#LOVE_OVER_BLOOD_2
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 88
She’s been crying non-stop. Her bitter cries for her very best friend pierced everyone’s heart including the hospital staffs.
Mira couldn’t help but cry upon seeing the old man that had saved her life.
*Flashback:*
Miracle secured the letter and the gifts that they brou-ght for the old man.
After dinner last night, Miracle once again told the whole story as to how she met grandpa Sy. She also showed them the letters that she had received from him since the beginning.
Everyone was dumbfounded upon reading the contents of the old man’s letters. Is it really him? They couldn’t believe their eyes.
And the reason as to why Aisha and Rio didn’t find the letters was because the little girl hid it in a special shoe box which she kept underneath her bed.
Comes morning, Cherry, Rio, Ethan and Aisha along with the kids, went to the mall to buy some gifts for the old man.
While the others were busy looking for a good gift, Cherry sent a secret message to Stacy telling her all that’s happening.
” Thanks for letting me know, mom. I’ll try to catch up with you guys as soon as I’m done with this project.” Stacy replied.
As soon as they were done shopping, they directly went to the address provided on the letters. It’s definitely the same prison cell so Rio released an amount of air. What a coincidence…or should he say, destiny.
” I’m sorry but kids are not allowed beyond this point.” The gatekeeper stopped them.
It can’t be helped. It’s their protocol. But Rio distance himself and dialed a number. After a few minutes, the chief superintendent came outside to meet them.
” It’s okay. Let them in, they are my visitors.” A big man in his fifties ordered the gatekeeper.
” I’m sorry for bothering you chief… it’s just that my grand kids needs to see someone.” Rio spoke.
” Not a problem. I just came back from my two months leave this morning so I was trying to sort a lot of files right now. Your lucky to have come this day.” Then he motioned them to get inside his office.
” Do you want some drinks?” He also offered but they all refused. They had their breakfast at home before driving to the place.
” We’re all good. Thank you Brian.” Rio politely refused. ” I really wanted to catch up but we came to visit someone.” Then he stood up.
” That I understand.” Brian replied with a smile. Then he called one of his men to escort them to where the visiting area is.
” Rio, can you stay for a few minutes?” The chief’s tone was serious as he look at him intently.
” It’s okay.” Cherry approves when she felt her husband’s hesitation. ” We have an escort anyway.” Then they exited the chief’s office..
” what is it?” Rio quickly asked when the others left.
” It’s about Silver… ” the chief lowered his head.
Rio creased his brow. He suddenly felt unease upon seeing the chief’s facial reaction.
Meanwhile, Miracle and Eli are hopping together hand in hand. Guess they were so excited to see their savior. The couples smiled as well as Cherry.
They were waiting for someone to come out but a few minutes had pa-ssed but Mira couldn’t see the old man’s silhoutte yet. Then for another minute or two, someone sat in front of them.
” Grandpa S—-” Mira was about to yell but she stopped. It’s not grandpa sy. He is too young to be her grandpa Sy.
” Are you Miracle?” The man probed..
” Who are you?” The little girl asked after she nodded.
” My name is Samson, I am his roommate.” He gave out a friendly sigh.
” Samson, where is he? Is he sick?” Cherry inquired. Then a sudden change in his mood shadowed his face. It’s very evident that Mira herself had caught the change.
” he’s not here anymore.” He sadly uttered then gave a box to Miracle. ” This contain all your letters to him. he kept them all.” He paused a little. ”The truth is, it has been a month now since he left the cell. So I’ve been receiving the letters in behalf of him.”
” But he had just sent me another letter last week.” Miracle shrieked not believing the man in front of them.
” Yes,your right… But it is I… I’ve been sending those to you.” Samson admitted. ”Before he left this place, he wrote many more letters addressed to you. And he handed it to me telling me to collect all your letters even without him. And as a response, he told me to send those letters that he wrote for you according to their dates.” Then he look at Cherry after. She’s definitely the woman on the photo he saw from the old man’s things.
” he wrote a letter until the end of this year. Then he told me that once you have read his final letter, it’s a guarantee that you’ll stop sending him more.” He continued.
” But what happened to him? Where is he now?” Cherry probed. ” It ‘s too far from impossible that they freed him since he have more years to go.
