Category : Stories

Sub Category : YoungAdult

“Thank you for everything.” Those were her last words before she disappeared from my life.  I sat on a bench and stared at the sky. I wonder how's she doing up there. 
 
I knew Kathy since primary 2. “Please welcome Katherine Tan as your newest classmate” She stepped into the classroom. The first thing i noticed was her long curly hair. “Katherine, sit over there” said the teacher as she pointed towards the empty table on my left. 

“Hello” i said quietly to her while she was unpacking her books. However, before she had the chance to answer me, the teacher called her to the table. I decided I'll sit with her during teatime later. 

The bell rang for teatime, i invited her to sit with me. 
“Nice to meet you, You can call me Joy ”
“And you can call me Kathy”
She said with a smile on her face. From that day onwards, we were the best of friends. 

We would do everything together. Once, we even got scolded together when we got in trouble for talking in class. Kathy was a very bright student. She would always be placed within the top three in class. She is like my personal teacher as she would teach me whatever i didn't  understand. 

Soon, it was exam season. However,kathy was nowhere to be seen. She doesn't skip exams, i thought to myself.  At the moment, i knew something was wrong. The teacher said with a gloom on her face . “Katherine won't be joining us for the exam today as she has been admitted to the hospital. Please don't let this distract you from the exam, good luck! ” Admitted to the hospital? Why? When?  A thousand questions went through my head. I was looking for answers that weren't on the exam. 

After the exam, i  got the information from the teacher that kathy had admitted to 'Hope hospital ' yesterday evening due to fainting at home. 

I ran home as fast as i could. When i reach home, i threw my bag on fhe floor and got on my bicycle and rode quickly towards the hospital. 

When i reach the hospital.The pungent smell invaded my nose.
People crying over the death of a loved one, doctors and nurses running around ...... I hated it. It just doesn't feel right.  I asked the receptionist where was Kathy's room. 
I went to the elevator and pressed button 3,the children's ward. 301,302,303 I counted as i walked through the colouful hallway. Room 310 , here was Kathy's room. I forced myself to open the door. “Joy, You came! ” said Kathy with a soft voice. 
I look up at Kathy. There she was looking pale and thin on the white hospital bed. 

“What happened, Kathy? ” i said ,still standing at the door. 
“Silly, come sit by me” Kathy said as she gestured me to her bed.
I sat by her side. 
“Well, the last thing i remember was that  I was walking down the hall and suddenly it went all black”
“What did the doctor said? ”
“He hadn't said anything ”
As if God had heard my question, the doctor walked in the room with Kathy's parents. “I'm afraid i have some bad news” said the doctor in a serious voice. “However, i would need you to leave ”he said looking at me. “No! I want to know too, i am her best friend! ” I shouted.  Kathy looked at me with tears in her eyes, and then look over to her parents.  They nodded. “Ok then. I'm  sorry but Katherine has anaemia  ” I thought the world has ended. How?  Why? Why must it be her? It's not fair!  She's just 11 !  Tears began to formed in my eyes. It's not fair, it should have been me, why her?

I look at Kathy with tears streaming down my face.  Kathy was looking down, her teardrops began to fall as her parents comforted her. “How long!?” i said to the doctor with a soft voice.  “About 6 months, it's a serious case of anaemia ” Said the doctor with concern in his voice.  I cried. 

The days flew since the day i knew Kathy has anaemia.  She's always in and out from the hospital. However she's always positive about almost everything. She even took the exam she missed and scored straight A's. 

Days become weeks, weeks become months. Before i knew it had been a year. She was doing alright now. Its also our last year at primary school. 
I thought those trouble days were gone but it was still there. 

A week ago, she been admitted to the hospital again. I knew that this time she might not make it. She was lying on the bed, her skin as white as snow. 
I am scared, scared of her not waking up. She woke up. 

The look in her eyes were dull, i could not longer see happiness in her eyes. “Joy, promise me that you smile when I'm  gone, i loved your smile ” she tried to smile. 
“I promise , thank you for being my friend, Kathy ”
“Thank you for everything ” she smiled and closed her eyes.  It never opened again. I smiled with tears my eyes. Goodbye, Kathy. I said with a soft voice. 

Now, after 3 years,  I still miss her. 
“Joy, let's go! Stop staring at the sky”
My new friend said.  I got up and walked away. 


Everything here is just fiction. None of these are real. 


Written by 
“Joy” 
From Malaysia