"I am very sorry,Mr.and Mrs.Laurel.Based on the symptoms and the >tests given,it shows that your daughter has chronic leukemia," said >Dr.Angeles.
"Are you sure about that?" asked a crying Mrs.Laurel.
"According to the tests,yes.But if you want,you can get a second opinion in the States.Technology is more advanced there than it is here in the Philippines," replied the doctor.
"Will Kai die?" asked Mr.Laurel.
"I hate to break this to you,but you need to know the truth.Yes,Kai will die.But if you go to the US for a more specialized treatment,it will prolong the life of your daughter,but we can't be assured of a 100% chance of survival," Dr.Angeles said.
"Do you know someone from the States who could make a miracle for my daughter?" Mr.Laurel questioned.
And the doctor replied,"A good friend of mine is a Filipino doctor and he is based in Nashville,Tennessee.I will call him via overseas regarding your daughter's situation."
"Please do all that you can do,"said Mrs.Laurel.
"And doc,thanks,"added Mr.Laurel.
"It's our job as doctors to save lives," answered the doctor.
That night,Mr.and Mrs.Laurel were in Kai's room.
"Hi sweetie.How are you feeling?" asked Kai's mom.
"I'm fine,mom.I don't experience bleeding as often as before,"answered Kai. And then she added,"I'm feeling more OK than ever.Mom,dad,when will I be able to go back to school?I miss my friends already.I promise,mommy and daddy,I will be more careful.Just let me go back to school."
"Katherine,the doctor said that you can't go back to school with your delicate condition.And besides,your mom and I decided that we ill be going to the States," her dad replied.
"Yes!!!We'll be going to the US!Are we going there for a vacation?" asked an enthusiastic Kai.
"Well..." was all her parents could say.
"What?Wait...there's something that you aren't telling me.C'mon mom,dad.Is there something wrong?Tell me!" Kai cried.
Her parents couldn't find the right words to say.They just couldn't hurt their daughter's feelings.She has a lot of dreams to fulfill,goals to attain.Just then,her mom could not take it any longer.Tears were running down her cheeks.
"I knew something was wrong.What is it?Is it about me? Don't leave me out.Please let me know!" Kai begged.
"Kai,you have chronic leukemia," her dad started.
"And then...continue daddy," urged Kai.
"Baby...I can't say anything more," said her dad.
"Why?Is chronic leukemia deadly?Am I dying?" Kai asked,crying.
Her parents could only nod.
"Mommy,daddy.If I'm dying,then I'm dying.We can't do anything about it.How long will I still live?" she bravely asked her parents.
"That's the reason why we're going to the States.Dr.Angeles knows a specialist in the States who might work wonders on you," her mom answered.
"Then that's settled.This may be a big favor to ask,but could you not leave me out with anything regarding my sickness?I need to study everything about it,so that I would be able to get ready when,you know,my time comes." With that,she cried.
"Don't worry,baby.We'll be with you no matter what happens.We'll all be together with this," assured her parents.
Kai and her parents were in Nashville,Tennessee for a month now.Dr.Alexander Gonzales is Kai's attending specialist.Instead of being well,Kai got worse.She lost a lot of weight,and dark circles formed around her eyes.One night...
September 5 Dear Diary, I'm here in Nashville together with my parents for a month now,but we're all losing hope.Why did I let my parents talk me out of this?I should have stayed in the Philippines.At least I would die having my friends and relatives around.If a genie would grant me a wish before I die,I would wish to see the Moffatts.They also live here in Nashville,right?I really would like to see them.Dr.Gonzales said that the reason why my condition's getting worse is because of psychological reasons.I guess he's right.I haven't made any friend since we got here.Maybe my condition will change for the better if I make friends.Hopefully it will be the Moffatts.Mommy knows that I'm a Moffatts fan.She didn't allow me to go to SM Megamall when the Moffatts were in the Philippines for a tour,right?Hey,Kai.Dream on.The Moffatts will never take notice of an ugly,sickly girl like you...
"Kai,there are people I'd like you to meet," said Kai's mom one week after she had written that entry in her diary.
"Who are they?Are they my classmates from the Philippines?" she asked her mom.
"No.Someone better," her mom replied,a knowing smile on her face.
Kai and her mom went down the stairs leading to the family room.Kai saw 5 vaguely familiar-looking boys and 2 grownups.
"Kai,do you know them?" her mom asked her.
"I think so...mommy,could you refresh my memory?" she asked.
"OK...these are Frank and Shiela.And these are their sons Scott, Clint,Dave,and Bob," Kai's mom said.
"Oh my gosh!How could I be stupid?They're the Moffatts!Wait...let me go up my room.I'll just fix myself up." With that,she went up with lightning speed.
Once in her room,Kai didn't know what to do first.After she has gained composure,she applied a little bit of makeup to hide away those dark eyebags,and put perfume in case one of the Moffatt brothers come close.When she was ready,Kai went down.
4 pairs of eyes were on her.Kai felt really conscious."What would I tell them?Think hard,Kai!" she told herself.
"So,Kai.You want to play a board game?" Dave asked,a friendly smile on his cute face.
"Sure" was all Kai could come up with.
"Lucky for us,we brought this," Scott said,pointing to the Monopoly board game set lying on the sofa bed.
The Moffatt brothers and Kai spent 2 hours playing Monopoly.They had a great time.And Kai didn't think that she's sick even once.
