THE LAST CUP

"I will search for you through a thousand worlds, and ten thousand lifetimes, until I find you"
~ Kai, 47 ronin

QUIVERING, I reached out her hand, and placed the ring in her delicate finger. Her bright brown eyes danced in glee as she looked at it while sipping her coffee. "It's beautiful, " she said over the ceramic clink of her cup returning to its saucer. Her lips curled up in delight at the sweet taste of espresso. I forced myself to smile. It would be my last coffee with her.

They said that the best thing to do for a cancer patient is to live their lives to the fullest in each day remaining. Such an easy thing to say when one is not having an appointment with death.

"Your coffee will get cold soon." She ran her slender finger through the soft fibers of her hair, straightening it down and tying it up with the ribbon I gave on her last birthday. "Would it be better if we get you another serving?" She asked.

"No need, this will be my last cup," I shrugged. Bittersweet taste filled my mouth as I take my last sip into it.

"Why do best people die?" she asked. The room was filled with silence as if my world would stop anytime. She gave me a stiff smile, reminding me to toughen up and act like a man.

"When you’re in a garden, which flowers do you pick?" I remember the line from a newspaper I read before. "Of course, the most beautiful ones."

How does someone prepare for death, when someone is not ready? How does one know if they're already knocking at heaven's door? I felt our dreams crumbling apart.

She smiled back, willing herself to be happy, to be strong, and to forget about the coming days.

"Can I wear this ring when I'm in heaven?" she asked and then coughed.

"Yes dear." I choked back my tears. "The angels will envy you if they see you wearing one of those."

"Too bad, I can't marry you in this life. I guess I'll be waiting for you in heaven then," she said, closing her eyes.

"You'll wait for me right?" I wrapped my arms around her, forcing myself to breathe. I noticed that her heart stop beating. I called out the doctors but it was too late. I guess nothing can be done.

I cried and decided; tomorrow I will be meeting her. Tonight, I am going to get lost, dreaming the last cup of coffee we'd shared.