stay strong

I still remember that night...when they called. It was cold and silent in the house and the telephone rang like a death bell. 
"...Hello?" I whispered, too frightened to make a noise any louder than that.
There was crying on the other line...
"Hello? Hello?" My voice grew more frantic.
"Ss-sophh-iee pas-ass-edd a-aawa-ay..." The words were interrupted by sobs. 
My heart sank. I couldn't believe this was happening...the more real it seemed, the more tears fell from my eyes. Sophie became my step-sister when I was thirteen, and I hated her; more than anything, especially when it was her and her dad that caused my real family to be broken like this. I wanted her to get out of my life, and now God had granted me that wish. But now, I loved her, she was a dear sister to me. No matter how much hate I fumed towards her, she'd always return a greater amount of love. And that made me hate her even more...how optimistic and happy she always was. She made fast friends at my high school, every night, the phone would always be ringing for Sophie, and not me. And what annoyed me the most is Mom, who always says, "Look at darling Sophie, why can't you be more obedient and helpful as her?" 
But all this hatred changed when just three years ago, we found out that she was diagnosed with a disease... spinocerebellar ataxia, which caused her to lose all control over her body. As time passed, she got worse and in time, she lost the ability to talk...
I dropped the phone and it dangled hopelessly against the wall. 
I dizzily walked up to my room and collapsed on my bed, where I shed tears...for a very long time. 


My eyes were blurred, I blink the tears away. I was outside, lying outside on the backyard, while the heavy rain splatters ruthlessly on my face. It was a storm in my head too...when I received the devastating news: Sophie was diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia. Mom came home crying and refused to leave her room. But what upsets me the most is that Sophie...she's always so positive about things. And this time, it's no different; she came home, even smiling, and assuring that everything is alright. I yelled at her, called her stupid to be so happy to have this stupid disease. I told her she was the weirdest person and the most annoying person I've ever met. And I also told her I hated her and wanted her out of my life.


But I didn't mean any of that... 


My heart was in pieces...just this February we began to bond and actually became sisters. We would stay up late every night, talking and laughing. But all this changed. She was to be admitted into a hospital in less than a month...I'll barely see her again...


"Luce, come in, you'll catch a cold like this." I turned. It was Sophie, she was holding an umbrella, her face pleading me to come in. I turned away coldly and looked up at the stormy clouds raining sadness on my face.


"Luce...don't be like this. I have to stay strong during this time of my life and fight this...I can't give up, I won't. I'm not going to lose without this battle. You-"


The scene changed. It was brighter and I was sitting on a chair, facing Sophie, who was sitting on a hospital bed, with teary eyes, falling uncontrollably down my cheeks, one after the other...
"You need to be brave and stay strong for me, kay Luce?" Taking my hands in hers, she smiled. 
I nodded, sniffling.


"Kay," she smiled even brighter, then continued, "Love you Luce, you're the best sister and friend I can ever have." 


I can't believe how she can still forgive and love me even after all the rude and hurtful things I hurled at her. I've made her life miserable for so long and yet she can still love me and acknowledge me as her sister?


I sniffed and replied back shakily, "Love you too Sophe, but please, don't leave me in this place alone..."


She smiled, "I won't, I'll always be here with you." We both knew that physically, that wasn't going to be the case. She lost the ability to walk already and can barely feed herself. Her words were getting plainer and shorter and the doctor said that soon, she'll start losing the ability to talk and write. But my heart felt assured anyways. I watched tearfully as the nurses wheeled her out for her weekly check-up. Waving goodbye, her smile was as brilliant as ever. I've never seen a more beautiful person than that...she was an angel sent to care for me from heaven. 


I walked down the hospital corridor, trying not to think depressing thoughts. But as much as Sophie comforts me, my heart still felt lonely. All this was too unbearable but I'm gonna fight through it to the end, with my sister. 


Hope you enjoyed the read!


liz :{D


p.s.: I decided to write another one cuz I didn't like the other one...heh (and the disease was inspiration from the japanese drama (haven't watched it), One Litre of Tears)