tree, I was awash with a sense of tranquility. The usual view of the winter wonderland from the window of my ward was a far cry from this breathtaking white landscape laid out in front of my eyes. I’m really glad that Dr. Stewart was okay with me coming out to the garden in the coldness of the winter, especially with my healthy condition.

Not wanting to let the peacefulness of the morning go to waste, I flipped my copy of the Chronicles of Narnia open. While I had it since my birthday last year – a gift from dad – I had never been able to begin reading it due to the various responsibilities I had for school. But since I’m hospitalized and entering the grave soon, I’ve decided and was pretty determined to finish as much as I can.   

“Hey there, whatcha reading?” Someone suddenly appeared next to me while I was fully absorbed into the story of The Magician’s Nephew, which startled me and made me drop my book into the snow.

“Jesus! What on earth is wrong with you?!” I yelled, flustered at the sudden intrusion. I was never a person who liked others disturbing me while I was reading. Not even shooting a single glance at the intruder, I bent down to try and pick up my book, only to be intercepted by a pale-looking hand – though it wasn’t as pale as mine was.

“Oh, sorry for scaring you. Here, let me help you. It must be hard for you to do things like these in a wheelchair,” the voice continued. When I looked up, I found a boy of about 15 with almond hair and emerald eyes smiling at me, holding my book in his hand. Judging by his clothes, he was another patient in the hospital.

“Th... thanks...” I said as he returned the book to me. While I tried to locate the page I was reading, the boy took the liberty to sit on the bench which my wheelchair was parked next to. I ignored him and dived back into the world of Narnia. He, however, decided to continue disturbing me by striking up another conversation.

“I see that you’re quite an avid reader.”

I nodded.

“What other books do you like?” Silence on my part.

“Aww c’mon, can’t you put that book down for a moment and entertain this poor guy who’s trying to get your attention here?”

I sighed, and turn towards him, narrowing my eyes into slits. “May I know what exactly do you intend to talk about? I honestly don’t have time on my side.” I said darkly.

“Whoa, chill, wouldja? I’m just trying to be friends. I’m Cedric, and you?” he grinned, holding out his hand for me to shake. I took it hesitantly, and muttered “Tessa”.

“Tessa? That’s a nice name.”

I smiled, and continued to bury my head in the book.

“I’ve never seen you around here. Have you just been admitted?” I shook my head, and showed him a 7-sign.

“Seven months? Wow that’s pretty long.” More silence from me.  

“You’re suffering from cancer, aren’t you?” he said suddenly.

“H... how’d you know?”

He pointed at his head, and the angle of his mouth curled up slightly. I immediately figured out that he was talking about the woollie I was wearing to cover my balding head. After bookmarking the page I was reading, I closed the book and just continued taking in the scenery. I hardly felt like talking.

But he still wouldn’t lay off the subject. “What cancer are you suffering from?”

“Some type of brain cancer. I think it Dr. Stewart called it glioblastoma...” I pondered deeply.

“Ah, finally got you to talk.” He beamed. I glowered at him, hardly seeing how he could be so happy to get me to talk by poking at this terminal disease I was having. How inhuman, I miffed. However, he continued nonchalantly, “well, I guess we’re in the same boat then.”

“You look too awfully cheerful and full of hair to pass off as someone who’s suffering cancer. Find another disease that’s more believable, would you?”

“Who said that a cancer patient can’t be cheerful and keep their hair? I’ve just started chemo anyway.” He shrugged. “I was told that I’m very, very unlucky to have contracted hepatocellular carcinoma.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“To put it simply, liver cancer. The doctor told me it was due to the scarring of my liver because my own body’s cells were attacking it earlier.”

“Oh... I never knew that it could happen...”

“Me neither, but tadaa! You have a living example standing right here.” He jumped up from his seat and took a bow. I laughed at his silliness.

It was then that Nurse Adalyn came over. “Tessa, dear, I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation with Cedric, but it’s time for your chemotherapy.”

“Do I really have to? I mean, I’m dying soon anyway... would it make any difference?” From the corner of my eyes, I could see that Cedric wasn’t really taken aback from what I’ve said. Well, takes one to know one.

“Doctor’s orders.” She smiled back apologetically.

“I guess I’ll see you around then!” he grinned widely.

“S... sure, though that would depend on my body.” I winked at him, and nodded at Nurse Adalyn as a signal for her to push me back into the hospital for my next round of torture.



TO BE CONTINUED...