Curse the fate

Jess lost her parents to a road accident. She was an only child and she was not a native from here. Her relatives were far and had little contact. When the need came, no one appeared and we're unavailable for contact. She was put in the orphanage for a few months before James's parents legally adopted her. She was slightly depressed but not devastated as she was not alone for any considerable time, James's home was a second home to her. That happened a year before I went to our high school. James told me all of this as a part of his love tale.

By that time, they had had deep feelings for each other. In fact, James parents were aware of all of it just like Jess's. Because of Jess and James, their families had gotten closer too and it helped. They had been dating since middle school and then it was like Jess moving in with him. It was James who wanted her to live with him if the only option left was the orphanage. He is very close with his father. His father accepted without another thought. A week after the adoption was when he got his first kiss, he had mentioned long, long ago. Ever since the adoption, they both did not have any more confessions of admiration. The whole school knew it was those two without a question.

That's how they got married as soon as they were both majors as planned ever since. With James's parents, or more correctly, their parents accepting their love, there was nothing else in their way.

But curse the fate, almost six months later, James learned a grave truth about his life expectancy. He, he's dad and I are the only souls that know of this. He did not consult a specialist with his reports after having them in his hand. He was a doctor and he knew exactly what his condition was.

"Jessie is doubting me so much for spending time outside until late night. All I do is take another operation for the day! Not her fault. It's been more than a year like this." His voice was so weak but his eyes were dry. He had had already cried a lot over this.

I had known of Jess's doubt since that had been what the starting topic was when we were alone today. She might have also known that I know something. During our conversation, her questions were almost all pointed towards me rather than Fern.

"And why do I do that? To avoid having sex! Just so that she doesn't have a kid left behind.

"She would not be having something holding her back from moving on. But still I failed. I had to. After all, doing nothing in one whole year and trying to act normal is just impossible."

I had waited to confirm if he had ended.

"It will be okay. . ." I said, "Did you tell your father?"

"She did. How could she not? I wanted to talk to you last week but I could not make the time." She would never move on. Or it will be in a world that's upside down. Before a while, I had suggested that he should tell about his health to Jess. But he said it would be an unnecessary pain for her.

"I know. That's why I am here as soon as I knew. Stay strong James.

"I should go now," I had told him and left the room.

That reunion day had been a hard one for me.

"May!" James's voiced called out and I was brought out of my thought track.

"Hi," I greeted taking my eyes off the photo frame.

He came with two tetra-packs and handed me one. It was a mango milkshake.

"I had to make you come to the hospital."

"Nah. Thanks for this, but you still drink milkshakes?" They were his favourite. I didn't know they were still.

"Yes," he simply answered.

"You should tell Jess."

"When the time comes." I know this answer. And the words he left unsaid, 'and that time would never come.'

"She'll feel more sad for not being given at least the chance to help you." That is true love, isn't it? I really feel sorry for the both of them.