”H-he —-” Samson halted upon seeing the kid’s hopeful eyes. Now he understands what that old man meant before, about the difficulty in quenching the little girl’s spirit. It’s totally hard.
” Guys, come on, let’s go… quickly!” Rio suddenly showed up.
They bid farewell to Samson before standing up. They don’t know what happened but looks like it was an urgent matter so they followed Rio outside.
”Dad, what’s happening?” Aisha inquired as soon as they got inside the car.
” You’ll know once we get there.” He replied before looking at Miracle intently.
” But how about grandpa Sy?” Eli pouted. he still have some gifts for the old man.
” Aren’t we going to see Grandpa?” Mira asked as well.
” We are about to.” Rio responded then he drove off.
After a few minutes drive, they parked the car in an empty parking space outside a hospital. Wait… a hospital? Why did they go there? Who got admitted?
” Honey, don’t tell me…” Cherry didn’t finish her statement. But Rio only stared at her blankly.
Ethan and Aisha also got off the car. They were waiting for Rio to answer. They doesn’t need to hear Cherry’s complete statement since they know what she was about to say.
” Dad.” Aisha creased her brow as well.
” Yes, your right. He is here.” He heaved a heavy sigh. ” Last stage of leukemia.” His voice hints sorrow. ” I do hope that we made it in time.”
******
She might be young in people’s eyes but she know what death is. She know the truth about dying and not coming back to life anymore.
She was crying hard. No one is able to comfort her, not even her mom nor dad. She doesn’t want to lose a friend… a bestfriend to be exact. The old man is more than a friend to her…he was her anchor, her encourager, her clown and a father when she didn’t meet Ethan yet.
” Grandpa! Grandpa!” She was sobbing continously as she lets out her grief. ” Please… don’t go. Don’t leave me yet… grandpa!” She was holding on to his frail hand. It is too cold so she was trying to warm it using her tiny hands. But looks like it’s not enough.
” Mira…” Aisha herself held her mouth while watching her little girl pour out her soul, trying to awaken the unconscious old man. She tears up as well. ” Sweetheart…” she could only mutter.
Eli started crying silently while watching his desolate little sister. The pain… the grief… he could only watch in a distance. Poor girl.
Cherry leans her head at Rio’s . She can’t bear to see the child’s grief. it pains her so much. If she only have the power to heal the sick then she might have applied it to the old man at that very moment.
The little girl’s cry echoed in the room; the doctors, nurses and the people in the ward mourned with her as well. Everyone knew that he doesn’t have many days to live… he might die anytime. And he might die alone… but here comes a little girl pouring out her heart and soul in sorrow. Ah! Lucky old man!
Just how much does she loves that old man? Well, her cries answers it all!
” Grandpa… grandpa… wake up! Please, wake up!”
The old man can hear the little girl’s mournful cry but he is too weak to open his eyes. Ah, how he wanted to wipe her tears away. He was prepared to die a while ago but hearing the child’s agony pierced his heart.
But he is fading away!
” Oh God, just a minute please… just give me a minute to see my bestfriend.” A tear dropped from his eyes. The people have notice it except for Mira whose eyes were clouded by her tears.
He’s responding! He can still hear what’s happening around him!
” Grandpa Sy… please don’t leave. I haven’t told you everything yet… grandpa….” she is crying in despair while hugging the old man. The doctors wanted to stop her but they just let her be. It’s too painful to watch the little kid.
She had lost her hopes… she’s been crying for how many minutes now but the old man didn’t even open his eyes. Therefore, she sat on the edge of the bed, her head is leaning on his sides… and with one last blast, she cried desperately.
” I’m sorry grandpa, I’m sorry…” she’s breaking.
Then Mira suddenly felt a hand weakly caressing her hair so she quickly look up to see the old man forcing his eyelids to open.
” Grandpa?” She shrieked. ” Grandpa, you’re awake!” She joyfully hug-ged the old man.
” Silver!” Rio bellowed upon seeing the old man trying to open his eyes.
The doctors held their breaths… this is definitely one of the miracles they have seen today!
*Flashback:*
Rio sat down helplessly upon hearing what Brian had said.
