In the following days, Dylan continued to prepare himself for his upcoming surgery. All his last few eye exams went well. He was told that everything was set for his cornea transplant.
“Hey, stay in the recovery room until I wake up after my operation tomorrow, okay?” he requested.
“Okay” Rose answered. She was leaning her arms on the railing of the second floor balcony looking at the view.
“Now, I can clearly feel I’m really nervous.” he said, chuckling.
“Don’t think about the pain you’ll get from it. Think about what’s waiting for you after it instead.” she told him.
He went behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “When I get better, let’s escape from here. Let's go somewhere. Just the two of us. Where do you want to go?” he asked.
She blinked heavily as she was looking from afar. “I want to see you fully recovered first before I tell you where I want to go.” she answered softly.
He smiled. “Okay… When you become my girlfriend, I will spoil you. I will return all the things you've done for me while I’m blind. I can finally become a real man for you. I’ll take care of you when you’re sick. I’ll drive you anywhere you want to go, and I’ll protect you from anything... All you need to do is to stay by my side.” he whispered in her ear.
She smiled. She smiled despite the tears in her eyes. At that moment, as she was listening to his beautiful words, she felt both the happiest and saddest.
“Are you crying?” he asked when he heard her sniffed several times.
She did not answer.
He held her arms and turned her. When he held her face, he found out it was wet. “Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked in a worried tone.
“I’m just… I'm just happy for you. That's all.” she answered, gasping.
He chuckled. “If you’re happy, then why are you crying? ...Come here.” He wiped her tears off, then he embraced her tightly in his arms.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
The next day, Dylan’s parents and close friends gathered in the hospital to give him encouragement before his surgery.
“We’ll see you in a bit, bro.” Steve said, tapping his shoulder.
“Yeah. Things will be better after your surgery.” Max told him.
“Thanks, guys” he replied with a smile.
Mrs. Walton approached him and held his cheek. “Sweetie, you’re in good hands. You’re going to be okay.”
“Yes, son. We’ll be waiting for you here.” Mr. Walton also gave his words.
Dylan smiled again.
Serena approached him and took his hand. “Hey, Dylan... I'm sorry for… what I did last time.” she said shamefully.
“Let’s just forget about it.” he replied.
“Are we still friends?” she asked.
He nodded.
She smiled and squeezed his hand. “I will also wait here for you until you wake up.”
“Thanks” he replied.
Max noticed Rose was standing behind them. He sniggered watching her acting off the group. He approached her and grabbed her hand. “Hey, Dylan! Rose also wants to say something to you before you go.” he said aloud.
She was shocked and felt embarrassed.
After Dylan heard that, he smiled broadly. “Okay, I’m listening.”
Rose saw all of them were looking at her. Although she was not ready, she let out a deep breath and approached Dylan in his bed.
“Um... Just don't be stubborn, and listen to whatever the doctor tells you. Don't act like a baby in there. If you're scare, try to sing or imagine funny things." She paused and relaxed. "And here... I stole a flower for you from your neighbour, so you won’t get nervous.” she said.
All of them chuckled except from Serena.
Dylan laughed the loudest. What she said sounded both cute and sweet to him. “Okay. I’ll remember all that. Put my flower in my pocket, so it will stay with me during the surgery.” he told her.
She inserted the small red rose inside the pocket of his hospital gown.
“Can I have a moment with her? I’ll just give my helper a private instruction.” Dylan requested.
They all obeyed and left the room.
When they were finally alone, Dylan took Rose’s hands and pulled her closer between his legs. “You know what else I like about you? ...You're very honest. You’re not afraid to speak your mind... and I think that's very attractive.” he told her, smiling.
She felt shy. “What instruction you want to tell me?” she asked.
He chuckled. “That was just an excuse, so we could have a time together before I go there.”
“You're all set. I think you’re ready.” she said.
“Not yet. There’s still one more thing I need.” he told her.
“What is it? I’ll get it for you.” she replied.
He held her face and smiled again. “My lucky kiss” After he said that, he pressed his open mouth on hers and took all the courage and strength he would need from her soft and sweet lips.
She let him touch her until he was satisfied, but in her mind, she was silently wishing that when he wakes up after his surgery, she was no longer the person who's in his heart and mind. With that, things would be easier for both of them.
