"Dr. Lance Villareal . . . It's Sunday. Why are you here?" I asked him after getting the flower bouquet. I'm not really sure what to feel right now. Why does he looks even more handsome in casual clothes? "I'm taking my patient for a special therapy." He replied. "Therapy? Do we need to go to the hospital now?" I asked somewhat confused. After a while, my Mom greeted him handing over a picnic basket. "Mom, what's that?" I asked her. "I prepared your favorite dishes and desserts, enjoy your time today." She responded with a big smile. "What's going on?" "Let's go." He held my hand and led me towards his car.
I feel a bit tense at the passenger seat. He's still not telling me where we are going. For some reason, my Mom woke me up very early in the morning today. I really don't want to wake up yet since it's Sunday. She told me, she wants to go to the park with me which will be a great thing since I can smell the morning breeze and can have some exercise. She even prepared my clothes and helped me groom myself. I thought we are just going to the park but why do I need to put on some make up? I smiled at the thought of it. Here I am, not going to the park but going somewhere else with Lance. "A penny for your thoughts." He said. "I'm sure you'll love where we are going. It will be good for you since the surrounding will make you feel relax. If you feel sleepy, you can take a nap as we still have 2 more hours to drive." "Ok, thanks." I replied then started to doze off.
I woke up with a gentle tap on my shoulder. We finally arrived in our destination. As I step out of the car, I suddenly feel surreal. No way, this is a familiar place. It's Lance's family vacation home. I used to go here every summer when I was young. Our parents are very good friends and so is their children, that's why we can visit each other's places and stay for a while during summer vacation. "I thought this place was already sold when your family migrated to America." I waited for Lance's confirmation. "Yes, but I bought it back." He confirmed.
The country style house is still looking cozy but has been modernized perhaps to suit his taste. The interior is minimalistic and refreshing. There's a nearby lake and the surrounding is full of fragrant flowers. We were greeted by the housemaid, who is somewhat brewing coffee. I can smell it's aroma. It's a good thing that I just finished the 7 dreadful days after my Chemotherapy. For someone undergoing Chemotherapy, there are days that I can consider as horrifying due to loss of appetite and feeling drained. But there are days that I can call glorious because those are the days that my appetite and energy is back. This day is one of the glorious days.
We ate our brunch, then goes out for a walk. He's holding my hand gently as we walk to the country side. "It's like when we were young. You were so naughty and persistent that you followed me everywhere. I can't concentrate in finishing my paintings since you always ask me to accompany you to walk around and play." He said somewhat reminiscing. "I did not ask you today." I said. "Yes, and how I wish you would." He stops and looks at me as if he wants to penetrate my soul. I saw sadness and regret in his eyes. "I wasted so much time. I had been selfish and had been a slave of my weaknesses and troubles in the past. I hope that I'm not too late. I will do my best to keep you well and alive." He held me closer and put me in his warm embrace. "I promise to take care of you for the rest of my life." My heart seems to have jumped out of my chest with that gesture and words. I still do not understand what he means. After all these years, why would he say those words to me. I don't want to give myself a false hope, so I just nodded and kept silent.