Since Amanda and I became an item, Peter became distant. He never talked to either of us.
'Why does it have to be this way?' I thought.
. . . . . .
One lazy Friday afternoon.
"Babe, what's your plan tonight?" Amanda asked while we were waiting for our next class.
"Hmmm... dunno. Why?" I replied.
"Do you wanna go for a stroll?" she said.
I wrinkled my forehead.
"Suddenly?" I asked vexed.
"I just wanna enjoy it. You know... this might be our last month being together," she replied in a sad voice.
She reminded me of the bitter reality that next month will be our graduation day. I must have forgotten because of our exams or I just tended to ignore it.
"Sure. What time?" I asked her.
"I will send you a message later. Bye," she said as the bell rang. Then, she started walking to her classroom.
I cleared my throat.
"Hey, babe!" I exclaimed.
"Didn't you forget something?" I said with my brow raised.
She tilted her head. And check her bag and the notes she was holding.
"Nope. Bye," she said before turning around again and continued walking.
"Hey!" I yelled. So she looked at me with an annoyed expression.
"What?! We are already late," she said with her eyes narrowed.
I puckered my lips and pointed it.
"Bradley!" she yelled before she hit me with her notebook. She's really annoyed coz she didn't want to be late, something that I really appreciate. As much as possible, our relationship shouldn't come between our studies.
"Whoah! Don't be mad. Uh... it's okay coz you still look pretty even when you're angry!" I teased which irritated her more. Then, she walked hurriedly away.
"I love you, babe!" I shouted while laughing at her reaction.
I don't know why but I really enjoyed watching her when she's irritated. She looked really cute!
Amanda and I became inseparable for the remaining weeks. We ate together. I walked her home every day. It became my habit. And I loved it. I even started imagining my future with her. Having children and stuff like that.
We went to RAUIL RAZBONIC one evening to celebrate our 6th monthsary and for finishing the exam 2nd and 3rd in the overall ranking. We stayed at the far end so that we could enjoy the cozy and romantic atmosphere more.
I cut the steak before giving her while she poured our red wine. We raised and clinked our glasses.
"To forever!"
"To forever!"
"I love you, babe!"
"Love you, too!"
We enjoyed our delicious meal. Then, we went for a walk hand in hand along the stream that flowed in the middle of the resort. Lamps along the paved path provided a romantic ambiance. There were Dama de Noche flowers spreading sweet aroma in the air and hundreds of fireflies flickering in the dark.
We stood in the middle of a mini arched bridge to marvel at the magical scenery.
"Amanda..." I uttered as I looked at her enjoying the fireflies dancing along the serpentine stream.
"Hmmm?" she said without looking at me.
I didn't know what got into me. Before I knew it, I was claiming her luscious lips.
She was petrified for a few seconds before she responded. She clung on my neck to keep her balance. And I hugged her tight as I tasted the sweetness of her mouth.
My kiss deepened. More hungry. More demanding.
I wanted more...
She moaned when I left her lips and began nibbling her ears. Then, I put butterfly kisses on her neck and shoulders. My hands began to explore--- feeling, touching every inch of her.
Then, my phone rang.
"Fuck!" I cursed aloud.
Amanda immediately fixed herself. Then, looked away. Despite the dim light, I could see her face blushed in embarrassment.
I wrinkled my brows while looking at the unregistered number on my phone.
I exhaled before answering the call.
"Hello?"
Anger filled my system when I recognized the caller. Alicia! And she's crying.
"Please... Brad. Help me! I know you resent me. But... I have nowhere to go now! I have no one to talk to," she begged in a weak voice.
"This will be the last time I am gonna bother you... please!"
Then the call ended.
I put my phone back in my pocket before I turned to Amanda who looked concerned.
"Who's that? Is everything okay?" she asked.
"A friend," I replied. I wasn't sure whether lying was the best choice. But at that moment, I chose to do so.
"Let's go home," I said.
I knew that she's full of questions but she just kept quiet until we reached her dorm.
I kissed her forehead before saying goodbye. I watched her get inside.
I went to Alicia's apartment. It was a mess. Empty bottles of alcohol, snack wrappers, and clothes were everywhere. It looked like a dumpsite more than a house!
Then, I saw her lying on the sofa. She looked pale. She's trembling and groaning in pain.
No matter how I hated her, my kindness won over my resentment. I rushed to her side and checked her temperature with the back of my hand. She's having a high fever.
I scooped her and rushed her to the hospital.
What?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"I am sorry. She has ovarian cancer. Terminal stage," the doctor told me after running some test on her.
"Basing on the biopsy done, the cancer cells have infected most of her organs," he added.
I stared blankly at the papers he showed as my brain was still absorbing the information he gave me.
"I am sorry. All you have to do is to stay by her side for the remaining days she has," he said while tapping my shoulder.
The doctor has been long gone but I was still in shock.
I stared at Alicia sleeping peacefully on a hospital bed with drips on her arms and an oxygen tube under her nose. I noticed how her cheeks sank and her eyes deepened.
For three days, my routine changed. I went straight to the hospital after walking Amanda home.
"Hi, Brad. Thank you for taking care of Alicia while we're away," her stepsister told me when I visited her.
"You know very well that Alicia and I don't get along very well so probably that's the reason why she never mentioned her disease."
I just kept quiet because I am already aware of their acrimonious relationship.