"I have cancer" and right then her smile that was once so bright and big faded into a frown that was bigger than her smile ever was. Her big eyes watered, she could feel the sting coming from the tip of her eyelids. Manny tried to approach her, apologize, and explain but she backed away. She felt as if the only person she ever had in the world betrayed her, even though he had no control.
"Did you know the entire time?" She asked as tears fell from her eyes, staining her toned cheeks. Manny's face turned pale, sickly pale. His skin clammy, he was more anxious than he had ever been in his entire life. Rachel waited for a response, but the awkward silence already gave it away. Manny got up from the bed and walked over towards the bathroom, Rachel's eyes watching his every step. The tension was strong and felt from miles away. Rachel used the corner of the red duvet covers to wipe her tears away, her eyes agitated from the friction. Floods of negativity filled her brain, the what if's, the possible lies, the other hidden truths. What else was there to figure out? Her hands began to tremble, feeling at her weakest. Rachel closed her eyes, hoping sleep could be used as her get away from her real-life shitshow.
"I did know the entire time Rachel" Manny whispered as he shut the bathroom door, quietly. She heard every word but decided to remain silent. Silence, in this case, was the best option, but for every other case in her life, it wouldn't be.
"Heartbreak is inevitable. I wanted to spare you from it for the longest time because I knew how much pain you've been through. I'm sorry" His voice turned squeaky, he was upset. It's never easy to admit when you've hurt the person you love, but he knew he had to. Rachel laid in darkness but felt every pinch to her skin. She understood the reasoning behind it, but she for some reason could not accept it.
"I'll tell you this when you wake up, but Rachel I love you. And I will spend these last few months I have left with you, right by your side" You could hear the pain in his voice, It was real and unfaked. Masked with a smile, he sat down on the couch and tried to drift away into a sleep he hoped he didn't wake up from. Manny didn't want to come clean to Rachel, in fear of rejection and fear she wouldn't understand. Rachel's body filled with tingles, making her skin itch with cravings. She wanted to know if his words will change, or maybe even his story. Her trust for him all dwindled into one last strand, one of the most heartbreaking parts of it.
A few hours later, Rachel opened her eyes to see Manny sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing her leg.
"Shit, Manny what do you need?" She asked as she rubbed her eyes. She was tired, mentally, and physically. He instantly stopped rubbing her leg, and his eyes widened.
"I need to talk to you," He said with a smile, one of the more faker ones. Rachel sat upright, stretching out her legs.
"Go ahead" Rachel responded. She wanted to seem like she was still upset because she was but even after hearing his answers, she just craved more.
"I wanted to save you. The problem was though that I was the one who needed it the most" His voice quiet and barely audible. Rachel felt her stomach sink. The words remained on her tongue, not even close to slipping off. She let him continue, knowing he wasn't finished. Manny held his hands out, hoping she would hold them. Rachel smiled and held his hand. Both felt relief, it was needed. She enjoyed his touch and prayed the moment would last forever, knowing her life would change for the worst within the next few months. The thought of never getting to hold his hand again, made her shiver. His warm fingers wrapped around hers, the comfort and safety was pleasant.
"What I did isn't forgivable, I know and I'm sorry. I lied to you, I made you feel safe when honestly...you shouldn't have felt safe. I love you, and I hope you can forgive me" It was a decision she had to make.
Rachel cleared her throat, "I love you, and I want to spend these last few months with you. I can forgive you, just not today" Manny smiled. He leaned into her, letting go of her hand and exchanging it with a hug, longer and softer than ever. In the end, Love overpowers pain. Rachel had to learn the hard way.