CHAPTER 6

(Author's Note: I am not a medical expert nor familiar with medical procedures and whatnot so forgive me if I provide a too little information in regards in that field. Thank you)

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Filing a blotter in the precinct... I can feel his rage and fury as he ushered me inside. With his rough hands, he held me close to him, warming my cold system with his presence...

Tap. Tap. Tap.

His irises, dark as the night, shine with happiness munching down the food. He didn't change at all. Still that kind, simple guy I know back then...

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The buildings and houses pass like a blur as the car speed up. I hold unto my seat belts like it is my lifeline. Stomping my feet hard on the ground, I shut my eyes tight, praying that we may arrive safely.

"Who was that?! Huh? Makaria? Answer me!"

"Miss Sandoval? Miss Sandoval?"

I jolted back into the reality. Darkness greeted me as consciousness sink in.

Did I fall asleep?

I turned my head sideways even if I can't see a thing. Bottomless pit of darkness has been my company for the past months. It starting to feel like normal and at the same time bizarre for me. A soft tap in my right shoulder made me turn to the right side. I felt then a presence. I reached out my hand, starting to fumble over. I felt nothing until my hand bump into something solid, then roughness followed suit.

"It's me, Dr. Sanchez, miss Sandoval. I'm sorry if I disturb your relaxation. I need to check up on you and your eyes. Tomorrow, we will finally remove the bandages. Are you excited?"

"Yes doc. I can't wait to be able to see again."

"Don't you feel any irritations or itchiness on your eyes?"

"I don't have any doc."

"That's good to hear then. But even after you had finally back your sight, be reminded of some things that you need to follow okay? Since your eyes are fresh from surgery, you need to be extra careful. Take good care of that eyes, okay?"

"Noted doc. I'll take care of these."

"Hmm. I'll just then list down all the medicines you need to take for your eyes and injuries. Do I send those lists to Mr. Ledesma or to Mr. Sandoval?"

"Ah. Just... Send it to my father doc. He'll take care of it."

"Okay. Since Cecilia already checked your vital signs, I need to go."

"Thank you doc."

"No problem miss Sandoval."

The faltering click of the shoes then disappeared as the door closes. Now that the day of me being able to see again drawing close, what shall the first thing that I'll do? I ponder for a moment. Shall I then wander off the rooftop by myself? Or shall I visit Cecelia in the nurse's station downstairs? My spirit is in high as I thought of those moments.

I can't wipe off the smile etched on my face. Just the thought of seeing the beauty of the world is bringing such a huge joy and happiness into the void somewhere in my heart. Specially with possibility of me visiting him, finally. I hope he's doing okay. For the months I am in here, not able to do anything, guilt and worry flooded in my system, always. He's been always in my mind. Those warm dark irises that shines with mischief as his lips lifted into a smirk.

For the first month that I had been admitted, I was totally shook upon knowing that the very night of my accident, he too got in an accident. With my eyes severely damage as shards of the broken windows struck most in my face and eyes. I can even feel the roughness of the stitches and scars scattered. I was devastated, not be able to think clearly with the happenings of my life. But the moment I heard his name in the news, it shattered my world knowing that he too is severely injured. It was bizarre; an ill fortune for the two of us.

Why do we always ended up in the most difficult situation?

A sigh scape from my lips. I cannot go back into sleeping any more and I don't know what to do. Seldom would be father visits me as he is old and busy. I don't even have a friend, a true one at that, to visit and accompany me here. Well, I found genuine friendship with Cecilia and Anna Lou but they're busy. Now stuck with nothing to do, an idea pop up in my mind.

It is dangerous. Truly dangerous but... I badly wanted to do it. My feet is itching for a walk and I am bored. I don't have anything to do. If it weren't for my eyes, I should be discharged sooner. Tomorrow. Tomorrow will end my sorrow; partly. Decided, I stand up, my hands searching in each spot I could touch.

It must be here... It must be...

Grasping the cane tight, I decided to go to the rooftop all by myself.

"Haaah!"

The strong breeze of the air swooshes my hair into a wild tangle. I landed safely here in the rooftop without any aid and difficulty. It was hard especially that I was alone but I withstand it all. Tapping the cane from right to left and vice versa, I walk step by step knowing the space is empty for me to walk on. I reach out the cane sa far as I can until I felt the soild part where I assume is the pillars. I went in to that direction. Putting a bit distance between me and the pillar, I fumble over the cold surface. As I knock my hand over it, a sound resonated for a fleeting moment.

