My Ex is my Bestfriend

"Ms. Cassidy, it's Layla."

Layla. I stilled for a minute. "What happened?" Panic lacing my voice.

"She's-" he choked and stopped talking.

I, too, choked back a sob. "Where are you? I'm going there."

"We're still here at the hospital. Please come."

I ended the call and sprinted to change clothes, down from Minho's apartment and waited for a taxi.

Thirty minutes after, I arrived at Yuxiang Childrens' Hospital.

As I entered the hospital lobby, I felt the gloomy atmosphere. Everyone's eyes were red-rimmed.

Oh no no no no no. What happened?

I went directly to the Information Area and asked where Layla's room is now.

The nursing aide answered sadly, "ICU4 Ma'am."

ICU. She is in the ICU. I dazed out for a minute. I'm at a loss.

I was snapped back to reality when the intercom called some doctor.

I thanked her and walked briskly towards the elevator. I pressed the 4th floor, where all the ICUs are located. I stood still, waiting for the door to open.

I feel so empty. Why now? Why so soon? The children had planned for a trip down the beach next weekend. And you're-

I cried. No Layla, my girl. I may have accepted her fate before, but facing it now breaks my heart. So much, that I wanted to just curl up and sob and sob and sob.

I stopped crying when I heard the elevator ding.

I have to be strong when facing her, even if it hurts to see her go. I have to be strong, to tell her everything would be okay here. That, we're all going to be okay. That we love her and will always remember her.

I took a deep breath and then stepped out of the elevator. I walked down the hallway towards a room where a congregation of people are waiting. I believe that's Layla's room.

I was then met by Mr. Ryan who didn't say anything and just squeezed my shoulder.

I looked at him questioningly. And he just nodded and gestured to go inside.

I swallowed back my tears. No. Be strong Cassidy. Be strong.

I walked towards her room, so slowly. I still feel this is all but a dream. That this isn't real. But I know it is. And we all just have to face this.

When I went in, I saw her lying so still. I noticed that she was out of the tubes. It was as if she's dead, but when you look closely, her chest still rises and falls. But the time it takes for it to rise again, takes too long. So damn long.

Oh my sweet Layla, you can rest. I can't bear to see you so tired.

I approached her bed and held her hand.

It was cold. She was very cold. A tear slipped down. I'm so sad. God help me.

She stirred from my warm touch. I looked at her. She was so frail, so thin. But the smile she gave was like sunshine after a violent storm.

I smiled back at her.

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

She took a deep breath before answering in a low voice, "I feel so tired."

"Oh baby, you know we don't want you to feel that way. You can rest baby. We're going to be okay."

A deep breath, then another. "I know. But I wanted to see the people I treasure the most." Another deep breath. "I wanted to see them before I go on in another adventure."

I smiled, tears threatening to fall again. "Oh baby. Okay, I'll be here with you until you see them all again okay? I'll lend my strength. But if you really can't go on anymore, don't worry. We will all be fine. Okay?"

She nodded. It pains me to see her labored breathing. But she's decided to wait. I don't know who she's waiting. But I'm willing to stay by her side until she's ready.

"Ms. Cass?"

"Hm?"

"Tell me something happy that happened to you. I want to know everything about it."

"Anything for you baby." If this could help her, I'm willing to share everything.

And so I told her that my life has been so sad, so dark, so monotonous. But then, when I met Minho it all changed.

I told her about our trip in Jade Mountain. And she was so elated of the things we saw. The magnificent Jade Falls, the cave we went in where I slipped from bat droppings, and everything about nature.

I told her also of the things Minho made me feel, that helped me rise up from the dark I have been into.

"I wish you could experience it too."

She shook her head. "I feel I have experienced it just by hearing you." She smiled, and took another pained breath. I squeezed her hand.

"I am happy for you Ms. Cass. But I wish I would know that too. But-"

I smiled. "Know this Layla, you are our light. You always have that sunshine aura around you that always makes us smile and look at things positively. You bring us happiness and hope. I may be sad that you're going away, but always remember, you are always here," I put her hand at my chest where my heart is, "in our hearts."

"And we will always accompany you wherever you go, here." I put her hand on top of her chest.

She smiled, tears falling down. "Thank you Ms. Cass. Thank you for being my sister. Thank you for everything."

"And I thank you for all the laughter, the joy and hope you have shared."

I kissed her cheeks and wiped away her tears.

"Okay, stop crying now will you?"

"Yeah. I have to face tomorrow with a smile on my face." Tomorrow. What would tomorrow bring for all of us?

Just then I noticed Mr. Ryan coming in.

"Mr. Ryan, what's-"

I barely finished my question when I heard Layla say,

"Dr. Ethan!"