Box of Chocolates

In April 17, 2008, I came to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist here in Aklan to meet a friend of mine. His name is Rico. We've been good friends since high school and he is from other school. He is a Commerce student from one of the colleges here in Aklan. As the moment he arrived to our meeting place, we start a conversation.

“Hey Rico!” I shouted

“Oh there you are, Alrom” said Rico

“I’m glad to meet you again.”

“Same here Alrom.”

“So what’s up?”

“Not much buddy. I just need some time out from my studies. I give myself some time to relax.”

Rico is very busy because of his studies as a commerce student. I thought that one day this guy is going to be a successful business man. So I thought up to say this.

“Rico, if you’re going to be a business man someday, can you kindly give some money?”

“Of course Alrom. Why not?”

“Nah, I’m just joking.”

We both laughed at the joke I made. I like this guy. He is so down to Earth and likes to flow down to the things I said like to the things I’ve said. We made a long conversation in the same day. We talk about business and stuff. So we ended talking at 6 pm.

Five months had passed, he texted me to come in a hospital at the room he mentioned in his text message. I just wonder what is he doing in a hospital. I hoped that nothing’s wrong happened to him. As I went to the room of that hospital, I saw Rico lying down on a hospital bed and with his family on the room.

“What happened?” I sadly asked.

“I am going to die, Alrom” said Rico with his parents crying.

I was shocked when he said that and I asked him, “What do you mean you’re going to die?”

“I was diagnosed with Stage 4 leukemia. My doctor said that I have only have few days left to live and I had nothing to do with it. “

I cried in the front of him like I pity him. It hurts a lot when I am going to lose a friend. I don’t want him to go. He wept my tears away and said, “Don’t cry Alrom. It’s my time and I am going to a better place. Death was a part of life, Alrom. I am so blessed to be destined to have a good friend like you.”

My tears continued flowing down to my face and said, “Lucky for you that you know what your destiny is. I am still trying to know what my destiny is.”

“You will know what your destiny is. You just have to figure it out for yourself. Remember what Forrest Gump said. Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get.”

Three days after I visit him, Rico passed away.