TAKE YOUR PLACE

Kefirah's hands hugged Manuel's body. The young couple would part ways. Even if it's only for a few days, it seemed that Kefira was not willing to let him go.

"Don't cry, honey! Next week I will be back here again. I will also phone you every night." Manuel wiped Kefirah's tears and left a short kiss on his lover's lips.

"I will definitely miss you," Kefirah said sincerely.

"Me too. Can you let me go now? The plane can leave me if your arms continue to hug me like this," Manuel teased his lover who still wrapped her arms around his waist.

With a heavy heart Kefirah had to let go of the man who loved her so much. After Manuel disappeared from her sight, Kefirah stepped into the parking lot. She had to go to the hospital immediately.

***

Kefirah entered the room. Her eyes saw Levi who was repeatedly wiping sweat and kissing Rista's forehead.

"What happened? Is she sick again?" Kefirah asked because Levi had ignored her arrival.

"You have come," A smile suddenly appeared on Rista's face. Kefirah could see that her sister was in pain but she pretended to be okay.

"What happened? Why are you sweating like this?" Kefirah approached and sat on the edge of the bed. Rista's smile seemed to want to hide the pain she was experiencing.

"Earlier Rista did chemotherapy. As usual, she will be throwing up after that," Levi explained because Rista was too tired to speak.

Almost half an hour Rista closed her eyes to restore her energy back. She had to say something to her husband, father, and sister. That's why she chose to rest and let Levi and Kefirah remain silent in the room.

Taylor came in with his personal nurse. At the same time, Rista's eyelids separated. "Daddy," she said softly. The nurse pushed the wheelchair closer to Rista's bed.

"Still sick?" Taylor asked. It was something he was used to seeing but it still broke his heart. He really missed his proud daughter as healthy as before.

"Not really, Dad. I am okay now," Rista lied. It was clear that her entire body was in excruciating pain. Taylor struggled to reach the bottled water on the nightstand. He helped Rista to drink.

"Thank you, Dad," Rista said. The sight was really suffocating Kefirah. She could not bear to see her sister sick like that. Living in Australia made the woman not know that her sister was suffering so much.

Kefirah blinked because clear fluid had accumulated in her eyeballs. Rista accidentally saw it.

"Ke, come closer!" Rista asked her sister. Kefirah also took Levi's position, sitting near Rista's lying head.

"I am glad you came home to see me. The last time you came home was six months ago, right? I miss you so much." Rista's words made Kefirah flinch. She did not come home to see her sister's condition. Kefirah returned because Manuel wanted to propose to her. Suddenly Kefirah felt guilty.

"I feel guilty now," Kefirah said, holding back the turmoil in her heart. She also landed her lips on Rista's forehead. "I will stay here longer. I will take care of you." Without thinking, those words just came out from Kefirah's mouth. Kefirah was willing if she had to be expelled from the company where she worked. There was nothing to worry about. Soon she would be Mrs. DC, all her living expenses would be Manuel's responsibility.

"Is that true?" Rista's pale face smiled. The hope for her wish to be fulfilled was greater.

"Yes, sister."

"Please help me sit down," Rista asked Kefirah. She forced her back against the headboard.

"Be careful, Sister," Kefirah said while helping her sister sit up.

For a moment Rista saw the faces of Taylor, Kefirah, and ended up with her husband she loved so much. "May I hug you?" Rista asked Levi. All eyes turned to the man who was standing beside Kefirah and Taylor.

Receiving a request from his wife, Levi immediately sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed Rista's body and gave her a warm hug. For some reason, the woman who had given him two children cried until she was sobbing.

"What is it, honey?" Levi asked. He wanted to let go of the hug, but Rista held back by tightening her hands on Levi's body.

Satisfied crying, Rista released Levi. Her hand caressed her husband's handsome face. "I will always love you. Even though our realms are different, I will never leave you and our children."

Levi really hated those words. The man always avoided when his wife mentioned death. "Don't talk carelessly! You will be fine for sure." That's what Levi used to say. He was afraid of having to accept reality. Levi was not ready for that.

Then, Rista saw Kefirah's face. Since her little sister was transferred to Melbourne, Rista had always felt guilty for accusing Kefirah of teasing her husband. Even though the evidence was in hand, Rista still did not believe her.

"Ke," Rista softly called her sister. "I am sorry. You have been suffering for the past eight years. You are reluctant to go home because of the misunderstanding that happened between us. I am really sorry."

Kefirah hugged Rista's body. "I have forgiven you, sister. Don't feel guilty anymore!"

"Ke, actually I want to convey something to all of you," Rista said, releasing the hug.

"What do you want to say? As long as I can, I will surely grant it. What is it that you want?"

"I..." Rista paused. Her heart was beating fast. She knew that everyone in the room would be shocked, but Rista was sure that what she wanted to say was for the best.

"What?" Kefirah insisted. She saw the serious look on her sister's face. Kefirah was sure that Rista wanted to convey something very important.

"I want..." Rista's sentence paused again. She took a deep breath, gathering strength and courage. I want Kefirah to take my place," Rista said, relieved. Finally she managed to convey the sentence.

"Take your place? What do you mean?" Levi asked, confused. When Kefirah and Taylor were silent trying to understand Rista's request, Levi was already carried away by emotion. His voice became high when he asked his wife..