Chrisanna"Her name's Charlotte", Eric says, showing me the picture on his phone. "She's—""Hot, right?" he grins as I throw him a you-are-impossible look. "Kidding. She's lovely, beautiful, smart, and sweet. And British! Lord""I knew you always had a thing for British men. Now, it's British women too?" I say, swiping to the next picture where she's sitting on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.They look happy. "I got to know that after I met Charlotte", he leans back to the headboard as we are seated on my bed. He had a smile on his face the whole time when he was talking about her. It was really rare."How long have you been dating her?""A month almost", he says. My eyes enlarge. "Holy moly, himbo. A month? A whole month? This is the fucking longest relationship you have ever been""I didn't realize that though", he rolls his eyes. Eric has always been facing all the dating issues. Especially with women. They basically didn't like the fact that he is bi. And with men
SamuelMy forehead stays pressed against the wall as the freezing water descends on my body. I don't exactly remember how long I have been inside but I never felt this worse before. I'm angry.I'm ashamed.I feel guilty. Even though all this time, I knew Chrisanna never did anything wrong, I still blame myself for that only moment when I had such the worst thoughts about her and Eric. The last ten days I spent in insecurity before the prom and on the prom night. I can't believe I doubted their relationship even for a second. I hated myself already. Now, I hate myself more. Even today, when I walked inside and saw her being so happy around Eric, my nerves wrenched again, although I have no grudge against Eric either. I never had. I never had this anger on him that I used to have on any other guy who would be close to her. It just made me feel bad about myself that Chrisanna could never breathe in relief around me. Even now. I can sense how careful she is to talk to me. She choo
ChrisannaHis grey orbs tremble with my words, unsure if he heard me right, and I'm wondering if I heard myself right. "Please!" my whisper melts into my mouth as he takes my brims into a passionate kiss again, this time hungrily nibbling them. I slip my hand underneath his shirt through the slit of the first opened button. His hand moves to the back of my head as he clicks the bun open, letting my hair wave down and fisting them to pull me closer. His right arm wrapped around my waist, pressing me against his hard torso, and his left hand fisting my hair to press my mouth against his. I don't move but it already feels like I'll not be able to move any of the parts of my body as he holds me like he doesn't wanna let me go ever again. I can barely breathe. My chest can barely rise due to being pressed against him. And his mouth captures my lips, my nostrils getting blocked by his nose bridge pressed against it. He's definitely gonna kill me breathless today. But a part of me does
Chrisanna"Samuel", I whisper, lying on my stomach and feeling the weight of half of his body on my back. His head is placed on my shoulder and he has his tough protective arms wrapping around me. "Yes, firefly", he softly whispers, kissing my skin and sending a jolt of shiver down my spine as I clutch the bed sheet tightly, my eyes closing shut, a smile rippling on my face. We just made love and the feeling is still fresh and raw, yet the sweet kiss makes me blush even harder. "Samuel", I call him again. "Yes, my little wife", a whiff of mischievousness and affection dripping from his voice."I love you", I say in a heartbeat. His hand stops moving on my skin as his grip stiffens. He's silent and I'm glad I didn't say it looking into his eyes. "You don't have to say it back right now", I keep the smile on. "Because I know you love me. And it's fine if you don't wanna say it back anytime soon or ever. It doesn't matter if you say it or not. Once you said, I deserve actions, no
ChrisannaEmmy sets the laptop aside, exhaling deeply. "I don't think I ever can"She looks at me with a smile. Heartbreaking smile. "Why?" I drag myself close to her and place my hand on hers. "He needs to have clarity, Emmy. He has so many misunderstandings—""But my boy is away from the biggest trauma of his life", her voice breaks and her eyes shiver at me. "I can't do this to him, Chrissie. I know he's different. Isolated. Filled with pain. And I have been trying my best to keep him away from this pain. The hatred he might have for the things I have done— well, the false things his father might have said to him about me— I can bear that. But not the trauma he will go through all over again. He's surely a grown-up man now. But trust me, he's still a little kid inside""I know", I mumble, looking away. "I know that"Her lips curve into a little smile. "I'm so lucky that he loves me. He might be angry with me. But it's a miracle that he didn't end up being a man filled with hatred.
