SHORT STORY
ERIN
People says that in twins, there is one that is stronger, while the other is weak. That's what's keeping them balanced and different in some way, and Erin has always been the stronger one. Her aura is stronger than Erika. Erin has always been the protector. The bridge. Erin is more independent in different ways. Erin has always been unbreakable and Erika's protector.
Erin have always felt that she's the stronger one, so she always act as the responsible sister and daughter to their family... little did she know, she's the weakest among them all.
"Stage 3?" It felt like a bomb that exploded right in front of Erin. Her mom suddenly broke down, while her father closed his fist. Her twin, Erika held her hand tighter as if she's giving her strength even though she's crying too. At the moment, she feel like she's being dependent to her twin that has been always dependent of her since they were born.
"H-how long?" Her father asked. He's trying to keep his tears at by as he was the foundation of the family, and he can't be weak. He should be the support system of his family.
"5 months... will be the longest..." Erin doesn't know why but her tears didn't come out, and she just felt numb. Her twin, Erika silently cried.
"I feel okay, Doc. I don't feel like sh*t or anything... and you'll say that my life has limitations already?" Her voice sounded so cold.
She can't accept this.
She's in denial.
She was happy. She was contented. She was free but all of sudden, it became like this. How cruel this universe could get to her, huh?
"Glioblastoma is a silent killer, Erin..." Her doctor explained to her, but she heard a ringing sound in her ears, until she felt the excruciating pain in her head like it's tearing apart. She can hear her parents and her twin's hand not letting her go.
She shouted in pain.
She cried out.
And she prayed that when she woke up, it'll be just a nightmare...and she's just going to bite some paper and will throw it away so the nightmare wouldn't happen in real life.
Please.
Let this be a dream...
Please...
But days passed...turned into weeks...and ... everything was real.
Erin was suddenly diagnosed with Glioblastoma. A brain tumor, and knotted her life for about months until she'll leave this world.
"Bitch, kumusta pakiramdam mo?" Erika asked her. They're sharing the same room, courtesy of Erika. Magkahiwalay talaga sila ng kwarto but since she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, kaagad na lumipat ang kapatid niya sa kwarto niya.
She knows it well.
Erika is scared...
Siya rin naman, pero ayaw niyang ipakita. Ayaw niyang ipahalata. Erin wanted to remain independent.
"Sa'n ka gumala?" she asked.
Natigilan ang kapatid niya sa tanong. "Sa... university. Nag-inquire ako."
She looked down. "ah..."
"Erin..." her sister called.
She chuckled. She heaved a breath before looking at her. "Buang, ano ako, magd-drama?" Inirapan niya ang kambal.
