Close To You | stenbrough

2.5

F L A S H B A C K

S T A N L E Y

I groan, smelling an unfamiliar foul smell and hear the sound of my bed creaking when I shuffled into my sleep.

My bed doesn’t creak.

My eyes squinted when I saw blinding lights. I blinked many times as my eyes were trying to focus on my blurry surroundings. I heard unfamiliar voices hushing and whispering around me.

Seconds later, I found myself looking at the scene. Doctors are side by side, talking and others are saying things to my parents which were sitting beside me. My mom keeps on crying while dad was talking to one of the doctors. She was wiping her tears while her free hand holds my cold ones.

“Mum, what’s going on?” I ask, my voice sounded like a radio when I spoke.

“Your dad will explain everything,” then, mom look at my dad.

I stared at my dad. He nodded at the doctor, dismissing the doctors out of the room. As we finally left alone, dad looks at me. He wasn’t wearing his glare like he always sent me instead he was wearing guilty eyes. He approaches us and stood beside me.

“I’m sorry son,” he said. It was a bit shocking when I heard the word ‘son’ when he was talking to me.

I laughed, “okay, let me guess, I have a cancer and my days are counted, right?” I laughed, trying to make the atmosphere a little lighter. They just flinched and cringed, my mom look away and dad just looks at me with sorry eyes.

“The doctors diagnosed you with lung cancer, son. I thought you were only an over-fatigue but when the doctors run some tests, they have prove to me that you have stage three lung cancer.” I laughed in a bitter way.

I cannot believe this! I wouldn’t believe this! Who would?

This is just a joke, a prank that my parents just do to me… Is it?

“If this is a joke, just stop. I didn’t sleep last night causing me to collapse—“my voice was cut.

“Your dad is saying the truth.” My mom intervene, her blue eyes still didn’t meet mine. The brightness in her eyes was now gone.
The smile across my face faded, feeling mother’s hand harden her grip into my hands like I will leave them.

“You’re not serious, right?” I asked. Still hoping it was just a joke or a dream…

“We are serious, Stanley.” My father mumbles before a tear slips into his eyes. Then, my whole world starts spinning, feeling my head started to get heavy and as well as my eyelids. I bit my cracked and dried up lips before standing up, even my whole world was spinning.

“You should just lay there, Stan.” I heard my mother’s voice, talking to me but I just ignored her voice as I walk through the room, walking my way to the door.

I didn’t hear anything: just my heartbeat, the cold footsteps I’m making and the heavy ticking of the clock going slow motion.

I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.

I keep on repeating those five words inside my head, trying to calm my heart; trying to calm myself from falling apart.

This have to be a joke right? Or a weird dream or a nightmare right? I couldn’t even handle my problems right and now, another one? I wanted to laugh if  this is a joke. I hoped it was just a joke but I know it’s not, and I know I’m going to die.

I felt my body getting heavy as I stumble on my feet. I heard my mother screech my name. Before I could even touch the doorknob, I felt my legs buckles as the heaviness inside me just took over me making me fall into the ground.

“Stan!” I heard my father say. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, devoured by the darkness, and knowing that I have a cancer.

_

I open my eyes, seeing the familiar room I was caged in. The room was painted a boring white, there was a creaky bed that I have lay, chairs, and a smell of hospital which is bad for my liking. When I breathe, I wanted to puke when I smell medicines.

One whole week and I’m still stuck on this bed with no one to talk to. One whole week missing my bedroom… And Bill. I sighed, shifting myself on the other side of the bed. I couldn’t sleep but my body is
saying that I’m tired. The only thing that I could hear was my breathing, and the heavy tick of the hand of the clock hanging across the room.

I shifted my body again before hearing the only door in the room being open. I quickly pull my body, sitting on the bed seeing my mother, a faint smile on her face, and dried tears on her cheeks. She doesn’t have make up on and her eye bug s can be seen.

“Hello Stan,” she said before hugging me.

I laughed, “hi mom,” I said, wrapping my arms around her and hug her back.

“The Doctors says you will be discharge tomorrow morning.” She said, kissing my forehead before sitting on one of the chairs. She held my hand as he just looks at me, admiring me.

“Where’s dad?” I asked.

“Uh- he left and met a friend,” her gaze didn’t meet mine. Knowing her for my life, I know she’s lying. There’s something she wasn’t telling me but I didn’t pushed any questions and just nodded before laying my head on the pillow.

That night, I didn’t sleep.

My mind was still trying to sink in that I am going to die.