Chapter 39

TW: Cancer

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On the drive home, my mind has become a battleground. After discovering that it was Panda King who saved me that night from Theodore Emmet, a part of me feels warm and happy. However, the better part of me is still feeling angry with Pan.

The mystery behind why I awoke naked still remains. I know that he didn't do anything to me but what exactly happened after I blanked out?

"Tin, are you still angry at me?" Pan asks into the silence.

I roll my eyes, "What do you think?"

"I didn't mean to do it." He says apologetically.

Switching the engine off, I step outside. The night air feels nice against my face. I stand there for a few minutes, smiling as the breeze grazes across me.

"Tin, you know I didn't kiss you on purpose." Pan says from behind me.

My face scrunches up in anger as I turn to him. "Not on purpose?! You might have not done the other ones on purpose but this one was definitely because you wanted to shut me up right? Have you ever respected me?! Am I nothing in your eyes?!" Tears suddenly pour down my face. I've never felt this mad before.

"Let me explain Tin–" 

Ignoring him, I run inside. I don't want to listen to his lies. Slamming my bedroom door shut, I fall to the ground. 

When did I become this weak and emotional? Why does it have to be Panda King? Why? Why? I scream in anger as my self hatred grows. 

My phone ringing, stops my tears and I wipe my eyes and clear my throat as I pick up. "Hello?"

"Tina, Mum is in hospital. Come quickly. Dad told me not to tell you but it's serious." Mint sounds like he has been crying too as he speaks, his voice hoarse.

"What's wrong with Mum?!" I ask in panic. Mum has always been strong. 

"I'll tell you when you get here. Please hurry sis."

"I'm coming. Don't worry, Mum will be fine." I say reassuringly whilst crossing my fingers. I run down the stairs as fast as I can, ignoring Pan and Liana's questions.

Mum has to be okay. I pray for her to be fine as I drive to the hospital. 

Finding the ward, I see Mint and Dad sitting on the chairs outside the Emergency Operation room. Worriedly, I walk towards them.

"Dad, Mint what happened?"

My dad looks surprised to see me, "How did you...?"

"Mint told me. Dad, please tell me what's wrong with Mum?" I ask quietly.

"Sh–She has the last stage of stomach cancer." Dad chokes as silent tears roll down his cheeks.

"You're lying right Dad?" I ask in disbelief. Mum showed no signs of being ill.

Dad shakes his head and my vision blurs as the dam within me breaks. How can Mum suddenly have cancer? How can she be on the last stage when she was fine just a few days ago? 

Sitting down, I cry more than I have ever done in my life. My mind is blank. Nothing matters except Mum. How can I live if she disappears from my life? How can Dad, Mint and I survive?

My brother hugs me as I sob. His brown eyes, identical to mine, are surrounded by redness. He must have cried a lot too. 

"Mint, it's not real. Mum can't suddenly have cancer. The doctors are probably lying." I cry, refusing to accept it.

"It's the truth Tina. Will she be okay?" He says quietly.

"She has to be fine for us Mint." I try to comfort him through my tears.

After countless hours, the Emergency doors open and Dad runs towards the doctor.

"How is my wife?" He asks.

The doctor's eyes dart to the three of us before he sighs.

"She wants to see each of you in turn." 

"What does that mean? Mum is okay right?" Mint shouts loudly.

I place a hand on his arm, "Calm down Mint."

The doctor's eyes turn down as he speaks, "She only has a little time. It will be best if you go and see her."

All three of us stare at each other in shock. 

"I–I'll go. You two wait here." Dad says before walking inside.

My legs feel weak as I fall onto the ground. I can't move.

"Tina!" Mint exclaims worriedly and sits down next to me. The two of us sob onto each other's shoulder in the middle of the hallway as we wait.

***

Dad tells me to go next. His eyes are bloodshot and full of tears as he returns from the room.

Slowly, I stand up and walk to the doors. Why is this happening to us? What have we done wrong that the world is against us?

My tears explode when I see my mother hooked up to the various machines, looking pale and weak and with an oxygen mask on.

"M–Mum!" I cry as I run to her. 

"T...Tina." She says quietly, pulling the oxygen mask off her mouth a little.

I shake my head, "Mum, don't remove it. You will be fine. You'll get better." I sob, holding her hand tightly.

"Tina... promise me... you will take... good care of... your dad... and... Mint... for me." She gasps.

I shake my head vigorously, "No Mum. What do you mean? You're not going anywhere. You're here with us."

"I...I'm sorry... for always pressuring you... to do things... you don't want to. Forgive me... darling..."

My cries are loud as I lose control of my emotions. "Mum, what are you saying? Stop scaring me like this. You never forced me to do things. I'm the one who has been a bad daughter to you Mum."

"T... Tina... please live on... happily... and... find happiness..." She takes a dragged breath, "T...tell... Mint... I... love... him..."

All of a sudden, her hand in my hand turns limp and I cry harder as the beeping sound on the machine stops.

No. This is a nightmare. This isn't real. Mum is healthy and alive. I'll wake up and visit her at home. 

"Mum! Mum! Leave me alone! Let me stay with my mum!" I scream and shout at the nurses who forcefully drag me away.

Through my blurred vision, I see Mint and Dad but I can't stop screaming and as I feel the last of my energy drain, my eyes close.