I had a long day rescuing dogs, something I didn’t regret doing with my trusted friends except Cassandra and her minions. An experience I would cherish when I get to Singapore and even for the rest of my life. I’m tired but I have to act energetically to avoid having mom worrying about me.
I am hesitant to have my friends with me before our connecting flight to Manila but they insist on coming with us. How can I refuse? After all, my friends are part of my family, apart from mom they are all I got and of course, Angelo. Besides the overflowing financial support, he never fails to give mom moral support.
"Guys, thank you for coming with us here."
Sam taps my shoulder.
"You know we can't let you and your mom travel without having our support. Angel, you got us here."
"Bestie, Sam was right. You have to be strong, you are not alone in this fight."
“Angel, if you need any help with your academics. Maddox, Sam, and I are ready to help. Right guys?”
Maddox and Sam nodded in agreement.
“That’s an extra effort Luke, thank you. I’m sure I'll need your help when I’m in Singapore. I’ll keep in touch with you guys.”
“Athena,” A man shouts like he is in a hurry to catch us before we board the plane.
“Angelo, you’re here.” Mom walks over to Angelo and hugs him.
“I wouldn’t miss this day since it will be a while before I’ll see you and Angel again. Is everything alright before you board the plane?”
Angelo surveys the two nurses before he roams his sight around my friends.
“It’s good to know you have your friends with you here.”
“Yeah, they’ve always been very supportive. I’m lucky to have them as my friends.”
“Indeed. Regarding your stay in Singapore, everything was finalized. You will be picked up at the airport by a Van with your Filipino driver. His name is Roland and he is assigned for your easy move around Singapore especially to the hospital.”
“That’s great. I was just thinking about it. Thank you for easing all the hustle we might have in Singapore. This means so much for me and mom.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll talk to the nurses first.” Angelo nods as he walks over to the two nurses.
“Sure.”
“Angel, can we talk?”
“Mad? What do you want to talk about?” I ask Maddox as he is pulling me away from our friends.
“I have something for you before leaving for Singapore.” Maddox pulls a small box from his pocket.
“Here, this is for you. I want you to have this while you’re in Singapore.”
Maddox pulls a silver ring out of the small box. It has a heart shape at the top of it.
“This is beautiful,” I said as I took it from Maddox, examining the precious piece of jewelry.
“It has our initials in it.” Maddox shows the initials M and A embroidered on the ring.
“I’ll wear this to you.” He didn't wait for my answer as he took my hand and put it in my right ring finger.
“Thank you, I’ll take care of this.”
“At least there is something that reminds you of me while you are in Singapore. Baby, I’ll be waiting for you.”
I chuckle. It was quite funny to hear it from Maddox. “I’m not leaving you for a long time. Mom will just get her chemo. We will be back soon, you’ll see.”
“I know, but still, I’ll be missing you.”
“Me too. I love you, Maddox.”
"I love you too, baby. Keep in touch, I'm just a text or call away."
“Angel? We have to go.” Mom reminded me.
“Yes, mom. I'll be a minute.”
I hugged Maddox tightly as well as Luke and Sam, Glenn and Lea.
"Don't worry about Cassandra and her friends, I'll make sure she won't take away Maddox from you," Lea whispers as she hugs me.
"I'm not worried, you silly freak."
"I'll be Maddox's guardian Angel while you're not around."
"Fine, thank you. We have to go." I said, pinching Lea's nose.
Lea made me laugh a bit. Even in the current situation, she doesn't forget about Cassy. I must admit that knowing I'll be out of sight there's a possibility of Cassandra getting Maddox's attention. However, that's none of my concern now. I should be focusing on mom.
For the last time, I thank Angelo and hug him. Angelo must have not expected it as he was left stunned when I turned my back at him.
"Bye, guys."
"Bye, besty, we will miss you."
Mom and I wave goodbye to Angelo and my friends before we get to the boarding area. I feel the loneliness that wasn’t present earlier. And I see the sadness in Maddox's eyes as we wave each other goodbye.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry that you have to be away from your friends for quite a while”
“Mommy, it’s okay. My friends are super supportive and boost my confidence that we will win this battle and come back when you are in good shape again. Let’s keep our expectations high.”
“Of course.”
On the plane, I sit beside mom, next to me is Lucy and the new nurse, Candace. The four of us are aligned, making sure we can help mom if she needs us.
I can’t help but fill my head with negative thoughts concerning mom’s treatment in Singapore. I know it’s wrong but the questions keep repeating in my head. What if the chemo wouldn’t be successful? What if mom won't fight anymore and wants to give up? What if mom has only a few weeks left?
There's so much of it that it’s giving me a headache. I forcefully close my eyes to rest a bit before we land in Singapore but it’s not working either. I remember the unfinished book that I’m reading. I flip the chapters until my eyes are tired. And before I know, we are already in Singapore.
I didn’t notice I fell asleep for a few minutes. One of the nurses wakes me up. Mom was restless and some of the symptoms are getting worse. Mommy has difficulty breathing so she needs to be checked by the doctor before we get off the plane.
Thankfully, we got off the plane a few minutes later. We rested in the airport for a while. Though the flight wasn’t long, it probably gave mom a little bit of stress. Our driver Roland patiently waits for us. He was so kind to carry some of our belongings and then take us to our condo.
My loneliness keeps growing, realizing I’m in a different environment. The condo looks luxurious, unlike our apartment which was small and dated.