"Hmm. The railings." I mumble and step closer into it. Being a visually impaired person taught me a thing or two. It truly heightened my senses, auditory and touch. It made me also cautious and aware of my surroundings that a little bit of a sound is making me think of something.

A rustle from afar made my heart skip a beat. I grope the cane tightly. With a steady voice, I called.

"Is someone there?" I gulp off the lump in my throat as I anticipated the answer. If this is Cecilia or any other nurses, they would come to me on point and bombard me with nag. But, nothing came. I heard a faint sound of step. And more and more.

The minutes passed with no one answered my question. Who could that be? Or maybe... This isn't a person that I come across with? With that thought, I huddled more closely to the pillars and cold railings.

"Is someone there?!" I ask for the second time. This time a bit more loud with a lace of annoyance. I bit my lip as I wait for the response. If no one would still answer, I would really think this is my karma for being so disobedient.

"Yeah." Came a gruff voice behind. Startled, the cane slip off my hand. It created a slight noise which is gone immediately. Ever so slowly, I angle my face to behind though it is futile knowing I can't see.

"Uh, did I scared you?" Man. It was a man. I am sure that the person behind me is a man. His hoarse, gruff voice tells me so. He cleared his throat.

"Ah. Yes. A bit. But it's alright."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"It's alright. It's no big deal." I said. With all honesty, I am relieved with the man's presence. At least, I'm not alone.

"Are you alone here?"

Now that I know it was a person, I return to my position and look ahead. Even if everything around my world is dark, I can feel the unforgiving heat of the sun. It bites into my skin every second that I am exposed. And I love it.

I nodded my head as a response to the question the man ask. I feel so happy today.

"You're alone here... with your condition?" I can feel he is hesitant as he drag those words. It was pretty obvious that he is quite shock with me being here all by myself.

"Why? Does it seems so bad for me to be here?" I ask. For some unknown reason, I want to rile him up a bit. I mean, I know my condition and with that said, I should be in my room with someone accompanying me. But here I am.

"No. Of course not. But things might really be bad for you if something happens with you here and you are alone."

"You don't have to be worried about me mister. I'll be fine here." I said a bit carefree. Shrugging off the things he wanted to point out which I myself knows very well. I almost even staggered over the stairs up here but, I survived unscathed. I know that's not something to be proud of but yeah, I am.

" I wasn't worried. I was just cautious. I can't just face ribbons after ribbons of questions to an accident if something were happen to you. I just woke up and I need people to keep me off some slack."

"Oh..." Was all the answer I could come up. I just can't believe the guts of whoever this man is. I even noticed the slight sarcasm in his tone.

I heard him take a step closer. Due to being irritated, I step sideways to put us some distance. Silence ensued between us. He didn't strike a conversation and so am I. I just stand in here, feeling the surroundings, the scorching heat of the sun, the chirping of the birds, the howling of the wind and... His occasional breathings. The silence is comforting and soothing.

"The leaves are green, the trees are brown. The birds in the tree chirping is quite small; it's in color black with some red in its small beak. The flowers in the ground are blooming with different colors and shapes, decorating the garden beautifully..."

I turned fully to his direction, totally confused with his sudden babbling.

" What are you talking about? "

" I'm describing the world for you. It's color, shape... "

I feel dumbfounded in his words.

" Why?... " I ask breathy. For I don't know what reason, my heart clench involuntarily.

"I just wanted to. Seeing nothing but black and darkness must be... hard. So I wanted to share the different colors and things I could see for you to visualize."

I open my mouth to say something but... He left me speechless. Not knowing what to say, I keep mum and just listen carefully to my surroundings. I visualize the things he told me and felt more excited and happy that tomorrow, I can finally get my sight back. Despite of the incident, I am still blessed to be able to find an eye donor for to short span of time. Well, Johnson's influence and money help a lot too. I wonder if he'll visit me today... Or how does my father now. It's been weeks since he last visited.

"You know as much as you wanted to be here, you should head back to your room. It's almost eleven, your nurse might be looking for you."

I pouted, knowing he has a point. I sigh, a bit loud than I intended. I hear him chuckle. I look at his direction, waiting for some explanation with what warranted his chuckle.

" You look so crestfallen knowing I am right. You love hanging out here? "

" Well, yeah. I love the air here, fresh and clean you know."

I felt the man repeatedly tap the railings, the sound and vibration resonated with every touch of his fingers to the cold solid metal.