Silver had been diagnosed with the final stage of leukemia. He should have been cured before, but he kept it to himself until last month. Looks like he doesn’t want to be cured at all.
No one knows about his condition until the day it had manifest. He fell unconscious while he was cleaning the comfort room. So the police officer rushed him to the hospital and that moment, they have learnt about his condition— worst to be exact. The doctors even gave him a month to live.
Worst, it’s actually less than a month.
Rio heaved a heavy sigh. The news gave him a blow. His hope that Silver have changed for the better rises when he learnt about his encounter with Mira before. And he was actually looking forward for the time that they will come together as one family.
But seems like destiny has his own story for each of them.
Rio es his temple. What to do now? How will he tell Miracle about her best friend?
” your brother pleaded me not to tell you about his condition. I’m sorry Rio for not notifying you as soon as possible.” Brian lowered his head in guilt.
Rio couldn’t say a word. His mind is in a muddle. How will he able to tell them the truth when in fact, he himself doesn’t believe the reports.
” Where is he now?” He weakly inquired.
Brian took a piece of paper and wrote the address then handed it to the man.
” You must hurry.” Brian added. Then Rio rushes to where his family is.
*****
Miracle didn’t want to believe her papa Rio about her bestfriend. She refused to believe him. No, her grandpa Sy is still strong. He can’t die… he just can’t!
” No! My grandpa is not dying! He… he is still strong the last time I saw him! He promised me that we will get to play one of these days. He even send someone to save me.” The little kid burst in anger.
She got mad upon hearing Rio’s explanation so she turned around not paying more attention to them.
Rio and the others understand what she’s feeling right now. But what can they do, the truth will set her free.
Rio sighed then took the child’s hand even when she was unwilling. Then he gently pulled her as they walk hand in hand.
The little girl look at him in puzzlement. Where is he taking her?
After a few minutes, they are now standing infront of a closed door. It’s obvious that the room was prepared for worst case situation since it was secluded before the ward..
” Please wear your face masks.”Aisha came to hand them each. A doctor is standing beside Rio. He is definitely Silver’s igned doctor.
Then the man twisted the doorknob and slowly entered.
An old man was lying on the bed. And Mira could see different kinds of wires connected on his body. Eh? Who coud this person be? They were inching a bit more closer.
However, Miracle stood still– dumbfounded, upon seeing who the person is. Her eyes wide-ned in dread, her jaw dropped. She suddenly went numb and she couldn’t even utter a word.
She wanted to run towards him but she’s afraid that she might hurt him even more. She wanted to cry… yeah… she really does.
What happen to him? No, he is not his grandpa Sy… this is a different person with the same face as him. Just like her mom and her aunt Stacy. Yeah… his twins! He could be his twins!
” his heart suddenly weakened. It’s hardly pumping enough blood and it looks like his brain kinda decided to sleep— forever.” The doctor notified them.
” those machines were the only ones that is keeping him alive right now and we’re about to remove it tonight. His case is already hopeless.” the doctor added. ”I’m sorry.”
Wait! If those machines were the ones that’s keeping him alive, taking it off means he’ll die! Tears suddeny gush out from miracle’s eyes.
” No! He’s not yet dead! My grandpa is not yet dead!” She yelled at the doctor. ” Don’t you dare remove those things!” She glared at them.
”He will wake up for sure! He is just sleeping because he said he was tired. He is just going to rest! So don’t take it off.” She stood up and raised her hands to block them from going near the old man.
”Mira!” Aisha bellowed and was about to go near her but she glared at her as well.
” Don’t go near my grandpa!” She yelped then she turned around and held the old man’s palm.
” Grandpa… I’m here now. Wake up… show them that they’re wrong.” She was talking to the old man while ing his hand.
” Grandpa, you said your feeling a little lonely right now and that seeing me would make you smile again. Look! I’m here now.” She force a chuckle.
But when he didn’t respond, she became agitated. His hands were abnormally cold as well… the tears she tried to stop earlier forced their way out from her eyes.
” Hey! Grandpa! What are you doing? You told me that you will always be with me. That you will never leave me. That you will keep on sending letters just like before… you promised me, right? Grandpa, come on, wake up!” She started to wiggle the man’s body.
