1 What did I do to the Universe!!!!!

The sun peeked into the room illuminating the light green walls, a light breeze ruffled the curtains and I immediately pulled the blanket to my chin groaning. Everyday it was the same thing. My body was overridden with pain and aches and I had to gather all my might to get out of the bed. After fifteen minutes, I finally had the courage to lift the blanket and climbed out of the bed. I had to dragged myself to the bathroom groaning and moaning with pain as each of my movements seemed laborious. I stood in front of the mirror staring at my reflection. I was a mess. My hair was an odd color of mud brown, thin, curly, dry and brittle. My eyes honey gold surrounded with deep dark circles. My cheeks were shrunken. I felt some tears rolled down my cheeks as I closed my eyes and let my reflection sink in. Desolation and despair assailed me. Who would say a girl of nineteen years old looked like this. I could be compared to someone's grandmother. What have I done to the Universe? This is a question I asked myself daily. I wanted so much to be like those normal girls playing, jumping around cheerfully and leading a normal life. Even the doctors have given up on my case, almost insinuating that I'm lazy or psychotic. I had the suspicion even my parents were fed up with me. I finished my daily routine of getting ready with great difficulty and grasped my notebooks for school. Day by day my condition was getting worst and I did not know to whom shall I turn for help. I even concealed my condition and increasing pains from my parents as I knew there was nothing they could do to help me.

" We have to face the truth Shelly, she is simply not making the effort. Even the doctors think that the problem may be psychological." said my dad Joe.

"I don't know Joe. I really don't know what to do. I am really tired from all this." I closed my eyes and fresh tears ran down my face. I could hear the exasperation in my parents voice and I wanted to shout at them and scream my frustration too. I wanted to tell them how hard I was trying and was still in pain. Maybe they were right. Maybe I am turning crazy otherwise how could all these pains be undetectable by all renowned doctors.

I did not want to face my parents so I head to the back of the house and escaped quietly. I could feel the sun burning my skin and the breeze being a little too harsh on my skin. My ears buzzed as the normal traffic sounds sounded too loud. Tears automatically rolled down my cheeks as I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for pain to become normal. I felt a set of reassuring arms surrounding myself and I let out a sigh and leaned in the familiar fragrance of my best friend Lorie.

"It's ok Keithia. I am here....Shhh " She gently rocked me in her arms and gradually I could feel the pain slip away. I took my sweet time absorbing her comforting fragrance and warmth before moving out of her embrace. I blinked my tears away and look at Lorie's beautiful face. Her long straight jet black hair framed her heart shaped face. Her eyes were black and rounded with concern for me. I weakly smiled and said.

"Thanks Lorie".

"Keithia, is it getting worst?" She asked concerned. I quizzically looked at her. How was she able to read me so correctly? Even my parents did not notice the degradation in my health and yet here was Lorie, accurately diagnosing my situation.

I shrugged and replied

"I have no idea Lorie. But I simply cannot anymore.... I'm..... I'm tired". I started to walk and Lorie followed me. She hooked her arms to mine lending me support to walk.

"Keithia, don't worry. It will be better". I smiled at her enthusiasm but I knew deep down that my time has come. Maybe I would no longer be part of her world. Grief assailed me as I started to think about Lorie. She was always by my side, never leaving me even when I was the odd one. She was a brilliant girl, full of life and energy unlike me, she could have all the friends she wanted. But she chose to stick to me even when I myself doubted if I was really ill or not. How to tell her that this time there might not be any recovery period? I could feel my energy dipping, my life holding to a fine thread and the pains taking over my body. I have always been ill but this time it was different. I knew that my time has come. I could feel my life slipping away and there is nothing I could do to prevent it. Worst of it all, even my parents were giving up on me. I laid my head on Lorie's shoulder, biting my lips to prevent my tears from falling and said

"Yes, it will be better". Maybe this was it. I had to go for all these people around me to live peacefully. My death was the answer to the situation I have put themselves into. I was in deep thought when Lorie shook me and exclaimed

"Keithia, we should go to the forest trip!" I wanted to refuse but seeing her excitement I decided not to. Maybe this would be the last trip I'll take with her. I owed her that much.

"Hmm, yeah. Why not?" I said.

"Ahhhhh, really Kieth?? You'll go??" she asked excitement resonating in her voice.

"Yeah Lorie". She jumped up and down and I could not help but laugh with her. I watched as she did a sort of excited dance when suddenly I felt a shift in the air. I pulled my jacket a bit closer and observed around me. It was as if the wind changed direction. I looked around and saw the trees swaying as if they were matching Lorie's dance steps. I was baffled and quickly shook my head and discard these thoughts. There was no hope for me and now I have accepted that fact. The bell rang as I quickly grabbed Lorie and made a dash for the classroom.

A thousand mile away, Katra and Juan smiled as they saw Keithia's decision in the sacred crystal. Her destiny was finally bringing her to her rightful home and place. It was time she accepted her destiny and improved the fate of millions.

" We should prepare to receive the Patrona, Katra" said Juan moving away from the crystal and closing his eyes to let the image of the Patrona imprint in his mind. He could see her fragile state and the sorrows embedded into her eyes but it was only a matter of time. Soon she will be closer and her powers would be reinstated to her.

"Juan, we've waited a long time. Finally we will complete our destiny".

Juan nodded at her optimistic wife but he knew that the path ahead will be difficult for the Patrona. If she had received her powers at any other time, it would have been different but in this current time with the ongoing attacks, he asked himself if the Patrona will be strong enough to protect them all.