I fought for and won two lives over my eighteen years of existing. Those were painfully unexpected. At first, my illness caused me great sorrow and anxiety at such a young age. It saps my energy and interest. It took both my happiness and my childhood. It keeps me away from living.
I thought, why would I live in happiness if I was going to die in a few seconds? It's pointless, but I realized that I'm the one who causes my own pain; I drag myself to suffer when I could be happy in that suffering.
We all have trials in life, what's the difference between me and them? My heart is simply weak, but my ability and life are strong.
Those fights were filled with screams of pain and joy. Hands were wiping away tears, soothing pain, and pouring strength during those battles.
But, is pain and selflessness an excuse or justification for doing something bad for the greater good? Would you kill someone for the sake of your loved ones? Would you taint your hands, and fight an eye to kill? Isn't it crazy and scary how people will fight for their loved ones?
That's what I'm looking at. My brother is staring at me.
“How are you-
“Did you kill someone?" I cut him off before he could finish, dropping the words I'd been wanting to ask.
He was speechless. He couldn't say anything
I fixed my gaze on him, seriously. "I was having a heart attack before New Year's, and Hope died after New Year's. Consider the days when I needed a heart and...and..." I couldn't go on. I averted my gaze and moved my gaze away from him. I don't want to say and I don’t want us to hurt each other.
I know he know as well what I meant.
"I know you're going to ask me that," he said solemnly, and my gaze returned to him. "I'm glad you think that way because it means you know your brother would die for you, would go to any length to save you, but to answer your question, I...I didn't kill her."
To know the truth, I gazed at his eyes. The eyes could tell. We've been together for a while, and I know when he's going to lie or tell the truth.
“The truth.” I demanded.
He gave me a look. He’s eyes telling him that he’s telling the truth but I want to make sure.
My brother sighed as he stared at me no backing. "I wish I could do that before witnessing your traumatizing near-death.” He’s seriously saying it.
"Where did you get the news anyway? Why do you need to dig that up right away? "You know you needed rest or to avoid things that would hurt or inflict pain," Andrew said as he took my hand and hold it.
“I’m glad you’re alive.” He whsiepred in relief. The news about Hope didn't make us feel any better. It never made me happy because I was staring at her like you. She's a sweet little girl, and hearing the news and learning about my sister hurts me even more. I...I thought I'd be happy and relieved but not until I was there, and I was here. I wish I could save you both or take my own life so that you two could be saved."
My brother gave me a painful smile. “We were celebrating the New Year in the hospital. We never called Hope because we don’t want her to be sad or to think something else but… after the New Year, we got a call..."
I gave him a weak look. He tried to smile and hold my hand gently.
“She was found dead in the stream in the bridge. It was raining that night at dawn, and according to the police, she slipped on the bridge while walking...trying to hear the fireworks in the neighbor's yard. You can ask her parents, but trust me, I keep my promises to you that I will not do anything bad for you, even though my soul yearns for it to save you."
I sobbed and bit my lower lip. I imagine her waking up in the middle of the night, desperate to see the fireworks, and then you fall through the wet bridge, and what if she's crying and pleading with her to save her, did anyone see her?
“Hush…don’t cry. It’s not good to you.” My brother whispered trying to comfort me.
After I’ve finally okay and good to go and travel, I visited Hope’s residence and his parents. I’ve visited the place she was having accident, and the road there wasn’t good and safe to walk. It's not even completely secure and cemented. It's just a small bridge held together by bamboo.
I stayed for a month to fix their bridge. Hope's mother, Neli, and father, Copi, walk that bridge from time to time, and I want them to be safe while walking back and forth, day or night.
That one month, I’ve asked a lot of things about Hope, and her family. After that months, I’ve walking to the path that Hope never have because of her situation.
She want to travel together with her parents, and I’m planning to do that within the months.
She wanted to be an actress and a singer. She wants to see the world, and meet the people, and that’s where I’m heading. That's where I'll be going.
It was a hectic day for me. I feel inspired and motivated while doing the things that Hope wants. This is not a compensation of Hope’s heart. Her life and her heart are the most valuable things in her life, and no amount of money or jewelry can compare to her worth. Her life is becoming increasingly valuable to me in ways that I cannot afford, and I am giving her with the life she desired, which I know will make her happy.
I couldn't give her anything in return, but I will promise to take care of her heart, life, family, and fulfil her dreams while living mine.
It’s been a long months and my brother went back to our homeland, divorced. Not really divorced since there’s no divorce here. We lost a lot of money as a result of the surgery, and my best friends and Thea, Gretta, and Marie also pitched in financially, but my brother refused. He was happy to have them beside me, and that was enough for him.
I kept it as secret as well and no one knows beside only them.
My brother went back from the ground, really starting from the scratch, and I think maybe because of different reason.
I don't want to hear any news about Kelsey, but because she takes her showbiz career seriously, her career has boomed into popularity, and everything about her has trended on social media, and it's difficult not to see her everywhere, especially billboards and magazines.
I'm staying in the Philippines to advance my career. I contacted Mr. Ramsey, a talent manager who wanted to recruit me in high school, but I declined since I don’t see myself the way she see potential to me in the camera.
I'm extremely happy that he still recognizes me. If you're wondering how we met, it was because of my brother, because he recruited my brother to be a model.
After a week of talking with him, he sent me an invitation to be a guest on the show, and we hope that appearance will give us the opportunity.
It would happen in a month, in July, and we would meet when I got back to the Philippines.
I'm on my way to see my family. Finally, I'm back and on my way home. I'm here to pay them a visit because my schedule will be hectic as I continue my studies. I'd like to spend some time with them and tell them about my plans.
It was the busiest time of our lives. My brother works as an engineer and has recently begun to build his own company. He also plans to pursue another career in architecture. He really went insane and is doing things to keep his life, perhaps to divert his thoughts, study, or prove something. Kelsey cut off all connections including their relationship and marriage.
My brother never shed a tear. After that he focused on me, our family and his plans. He also deactivated his social media accounts and created new ones solely for his business.
Did he ever date anyone? I'm not sure, but mostly girls have flocked to him lately. I just came back in town, unnoticed. I saw him outside our house talking to a girl who’s leaning against the car.
I grin. “Honey!" I called, and my brother looked at me, surprised. I was only a few meters away and could clearly see their reaction. The girl in the revealing sexy dress looked at me, terrified. I smirk, surely she would think I was his girlfriend.
I chuckled and run towards them and my brother spread his arms and I jump to him. I chuckled and my brother kissed my forehead.
"I've missed you!" He exclaimed, excitedly. "You came here unnoticed!”
“Why?” I asked, pouted a bit. I looked to the girl and the girl couldn’t stare at me through our eyes.
My brother paused for a moment. He moved his eyes to his visitor. I slowly moved away with a smirk. The girl looked so shy and scared.
"A-andrew..." she stammered. “I-I’m-
My brother cut me off. "It's not what you think it is, Jess. This bad girl is my little sister.”
My brother gradually messed up my hair. "Don't mess with my client," he said quietly.
"Jessica, this is Aime, my sister. We're about to have dinner; come join us! "My brother happily invites her.
Jessica, the beautiful lady, smiled. She shook her head to decline, but she couldn't because my parents had arrived and invited her. Trust me, it’s very hard to decline.