Last wish

Lila had always wanted to see the world. She dreamed of visiting exotic places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. She had a list of countries she wanted to visit, and a map on her wall where she marked them with pins. She saved up money from her part-time job, and planned to travel after she graduated from college.

But fate had other plans for her. A few months before her graduation, she was diagnosed with a rare and terminal illness. The doctors told her she had only a few weeks left to live. She was devastated, and so were her family and friends. She felt like her life was over, and all her dreams were shattered.

She spent most of her time in the hospital, hooked up to machines and tubes. She hated the sterile environment, the constant beeping, and the pitying looks from the nurses. She wished she could escape, even for a day, and see something beautiful.

One day, a man came to visit her. He introduced himself as Leo, and said he was from a charity organization called Make A Wish Foundation. He said they granted wishes to children and young adults with life-threatening conditions. He asked Lila what her wish was.

Lila didn’t hesitate. She told him she wanted to see the world. She showed him her list and her map, and explained how much it meant to her. She knew it was a big and impossible wish, but she hoped he could make it happen somehow.

Leo smiled and nodded. He said he would do his best to fulfill her wish. He asked her to pack a bag with some essentials, and told her he would come back the next day to take her on a trip.

Lila was overjoyed. She couldn’t believe it was happening. She packed her bag with excitement, and waited for Leo to return.

The next day, Leo came back with a wheelchair and a camera. He helped Lila into the wheelchair, and wheeled her out of the hospital. He said they were going on a world tour, and he would take pictures of her in front of famous landmarks.

Lila was confused. How could they travel the world in a day? Where was the plane or the car? Leo told her not to worry, and to trust him.

He took her to a nearby park, where he set up a green screen and a projector. He said he had downloaded images of various places around the world, and he would project them on the screen as backgrounds. He said he would pose Lila in front of the screen, and take pictures of her as if she was really there.

Lila felt disappointed. This was not what she had in mind. She wanted to see the real world, not some fake images on a screen. She felt cheated and lied to.

But then she looked at Leo’s face. He was smiling warmly, and his eyes were full of kindness. He seemed genuinely happy to be there with her, and eager to make her happy too. He said he knew it wasn’t the same as actually being there, but he hoped it would make her feel like she had seen some of the world.

Lila decided to give him a chance. She thought maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe it was better than lying in a hospital bed, waiting for death. Maybe it was better than nothing.

She smiled back at Leo, and agreed to play along.

They spent the next few hours pretending to travel the world. They visited Paris, Rome, London, New York, Tokyo, Sydney, Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, and many more places. Leo projected images of famous monuments, buildings, landscapes, and people on the screen. He positioned Lila in front of them, and took pictures of her with his camera.

He also told her stories about each place they visited. He told her about their history, culture, cuisine, music, art, and traditions. He made them sound so fascinating and wonderful that Lila felt like she was really there.

He also made her laugh with his jokes, compliments, and silly poses. He made her feel special and beautiful.

He made her feel alive.

Lila forgot about her illness for a while. She forgot about the pain, the fear, and the sadness. She felt only joy,

happiness,

and gratitude.

She thanked Leo for making her wish come true.

He hugged her gently,

and whispered in her ear:

"You’re welcome,

my love."

He kissed her softly,

and told her he loved her.

He said he had one more surprise for her.

He took out a ring,

and asked her to marry him.

Lila gasped,

and tears filled her eyes.

She looked at him with disbelief,

and wonder.

She asked him why,

and how,

and when.

He told her he had met her a year ago,

at a bookstore where she worked part-time.

He said he had fallen in love with her at first sight,

but he was too shy to approach her.

He said he had followed her on social media,

and learned about her dreams and passions.

He said he had joined the Make A Wish Foundation,

just to get a chance to meet her.

He said he had planned this trip for months,

hoping to make her happy.

He said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her,

no matter how short or long it was.

He said he wanted to make her his wife,

and give her his name.

He said he wanted to make her his world.

Lila was speechless.

She didn’t know what to say,

or what to think.

She didn’t know if this was real,

or a dream.

She didn’t know if this was a miracle,

or a cruel joke.

She didn’t know if this was the best day of her life,

or the worst.

She looked at Leo,

and saw his sincere and hopeful expression.

She looked at the ring,

and saw its sparkle and beauty.

She looked at the screen,

and saw the images of the world.

She looked at herself,

and saw a dying girl with a dying wish.

She looked at her heart,

and felt a surge of love.

She made up her mind.

She said yes.

She said yes, and slipped the ring on her finger. She said yes, and kissed him back. She said yes, and smiled through her tears. She said yes, and accepted his proposal. She said yes, and made him her husband. She said yes, and gave him her world.

They hugged each other tightly, and cried tears of joy. They took one last picture together, with the screen showing a sunset over the ocean. They said their vows, and exchanged their rings. They said their I love yous, and sealed them with a kiss.

They said their goodbyes, and closed their eyes.

They died in each other’s arms, happy and fulfilled.

They died with their last wish granted.