A Weak Heart, A Strong Desire (Part 1)

John's POV:

Ever since I was a child, I never got to do strenuous activities such as playing and going outside the house. My parents always forbid me to go out of my room unless I have something important to do outside. As much as possible, they only want me to rest on my bed, nothing more. The reason why they don't want to tire myself out is because I was born with a heart disease.

Because I wasn't able to go outside our house, I don't have any friends aside from my cousin that's the same age as I am. Moreover, I can only feel the fresh air and see the trees and sun through my window.

I am envious of my cousin Kristoffer since he has freedom to go outside whenever he likes unlike me who's imprisoned on his own house. The two of us were very close because we are the only children in our family.

He is always telling me about his three female friends that he got to know on a park. If I remember it correctly, I think their names are Sophia, Elaine and Janna. Kristoffer always wears a smiling face whenever he's talking about them. He told me all sorts of stories about the three of them such as...

"You know John, I gained three new friends today! Their names are Sophia, Elaine and Janna."

"Hey John, my new friends saved me from the bullies. They are really kind, and brave, and beautiful! They're amazing!"

"John, John, John. Guess what happened today! I ate together with Sophia, Elaine and Janna at the restaurant of Sophia's sister. Sophia's sister is as kind as Sophia. She even treated us so many delicious foods that we didn't even manage to eat all of it."

Those are the things that Kristoffer always tells me with energetic tone. Because of the things that he's always telling me about with so much enjoyment, it made my desire to go outside grew even worse.

I had some courage to ask my parents to let me go outside even if it's just only once. I had some urge to ask them because I want to try and see the rustling trees up close and feel the fresh air in my whole body. I want to have some fun before I die because I don't even know how much time I have left. This desire of mine made me lie to my own parents that I didn't know will even endanger my own life.

"Mother, Father, I can feel some improvement in my body so can you please allow me to go outside with Kris? I promise I won't push myself too hard. And Kris is with me so there's nothing you have to worry about." I begged my parents.

"Are you sure you can manage? You know John that we're doing all of this for your sake, right? So all I want to know is if you can really act outside intensely." Mom warned me.

"I'm already fine. I can feel some improvements in my body. I've been isolated from the outside world ever since was young and I'm already a big boy. I want to experience so many things that I didn't get to experience before. It's already time for me to know what the outside looks like." I said with teary eyes.

"Ok but can you promise us that you won't go too far from your cousin?" My father agreed.

"Yes, Father! Thank you!!"

Yay! At last I can fulfill my dream to play outside with some friends. Kristoffer will be happy to know that I can play with him outside today.

I rushed towards the door and ran outside heading to Kristoffer's house. Their house is in front of our house so I just ran straight ahead.

(Doorbell rings)

"Kris? Kris! Open the door! It's me, John!"

The door suddenly opened and I saw Kris looking at me worriedly.

"John?! What are you doing here? It's dangerous to go outside with your current health, right?

"Kris, I have a good news! My parents allowed me to go play outside with you."

"Are you sure that Uncle and Auntie really allowed you to play outside? You're really not messing with me? Or maybe you're lying to me... I'm going to tell Auntie that you escaped from them."

"No, no I'm really serious... I'm telling you the truth! They really allowed me to."

"Are you sure? Really sure?" Kris is looking at me doubtfully.

"Yes, I'm sure. Even if you go to my parents now and ask if I'm telling the truth, they'll definitely say that I'm not lying."

"Ok. Good timing! I'm just getting ready to play outside with my friends so you can go with me. But I have a favor to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Please tell me when you feel exhausted and already want to go home."

"I promise!"

Kris held my hand and brought me to a tall tree. There's no one in here except for the two of us. There's not much people passing by this tree since it's kinda far away from the pathway and it really is an isolated place. I thought that we're going to play with his friends... Then why is it that it's just the two of us in here?

"Ummm... Kris? What are we doing in this kind of place. Yeah it's relaxing since it's really breezy here but aren't we supposed to play?"

"Yeah. We're going to play in here."

"Just... The two of us?"

"Nope... Just wait for a while and my friends should be coming soon... Probably. They're usually late by the way so I've already gotten used to it."

Kris just finished talking when a girl shouted his name.

"Hey Kris! You're so early today as usual." A little girl that looks also the same age as me is running towards us.

"Hey, Sophia. You too. You're late as usual. Hahaha." I was shocked when I saw Kris laughing so hard because it's the first time I actually saw him like that.

"Stop that now, the two of you. I see that you're with someone, Kris. Care to introduce him?" Another girl said.

"Oh yes, he's the one I've been telling you about. He's my cousin and also the same age as us. His name is John. Just call him Johnny, Jones, or John John. What ever you want to call him will do."

"Hello! My name's Sophia. Kris is always telling us about you so we know how close the two of you since early age."

"My name's Elaine. The only mature kid in here. I always serve as the referee whenever your cousin Kris and Sophia are bickering with each other. We're glad to have you here."

"Ummm..." Another girl mumbled softly.

"This is Janna. You can also feel free to call her Jane if you want. She's a little shy so, yeah." Sophia put her hands around Janna's shoulder and introduced her.

"I see. Can I also be friends with the three of you just like my cousin does?"

"We will be honored!" Sophia gladly accepted my offer.

"Thank-" I didn't get to finish my sentence because my chest suddenly tightened that made my breathing very hard. Maybe it's because I walked far enough to tire myself out.

"Huff, huff, huff." I was breathing heavily when my legs felt sluggish and can't carry my body properly that caused me to got caught off balance and fell.

"Are you ok?"

"Hey, what's happening?!"

"Kris, do something! Carry him, hurry!!!"

"John! Pull yourself together! I'll carry you to your house now!"

I can't see their faces properly because my eyes are becoming blurry. I also can't hear their voices clearly because the only thing I am hearing is my heavy panting.

My... Consciousness... Is fading...

"John! John!! Jo-..."