Chapter 4

Carly

Francis and I arrived at the hospital. I rushed to the ER to find my friends, keeping Raiko calm while he was there weeping. I approached them, and they moved aside. I sat beside Raiko and hugged him.

"Everything will be fine Rai." I told him.

He hugged back, but still, he was crying. I asked Francis to get some water for his cousin. He obliged and went to the canteen. The other two were left, and I asked them what had happened.

"Raiko called me saying Keira was having a seizure. And when we got here she's already in the ER. Keira's mom was here but she's inside now with her husband." Shin said.

It's good to hear that K's mother is with her stepdad, but still, we don't know what will happen to her. The doctors told us Keira has a low chance of surviving her seizures because she's not conscious. We just hope she'll be fine.

Hours passed, and a doctor went outside. "Keira was revived, but she won't last long. I'm sorry."

Raiko rushed inside while I was left there dumbfounded. We can't lose Keira today. She has to live; we still have to make it into the graduation ceremony that we wanted. Have our degree...

I went inside and saw Raiko crying beside her hospital bed in the ER. He was weeping so hard that he couldn't talk. While me, tears started to flow from my eyes as I saw Keira. She looks so tired, and I bet she's still fighting for us. But it would be selfish to let her stay like this. I went near Raiko when suddenly Keira's eyes opened. Raiko and I were so stunned that we were not able to move.

"I-I'm g-g-glad to s-see you b-both. I-I'm sorry. R-read...." Then she started to get weak, and I held her hand. "D-d-diary...." Then she closed her eyes.

We were just there looking at her as the doctors again tried to revive her. I was just blank while looking at her, being pumped and shocked just to wake her to life. But to no use...

"Time of death, 10:59 pm."

We lost Keira...

The funeral was held in their household. Raiko couldn't get home, and Francis approved it since his cousin won't leave Keira's coffin even for a second. I also stayed there to help Keira's mom prepare everything.

"Thank you so much Carly. Even from the hospital until now you're still helping us." She said as she held my hand.

"It's nothing Tita. She's been a friend to me and special to my bestfriend. So the only thing I can do right now is to help Rai cope up."

"My daughter admired you so much ever since you two met. She always talks to me how loving and a caring girl you are. Well I think, it's all true."

I hugged Tita Klaire as she cried in my arms. "She's also a sweetheart, and she got it from you, Tita."

Tita Klaire was called by her husband that's why she left to approach him. I was just making coffee when Raiko suddenly came to me stunned me.

"What the hell!" I said as he just came out of nowhere.

He smacked my head. "OA! I just got here." He said and seated beside me.

"Who would not be shocked with what you've done?!"

"You still nag even if you're tired." He said, then got the coffee I was making.

I felt guilty for shouting at him. "I'm sorry. "

"Is that a condolences?"

"Kinda?"

"You don't have to. Keira's on her coffin, sleeping like a beauty. The sad news, I can't kiss her back to life." He said, then faked a laugh.

I never saw him like this before. He felt devastated. That's why I hugged him. "Keira is in a better place now."

Time passed, and Keira's funeral was over. Her burial went by smoothly, and everyone was sad seeing her go. But we only kept thinking optimistic about it. After the burial, Keira's mom and her stepdad went to the province to have time for the family. Her mother also wanted to ease the pain a bit. While our friends and I are still going on with our classes. It's been months since she died, and we are in the second semester of the course.

"Basically, I have been around so many people for months. They are really looking up to me as an athlete." Francis shared his experience of trying out with his university's football team. "The coaches were impressed about what I did. That's why, I'll be doing my best til our first game so that I can get a spot for the exchange and import players."

Hearing it made me smile, but I wondered why he's focused on the exchange program. "You wanna go to the States and leave me here?"

"I thought you understand me? It's a dream come true Carly! I can play on the football plays on the schools in the US and have myself drafted for the National teams there. Isn't that great?"

"I know you really wanted that break, but will it be hard? I mean, for the both of us, having long distance relationship?"

He hugged and kissed my forehead. "Babe, we will get through this. I assure you."

I just let him be. He passed the tryouts and continued playing. He's having the time of his life. On the other hand, I am going through some challenges in my chosen degree. Everything went smoothly for both of us.

"How's your relationship with him?" Shin asked me.

"Well it was fine. He's busy than usual."

"He's really pursuing that dream of going to US despite of having you here. You know, he should think about your thoughts about it."

I just smiled at her. "It's okay. I'll understand him for now. We'll figure it out soon."

Shin is always asking me about what's wrong with my relationship. She may not have a boyfriend for now, but she's the most dependable regarding advice. Even Raiko listens to her.

I went back to studying. I focused there more as Francis kept on maintaining his spot for the exchange program. I've heard that there will be a big chance for him. I'm happy, but I can't help but get sad at the same time.