"Hey,Kai," greeted Clint."What do you like to do for fun?" "Well...let's see...I like to write.I was a contributor for our paper in school," Kai answered. Bob asked,"What do you like to write about?" Kai answered,"I could write about almost anything.And I love to compose poems." Then,Clint said,"Sorry,but we can't help you with those literary stuff.That's Bob's forte." And then Dave added,"Go on,Bob,talk to her about those literary pieces that you both like while we continue playing." Clint and Scott nodded their approval. "They're shoving us outta here.Why don't we head out to that pretty pond near your house?It's kinda peaceful there," Bob said. "Sure," Kai agreed."Let's go."
Bob and Kai spent everyday near that pretty pond,talking practically about anything under the sun.
"Check this out,Bob," said Kai to Bob one day."I made a poem for you."
"Let me read it for you,mademoiselle," Bob said.
The poem reads:
Look in my eyes and let the moment begin
You make me feel like I can do anything
One look from you just sends my troubles away
What I would do,to be with you?
"What does this poem mean?" Bob asked,puzzled.
Kai answered,"When I'm with you,I forget that I have leukemia;I forget that I'm dying.You make me feel like I can carry a 60-pound backpack with ease.Thank you,Bob,for being with me."
"That's nothing.And besides,I want to be with you,not because I pity you or something.I want to spend all my time with you,because we can talk about anything.We are so alike," Bob said.
"I agree to that," kai seconded.
"Tell you what.I'll be the one to make a poem tomorrow.And this time,you'll be the one to read it,OK?"
"OK."
The next day...
"So,Monsieur Moffatt.Where's the poem?" Kai asked.
"I don't know if I should let you read it or not," Bob said.
Kai said,"Come on,Bob.It's just a poem.Let me read it."
Bob hesitatingly handed a sheet of paper to Kai.
The poem reads:
I wanna show you I've got nothing to hide
Don't be afraid of what you're feeling inside
Deep in my heart there is nobody but you
What I would do,to be with you?
Kai could not believe what she had just read.
"I told you not to read it anymore," Bob sadly said."It seems like you didn't like it," he added.
"No,I like it.But what does that poem mean?"
Bob made Kai look into his eyes and said,"Katherine Laurel,I love you.I didn't know how it happened.It just occured to me one day that I have this feelings for you.And God knows I've been thinking about you a lot."
Kai looked away and said,"But Bob,I'm dying.Can't you see?We never know when I'll die.I don't want to care for someone whom I'll leave." "But you've shown so much progress.Your normal color's back,and the bleedings have stopped.God made a miracle for both of us,Kai.Katherine Laurel,I love you...what do you say?"
"Robert Franklin Peter Moffatt,I love you,too." And they shared a long,passionate kiss.
Bob was wrong.Inspite of Kai's progressing condition,it got worse again.Not only did she turn pale and the bleeding started again.Kai lost her hair due to leukemia.
"Thanks for lending me your cap,Bob," Kai said.
"It's nothing.You know what?You're the prettiest boy I've ever seen." He then kissed Kai on the forehead.They were again near that pretty pond,watching the sunset.
"Bob,you should see the sunsets in Manila(capital city of the Philippines).It sets more beautifully in Manila than in any other place.Oh Bob,I miss my country.My relatives and friends are waiting for me there," Kai quietly said.
Bob put a finger to Kai's lips and said,"Sssh...don't tire yourself too much.Just watch the sunset,OK?"
"Bob...I'm getting tired."
"Don't say that,honey."
"I can hear the sweet voices of the angels.They're calling me already,Bob.I can hear them singing beautifully."
"Kai,that's enough.C'mon.We'll go back to your house."
"But I want to see the sunset.And I'm tired to move a muscle."
"Katherine,don't walk away..."
"Bob,I'm tired..."
"Kai,please stay.I've been waiting all my life for someone like you."
"Bob,please kiss mommy and daddy for me,OK?
"Kai,I thought you love me."
"I love you,Robert Franklin Peter Moffatt."
"Then if it's love,Kai,then don't walk away."
"Bob..."
Bob watched as the sun sets in Manila.How beautiful the sun sets here,he thought.Kai was right.Too bad Kai isn't with her to see it.Kai died.She lost the battle;leukemia won.
"Bob,let's go.We still need to go to the funeral parlor," Dave said.
"Why did she have to go,Dave?"
"She has to.She's sick even before we met her.But I'm sure she's happy now,wherever she may be.You made her remaining days happy,Bob."
"I know.And Dave,I love her."
"She loves you,too."
"I want to say something to all of you," Bob said before all those who are gathered for Kai's funeral."As the member of the singing group the Moffatts,I've always been on the backseat.I just played the drums and do some backup vocals while either Scott or Dave sings the lead.But now,let me sing a song that I won't forget.Kai and I made this.Actually,it's a poem,but I put in some music to make it more beautiful.I hope Kai could hear this,coz this one's for her...
Look in my eyes and let the moment begin
You make me feel like I can do anything
One look from you just sends my troubles away
What I would do,to be with you?
Don't walk away
Why don't you stay
I've been waiting for somebody like you
Please don't walk away
Why won't you say
That you're ready and you're feeling it,too
'Cause if it's love...
If it's love...
Then don't walk away
I wanna show you I've got nothing to hide
Don't be afraid of what you're feeling inside
Deep in my heart there is nobody but you
What I would do,to be with you
Don't walk away
Why don't you stay
I've been waiting for somebody like you
Please don't walk away
Why won't you say
That you're ready and you're feeling it,too
'Cause if it's love...
If it's love...
Then don't walk away
...and Katherine Laurel,I will always love you.
A note : Aaaaww .. ain't that a sweet story ? It was written by Krysna Gonzales ..