I opened my eyes to discover that I am already laying down at my bed. My parents were crying in front of me while my family doctor is talking to them seriously.
"I'm sorry to say this but your son's condition have gotten worse. I'm pretty sure that I reminded you to forbid him to do intense and tough activities that will fatigue his body. It's really fortunate that he was immediately brought to your house and was able to be given some first aid treatment before my arrival."
"But we thought that his body is already improving because he also said so... Anyway, it's also partly our fault since we didn't make sure that he's really able to do some activities outside." My mother said while weeping.
"Don't worry. I have a close friend in America who also finished Cardiology like me. We just talked on the phone yesterday and he informed me that there's a new technology that was invented in their country lately that strengthens a weak heart and can also heal heart diseases without fail. It was already tested and was proven to be 99% effective. It will take a while before we see the improvements on John's body but it's better than nothing, right? If you want, I can recommend you to my friend ahead of time and ensure that you'll be given the special treatment as soon as you get there."
"Yes, please! We'll do anything for our beloved son. We're willing to pay no matter how expensive it is just to guarantee our son's safety."
"Then I'll go now. I'll contact you again later regarding the course of action you'll need to take. For now, just make sure that he'll continue to drink his medicines and prohibit him to do intense activities to avoid having seizures just like what happened today. What happened today should have been a matter of life and death if he wasn't given immediate medical care so make sure it won't happen again."
"Yes Doc. Thank you very much!"
The doctor left my room and when my parents noticed that I'm already awake, they hugged me immediately.
"Oh, my cute little John! You've made us worry. Why did you do that? Lying to us? Do you know that you could've died if Kristoffer didn't brought you home quickly. It's just a matter of time, you know?" My mother is wailing too much that made myself ashamed.
"I'm... I'm sorry Mom." I also started crying because it suddenly reminded me the suffering that I've experienced earlier. Honestly, I also panicked that time and thought that it's already my end.
"Please never do that again. We won't let you go outside again, John. If you really want to play, we can let you as long as you will only play effortless games that won't wear yourself out." My dad said with also teary eyes.
(Tomorrow morning)
"Hey John! Your cousin Kristoffer is here to visit you! He also brought some of his friends." I woke up to my mother's loud voice.
What?! Kristoffer? He's so early today. He always visits me during afternoon so what's he doing here during this time?
I stood up and went outside of my room. There, I saw Kristoffer together with Sophia, Elaine, and Janna sitting on the couch.
"Good Morning John! How are you feeling today? We visited you as early as we can because we're so worried about you. Aunt and Uncle didn't let us to visit you yesterday because they want you to rest."
"I'm fine already. Sorry for worrying you."
"Just don't make us worry like that again, ok?" Sophia said.
"Ok, eat first to make your body healthy. We'll wait for you here in the living room. Just take your time eating and we'll play later some easy games." Kristoffer advised.
"Ok!"
(After a few minutes)
"I'm finished eating! Let's play!" I invited them excitedly.
"LEGO (plastic building blocks) is ready! This way, you won't get exhausted since your hands and brains are the only things that will work."
"Thank you for thinking about me Kris."
"You're welcome! As long as it will make you happy, we'll be glad to play even these kind of games with you."
We continued to play joyfully that we didn't realize it's already time for dinner.
"Oh no! My parents must be looking for me. I didn't notice that it's this late already." Sophia said worriedly.
"Us too. We should go home now." Elaine added.
They are already standing up when my Mother invited them to have lunch on our house.
"All of you can eat here so that you'll have John accompanied. Just give me the contact numbers of your parents so I can give them a call. Kristoffer, you should also eat here since your parents contacted me earlier and told me that they won't be at home until tonight because they have some appointments with their important clients."
"Ok Auntie! Come on, Sophia! Let's eat here together with John. That would be more fun, right?" Kristoffer said.
"So what do you say, Elaine and Janna?" Sophia asked.
"Well, it's alright. It's not like I have something to do in my house later on." Elaine said.
"Yeah, me too!" Janna also agreed.
"Then it's decided! Let's eat here together! Let's go John!" Sophia pulled my hand forcefully.
We ate happily and continued to play afterwards. And just like everything has an ending, our time together also ended when they went home. Still, I enjoyed today. Today is the best day of my life. It's really fun to be with friends. It's the first time I've had this so much fun.
Kristoffer, together with Sophia, Elaine, and Janna continued to visit me in the following days. We've done so many things together that I've never done before. No one expected that our days together will be over in just a few days.
One day, while playing together as usual, my Mom walked towards us with a serious face.
"Can I disturbed you from playing? I just have something to say about John."
I've already guessed that maybe it's about the treatment that I'll have on America that I've heard from my doctor before.
"What is it Auntie?" Kristoffer asked.
"I'm sorry to say this but, we will leave tonight for America. We're going there for John's treatment and maybe it will take years before we can go back here."
"What?!" Kristoffer and Sophia simultaneously shouted.
"No!" Sophia started to sob hard while Kristoffer is caressing her back trying to comfort her.
"Don't cry, Sophia. It's not like we will never return here. You and John will see other again. All of you will be together again someday. I know that this will make all of you sad but please bear with it. This is all for John's sake." My Mom explained.
"But how long will John be separated from us?" Elaine asked.
"That's... I can't answer that. I also don't know how long will it take since it will depend on John's body. But, it will probably take many years since they'll also observe if there are any complications on his body."
I was shocked when Kristoffer started to cry just like Sophia.
"John!!" Kristoffer hugged me tightly.
"I'll miss you!" Kristoffer added.
"Me too! I'll miss you too!" Sophia also joined on my and Kristoffer's hug.
I also started to cry and hugged Kristoffer and Sophia back.
Elaine and Janna are also looking at us with sad eyes and I know that despite their cold behavior, they are also lonely about my departure.
"Please don't forget about us, John!!!"
"Of course not! Sophia, how could I possibly forget all of you? I promise that I will do my best to recover and will go back as soon as possible. Then, we'll play again, ok?"
"Promise?"
"I promise. Come on, stop crying now..." I wiped her tears and the snot coming out of her nose.
"You're such a crybaby, Sophia. You too, Kristoffer. Stop crying already."
"You're also crying, John. You're the one who should stop crying!" Kristoffer shouted at me while weeping.
After a few minutes, all of us have calmed down. Night has come and all of my friends, together with their parents came with us to the airport to bid us their goodbyes.
"Please write us some letters, John. I'll wait for your messages."
"Yes, Sophia."
"Take care of yourself in America, ok?
"Ok. You too, Kris. You should also take care of yourself and stop being a crybaby. You need to be brave since you're a boy and you should be the one that will protect Sophia, Elaine and Janna instead of them protecting you."
"I understand, John."
"We'll miss you!"
"I'll miss all of you too. I'll leave Kris in your hands, Elaine. You're the only one who can put an end to Sophia's and Kris' nonsense fights."
"Please take care." Janna said softly and I just nodded at her.
"Come on, John. We need to go now. Our flight will be boarding." My father carried me and already walked away from my friends.
I can see Sophia and Kris still crying while they are slowly disappearing in my sight.
When we entered inside the airplane, my tears began to fall from my eyes. I continued to cry until the airplane started to take off. My parents tried to comfort me but my sadness won't seem to go away.
Goodbye, my friends...