THE GREATEST REGRET OF THE DYING

"What is it?" YJ asked quick as a wink.

"I was all my mom had. Look after her in my place." That was Sasha's request.

YJ did not see that coming. He instinctively rested his thumb and forefinger on his chin.

"Is it that hard you to say yes? it's all your doing, I ended up like this.My mom has been suffering since the day I was born. I wanted to repay her for all her sacrifices. You ruined everything." Sasha placed the blame on YJ.

"Alright alright, stop your whimpering.Just tell me what should I do." YJ raised his voice against her whining.

Sasha frowned.

"I know you what you mean, but I already offered her some help but she refused.She even didn't allow me to pay your hospital charges. There's no way we can change her mind, I'm sorry" YJ said.

"There might be a way. Please please please. I'll do anything you say. Please." Sasha was insisting.

"Well I'll see, just leave me alone." YJ stated.

"Can you take me to shopping tomorrow?" Sasha tilted down her head and looked into YJ's face.

"Tomorrow! I'm tied up, you know."

"I don't think I have much time, I always wanted to buy something nice for mom when I get my first salary. You are so rude."

"I will I will, ok?" YJ wanted to get away from Sasha's nagging.

"Really! it will not take much time, I've already picked what I want , you just have to go and pay." Sasha sounded exciting.

"You did what?"

"What else can I do except wandering around?" Sasha responded to the look of confusion on YJ's face.

"Let's go" YJ hid his face with a cap.

"Now! you gonna call your driver at this hour?" YJ showed his car key. Sasha was delighted.

The shopping mall was relatively less crowded as there were only a few hours left before the closure time.

"Not that, it was there before." Sasha was downhearted. YJ slid his fingers across the dress hangers for Sasha.

"Sir, may I help you?" A saleswoman approached.

"Ask where's the floral printed yellow one" Sasha directed.

"Mmm are these all you have? in this pattern?" YJ asked.

"Yes sir" the Saleswoman replied.

"Yellow color, you didn't mention that" Sasha insisted.

" It's sold out, didn't you hear?" YJ spoke in a hushed voice.

Sasha was amused. When she asked YJ "this or that" ,YJ ended up having both in his cart.

"That's insane, I want that" Sasha could not take her eyes off the red color handbag which displayed in the showroom.

"Hmm what else?" YJ was in a hurry as he was anxious to avoid people.

"What's wrong?"

"Make haste! They keep staring" YJ complained.

"Ah they find you weird, you are muttering alone, they can't see me." Sasha teased him.

"YJ! rise and shine!" Sasha whispered in YJ's ear.

"You can't barge onto my house whenever you want. You are giving me a heart attack." YJ scowled at Sasha.

"Get up, when you gonna see my mom?"

"I can't make it in visiting hours, moreover I'm sure she will not take it." YJ was yawning.

Sasha looked dejected.

"We can courier it, I'll put your name as the sender" YJ suggested.

"No! you can't, she knows I can't afford that much." Sasha shook her head.

"We can remove tags, she will think that's a knockoff, there's nothing to it." YJ shrugged his shoulders.

Sasha looked uncertain.

"I'm gonna have a shower, don't you dare pop up!" YJ was pointing with his index finger.

"I am not sick, keep your word." Sasha ceased to be visible.

"Eew! Salmon, broccoli. Is that your breakfast? that's why you look skinny." Sasha could not help her look of disgust at YJ's plate.

"What do you wanna eat?" YJ concerned.

"Ha ha nice joke, seriously!" Sasha was gloomy.

"Ok, alright! now I'm studying my lines, so don't disturb." YJ was looking through his script.

" Go ahead, speak your lines out loud." Sasha peered at his book.

"Who the hell is that?" YJ yelled.

"Why? sorry should I raise my voice a bit?"Sasha cleared her throat." Why do you care? it's none of your business." Sasha tried with her best.

"Woah! you are doing it better." YJ was startled at first then he could not hide his laugh.

"Eh! you are just flattering. what's next?" Sasha was brimming over with new found talent.

"See if I care." YJ memorized his line.

"This is so much fun.Wish I could see shootings."

"Then I'll take you, I had no idea you are interested."YJ responded.

"Really! ok but not today." Sasha was overjoyed.

As usual Sasha tagged along with her mother all day.Sasha was counting on YJ's gift. Finally the door bell rang.

"Mom, mom bell is ringing, hurry up! open the door." Sasha shouted for joy. She forgot her mother can not see her.

Sasha's mother was astonished when she received the parcel.

Mother wonder when Sasha had such money.She let out a wail.She missed her daughter so much.

Sasha followed her mother to the hospital.

"Good evening, doctor." Mother met up with Sasha's doctor.

"Good evening, Mrs. Fernando, I have a very important thing to discuss with you." The doctor continued.

"Look Mrs. Fernando, it has been a week, there's still no progress, you know she's suffering too. I recommend to remove the life support, but it's still your choice to make." Doctor explained.

Sasha heard every single word they talked. Soon after Sasha perceived her greatest regret of the dying was bringing tears to her mother's eyes.