" Uh huh. I miss breathing some fresh air. I mean, I miss walking around, moving my limbs, seeing different sights, hearing the chirping of the birds. I miss the simple things."

"The way you say it is like you've been dead then just come back to life."

"Well, yes. In a way."

My head snapped immediately and I step backwards clumsily, almost tripping on the floor. In an instant, I felt his strong arms encircling around my waist as he catch me. I planted both my hands on his chest- to put some distance - upon imagining our position. I don't know this man at all and it is very awkward having him this near to me.

"What... do you... mean? Did you rise from death?!" I said. My remarks was purely for some joke yet he took it seriously.

"What? Of course not! You silly! What I mean by that was I was coma for months and just woke up earlier."

He laugh and even flipped his fingers on my forehead. The force was light but the action is so strong that it brought me back in the memory lane of Nikolai and I...

"Hey, are you mad? She's just a classmate, swear. What you saw is totally misleading. I was looking -"

I stop on my tracks and look at him. I arc my eyebrow and roll my eyes.

"Whatever truly happened, I don't care. Save your explanation jerk." He grabbed my arm even before I could take a step. The impact of his deed made me bounce on him which he take an advantage and wrapped his arms around me. I wiggle out of his hold but to no avail. I sneer at him, not amuse at all.

" Let me go! "

" Nope. I won't let you go. Well, not until you hear my explanation, okay?"

I didn't say anything and wait for that damn explanation.

"You saw us alone and in a not so good position. I was purely accident. Trina was grabbing the book in the upper part of the shelf, she got no good posture as she lean and reach for the book. She then stumble over. I can't just let her fall off the floor, can I? So I help her out by catching her. That was all. Nothing more, nothing less. Okay? There's no malice in it. We're friends. "

He said slowly and carefully like he is talking to some rabid animal needed to be tame. He look at me in the eye, conveying that he isn't lying.

A moment of silence followed suit as I look at him. Just looking at him, convincing and explaining things makes me feel so much at ease. Rolling my eyes, I feel satisfied but I can't let him know that. Laughing, he flipped his fingers in my forehead, which caught me off guard.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed as I caress the part he flipped his fingers on.

"I don't need any other woman Aria. You alone is enough." He said in all seriousness. I felt my face burn hot and I know for sure that I am blushing. Looking at the side, I hide my beet red face and said

"You don't need to explain at all. Besides we're not a couple yet. I haven't said yes to you."

"Yeah. But soon I'll hear it from your very own mouth."

"Confident, eh?" I challenge.

He just smirk and rrag me off to somewhere...

"Jesus! You're here! Miss Sandoval! I'm looking all over the building for you!"

A loud screeching voice cut through my trance and startled us both. I felt his arms loosened and grabbing the opportunity, I stepped back away from his touch.

"Cecilia?" I called as I heard the familiar voice of a woman. I heard the hard stomping of foot with an exasperated sigh, she grabbed my arm.

"Yes! You insolent woman! How can you leave your room without someone accompanying you! You could've called for me!" I bit my lip as I felt the weight of my recklessness. This is the first time she neag at me. Cecilia, as a nurse for months has been laid back, carefree. She's not strict at all and realizing my actions now is making me real guilty for doing this to her.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to. I just-"

"I accompany her here miss. You do not have to be so worried. I'm with her so she's safe."

I turned my face to his side, confused as to why he's covering for me.

"Wha... What?" I ask not knowing what to say to the unknown man who saved my ass for being burn from Cecelia's nagging.

"Well. Thank you for that mister. But still, I can't let this go. So now, missy let's head back to your room now! And you mister, you better go back to your room too. It's getting hotter here, the sun is up now."

"Yes. I'll do that."

"Good. We'll just head back first."

Carefully dragging me, Cecelia's grip in my arm is firm.

"What's with the hurry and tension Cecilia? Did something happen? I am so sorry for causing such unwanted ruckus. I'm bored in the room and-"

"The stunt you pulled just now is okay for me. But I don't think it is the same cased for the man waiting in your room Makaria." I felt chills for some unknown reason hearing Cecelia's voice now laced with seriousness.

"Who's waiting for me Cecilia?" I ask, anxious. I can feel my nerves and my whole system shaking. I don't want to entertain the huge possibility of who might be the man Cecilia is talking about but my instinct is telling me it is him. With a heavy sigh, Cecilia spit the words that I'm dreaded to hear.

It's been months since we last saw each other, knowing both of our conditions.

"It's Mr. Johnson Ledesma, your fiancée."