There was only one room available at the motel, and only one bed. Ian had no choice but to take it.
As soon as they entered, Ian quickly removed his polo shirt, revealing the sculpted lines of his chest. Joy instinctively looked away, feeling a mix of surprise and admiration.
"Wow…" she whispered under her breath, unable to hide the flutter in her chest.
Ian chuckled softly. "I'll take a quick shower, okay?" he said, heading toward the bathroom.
Joy opened the cabinet and found a pink bathrobe. She took a deep breath. He won't be out immediately… she reassured herself. Carefully, she slipped out of her wet clothes—leaving on her underwear—and wrapped herself in the robe. She sat on the bed, flicked on the TV, and tried to calm her racing heart.
When Ian returned, the warm steam trailing behind him, he found Joy asleep, her small frame curled up peacefully. He sat down beside her, staring at her for a long moment, his chest tightening with emotion.
"You don't know how much I love you…" he murmured, brushing a gentle hand across her cheek.
Joy stirred, blinking sleepily.
"Sorry… did I wake you?" he whispered.
She gently shook her head.
"Time?" she asked.
"Eight o'clock. The rain's still pouring outside," Ian replied.
He shifted closer, wrapping his arms around her. Joy stayed quiet, letting herself feel the warmth of his embrace. Their closeness spoke louder than words, a comfort and a thrill all at once.
Then, Ian slowly leaned in and kissed her lips. They shared a deep, passionate kiss. His hands slowly ran down to her robe and removed it.
His kisses went down to her neck, making her moan.
"A-Aahh I-Ian..." she moaned.
He gently positioned above him and removed his robe as well. He stared at her naked body which made her felt shy, face flushed.
"Beautiful," he whispered.
Joy covered her breast from embarassment. Ian smiled and began moving, he slowly went inside her. Joy tightened her grip on his back as she felt the pain.
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle," he whispered on her ear.
He kissed her once again then he began moving again. The room was filled of their moans as he thrusted inside her deeper and faster.
"I love you," Ian whispered.
"I love you too," she replied.
.....
The next morning, Joy returned home, but her arrival was met with chaos.
A sharp, stinging slap landed squarely on her cheek.
"DAMN it, woman! Where have you been? Coming home this late? Don't you know the sink is overflowing with dishes? And you still have the nerve to flirt around, just like your mother!" her aunt's voice pierced through the door.
Joy held her cheek, wincing at the sting of the slap. Then she shot her aunt a fierce glare. "Don't drag my mother into this! Criticize me all you want, but not her!" she shouted back.
Her aunt recoiled in shock at Joy's sudden defiance. Fueled by anger, she lunged forward, yanking Joy's hair roughly.
"How dare you talk back to me! Without us, you are nothing! If it weren't for us, you'd be sleeping on the streets, begging from strangers!" she shouted.
Joy cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face. "Please… stop! It hurts!" she pleaded.
Jhoymarie, fueled by malice, joined her mother. She shoved Joy to the floor, laughing cruelly as she did.
After they were done, they left her lying there, crying. Slowly, she struggled to her feet and retreated to her room, slamming the door behind her as tears streamed down her face.
.....
Meanwhile, Ian's parents arrived unexpectedly, wrapping him in tight hugs.
"Ian, we missed you so much!" his mother cried.
"Mom, Dad… you're back early? I thought you'd come next month!" Ian said, surprised.
"My vacation got moved up… more time for bonding, right?" his father said gently.
Ian smiled weakly, but as he tried to help carry luggage, a sharp pain shot through his side. He collapsed to the floor, clutching his ribs in agony. His parents panicked, quickly loading him into the car and rushing him to the hospital.
At the hospital...
The doctor's words were cold and devastating.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Eberia, but the cancer has spread extensively throughout the body. It's now stage 4."
"You mean… our son is going to die?" his mother sobbed.
"There is a chance to prolong his life with aggressive therapy. It may help reduce the cancer cells, but the process will be very difficult," the doctor explained.
