Author POV

It's been a month since Quinn decided to visit this beautiful place called Lily of the Valley. This place was named after this sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flower, Lily of Valley, not just because it can be found all over this Island, but most especially because of what it symbolizes, happiness! This flower symbolizes pure joy, which the people here try to embody every day of their lives. 

Sitting on a big rock, Quinn can't help but smile, watching this beautiful scenery in front of him, overlooking this beautiful calm sea, while on his right is a small mountain. On top of it, there is this place called Emily's parole. It's so worth the try to go on top of it. As people said, when you go up there, you will see the overall natural beauty of this place. You can see the full view of this area, and you would wish to live in this place.

Also, there is this story behind that parole: if you are successful in going to the top of that place, you will be granted one wish, and it will indeed be fulfilled. There is this engineer named Benjamin, who has a wife named Emily. They have this beautiful life together while living on this Island. One day, he decided to build this place with the help of his engineer friends for his wife because since they chose to live on this Island, Emily always said that she wanted someplace for them to go whenever they wanted to see the whole Island and appreciate its beauty. But sadly, his wife, Emily, died before she could even see the parole his husband made for her. Before he died, Benjamin could only wish for one thing: to see his wife even for a second and tell her how much he missed and loved her despite how long she was already gone. 

Many people said that before Benjamin died, he said that his wish came through on this parole. He saw his wife again. He was able to say everything to Emily, tell her that they would meet again, and this time it was for eternity. His family decided to open this parole to the public because they believed that if you successfully go through all the hardships you will face before you can set foot on the top of this parole. Your most desired and sincere wish will come through, just like it has been for Benjamin.

Hearing this beautiful story behind this parole made Quinn wants to reach the top of it, but he is not sure if it's okay for him to go. He is afraid to try it, maybe if he is with someone! Just perhaps, Quinn will finally have the courage and strength to go. Going there is challenging as he has to walk a few kilometers and then go up its stairs with hundreds of steps. Only a few people could try it, as the ways to do it there are so dangerous too. The path going to that parole is so steep.

He is just not sure if his heart can take it already!

His parents are adamant about him traveling because it's only been half a year since he got the surgery. They've asked him to postpone this trip, but Quinn is determined because going on this parole is supposed to be the last entry on his bucket list. It was made by this patient; Quinn shared a hospital room before. His name is Luke, and they both have heart conditions, but the difference is Luke is more severe than he died from it a week after he gave this list to Quinn.

Yes, he has a bucket list! It contains all the things he wants to do, places he wants to go to, the food he wants to try and eat, and many other unusual things for him. He was diagnosed with a  heart condition called Cardiomyopathy, in which heart muscles become diseased and enlarged, causing the heart not to pump blood effectively. He's been living a cautious life since he was seven years old. In and out of the hospital, his family decided to live near it. The doctor was so pessimistic about his condition and survival rate that they even said he would not survive for more than ten years. The only thing that can truly help him is a heart transplant, but it's hard because he needs all the necessary stuff to qualify before he can be on the transplant list. He needs to be ready for it, not just physically. Yes, they may be well off in life, but both mentally and emotionally, Quinn needs to be prepared because receiving a new organ is not that simple. Some people reject it even after the heart is already given to them because they think it will never be theirs or the heart itself doesn't match the recipient's body. 

For years, they've wished for a miracle to happen as the chance of having a heart donor available for you is slim. Many people wait for years just to have one chance of having their destiny change. His parents tried their best to help him so that he could live until now. Quinn is already 21 years old. They rigorously wait until the miracle they've been waiting for twenty years happens. When Quinn finally quits waiting and decides to give up, this very miracle happens and changes everything.

Quinn turns to his right again to see the parole and decide if he will finally have the courage to go there this time. He put his right palm into his chest, feeling every beat his heart was making, and then he asked it.

"So, Mira? Are you ready to take this chance and walk with me to that parole? I really want to go! I'm just not sure if you are ready to go. You know how much I care for you, right? I don't ever want you to be tired! We're still getting to know each other, so I don't want you to be mad at me, and in the end, you will reject me." 

A funny fact about Quinn, he talks to his heart as if he is talking to a person. For him, talking to his heart is like talking to his heart donor. Quinn is very grateful to his donor that he always wants to honor him or her by constantly talking to his heart. He named his heart Mira, short for miracle. He believed that his heart was a miracle God gave to show him that life is still worth fighting and living for.

