Siblings

An old album has been in the cabinet for years. Until one day, the mother feel a sense of nostalgia and decided to view the old album.

Later, her husband and son decided to join her in the nostalgia. As they view their photos one by one, they relish their memories of a family gathering, birthday parties, and their trips across the world, until the son found a single torn old photo.

"Mom, who are these people on the photo?"

"The young girl on the photo is me and the ones who are standing behind me are your grandparents. As for the person beside you, he was supposed to be your uncle."

"Huh? An uncle, I never knew we had an uncle. Can we visit him sometimes?"

With a trembling voice, the mom answered, "W-we can't visit him, son. At least anymore."

"What's wrong mom? What happened to uncle?"

The mother smiled at the boy, then she lets a sigh.

"Well son, I guess it is time I tell you what happened to your uncle."

20 years ago

"Nurse? nurse do you know where the room my little sister is being treated in ?"

"Can I have a name of your little sister please ?"

"Yes, her name is Amy Williams. Can you please tell me which room she's in ?"

"Hm.... Amy Williams..., of course. Right this way, sir."

The boy follows the nurse to an ICU room where her sister is being treated in. He entered the room to find a doctor, his parents, and a worrying sight of his unconscious little sister with medical equipment strapped all around her.

"M-mom, D-dad, w-what happened to Amy?"

The boy's father stands up to meet the boy. As he held his shoulders. With a sorrowful look. He answers.

"Amy's having a liver problem, son."

The boy instantly jumps backwards. He felt like the world has come crashing down on him. His father could only flinch at the sudden movement.

"WHAT THE FUCK?! You guys never told me that before! How long does she have this kind of condition?!"

"Please... language.." said the boy's mother. Her eyes are holding back tears.

"She had this kind of condition when she was 8, son. She insisted us to never tell you about this condition. She said that you would be worried and sad. She wanted you to be happy and hopeful just like you always be."

Tears started running down the boy's eyes as the rage and anger turned into grief and sorrow. He wondered how could this happen.

Everything was fine that day!

He said goodbye to his parents and his little sister and goes to work as usual.

He even encouraged his little sister to give her all on her upcoming presentation assignment and not to be shy.

"H-how could this be? I can't believe this, she was fine this morning... W-WHY?"

"I'm sorry, son. We got a call this afternoon from the school that she collapsed during class. When we heard that, we rushed her into the hospital from the school. We always brought her to the doctor to check on her liver. But today, to think it could be this worse...."

"Is there any way to cure my little sister, Doctor?" said the boy as he wiped his tears.

"I'm sorry.., I believe her liver condition is unique, therefore it is incurable. I say that her life expectancy is six months and she must spend the rest of this six months on this ICU room. But there is one way to cure her disease, we must perform a liver transplant on her from a willing donor."

The boy asks the doctor to go outside the ICU room to tell him something.

"Doctor, can you sign me up as the liver transplant donor?"

"A-are you sure..?, Then, I must ask your parents first about thi-"

"Don't tell them! P-please.. don't.., I-i don't want to worry them any further."

"Okay. Okay. But again, the cost of this operation is not cheap and I'm asking you again. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. And about the cost, I've got it covered."

.......

After he finished his checkups, he gave me his liver and helped me to recover. But in exchange, he had to sacrifice his life for me. I still remember when I first woke up, my parents embraced me and cried at the same time, but that cry wasn't a cry of joy. So I asked....

"Dad, mom. What happened? Where is brother?"

"Your brother...., h-he saved your life.

"W-What?... Please.. m-mom, d-dad, w-where is he?"

"I.... I-I'm sorry honey... I'm so.. so sorry..."

"N-No...."

My dad gave me a letter from my brother. He said that this letter came to the house one day. He haven't read the content of the letter yet because it was meant for me. When I opened the letter and read its contents, tears started streaming down my face. The letter says...

Dear Amy,

if you're reading this, then you have recovered, congratulations. And that also means I'm probably resting, so sorry I can't be there when you wake up, but I promise you when you get home, I'll be waiting for you. I think, I will buy you a present when you get home. But, that can wait, I guess. The truth is, I've donated a part of my liver to help you recover and I am sorry that I worried you by telling you this, but I'll be fine. At worst case scenario, I'll just be a little sick. That's all, I guess if I am hospitalized, you can always visit my room. We'll talk all about our lives like we used to, till we get tired.

I know this is selfish of me, but I'm looking forward to spending time with you in the future.

Sincerely, Your Brother, Jasper Williams.

....

I sat there silently as I read his letter, crying, as I wondered that the letter that he wrote became his last words to me before he willingly gave me his life. I bet, he never knew that his sacrifice would bring so many changes to myself and my family. I learn to appreciate life better, my parents paid more attention to me than they used to. When I asked why, they said that it was to honor his wishes...

Present Day

"After that, I met your dad. We've been through a lot together, but I believe that is a story for another time. then, we have you as our son. I can say that, you are one of the best things that has happened to us. Since then, we promise to take care of you always."

"Mommy..."

The son hugs the mother and thanks his parents for the things that they have done for him.

As the father, he watched them with a smile.

Don't worry Jasper.. she's happy. Your sacrifice, is not in vain.