A Selfless Heart

She couldn’t tell if it was the raindrops or her tears that blurred her vision.

The walk to the hospital seemed longer than usual. Her eyes were dark and lifeless from sleepless nights. Evenings were consumed by ruminations, what would life mean without her husband?

The same scene replayed in her head; the daily hospital visits to see a loved man who may never come back. The sight of a man whose once sparkling, golden eyes were now dull and struggling. The arms of a man that would once welcome her in a warm embrace after a long day at work, now paralyzed and bedridden. The heart of a man who once shared love with her now battled to survive on a weak and faltering heartbeat. She shivered and snapped back to reality. Her clothes were drenched as she looked up to a sky of rainclouds that blanketed the monochrome city. It’s as if the clouds were crying with her. She fell to her knees. She buried her face in her hands and felt the coolness of her tears on her fingers. The hospital wasn’t too far now, but the weight of her grief chained her from going further.

It was only the sound of the rain on pavement and quiet sobs until a voice spoke.

“Would you care to chat?”

The woman looked to her left. A homeless figure, fully cloaked in black and wearing a kitsune mask sat on the pavement.

“What is your name?” His voice was quiet and muffled from the mask. It sounded alien and artificial.

“…Kiko,” the woman choked through tears.

“Kiko, I have seen you walk to this same hospital every day as I rest on the streets. Who are you visiting?”

Kiko didn’t bother to look up. “My husband…Kazuo. He was diagnosed with a cancerous heart tumour… these are his last days…” she lingered on the last word, refusing to accept it.

The cloaked man was silent.

Kiko cried violently. Suddenly, she broke into bawling.

“I just don’t understand why! Why must he go so soon? I can’t stand it anymore! I can’t stand watching him in so much pain! He coughs up blood! Blood! And sometimes…Sometimes he can’t even breathe!” Her throat felt hoarse from crying and screaming. She looked directly at the masked man.

“I’m afraid soon he might descend into sleep and never wake up. I might never see Kazuo again.”

The masked figure seemed to give no reaction. Kiko sniffled and wiped her eyes.

The rain continued.

Finally, the man spoke slowly.

“What if I told you, I can cure your husband, but you must make one sacrifice. Would you do it?” His voice was cunning, almost threatening, yet Kiko’s eyes widened.

“…C-cure Kazuo? You can do that?”

The man nodded.

“I’ll do anything!” she bawled, “I’ll do anything to see him well again! Please!” More tears streamed down her face. “Please! Anything! I would even give up my own life!”

The man perked up at the last sentence.

“Give up your own life to see him well again you say?” His voice was dangerously quiet.

“Yes! I’ll do anything!” she cried.

The masked man leaned in close to Kiko. He stared at her through the mask for what seemed like a long, long time. Finally, he spoke in a twisted voice that echoed through her mind.

“Your husband is cured.”

The hospital corridor was dim, yet a ray of sunlight peeked through the rainclouds, illuminating a rainbow streak on the wall.

Kiko stood behind the familiar door to Kazuo’s hospital room. A haunted look spread on her face. What if the masked figure didn’t fulfill my wish? What if Kazuo’s condition has gotten worse? Could I even trust that homeless man? How foolish I could’ve been!

Yet a giggle escaped from her throat. A giggle that turned into full, genuine laughter. The fact that there was a chance she could see her husband alive and thriving, left her hysterical with excitement. She giggled like her teenage self over Kazuo’s sparkling eyes. The childish nervousness before meeting a crush and all the memories she shared with Kazuo flooded back like a crashing wave. Hesitantly, she pushed the hospital door open.

“…Kazuo?”

“…Kiko?”

The man stood up from his hospital bed. The sunlight from the window highlighted his silhouette and defined his glowing figure.

He darted towards Kiko and enveloped his wife in a warm embrace. The couple returned to the sanctuary of their relationship, a home of love forged with trust and vulnerability, both thought such euphoria could only be achieved in a dream. Arms tightened as a promise to never be separated again. Kiko clung to her husband like a little child. She cherished the warmth, the world shrunk to be simple, soft, and loving; everything else disappeared.

Perhaps the universe is kind. It let me have my husband in flesh and bone, cured of his illness and loving me. She felt a steady heartbeat resonate against her chest. Genuine smiles lit up the couple’s faces.

“Let’s get out of here together,” Kazuo laced his fingers with Kiko’s.

As the couple walked towards the doorway hand in hand, Kiko swayed, unexpectedly dizzy. It’s probably just the excitement. What else could it be? An uncanny feeling grew in her gut. Maybe it’s just the surprise of knowing that he’s okay?

Suddenly, breathing was arduous. Kiko sucked in raggedy breaths. The world spun as black and white spots swirled through her vision.

“Kiko! Kiko are you okay!?”

Kazuo’s voice was drowned out by a shooting pain in Kiko’s chest. It’s as if a stone erupted in her heart, weighing it down. She collapsed to the ground. What’s happening!? Coughing, Kiko panicked at the coppery taste of blood coming up her throat. The world’s gravity seemed to strangle her heart. Kiko’s eyes flickered as she struggled. She had no strength to scream. Her vision blurred, and she opened her eyes for a final time before descending into darkness.

The sacrifice had been fulfilled.

By Saskia Catalan (Year 8)

Irene Jatmatama (Year 12)