In a dimly lit and cramped rented room, a young soul was facing the ultimate verdict of life. "Stomach cancer in its final stage, incurable. It would be better to inform your family as soon as possible," the doctor's words echoed like a death knell. But for the one receiving this news, there was a strange sense of calm, or perhaps a numbness born out of a life filled with more pain than hope.

At the tender age of 8, this person's parents had passed away, leaving behind a broken family. The older sibling, who was once a source of love and protection, had turned into a figure of hatred. "Why wasn't it you who died?" Such cruel words had become a familiar refrain in the ears of the younger one.

Now, as the news of impending death loomed, there were still some loose ends to tie. Notifications on the phone showed missed calls and messages. Calls from the high school class president and from Adrianna. Adrianna Pekasa, a cousin who was as dear to the older sibling as a sister. She always called Fernando, the older sibling, with such affection, while referring to the protagonist as "Cousin Brother".

The thought of the reunion class brought a wave of nausea. The stomach, already weak from the cancer, churned violently. Before any response could be made to the calls, a mad dash to the bathroom ensued, but there was nothing to vomit as no food had been consumed the day before. Yet, the feeling of sickness persisted until a gulp of blood was expelled, and the body, weakened by the ordeal, collapsed beside the toilet.

The memories of high school were like a nightmare, especially the searing hot days after graduation. The body had developed somatic symptoms, and any recollection of high school events triggered vomiting and trembling.

As the protagonist regained composure, a decision was made. The diagnosis report was retrieved, and with a glimmer of hope, or perhaps a final act of desperation, it was placed in a folder. This was to be given to the older sibling at the reunion, a strange gift that might bring some form of closure or perhaps a shred of happiness.

On the day of the reunion, the journey to the restaurant was filled with a mix of anticipation and dread. But upon arrival, it was clear that the event had already begun. Fernando was busy peeling prawns for Adrianna. The sight of this sent a pang of anger and hurt through the protagonist. Once, Fernando had done the same for the protagonist, with love and care, despite his own allergy to prawns. But after the loss of their parents, everything had changed.

As the protagonist entered the room, the laughter died down, and all eyes turned with a strange look. Fernando didn't even look up, but the tightly clenched jaw was a clear sign of his disgust. Adrianna, on the other hand, stood up and walked towards the protagonist with a friendly smile, "Cousin Brother, we thought you wouldn't come." But the class president's guilty expression told a different story. It was clear that there had been some miscommunication or perhaps a deliberate act of exclusion.

As the situation unfolded, it became evident that the class president had a close relationship with Adrianna during high school and had likely followed her lead in this matter. Adrianna's teary eyes and words of blame added to the protagonist's sense of isolation. "Cousin Brother, today is a class reunion. Don't be angry and don't make everyone unhappy." Before any explanation could be given, Fernando's cold and disgusted words cut through the air, "You're late and you still have the nerve to be angry?"

The memories of the past flooded back. Adrianna's father had been in the same car accident that had claimed the lives of the protagonist's parents. Her mother had long been unfaithful and had abandoned her after the incident. Adrianna had come to live with them, and from then on, the protagonist had become the outcast, blamed for the accident and everything that had gone wrong. As the tears welled up in the eyes of the protagonist, a sense of hopelessness filled the air, and the room seemed to close in, trapping the protagonist in a web of pain and rejection.

To continue reading the online novel 《Kebahagiaanmu Kutukar Dengan Nyawaku》, please click to continue reading>>>