Love Me Tomorrow

Cherish is running aimlessly towards the seashore as her tears continues to fall from her eyes... She couldn't see very well because her tears clouded her vision, but she still continues to run, and she doesn't care where her feet will take her.

She suddenly collapses unto the sand, as if her legs finally gave up from running. Through her tears, she can see the orange sunset, as if it was watching her mourn as she finally lost the man she ever loved in her life.

"Alex..." she whispered, as the pain starts to pierce her heart again.

Her beloved Alex passed away just a few minutes ago. It was so unfair of him to leave her alone, and he didn't keep his promise about marrying her.

Cherish has been Alex's private nurse and fiancee' for four years already. He has been suffering from a disease called Spinocereberall Atrophy where part of its cerebral system is gradually being damaged. And because of that, Alex's whole body is having difficulty functioning because part of his brain that commands the whole human body stops working. It stops the body functions of a person. It starts with the paralysis of the body, then after that, the patient will have a difficult time speaking and they will need professional assistance and care from a medical staff. And the final stage of this disease is all of the body organs will stop working, until the patient passes away. The progress of this disease was too fast in case of Alex, so that is why he only lasted for four years...

But the disease didn't stop Alex from loving her genuinely and unconditionally. Before his disease became serious, he proposed rightaway to Cherish, telling her that they shouldn't waste any time as they don't know what will happen tomorrow...

Cherish stretched her right arm towards the sky and stared at the diamond engagement ring. The diamond sparkled, and she started crying again.

Few days ago, Alex's parents told her that she should move on with her life and find another person that will genuinely and sincerely love her in the future. But Cherish firmly said no, because she can't imagine herself falling inlove with another man aside from Alex.

As a nurse, Cherish has already been preparing herself in case Alex finally says goodbye. She's dealt with many instances of losing a patient before. However, she feels like a part of her died with Alex as well.

"What am I going to do now, Alex? I am now alone and I can't live without you!" she said aloud, while crying in anguish.

"Miss, do you need any help?"

Cherish suddenly heard a man's voice behind her. That voice was so warm and tender... But it didn't help stop her pain.

“Go away!” she shouted at the man.

"I'm sorry... I just want to check up on you." the man apologized to her, while looking worried.

Cherish stood up angrily and faced the man.

"Mind your own business!" she shouted again, as she is overwhelmed with different kinds of emotion.

Afterwards, she pushed the man away and ran back to the beach house where Alex's family is staying and mourning for the lost of a family member...

The man just watched Cherish go, as he feels more and more worried. The stranger can feel the woman's bitterness and pain, but he can't do anything about it... felt that the woman was suffering from great bitterness and pain...

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One year has passed.

Cherish faltered on her steps when she saw Alex's family, gathering around his grave at the cemetery.

She's not yet ready to face them again. She is going to be emotional again, because she will remember Alex again, and his family have been so loving and welcoming towards her.

Cherish glances at the cake that she bought for Alex. Today is his birthday, and she was planning to celebrate it alone with him. But it seems like she has postpone her plan.

She decided to turn her heel around, and she's now making her way back to the parking lot. She steps inside her car, and sat at the driver's seat and sat in silence.

She just wants to go home and she'll just come back another day.

Cherish buried her head on the steering wheel. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying again.

"I'm sorry, Alex..." she whispers to herself.

Cherish took a deep breath to calm herself. Afterwards, she started the car's engine and drove away from the cemetery...

===========================

Cherish stops her car infront of their house. She took a box of cake and she went inside their house. Her father immediately saw her, who was reading a book at their living room.

"Hi, Dad." Cherish greeted her father.

"Hello, dear. It's already past lunchtime. Have you already eaten?" the old man asks his daughter.

"Yes, Dad." Cherish answered shortly, as she places the cake box on top of the dining table.

"That's for Alex, right? I know that it's his birthday today." her father suddenly said.

"Yes. If he's still alive, he should've been 35 years old today." Cherish sadly responded.

"You still can't let him go, huh? But it's been a year already, Cherish." her father gently reminded her.

"I still love him, Papa. The pain is still here." Cherish sniffed, as she is trying her damn best not to cry again.

"The pain will always be in your heart, my dear. But do you think Alex would want to see you like this? You're with us physically, but it seems like your heart and soul died with Alex. Maybe it's time for you to finally let go?" her father gently gave her a piece of advice.

"J-Just give me more time, Dad."

The old man was about to say something but he wasn't able to do so when his smartphone suddenly rang. He answered the call rightaway...

"Hello, Felice! I'm glad you called today!" her father tried to talk to his sister in a cheerful manner.

Aunt Felice is her father's younger sister. She works as a Chief Nurse at a Nursing Home Facility in Japan. She has been living in Japan for a decade now, and she's been there with her husband and their twins.

"Oh, you're looking for Cherish? Yes, she's here. Wait, let me give her the phone."

Cherish accepted the phone from her father and she started talking to her Aunt.

"Hello, Auntie?"

"Cherish, my dear! How have you been?" her Auntie asked again from the other line.

"Well, I'm okay, I guess..." Cherish replied.

"Your voice may sound okay over the phone, but I know you're not okay. And I really do think that you need a big change in your life. The reason I called today is I would like to invite you to work here. I've been telling you for a long time that we are understaffed, and I need more caregivers. So please, come here to Japan. I need you here as soon as possible." her Aunt Felice got down to business.

Cherish suddenly became quiet. She has the opportunity to leave the country to forget Alex, and start a new life.

But she needs more time to think about it.