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Chapter 5 - Chapter 5 Still Breathing

( Day 4 MIDNIGHT)

*** [ Flash back 3 days ago] **

The heart monitor beeped steadily. Fluorescent lights hummed above. A doctor stood at the foot of the hospital bed, holding a clipboard. His expression unreadable.

> Doctor:

"Mr. Hawkins… please don't be alarmed by the test results."

> Me:

"O-okay…"

> Doctor (carefully):

"The headaches you've been experiencing…"

(he paused)

"...are due to a brain tumor."

Silence.

Just the steady BEEP.

> Doctor:

"It's serious. I'm sorry. There's a chance… you could go anytime."

(softly)

"If you can—choose to be happy while you still can."

> Me (thinking):

"It felt like the world just stopped."

***

[ LATE MIDNIGHT]

> Me (groggy):

"What time is it…?"

I sat up slowly.

Sunlight peeked through the curtain, but it felt too early. Or maybe too late.

> Me (thinking):

"I do everything just to be happy…

But sometimes it feels like I'm lying to myself."

I touched my chest.

Like I needed a reminder I was still alive.

> Me:(softly)

"Before I die… I need to finish my degree. I need to join that department."

The room went quiet.

> Me (softly):

"Mom… I'm sorry. I didn't protect you from those scammers…"

> Me (bitterly):

"Even I got scammed… like an idiot. By a fake sugar mommy."

A hollow laugh escaped.

> Me:

"What kind of man am I?"

I hugged the pillow tighter.

The silence hung heavy.

But my resolve?

Still breathing.

***

Diary Entry #0005

Date: July 06, 2023

The nightmare came again last night.

It wasn't fear that woke me up—

…I just missed my mom.

But today, I'll still focus on my study.

— Ryan H.

[ New Day same Delulu | Morning]

I woke up like a budget anime protagonist.

Fake glow-up.

Theme music playing only in my head.

> Me (stretching):

"Today… is the day I act like I have my life together."

***

After Bathing…

I stood in front of the mirror like a caveman pretending he just discovered styling gel.

Fresh, fake confidence.

No budget. All vibes.

> Me:(confidently)

"Uniform check."

Polo? Slightly wrinkled but still wearable.

Pants? One thread away from becoming edgy.

ID? Bent like my will to live.

Glasses? Crooked, but giving tortured genius.

Cologne?

> Me (sniffing):

"Smells like poverty with a hint of 'I tried.'"

Hair? Styled with leftover conditioner and reckless hope.

> Me (grinning at my reflection):

"Yeah. I look like someone who fakes it 'til he makes it."

> Me (pointing):

"Let's go, back to work… with style."

***

**✶✶✶[ Outside my House ]✶✶*

I stood by the road like I was waiting for destiny to drive by.

> Me:

"Please, not a tricycle again…"

And then—

A sleek black car passed.

Inside?

Rachel.

Hair flowing like it had a wind sponsor. ID badge sparkling like it was blessed with CGI.

> Me (delulu mode):

"Oh, Rachel…"

"Honey! I'm going into labor! Don't worry—I'll carry you!"

In my head, we were married.

She was miraculously pregnant.

And I was panicking like a romantic idiot.

> Me (internally screaming):

"I'LL CARRY YOU THROUGH TRAFFIC, LOVE!!"

And then—

I reached out…

…and accidentally lifted the man standing beside me.

> Random Guy (panicking):

"BRO?! WHY ARE YOU LIFTING ME?!"

> Me (snapping back):

"I… thought you were someone else."

Too late.

Rachel saw everything.

Our eyes met.

She didn't say a word.

She raised a finger… and slowly circled it near her temple.

The universal sign for:

> "This guy's not just crazy… he's certified."

> Me (internally):

"This is how it ends.

Not with a kiss…

But with a lawsuit."

-Day 5 Continue

---

To Be Continued in Chapter 6 ,Godbless

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