It turns out I'm on my own...

Chapter 27: Riko

Bara walked into the room, she saw a weakly lying Riko with all the tools attached to her body.

No one knows that Riko has a brain tumor that has entered the final stage..

The night Riko had to say goodbye to Vania. He already felt an incredible pain. Only, he did not want to make Vania worried let alone to find out about the actual illness he was suffering from.

Riko is the first person to fall in love with Vania since she first applied as an employee at the bakery.

That's what makes Riko choose to work as an employee at his own family-owned store.

When Riko plans to tell her feelings to Vania, that's when she learns that she has a brain tumor.

The longer, Riko who is too focused to work and less rest, and irregularly checked the pain he was experiencing. This makes the tumor grow very quickly.

Riko's parents, don't want to risk Riko's safety. They immediately took Riko to foreign medicine. The cost to be incurred is very large considering the cancer that has been suffered by Riko entering stage 4.

All must be sold in order to get the best treatment. Including selling bakeries at high prices.

Riko advised not to tell the truth to the store employees including Vania.

"Hi, how are you?" Ask Bara.

"I'm good, how did you find Vania's whereabouts?" Yang Riko's.

"Had, he's working at a bookstore right now." Say it while smiling.

"Hmm, I really miss him."

"I can bring her here if you want."

"No, I don't want him to know about my true circumstances." Riko.

I'm sorry Riko, I was forced to lie to you to make you feel good. If I tell you the truth that I haven't been able to find Vania's state. I'm afraid your condition is getting worse. I promise, after this I will try even harder to find Vania.

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"It is important for you to know the symptoms and treatment of brain cancer, especially those who have entered stage 4. Stage 4 brain cancer that is not treated immediately can threaten the life of the sufferer." Speak to the doctor when Riko's family consults with the disease that is being suffered by Riko.

"The stage or severity of cancer becomes a picture of the growth of cancer cells and the extent of their spread. In stage 4 brain cancer, cancer cells grow aggressively and massively, almost all of the cells are abnormal, and the spread is generally quite extensive and even spread to the outside of the brain, like the spine."

"Symptoms that can be found in stage 4 brain cancer are severe headaches that occur permanently or repeatedly. For example, patients can experience headaches that are so painful for weeks and difficult to disappear even after taking pain relievers, such as paracetamol, aspirin, or others. This severe pain often causes sufferers to ask for euthanasia. Consult further with the attending physician and psychologist to be given appropriate advice."

Mama Riko held papa's hand, as if to tell him that before they decided to take Riko to the doctor. Riko often experiences symptoms that doctors just said.

"What should we do for his recovery?" Ask papa.

"Stage 4 brain cancer will generally be difficult to cure. However, prompt and appropriate treatment can reduce complaints and slow the growth of cancer cells."

"Wouldn't there be any kind of treatment or medical measures that could be done to hide the illness my child is suffering from?" Ask Mom with tears.

"Some types of medical treatment that can be done to overcome stage 4 brain cancer are...."

The doctor then explains some treatments that can be done, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and therapeutic targets.

In some cases, surgery can be done to treat stage 4 brain cancer. The surgical procedure is done by opening the skull (craniotomy) and removal of malignant tumors lodged in the brain.

Riko had her first surgery, but the surgery did not make her condition any better.

The tumor had apparently gnawed all over his body.

Radiotherapy aims to kill cancer cells that may still be left, as well as slow the growth of cancer cells that cannot be removed in surgery.

Today, exactly 3 months Riko underwent treatment.

"God does not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He promises strength for today, comfort for tears, and light for the way." Riko said as she said that she wanted to quit any treatment that was torturing her.

"Son, why do you want that. Don't you want to heal? didn't you say that you wanted to make Vania happy?" Mama asked while holding back her tears so as not to fall in front of Riko.

"Time is getting shorter. But, every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me. However, I'm tired of fighting this cancer and I just want to give up."

"Riko, you have to hold on. You must be strong.."

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A few days after that, Riko was declared critical. It certainly makes both parents sad Riko.

Bara who heard the news from both of Riko's parents. Decides to enlist the help of her friends in search of Vania's whereabouts.

Bara knows, Riko misses Vania very much.

Bara finally finds Vania. Vania and Bella have their own cake stand in one of the big malls in the city.

Vania and Bella decide to use their savings to sell cookies.

The arrival of Bara naturally shocked Vania.

For the past 2 months, Vania has really been missing from people who have known her.

Although Vania repeatedly received emails from campus and from Johnson, Vania chose not to respond and instead sold the laptop in addition to the business costs they would do.

"Mahr..."

"Vania, obviously I can't find you. It turns out you're in the opposite part of the place where you used to be."

"Bara, what are you looking for me for?. Please, I have a much better life. If you find me here, it means that my existence will be known to others as well."

"Vania, if this isn't about Riko. I will definitely let you live the life you want."

"Richo? what's wrong with her?"

Bara then explains what really happened to Riko, and the reason behind Riko's departure.

"Go, let me take care of our stand while you're gone." Said Bella who at that time also listened to what Bara said.

That very night, Vania and Bara go abroad to meet Riko.

Slowly, Vania walked towards the room where Riko was lying weakly.

Her tears were no longer able to hold her, she cried as she continued to move her legs closer to Riko.

"Richord..."

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