Quinn stayed quiet for a few seconds, busy feeling his heart, but after a few seconds, not feeling any change, he interpreted it as a response to his question, answering that his heart was not yet ready. Quinn believes that if his heart is prepared to go on that parole, he should be feeling something, knowing it. 

He can only sigh after, then speak again.

"Okay! If you're not ready yet, you know you're the boss of me. Whatever you may want, Ms. Mira! I, Quinn Oliver Cassidy, will always follow you! Maybe next time, then!" Quinn said, then he decided to stand up before leaving that place.

"I promise I will go there! When my heart is ready, I will make sure to go there!" He said as he looked back to that parole. Quinn smiled, then started gathering all of his things, like his camera and diary, which he always carries with him, and began to walk away. 

~~~

"Sister! Please! You're so gorgeous these days! I'm sure you are so kind too! I can see it clearly in your face! Please have mercy on me and give it to me for 5 dollars! I've been looking for this for days now! Thankfully, I decided to go to this side of town and found your store. Please, Ms. Gorgeous! Please!" 

Busy begging the stall owner, who is selling these unique souvenir pieces. Quinn has been trying his best to get even a single piece of these beautiful wooden handmade by the local's artwork. He's been looking for it since he got here. Some places offer other souvenir stuff, but nothing is like this store. His best friend, Elijah, requested it before he left, so he has to make sure to get one, or else there will be a world war three between them. Elijah is an avid collector of unique pieces. 

"Five dollars? But I'm selling this for 10 dollars. It will be a great loss on my part if I agree to your terms, maybe 8 dollars?" The woman seller looked like she was around 30 to 40 years old, said to the 21 years old man. He pulled some other designs to show Quinn, who is so happy seeing them.

"See here! I have so many unique designs to offer that you won't be able to find them in any other stores on this Island. I also offer this prudently, so I think my price is fair." The woman continued but was shocked when Quinn suddenly pulled her hand and held it tightly.

"I can't believe I'm doing this to get this souvenir, but I think I don't have a choice. I'm on a budget!" Quinn said to himself as he held the woman's hand and smiled at her like he was trying to use his charm on the middle-aged woman. 

While doing all of the things on his bucket list, he was able to pick up and learn some stuff, especially when buying items in places that he's never been before. Even though his parents are providing him with good enough money every month and he has his own money from his job, he never spends them lavishly.  

"Please, Ms. Beautiful! I'm sure we can agree on a price that will make us both happy! In return, I will assure you that if I come back to Lily of the Valley, I will return here to buy more stuff. Also, I will recommend this place to my friends. Just to let you know, I'm an event planner, so I have many people I know who would be happy to see this place." Quinn smilingly said to the store owner. Judging by her face, she seemed to start thinking about Quinn's offer. Quinn saw this, so he smiled at her handsomely and continued to bargain with her.

"Please, Ms.! Please! I'm begging you!" Quinn continues, the woman looked at him as if she was reading his mind, and then after a few seconds, she closed her eyes and let out a big sigh.

"Okay! Okay! Just for you, I will agree! Gosh, you're so charming, did you know that? I usually don't agree with lowering my price,  but there is something with you that I can't say no to!" 

Quinn can only smile after hearing what she said.

"Thank you, Ms. Beautiful! I really appreciate it! I'm sure my best friend is going to be happy! I will buy one for him, one for my parents, and one for me, please!" Quinn happily said he felt so victorious.

"Sure! Different design, right?" The store owner asked him, and Quinn nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, please! Thank you so much again!"

~~~

After he finishes buying the souvenir, Quinn decides to go out of the store to find something to eat but is shocked when he sees a woman who is about to be robbed by a group of men. Three men, to be exact! The woman is busy looking at some stuff, while two men are behind her near her bag, and one is busy looking all over the place like he is checking if there is someone who can see what they are doing.

Quinn can't just ignore what he is seeing, so he decides to intervene, but he is interrupted by someone. 

"What do you think you're doing?" The man asked him while holding his wrist, stopping Quinn from moving.

To be continued

A/N

I finally had the inspiration to start this book! Goodluck to me 🤭😊

WAANJAIMJORA