SamuelI was stuck to that woman for two weeks straight and didn't let her go out of my eyes even for a second and the fact I just survived staying away from her for two long ass horrific days is still like a miracle to me. I survived— surprisingly.I couldn't nag her via texting or calling all the time because she was busy planning the big event and it sucked.Undoubtedly, while claiming her to be the clingy one always sticking around me, I have become the clingiest one. All I want is to wrap her up in my sheets and keep her in my arms, cuddle with her, snuggle into her, watch her, tease her and make love to her. And I have been waiting for the event more than Uncle Scott and Aunty Ivanna might be waiting for their own marriage anniversary event."We're really looking forward to the business trip next month", Brandon says. "Me too", I say sipping from the mineral water and darting my eyes at the stairs. Chrisanna hasn't shown up yet when everyone has already done it. Even her pare
ChrisannaI patiently waited for Samuel to come downstairs again. I wanted to chase him but it would worry others. It's been more than twenty minutes since Samuel has left. Unable to control my urge anymore, I surge towards my room since he should be using that washroom. As I enter inside, I don't find him in the room. The washroom door is locked too."Samuel, you in there?" I call him, tapping on the door. He doesn't respond. But I know he's inside and he's not okay. My heart begins to race faster. What happened to him suddenly? "Samuel, it's me. Open the door. Please", I whisper and just then I hear him exhaling deeply. "Samuel!" my voice softens as I lean against the door. "You need some time? I'm right here. I'll be here, okay? You should know you're not alone"The door clicks open and I take my steps back right away. He comes out of the washroom, his gaze lowered and his body stiffened. His face is wet, water drops scattering all over, and slithering down from a few strands of
ChrisannaThe night was exhausting. When I woke up, Samuel was still sleeping. I nuzzle the wide cut just over my elbow under the shower. It's still stinging. I couldn't manage to wrap it with anything but thankfully, there wasn't much bleeding. I turn the shower off and dry myself, putting on the bathrobe. I usually don't use a bathrobe since I prefer just wrapping the towel. However, I don't want Samuel to see that cut. When I come out of the washroom, I find him sitting at the edge of the bed, darting his eyes out through the window. Sunshine straight hits his pale brown skin, causing me to smile at the view. He looks so fine. Always— except when he's not okay."Good morning", I beam. His eyes straight shift in my direction. He stares at me, not blinking his eyes at all as I walk towards him. His thighs automatically part open as I reach closer and position myself in the space, resting my arms on his shoulders with a smile. "Good morning", he mutters as I dip my fingers into hi
Hello, everyone. This month has been a really bad one. After I posted the previous chapter almost 10 days ago, I was doing pretty well. None of my family members nor I have ever suffered from Dengue before which is why I had no idea that after the fever decreases abruptly there is a higher chance to have a very bad fever after a couple of days. I wasn't fully recovered. Had to get admitted in the hospital. I really tried my best to use my free time to write something but it was next to impossible. It's been two days since I have come back home and doing pretty well. But due to a gap in writing, I'm unable to get motivated to write the next chapter. Must be an absurd request but please let me know in the comments how many of you are still with me, waiting for the rest of the chapters, so I can have some boost in motivation and push myself to finally get back on track. Thanks in advance for all the good wishes. Hugs?
ChrisannaYou know what's the worst part of this phase? I know every bit of change happening in my body and my mind but people around me— who love me— are trying their best to hide those changes I may not see but feel. I snuggle into Samuel's arms after breaking the kiss and exhaling deeply as his grip tightens. I feel his heart racing, faster than ever.He thinks I didn't notice anything. But I did feel everything. I felt the sudden change in his voice which he tried to hide. I felt his hands suddenly moving more gently than ever as if he was scared to touch my hair, as if he feared the more he'll mess with them the more they'll come out. He thinks he can prevent them from falling anymore. Maybe. But he can't.I know everything. I feel everything.I feel him. He can't hide. He can't lie. "You're feeling well? We can cancel the date if you want to", he asks me, squeezing my shoulders gently. "No. I wanna go""You sure""Hmm", I lift my head and smile at him. *We spent the rest of
Samuel"I'm sure I was born only to meet her", I say, smiling down, midway through my speech— among the group settling in a circle during the weekly meeting. "Every good thing that happened in my life— all revolved around her. I just don't know how that's possible. I believe that I was born for her. Just to meet her and love her. There's no damn purpose in my life. There haven't been any"My breath hitches as I look around at all the smiling faces."Do I look better to you all? Like better than how I was when I came to the first meeting?" A tinge of anticipation stirs me up. "I just don't want to go back to the worst phase of my life anymore. And I'm so fearful that it would happen if I keep watching her struggling. It's very painful—" I struggle to speak.Strangely, it didn't happen ever since I started coming to the meetings and I always talked fluently.As I struggle to speak, my phone rings. Even though it's not allowed to carry phones while in the meeting, I'm allowed as I discus