After their sneaky kiss, Dylan was taken to the operating room. All of them waited outside praying for a successful operation for him.
After an hour, Ellie came to give support to her best friend.
Rose observed them as they were talking to each other with Serena. She could clearly see how pleased Mrs. Walton was to her friend’s daughter. At that moment, she felt undeniably out of place. Dejected, she looked away and left.
Serena saw her leaving. She excused herself and followed her to the hallway. By the window, she found her looking outside.
“Rose?” she called.
Rose looked at her.
“Can I join you?” she asked calmly.
“Sure” Rose agreed.
Serena approached her and joined her by the window. “You love him too, right?” she asked.
“Just tell me already what you really came here for.” Rose replied.
Serena let out a deep breath. “If you love him, choose what's best for him.” she said forthrightly. “It won't be easy, I know, but I still want you to think of it... Dylan will hold a large-scale business someday and he will need someone who can help him succeed in life. If you think you can be that person, then go ahead. Carry on with your love for him, but if you think you can’t, then let someone else do it... Life is not just about love, Rose. That’s reality.” she continued.
“You’re like asking me to stab myself straight to my heart.” Rose replied without looking.
“Yes, if that’s how you understand it… Dylan grew up in a luxurious world. The way you see things are different. Maybe he really loves you right now, and let's just say he will still love you after he sees you... but do you really believe that love will last? That he will not find the things he used to have before? ...Believe me, Rose. I also grew up in a world like his." Serena paused and looked at her. "You can never change him. His eminent taste for women will always poke him back... Are you not afraid to wake up one morning he's no longer beside you? ...Well maybe, he's in someone else's bed... fucking a dirty bitch... You're aware of it, aren't you?" she asked in a sharp, but serious tone.
Rose tried to fight it back, but fear and doubt still found their way through her head. When she was about to speak, a familiar voice joined their conversation.
“Rose?”
She and Serena turned their heads. Behind them, they found Max with a bothered look on his face.
Serena quickly looked back at Rose. “Give it some thought” she told her, then she left.
When she's gone, Max approached Rose. “What did she tell you?” he asked in a worried tone.
She looked back out of the window. “I remember what you told me before. You said I should try to see my own importance… I still can’t, Max... I think I’m in a wrong world right now.” she said in a subdued voice.
“I would rather see you with the guy you love, than to see you in one corner crying because you let someone else steal what’s supposed to be yours.” he told her.
“This is another reason why I don’t want to fall in love… You don’t know if you're with the right person." she said sadly.
"There's no right person in choosing a partner, Rose... People built relationships through right choices." he replied.
She sighed silently. "If this won't be a happy ending for me... I don't want to open my heart for love again.”
He faced her. "That's not how you should th..." He was cut off while talking when she interrupted him.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. All I want now is to see Dylan returned to his normal life.” she said firmly.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
After more than two hours, Dylan was brought back to the recovery room. All of them stayed and waited until he wakes up. In just a few minutes, he moved.
“Sweetie? It’s mom.” Mrs. Walton called, holding his hand.
“Is it done?” he asked in a low voice.
“Yes. You’re back in your room now.” she told him. “Are you okay? Do you feel any pain?” she asked in a concerned tone.
“I’m fine, but I can’t feel my face.” he answered.
They all chuckled voicelessly after they heard that.
“The doctor said the surgery was successful. You just have to wait for a few more weeks for your eyes to fully heal up, then you can open them again.” she told him gladly.
He smiled.
“Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?” she asked.
“Water” he requested.
Rose was about to grab the bottled water on the table, but Serena snatched it first.
“Here” she said, assisting him to drink.
Max looked at Rose. She looked back at him and showed him an awkward smile. He chuckled, then he grabbed her hand and took her near the bed. “Yo, Dylan. Did Rose's magic flower work?” he asked.
He chuckled. “I was super chill during the operation. I think it worked... Where is she?” he asked.
“Right here next to me.” Max answered, then he put her hand on his.
When Dylan felt it, he held it tightly.
Serena was looking at them pretending she was okay with it, but Max noticed her. He turned his head to her and smiled scornfully.
She didn't like it, she scowled at him.
“Hey, Dylan. Do you still remember me?” Steve joked in a dramatic tone.
They laughed.
“Don’t worry, Steve. My brain is still intact.” he answered.
*
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*
To be continued....
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