Ian could not speak. His mind raced with one terrifying thought: What will happen to Joy if I'm gone?
.....
Two days later, Joy and Ian met at a quiet corner of the restaurant.
"So… what is it that you want to say?" she asked, a smile playing on her lips.
Ian's eyes were unreadable. His voice, when it came, was flat and cold. "Let's break up."
Joy froze mid-breath. The smile she had been holding dissolved instantly, replaced by a numb, sinking feeling in her chest. Had she heard him right?
"W-What did you say again?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling.
Ian clenched his fists under the table, his jaw tight. "I said… let's break up."
Joy's heart felt like it had shattered into a thousand pieces, disbelief flooding every corner of her mind. Not even a month had passed since they had officially started dating. Every moment they had shared… and that night—the night that had meant everything to her—was it all nothing to him?
"B-But… why?" she asked, her voice cracking.
"I'm not happy in this relationship anymore," Ian said, eyes fixed firmly on his plate, refusing to meet hers. "I thought you were the one I would marry, but… I was wrong. You're not my ideal girl."
Joy bit her lower lip to keep the tears from falling. "So… that's it? After everything that happened between us that night… was it all...meaningless to you?"
"That night… that was an accident, Joy. I didn't mean for it to happen. Forget it. Just forget it," Ian said coldly.
The tears Joy had been holding back broke free. "I can't believe this! I… I thought you loved me… that it meant something to you! You were just playing with me!" she cried.
"We're done. Now leave me alone. Don't contact me again," Ian said, his voice hard, final.
Joy turned and walked out of the restaurant, her shoulders shaking. That night, she cried herself to sleep, realizing she had been nothing but a fleeting moment in Ian's life.
.
.
.
A few days later, Joy was busy wiping plates in the shop when Gazelle's voice suddenly rang out behind her.
"Joy!!!" Gazelle shouted, her tone carrying urgency
"Why are you yelling?" Joy asked, distracted, her hands busy.
"Have you heard? Ian's in the hospital!" Gazelle blurted out.
Joy froze, the cloth slipping from her hands. "H-Hospital?" she whispered, heart thudding.
"Yes! I just came from visiting my friend who works there, and they told me he's been in for a few days… He's sick. Cancer," Gazelle explained.
Joy's hands nearly dropped the plate she was holding. "C-Cancer?"
.....
When Ian looked up, the hospital room door swung open. He blinked, surprised to see Joy standing there.
"What… what are you doing here?" Ian asked, confusion and pain in his eyes.
Tears streamed down Joy's face as she stepped closer. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick? Is this… why you broke up with me?"
Ian couldn't answer. He felt cornered by his own fear.
"Why… why did you have to keep this from me, Ian?" she sobbed. "Why?"
"Because… I was afraid. Afraid that the day you found out I might die, you'd leave me too. So, I ended it first… even though it hurt," Ian finally admitted, his voice breaking.
Joy didn't hesitate. She threw herself into his arms. "I'm not like that! You didn't have to hide it from me, Ian. I love you. I love you so much!"
Tears mingled as Ian hugged her tightly, letting her words wash over him.
"I'll stay right here by your side… I will never leave you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
.....
Later, Joy found herself in the quiet chapel, kneeling and clasping her hands tightly together. She prayed for Ian's healing, for a miracle to save him. Her voice was soft but desperate, her faith unwavering.
"Please… let a miracle happen," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the altar.
A voice echoed gently from behind her, calm and measured.
"There's a reason people face the most difficult trials in life," the janitor said. His tone was soft but carried weight. "It's to see how strong they truly are."
Joy turned and saw him clearly for the first time. She read the name on his ID: Eros.
"I'm praying to God… for a miracle," Joy said, her voice shaking.
"If whatever happens, may your faith in him remain strong," Eros said quietly, pointing toward the altar.
Joy turned back to the crucifix, silently mouthing her prayers. When she looked back, Eros was gone. She spun around, eyes wide.
"Where did he go…?" she whispered to herself.