” Grandpa…. wake up! It’s time to fulfill your promises already!”
” Mira, enough.” Aisha is hurting as she watch over her child’s grief. So she held her arm but to her suprise, the child didn’t mind her at all.
” No! Don’t tell me his dead, cause he’s not!” She growled.
But he is not responding at all!
Grief… sorrow…. and the pain… it penetrated the little kid and her cries sent a clear message to everyone inside the room. She treasures the old man too much that she’s not prepared to let go off him.
Her distress echoed in the room… it even reaches the ward… now the people who hears her mourn with her too.
Aisha teared up as she watches the little girl pour out her heart unto the old man. Cherry couldn’t control her tears as well so she sobs silently. The heart break is too much for her so how much more for her little girl?
Mira laid face down beside the old man. she doesn’t want to give up yet, but upon doing everything she can to awaken him, she slowly accepted the truth.
” I-I’m so sorry grandpa… I came late… I’m very sorry!” She sobs.
*****
He already conditioned himself since the other day. He wanted to rest. His tired. He accepted his fate—which is death. Dying alone? It’s okay… it’s totally okay. His death and sufferings are not yet enough to pay for all of his sins. He don’t deserved to be forgiven. He don’t deserve to be loved.
He wanted to rest forever…
”Grandpa! Wake up! Fulfill your promise… grandpa…” he suddenly heard a tiny little voice screaming sorrowfully. Her grief pains him so much. But a part of him is happy— happy that someone is crying for him… that someone genuinely cares about him… that someone treasures him like a real friend.
Mira… a tear dropped from his eyes. Wait… he wanted to see her for the last time. But then his mind and body is to weak to respond anymore.
”Lord… just for a minute… please… give me a little time to say goodbye to my friend.” He whispered a prayer.
Yeah, just a few minutes will do.. he just wanted to see the person who treated him like he really exist. The person who let him feel wanted for the very first time. The very person who accepted him as a real friend without exchange… his little girl… Mira.
It was as if God heard his silent prayer. So he exerted all his strength to lift his hand and the woeful child. Though he was having a ha-rd time lifting his eyelids.
” Grandpa?” The little kid raises her head to see the old man’s face. ” Grandpa Sy!” She suddenly embrace him.
Silver was trying to say something but no one, not even Mira could hear nor understand any of his words.
” Doctor, is it okay to remove his oxygen for a few minutes?” Cherry asks.
” Just for a few minutes but let’s avoid getting him stressed.” Then the doctor went near him and removed the oxygen mask that’s covering his mouth.
” M-mira… s-sweetheart…” Silver weakly smiled as he slowly lifts his hands to wipe the child’s flustered cheeks.
” I-I’m s-orry… Grand… pa… can’t fulfill… his… his… promises any ….” he inhaled de-eply before continuing to speak. ” Anymore…. grandpa is …too weak… right now. S-sorry.” A sorrowful tear dropped from his eyes.
” Shhhh… grandpa Sy, please reserve your strength for now. I won’t go anywhere, I will stay beside you until you get stronger once again.” She gave a smile while holding on to the man’s hand.
” Silver…” Rio came forward as well as Cherry.
The old man faintly look at them… then another tear fell from his eyes. Tears of repentance… tears of forgiveness…and tears of an unexplainable joy. Looks like he won’t die alone.
He is currently surrounded by the people whom he persecuted in the past. But he could feel their hearts… it’s not anger… is it love? Well, he doesn’t know since he never experienced a genuine love before.
Ah… looking back… why did he lived his life like that? How come he chose a path of destruction? Ah, he doesn’t remember how it all begun now. All he wants to do on his death-bed is to apologize for all his evil deeds.
He is not seeking for forgiveness but he felt the need to say sorry.
” R-rio… C-cherry… A-aisha…. E–ethan… I…am…s-sorry.” He closed his eyes when he suddeny felt a throbbing pain in his … tears continued to stream from his eyes. ” S-sorry —for everything I’ve done…”
” Silver. It’s all in the past now. We have already forgive you. So please, be strong for us… and for Mira— your granddaughter!” Cherry held his hand as well.
*** But then he became unresponsive ——————
Silver!
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 89