The Glossy Eyes

Chapter 50: The first sight

Alannah slowly regained consciousness, her eyes still bandaged, and her head spinning with grogginess. She whispered softly, her voice laced with concern, "Nathaniel?"

Amy, who had been sitting by her side, leaned in closer, her voice filled with worry. "Alannah, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?"

Alannah's mind was racing, her anxiety growing. She mustered the strength to reply, "I need to find Nathaniel. Where is he? Is he here?"

Amy's expression turned somber as she gently shook her head. "I haven't been able to reach him, Alannah. I've tried calling, but he hasn't answered."

Alannah's heart sank, fear coursing through her veins. Her mind flashed back to all the times Nathaniel had disappeared, consumed by the dangerous world of the mafia. What if this time was no different? What if something had happened to him?

Struggling to sit up despite her disorientation, Alannah's voice quivered as she spoke, "I need to find him, Amy. Whenever he disappears like this, it's usually because of his dangerous work. What if he's in trouble? What if something terrible has happened?"

Amy's eyes brimmed with concern, and she reached out to gently hold Alannah's hand, offering comfort. "We'll do everything we can to find him, Alannah. But right now, you need to rest. The doctor said the bandage will be removed in three days to allow your eyes to heal properly."

Alannah nodded weakly, understanding the necessity of taking care of herself. She couldn't help but feel torn between her own recovery and the worry gnawing at her heart for Nathaniel's safety.

As she lay back on the hospital bed, Alannah closed her eyes, silently sending out a prayer for Nathaniel's well-being. In the depths of her darkness, she yearned for his presence, knowing that their love had the power to overcome any obstacle.

***

Three days had passed, and Alannah sat nervously in the chair as the doctor prepared to remove her bandages. Her heart raced with anticipation, her mind filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety. The doctor's gentle hands carefully unraveled the layers of cloth, revealing her newly operated eyes.

"Okay, Alannah, take a deep breath," Dr. Reynolds encouraged. "Now, slowly open your eyes."

Alannah complied, her eyelids fluttering as she adjusted to the newfound sensation of light. The room appeared hazy and blurred at first, but gradually, her vision began to clear. The first object she focused on was the blurry image of a clock on the wall, its hands ticking away with purpose.

A surge of emotion overwhelmed her as the realization dawned upon her—she could see. The world was no longer enveloped in darkness; it was now filled with shapes and colors, even if they were still somewhat indistinct. She turned her gaze to the figure standing behind her, a blonde-haired woman who resembled her dear friend Amy, but now more grown-up and radiant.

With tears streaming down her face, Alannah rose from the chair and rushed into Amy's arms, embracing her tightly. "Amy, I can see! I can see!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with joy and gratitude.

Amy, her own eyes moist with emotion, held Alannah in a warm embrace. "Oh, Alannah, I'm so happy for you! It's a miracle."

Dr. Reynolds, wearing a soft smile, watched the heartwarming scene unfold. She approached the two friends and gently placed a hand on Alannah's shoulder. "Congratulations, Alannah. Your surgery was a success. Remember, your vision may still be a bit blurry as your eyes continue to heal, but it will gradually improve over time."

Alannah nodded, a mixture of awe and wonder on her face. She turned to face Dr. Reynolds and, though her vision was not yet crystal clear, she could see the genuine kindness and expertise in the doctor's eyes. "Thank you, Dr. Reynolds. Thank you for giving me a chance to see again."

As the doctors left the room, Alannah's elation began to give way to worry and longing. She turned to Amy, her eyes still moist with tears, and voiced the question that weighed heavily on her heart. "Amy, why hasn't Nathaniel come? Where is he? He should be here with me."

Amy's face softened with empathy as she gently took Alannah's hand. "I don't know, Alannah. I've been trying to reach him, but I haven't been able to get through. Maybe he's just caught up with something important."

Alannah's mind raced with thoughts and doubts, fueled by her fear of the unknown. She wiped away her tears, trying to steady her voice as she spoke. "What if... what if all of this was just an act of pity? What if he only wanted to help a blind girl out of pity? I don't want to believe that, but the thought keeps haunting me."

Amy shook her head, her voice filled with sincerity. "Alannah, you know how much Nathaniel cares about you. I've seen it in his actions, heard it in his words. This isn't pity. It's love. He's shown you time and time again that he's here for you, no matter what."

Alannah's shoulders slumped, and she let out a deep sigh. "I know, Amy, I want to believe that. But the uncertainty gnaws at me. I can't bear the thought of him seeing me as someone to pity."

Amy tightened her grip on Alannah's hand, her voice filled with reassurance. "Alannah, don't let those thoughts consume you. You've been through so much, and Nathaniel has been there every step of the way. Trust in his love for you, and let him prove it to you."

Alannah's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with fear and concern. "But Amy, what if something bad happened to Nathaniel? What if that's why he disappeared? I can't bear the thought of him getting hurt."

Amy tightened her grip on Alannah's hands, understanding the depth of her worry. "I understand your fears, Alannah. It's natural to be concerned for the person we love. But remember, Nathaniel is a strong and capable person. He knows how to take care of himself."

Alannah's tears flowed freely now, her voice shaking. "I know he's strong, but what if he's in danger? What if he got caught up in something risky? I can't bear the thought of him suffering because he was distracted."

Amy's voice was gentle and reassuring. "Alannah, Nathaniel cares deeply about you. He wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you, and he wouldn't want you to blame yourself for his actions. Sometimes, people have their own reasons for disappearing temporarily. It doesn't necessarily mean something terrible has occurred."

Alannah sniffled, her heart aching with worry. "I just want him to be safe. I don't want him to face any danger because of me. I can't bear the thought of losing him."

Amy pulled Alannah into a comforting embrace, whispering soothing words. "I understand, Alannah. It's natural to feel scared and protective of the people we love. But remember, you are not responsible for the actions or choices of others. Trust in Nathaniel's love for you and have faith that he will take care of himself."

Alannah nodded, her tears slowly subsiding. "You're right, Amy. I need to trust Nathaniel and believe in his ability to navigate difficult situations. I can't let fear consume me. I'll wait for him, hoping that he's safe and will return to me."

Amy smiled, offering her continued support. "That's the spirit, Alannah. Lean on your love and trust in Nathaniel's strength. We'll be here for you, supporting you every step of the way. Together, we'll face any challenges that come our way."

With a renewed sense of hope, Alannah wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. She would trust in Nathaniel and hold onto the love they shared, praying for his safety and their reunion.