Unraveled Secret

Most of the people I know, think that their mothers will live forever, and that nothing bad will happen to them. I used to think the same way as them, until I faced a hard situation when my mom was hospitalized. I knew something was wrong when I saw how her body was in, but I didn't really paid attention because it was Mom. Strong as iron. I thought nothing could ever come her way. I thought wrong.

The day I saw my mother throwing up, her skin was white like the clouds; there was no color whatsoever. I felt a knot on my throat, and a sassy feeling of crying. I insisted to take her to the hospital but she resisted. After a few push, she finally agreed.

Once at the hospital, she was introduced into a tube so that she could get a MRI because she was having abdominal pains. On the MRI, came out that she had appendix broken, so that doctors hurried her into the surgery room. During the surgery, I was really nervous that I started to cry. I was praying for my mother to be okay. Indeed my past with her wasn't okay but she's still my mother. She's my only family left when my dad died due to an accident. I couldn't take it waiting so to freshen up my mind, I went to grab some drinks downstairs.

I was on my way when I saw a familiar face, on a wheelchair with a nurse pushing it. I froze as our eyes met. Aaron's smiling face turned into a gloomy one. That was the first time I've ever saw Aaron with that kind of expression. It was lifeless. I reached out to call him but he pretended not to see me, with his chin down. We passed by each other not looking at each others eyes. After that, tears came to my eyes, but this time they weren't because of mom but because of Aaron. I don't know myself why I cried. I wasn't even sure if he's sick or not.

Few days have passed and I haven't seen Aaron since that day. I was still at the hospital, waiting for my mom to recover. I was thankful that my mother had a successful surgery. When I finally saw her, I felt nothing. She was talking with the doctor but tired. After I left my mother's room, the doctor explained what kept my mom alive. He said that her appendix had been broken for about a week. That thanks to some layer of fatness that surrounded her appendix she was alive. All that came to my mind, in that specific moment ; I dropped to my knees and thank the doctor for what he did for my mother. I got inside once more to talk with her.

"Why didn't you tell me you were feeling ill, Mom?"

She looked at the window and for a while, she was vulnerable. Different from how she normally is. I realized that it was because of the surgery but maybe it's because that's how she really is. I felt the warm breeze as it touches my face softly.

"Don't ever come here again" she glared at me.

I kinda felt she was going to say something like that. It kinda hurts. I got up and walked through the door, not saying anything. I continue to walk but at a slow pace, hoping she would say something. But she didn't.

Now knowing that she's okay, I decided to practice to be accepted again. The following day as I enter the room, it was filled with Aaron's playing. A captivating, sweet to the ear song was being played. As soon as he finished playing, I clapped at his performance. He's great at ever.

"I thought you won't be coming anymore. You were gone for a few day" he started, putting down his violin. "I had to take care of my mom" sitting on the old chair of the piano. We're talking as usual but it's kinda awkward. There's some distance between us now that I saw him at the hospital. I knew because he wasn't talkative as ever nor he was smiling as always.

"Aaron.." I began, knowing this won't end up well. But I need to ask if he's really sick or just cosplaying some patient to entertain them. "Is something wrong?" he asked, noticing that I'm fiddling with my fingers. I took a deep breath and directly asked him "Are you sick?"

An obvious question, but seemed to froze Aaron. He puts down his violin with his chin down, not saying a word. I was stunned when I saw him suddenly bursting into tears. But the way he cries was more painful than anything. There were no sound, just his tears going down from his eyes and his voice taking deep breaths. I want to hug him tight say praise him for being brave, but all I could do was gave him my handkerchief and wiped his tears.

When he finally calmed down, he looked through the window. It was painful just looking at him, he's been hiding it this whole time and living life the way he's supposed to.

"I'm not going to last a year" he smiled painfully as a tear fell from his eye. I froze, terrified by what I heard. He's dying?. I wish it was only a joke when he said he was gonna die. But he wasn't. I didn't know what words to say to comfort him but maybe it will just hurt him.

"I.. I don't..want to be alone when I die" breaking down, he started to hyperventilate. It's been hurting him for so long. I got closer to him, helping him breathe. "Breathe Aaron..Let's calm down, okay? I'm sorry for asking. Just Breathe" trying to calm him down. I hugged him tight as he keeps crying. It hurts to see him being like this. I can't just leave him now that I know the state he's in.

"I'll be with you until the end" I promised. He stared at me and with what I said, he smiled. His precious smile that could melt thousand of people's heart. He started to calm down, my arms still wrapped around him. The others started coming around, seeing me and Aaron hugging. It was embarrassing as hell but Aaron looked peaceful, not minding Blythe and the teacher entering the room.

"Louella.." he called, removing himself from the hug. "You said you'll stay with me until the end, right?"

"That's what I said, yeah" embarrassed by what I said at that moment. "Then..Can you wait for me after practice?" he asked.

I started playing the piano for the lesson will be starting. "Sure" I nodded in response. He smiled like a kid whose been given the toy he's been wanting. "Let's talk later" as he goes back to his seat. Thus, started the lesson. We played some pieces composed by Vivaldi and many others.

The practice was done and it was time for me to Aaron, well every time there's practice, I would always be the last one to go home.

"Let's go" he said, with his violin on his back. My brows furrowed, "Where?" in confusion, I asked. We didn't plan anything, he just told me to wait for him after practice. "Follow me" as he walks further away from me. "Wait!" I scream, catching up to him.