ChrisannaIt's like a script they have all memorized. "Line dance", Uncle Colton says, getting up and walking towards the music player. "Darn. I hate it!" Eric snarls. "All dancing like soldiers""It's fun. We do it every time in family gatherings", Judson says, flickering a smile. "Seriously! Are you a 50-year-old in the body of a 17-year-old?" Eric grimaces, making Judson silent."Stop bullying him, Eric", Kylee shoots him a glare."Opposite attracts— shit is real", Charlotte laughs her lungs out, taking sips from her drink."Okay, you all", Uncle Colton turns the music on. "Get into a line"As everyone takes place for a line dance, Samuel helps me to get up."You don't need to match and move that much, okay? Just enjoy", he says. "Don't stress" I nod and notice a few people from the park have also joined. The environment seems to come alive with the rhythm of the dance as I weakly copied Charlotte's steps who is standing before me and briefly look at Samuel beside me. He has a
ChrisannaThe sun-kissed park provides a picturesque setting as the sprawling green meadow unfolds in front of me. Towering trees with long branches surrounding us leaves gently rustling in the soft breeze. The vibrant colours of blooming flowers dot the landscape.I inhale deeply, swallowing the canvas before my eyes. It all seems so new and mesmerising. I haven't inhaled fresh air for months. More than half of the last five months were spent within the four walls of the hospital and I also didn't wanna step out.I miss my old life so much. I look yards away, taking every inch of the view, watching kids playing around, families conversing and groups of friends laughing aloud."It's really hot over here", Samuel comes beside me, blocking the sun rays straight hitting my face as how tall he is. I look up at him and smile, finding Zoey curled around his neck. "I missed this heat""In that case, I think you had enough of it", he slides his hand behind my back and I keep smiling at Zoey
Chrisanna Stage III. As hard as it is to accept, this is the reality. It's been weeks since I've been back to the hospital. Again.And it sucks. I'm going through radiation therapy now. Even though my breasts were removed, cancer spread beyond that area to nearby lymph nodes surrounding tissues, chest walls, and skin.My skin burns, itches, and aches most of the time. I feel tired even pushing my eyelids and sometimes it's even harder to breathe. Although my stitches are gone, leaving those lifelong scars, the soreness and fatigue still wake me up every night. But now I have learned not to cry out. I have learned how to live with this discomfort and pain. Among everything, my life is just standing still. It seems like I'm stuck in a loophole where the world is running at a fast pace and I'm just standing there. I don't feel the same anymore. I'm not the same. The changes haunt me. I find it hard to accept myself. And every time I try to speak my heart out, I can't. They don't
SamuelChrisanna had to spend the next week in the hospital. As she preferred, Aunty Ivanna was there for her most of the time. I rarely got to spend time with her as the nurses and doctors had to check on her every half an hour. She might need a few weeks to recover from the surgery before the radiation therapy starts. According to the doctors, she'll need more than a year to get past all that and it depends on her recovery whether she'd need more therapy or not. However, I'm more concerned about the woman she's turning into— completely different from what she was. She barely speaks to me. She just stares at me whenever I am there as if she's talking to me through her eyes and I feel dumb and desperate when I can't bring myself to understand what she might want to say.I try to be there for her as much as I can but I wish I could do more. To ensure I'm in a better state of mind, I regularly attend my therapy sessions. Connor introduced me to a group and I have attended two meetings
ChrisannaNo amount of willpower, confidence, and support can prepare you for this— no matter how strong you try to be— it's never that easy. The day I was diagnosed with this disease again, I was so sure that I would overcome it— again. If a seven-year-old child can fight, then a twenty-five-year-old grown-ass woman can definitely fight and win. But little did I know that, it's not the same— and never that easy.The more I was sucked into this illness, the more I realized it's not the same. It's more painful than anything else. Either I lose something that defines my identity, or I lose myself. Either way, I have to lose. Spacing out of reality, I look down at my hands, clasping and unclasping them as my eyes dart to the wedding ring, glistening on my finger. My thoughts slip away from one direction to the other one as Samuel's face flashes in front of my eyes. I haven't seen him for two days— ever since I was admitted to the hospital for surgery. I met no one as I requested them
SamuelI wasn't honestly expecting something like that. There's barely any word I can form to speak when she stares straight into my eyes with a blank face. Her voice barely shakes and her gaze doesn't even flinch.This is not anything like Chrisanna. Chrisanna is all about expressing. She doesn't believe in being or looking emotionless— cold and rough. She should have been nervous, scared, or hurt while saying such a huge thing to me. At least— to me!I had seen changes in her behaviour lately but it's something painful to watch.She keeps staring at me, waiting for an answer when I was completely spaced out. I shrug, clearing my throat."Okay""It's awful", she doesn't blink— and her voice is ice cold. She should be flinching and groaning in frustration and maybe in anger. There's nothing!"It's not awful", I exclaim, immediately sliding my palm around her jaw. "It's a way to heal you""Yeah. Just throwing away a part of my body isn't awful", she groans, making me unsettled."No.