"Would it be okay to let it just be like this?" Kiku managed to chew out, his fists balled up. "How can you be so selfish enough to do this to the people who are here for you now?"
Maria stood from where she laid and stared at the ground for a bit before finally meeting his eyes. "You've noticed that you can't say my name here, right?" The smile disappeared from her face and her eyes seemed to dull out emotion. "Kiku… Why don't you just forget about me? You can't even say my name nevermind-"
"That's because you forbid me from saying it, am I right?" he shouted. "_! _!" Kiku kept trying to force the name to roll off his tongue but it didn't.
"Kiku," Maria walked up to him and placed a hand on his cheek. "It's useless. You have a life to go back to. And I… I already see my family here. I've truly found my peace. I just…"
"Need to let go of me, am I correct?" He felt tears form on his eyes as he reached to place a hand over her delicate one. Maria's eyes widened and she smiled a bit. A sad one. "You don't have to-"
"Honda Kiku, I've already made my decision, okay?" Maria looked up at him with a smile but tears fell down her face. "I want you to be happy. I've already found my happiness here. But I just can't seem to let you go. And I know I can't keep you here, so I'm letting you go. Just please… I-"
"I'll remember you," Kiku swallowed a sob. "I'll remember you even if I can't say your name. I won't forget the memories you've left. And before I go… I'm sorry."
Maria looked up to meet his dark, brown eyes. "I'm happy I saved you. You've saved me once and I'm happy to return the favor. Thank you, Kiku. For everything you've done for me."
Kiku woke to series of beeps and shouting. A lady dressed in a nurse uniform shook him to his feet and dragged him out the room. Yao stood motionless as he saw the panicked doctors and nurses enter the room. He went up to Kiku, shaking his shoulders and demanding something. But Kiku couldn't quite hear what he was saying. He just felt… numb. Yao then sat him on the chair saying something about him going 'pale from shock'.
Minutes or hours passed, Kiku didn't notice the difference. Maria's friends came spilling through the hallways and watching through the operating window. Kiku didn't know what to feel. The numbing inside his chest was spreading to his head.
"Kiku," a faint voice called out to him. Recognizing the voice, Kiku quickly looked up and saw Maria. And she was beautiful. The Filipina was dressed in a simple, white dress and her hair was flowing around her as if she was under water. Her brown eyes seemed to glow a bit as if stars were lighting it as her pink lips were curled into a sweet smile.
A tear escaped from Kiku's eye. He didn't even bother to wipe it away as it slid down his cheek. Maria's eyebrows were furrowed at the sight of Kiku but she reached for his cheek and leaned in closer.
"It's okay, Kiku. I'm happy where I am now," her voice sounded so soft and distant already. Kiku wasn't ready to let go so he reached for her ghostly hand and let the tears flow.
"I wasn't ready to let you go and I'm not ready to let go now, Maria." Kiku sobbed, he couldn't physically hold her hand but the warmth of her touch was still there. Maybe he was imagining it or maybe Maria was holding onto the little time she had left. His throat was going dry from all his crying but the words he has been meaning to tell her was due to be said now or never. "I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't say it before, but I love you Maria."
"Kiku…" Maria pulled her hand away. "I have to go now. I'm sorry, Kiku." Before Kiku could reach out to her and call her name once more, she disappeared completely. Regret filled his chest as he fell out of the chair and onto his knees. Tears spilled down his face but his heart was too broken to wipe it all away. It was too late.