Chapter 76: Chapter 76
“Alex, what are you doing here?” asked Ruby.
Alex didn’t say anything, he kept quiet and then when the tears that were swimming on his petals fell Alex hugged Ruby. That sudden hug shocked Ruby. For a moment Ruby drowned in Alex’s arms and almost replied to Alex’s hug. But she came to her senses and tried to break free from Alex’s arms by pushing Alex. But Alex hugged her so that it was hard for Ruby to break away.
“Alex, let go! Don’t hug me, let go!” said Ruby as she pushed Alex until Alex retreated a few steps away from her.
“ What are you doing here? Have you forgotten what I said?! Please leave me and never see you again. Don’t ruin my relationship with Ricky. Please leave me.” Said Ruby looking at Alex with her eyes drenched in tears.
“ No, I’ll never leave you. Why do you keep lying? I know that Ricky is your brother. Yes, I know, Ricky told me everything. Why? Why are you lying and keep trying to keep me away from you? Why Ruby? You know I love you and no matter how much I’m never going to leave you, I’m going to stay by your side.” Alex said expressed his heart.
“Whatever, I don’t care....” Replied Ruby who tried to be unconcerned and cruel even though she was also just hurting herself.
***
After learning how Ruby was doing, Alex kept coming to the hospital every day. Although Ruby keeps trying to ignore him and sometimes be cruel and say sharp words, Alex keeps coming and trying to help Ruby. Ruby keeps pulling her hand off but Alex won’t stop as if he’s already established his heart to stay by Ruby’s side.
Every time Alex comes home from school, he comes to see Ruby. Sometimes he waits in front of the chemotherapy room for a few hours to wait for Ruby to finish her chemotherapy. Then pushed the wheelchair for Ruby even though Ruby refused, but Alex kept pushing. Alex continues to be patient even though Ruby keeps saying cruel things to him because right now Alex just wants to stay by Ruby’s side. Whatever happens, he’s going to stick next to Ruby.
Ruby doesn’t like Alex being around her. And what she hates the most is when Alex insists on accompanying her after she has chemotherapy. Ruby hates it so much because she doesn’t want Alex to see her when she’s weakest. Every time she finishes chemotherapy, Ruby will feel very tired as if she doesn’t have the slightest energy. Then a very strong headache will strike, then the turbulence in her stomach will make her vomit.
And by then, Alex would run for the basin and pat Ruby on the back. Ruby hates it so much because she doesn’t want to show herself at her lowest point, even though Alex never minded to it. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Ruby pushed Alex with both hands and screamed Alex’s kick.
“Go, leave, go! I said go!” cried Ruby with tears running down her cheeks.
Actually, Alex doesn’t want to go, he wants to hug Ruby and keep Ruby company. But when he saw Ruby’s eyes soaked in tears, Alex held his back. With his head down and his eyes wistful, Alex stepped outside and closed the door even though it felt very heavy for him.
Alex remained standing at the door while closing his eyes, and then he closed his mouth by biting his right arm to dampen the sound as his cries broke out. Hearing Ruby crying and in pain from behind the door made Alex unable to contain her cries. The most painful thing for Alex is that he can’t do anything to alleviate Ruby’s suffering.
While Ruby continues to cry, sobbing. Tears continue to flow and wet her cheeks, Ruby can no longer hold it all back and showing her cheerful face deceives everyone into providing a sense of calm. Ruby can’t wear the mask she’s been wearing for a long time because it’s been cracked since Alex’s arrival, and now it’s broken.
Ruby never lamented her fate, she never regretted anything or wanted anything. She never cried over anything, not even the death that was waiting for her, she never feared or hated it one bit. But after meeting Alex, it changed her. She started hating her life and regretted a lot of things. In fact, she feared many things, including the deaths she had received. It’s all because Ruby has fallen in love. Since their first meeting, Ruby has fallen in love and that is the thing, she regrets the most.
***
As time went on, the few days had passed as usual Alex was pushing Ruby’s wheelchair and accompanying her. Alex takes Ruby wherever she wants. Ruby can only accept Alex after she’s tired of expelling Alex for a few days but Alex keeps coming back and accompanying her.
The view in the park also caught Ruby’s attention, she also asked Alex to stop so she could enjoy the view of the garden for longer. Maple leaves are red-brown and sweet Elysium and marigolds have bloomed in Ruby’s eyes. The beauty seemed like an entertainer to her until she smiled as she looked at it. Alex who saw Ruby smiling smiled because lately, it’s been very hard to see her smile.
“Do you want to go out there and see those flowers up close?” asked Alex, but Ruby refused by shaking her head.
“That flower looks beautiful when viewed from a distance,” Ruby said with a teary eye looking at the flowers.
“Alex, why won’t you leave me? You can be happier with other people. I can only give you grief every day.” Ruby’s voice sounds both serious and pathetic.
Alex smiled, then he walked in front of Ruby, then crouched down until both their eyes looked on. Alex grabbed Ruby’s hand and rubbed it gently. Staring at Ruby’s sultry-looking gaze and harboring sadness in it, Alex smiles. He tries to stay cheerful so Ruby doesn’t grieve.
“Why do you think I’m not happy with you? How can I not be happy if my happiness is you? Ruby, every second I spend with you is my happiness.” Alex said while staring at Ruby with his glowing gaze.
Ruby just fell silent, as if she was holding back the words she was trying to say. The days go by and as time goes on Ruby becomes softer. She no longer kicks Alex out or kicks Alex out. Now that Ruby has been more honest with her feelings, she smiles again saying hello to Alex and maybe she’s always waiting for Alex to come see her.
Ruby begins to be true to her feelings and returns to being a strong and smiling Ruby. She no longer tries to hide, but now she wants to see her friends, even though now she is always in a wheelchair because she can no longer stand for a long time.