“Why are you still staying Al? Well look at me, what do you see in me? I’m not the Dana you knew eight years ago. I don’t have anything to offer you anymore. So just go and leave me alone.”

Alice couldn’t stand it. This was the third time Dana asked her to go. She decided to shout back.

“Hah, wallowing in self pity today are you!”

Dana’s eyes opened wide at Alice’s statement.

“Fuck you Alice.”

“Well if you wish to you’ll have to eat Dana.”

Alice hung her head high and looked directly into Dana’s eyes. There was an awkward silence as they both stared at each other. Alice saw that Dana’s eyes have changed from the one with anger to the one with desire and lust. Then they heard a knock on the door.

“Hmm guys, are we interrupting?” Shane said at the doorway, hesitating to walk in. Carmen was standing by her side.

Alice and Dana broke their gaze and looked at Shane. Then Alice looked at Dana again but Dana looked away. Shane and Carmen looked at Alice and then Dana, knowing something was on. Shane’s cleared her throat.

“Hmm do you guys want us to go? We could you know go to the cafeteria…”

“No Shane please stay.” Alice walked towards them. She hugged Carmen and Shane, and whispered “I need some fresh air.” Shane and Carmen nodded knowingly and then Alice gave them a weak smile before walking away. Carmen motioned Shane to go in as she made her way to Alice’s direction. Shane gave her a knowing nod and walked into the room.

“Hi Dane, how are you?”

Dana didn’t answer. Shane walked to the bed and stood beside her. Her heart broke when she saw a stream of tears rolling down Dana’s cheeks. Shane sat down and gently pulled Dana into a hug.

“It’s ok Dane.”

“It’s not ok Shane. Why do I have to be such an ass? One moment I tell myself not to make a scene but the other moment I’m showing her the door. She must have hated me very much.” Dana said into Shane’s shoulder in between sob. 

“It’s not your fault Dane, it’s the chemo. She will understand.” Shane patted Dana’s back lightly to soothe her friend.

“Alice, Alice wait up.” Carmen said as Alice made her way towards the garden. The journalist was walking too fast that Carmen found it difficult to catch up with her pace.

When Carmen finally reached the garden, she looked around the place and found Alice sitting on one of the benches wiping her tears away. Carmen exhaled as she walked towards Alice.

“Mind if I sit?”

Alice looked at her and nodded. Hey eyes were red from the crying. Carmen sat down and looked at the journalist. She knew Alice was trying to be strong for Dana but she had hid her emotions for too long and now was the right time to let it out. She wrapped her arm around Alice’s shoulder and pulled her closer so that the journalist was resting on her shoulder. As soon as Alice’s head hit Carmen’s shoulder she cried uncontrollably. Carmen kissed her forehead and whispered encouraging words to her. She hoped that this would at least help.