I'm Terminal, Yet He's Unavailable

"Yara, just let Carl pretend to be my boyfriend, okay? Do me this favor. You're so beautiful, understanding, and kind—you wouldn't say no, right?"My skin was clammy, cold sweat dripping down my back from the pain. I didn't even have the energy to lift my head, let alone respond to Mia Drake.She must've been gloating. Carl always chose her over me. Every. Single. Time. In this twisted love triangle, I'd already lost."Yara, I'm just helping Mia this once. Her mom's on her case. Just stay put, finish your checkup. Call me when you get the results."Carl acted like he couldn't see my pain, his tone carrying a hint of impatience."Okay." Sitting outside the exam room, I ducked my head, forcing out the word. My throat burned, but I swallowed the sob clawing its way up. I would not cry. Too bad my tears had other plans, slipping down, darkening my pant leg.My blind eye throbbed.As they turned to leave, Mia's voice carried back to me."Carl, you don't think Yara's faking it just t

When Carl called, my swollen eyes flicked to the time—almost eleven.The phone buzzed in my hand, fresh tears splashing onto the screen.Three calls. I didn't pick up.Surprisingly, the fourth was from Mia.I was about to shut off my phone when Carl's message popped up:[Stop messing around. I'm not coming back tonight. Stay safe. Your condition isn't serious, right?]A bitter laugh slipped out.I replied: [Not serious at all. Have fun. I'm going to sleep.]He sent a goodnight emoji. That was it.When did we become like this?We were both orphans, clinging to each other, trying to survive. I used to believe we'd get our fairy-tale ending.Then Mia showed up.She called herself a friend. But the way she looked at Carl? It was the way I did.Did he really not see it?At 1 AM, my screen lit up. A message from Mia.[Sorry, Yara. My parents insisted Carl and I share a room. Hope you don't mind. Nothing happened, really.]A photo followed.Carl, asleep on a makeshift bed bes

A week passed before Carl finally called.His voice was sharp, irritated. "Where did you go? What are you trying to do? You know I could never like her, and she doesn't like me either. Did you really have to leave over this?"Just tell me where you are. I'll come get you. We're about to get married—does this even make sense to you?"Yara, do you have to make sure I have no friends left?"I swallowed hard, forcing my voice steady. "Let's break up, Carl. There's no need for a wedding."Then I hung up.I went to block him—but then, a sharp itch crawled up my throat. A cold dread curled in my stomach.The next second, blood gushed from my mouth and nose.The thick scent of iron filled the air.Cold spread through me, my vision tilting. My breath came in short, ragged gasps as I staggered toward the door.But before I reached it, my legs buckled.I crashed to the floor.Darkness swallowed me whole, the chill sinking deep into my bones.In my mind, two children ran through an or

Somehow, I ended up back at the orphanage of my childhood.The place was wrecked—walls cracked, moss creeping up like it owned the place. Cobwebs stretched across every corner. In the dim light, I spotted a dust-covered chair tucked in the corner. The sight of it stirred my memories.A boy used to sit there. Silent. Alone. Never played. Never spoke. Just sat, staring at nothing.The director once said his parents died in a car crash. No family left, so he got dumped here. Watching him, I remembered my own first days in this place.Except I wasn't here because of an accident.I was left behind.My dad bailed first. Then my mom. She dropped me at the orphanage's doorstep and walked away like I was some broken thing she didn't need. I ran after her, but she spun around, eyes burning with something close to hate."Stay back," she snapped. "I don't need a burden."So I stayed.At first, I barely spoke. Couldn't get her face out of my head—that twisted, furious expression. The same

Carl grabbed his phone, pulse hammering when he saw the caller ID.The police.He answered, breath hitching. The officer asked if he was Yara's boyfriend—And told him to come identify a body.His face drained. The phone slipped from his hand, smacking the floor before the call even ended.Mia slapped a hand over her mouth. Then, slowly, her lips curled.***The moment Carl saw me, his legs buckled. He grabbed my hand, rubbing it like crazy, trying to warm it—just like every winter.Mrs. Parker and Mia stood there, silent, watching him sob like a kid.I'd left everything to Mrs. Parker, asked her to have me cremated, my ashes scattered into the sea."Yara, wake up. Please... Let's get married. I won't hesitate anymore. We'll do it right now."Then, suddenly, Carl stood—And lifted my body out of the ice-cold chamber.Mrs. Parker and Mia gasped, rushing to stop him."Carl, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind? Yara needs to be cremated!""She's gone. Let her rest,