"Did you just..."
My heart leaped in my chest, a rush of hope flooding through me like a tidal wave. Could it be? Was she finally awakening from her unconscious state?
With trembling fingers, I watched in awe as her hand twitched ever so slightly, a gentle movement that sent shockwaves of disbelief coursing through me. It was as if the very air around us crackled with anticipation, charged with the electric energy of the moment.
For a heartbeat, time stood still as I held my breath, suspended in a moment of exquisite uncertainty. And then, with a soft sigh, her fingers curled around mine, a silent testament to the strength of her will and the power of our connection.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I gazed down at her, she was slowly opening her eyes and my heart overflowing with a kaleidoscope of emotions. Joy mingled with disbelief, relief with gratitude, as I watched her slowly emerge from the depths of unconsciousness.
"A-Alex?" I called her.
Agatha must have sensed that something was happening as I stood up from the chair, she hurriedly went beside me and gasped as she saw Alex finally opening her eyes.
"Oh my god, Alex!" Agatha exclaimed.
As her eyes fluttered open, I held my breath, waiting for that moment of connection, the shared gaze that would confirm she was truly back with me. But as she blinked, her eyes seemed to wander, unfocused and lost.
A knot formed in my stomach as I realized she wasn't looking at me. Panic surged within me, threatening to drown out the relief I'd felt just moments before.
Could it be?
Was she unable to see?
I fought to keep my voice steady as I called out her name for the second time, desperately searching for any sign of recognition in her eyes. But all I saw was emptiness, a void where there should have been warmth and familiarity.
Tears stung my eyes as I reached out to touch her cheek, clinging to the hope that somehow, this was just a temporary setback.
"Cara?" She called me, her voice was obviously scared. She put her hand on top of mine which was on her cheek.
"I'm here, baby... I'm here!"
"Wha- What's happening? Mom?"
God, she's so scared...
"Mom's here, Alex..." Agatha reached for her hand. "I'm gonna call your Doctor, okay? Cara..."
I nodded at her before she left, calling the Doctor.
"It's okay, babe... You're gonna be okay, I'm here, I'm not gonna leave you..." I tried to console her and ease whatever she was feeling right now.
Though I knew it was not enough, she still nodded and held my hand tight but it didn't stop her tears from falling on her cheeks.
Not long, the Doctor came with Agatha. I had no choice but to move aside and give the Doctor the space to examine her.
As I waited anxiously for the doctor to approach, my mind raced with a torrent of fears and uncertainties. Every passing moment felt like an eternity, each second stretching into an agonizing eternity of doubt and worry.
My heart hammered in my chest, a relentless drumbeat of apprehension that drowned out all other thoughts. The mere thought of what the doctor might say filled me with a sense of dread so profound it was almost suffocating.
I clenched my fists tightly, willing myself to stay strong for her, even as a wave of helplessness threatened to overwhelm me. She needed me now more than ever, and I couldn't afford to falter in the face of adversity.
As the Doctor finally through, her expression grave and solemn, I braced myself for the worst, steeling my resolve for whatever news she might bring.
The Doctor explained to Alex her scan earlier and the possible outcomes.
"As I have mentioned earlier, Alexandra's vision is compromised. I already gave a heads up to our neuro-ophthalmologists and would let him see Alexandra right away to confirm my suspicion..."
"What is your suspicion?" I interrupted the Doctor.
"Well... I'd- I'd just call Dr. Livingston, I don't want to make you more anxious than you already are. Anyway, her vitals are good, we should transfer you to a regular room. Excuse me."
As she turned her back, she signaled the nurses behind us, and probably instructed them on what to do.
Alex called on us.
"Mom, Cara..."
"We're here, honey." Both of us extended our hands for Alex to reach.
"I'm scared..."
"Oh, I know, hon. But let's try not to be okay? The other Doctor will come and for sure will put you on more tests." Alex nodded her head though worries were still in her face.
"Cara..."
"I- I agree with your Mom. Let's not worry till we have to." I squeezed her hand, trying to comfort her.
We changed the private room and settled there.
As I chatted with Alex about my flight here while we waited for the other Doctor, Agatha's phone rang. She excused herself and answered the call outside.
"I told Mom..."
"I know. I told my Dad too." I cut her off.
"You did?"
"Yes."
Alex's face brightens a little bit and it sends warm in my heart.
"How I wish I could see you, Cara..."
"You will, okay?" I squeezed her hand. "I'm smiling though if you want to know."
Alex smiled back.
"I'm- I'm so glad you were here. I should've come here with you in the first place..."
"Shhhh... It's okay, I'm here now." I interrupted her. "So, listen. I'd like to tender a leave of absence indefinitely if that's okay."
That joke made her chuckle a bit.
"I don't think there would be an issue there, Ms. Greene." She said smiling.
Alex is very strong, I know she'll get through this. Even facing the possibility of blindness, here she is, laughing and smiling.
We talked and joked some more. Even Agatha joined us. We stopped when Dr. Livingston came in and introduced himself.
Moment of truth.
He excused himself and made his way to Alex's side. He had this pen light with him and checked her eyes, moved his fingers in front of Alex, probably to see if any reaction or something.
When done, he looked at us first, then at Alex before speaking.
"So, I've seen your recent scan, Ms. Williams, and I'm sure your Doctor already explained them to you beforehand. But before I give you my final diagnosis, there are eye tests that I need to conduct for us to be accurate and see if it is just temporary or... Umm, Anyway, my nurses will take you in a minute. Do you have any questions for me?"
It took a couple of seconds before Alex shook her head.
"Mrs. Williams? Ma'am?" He diverted to us.
"No, Doctor, thank you." Agatha answered for both of us.
As soon as the Doctor left, I let Agatha sit on the chair beside Alex and I sat on her bed, both of us holding her hand.
"Are you hungry, Hon?" Her Mom asked. She shook her head.
"By the way, Your Dad and your Brother are on their way, their flight was delayed due to the weather in Korea."
Alex nodded and didn't even utter a word. Worries are written on her face again even though she was trying to fight it.
"Actually, I have this headache, Mom. I've been having this ever since I woke up... I just, I didn't want to tell you guys, I thought it would go away but it's worsening..."
"Alex!" Agatha exclaimed. I watched as her face changed, she couldn't be mad at her now but I knew it was kind of upsetting that she hid it from us, I felt it too but in a way, still understand her.
"I'll call your Doctor." Agatha stood up and marched her way out of the hospital room.
I sat on the chair Agatha vacated.
"Why would you hide it from us?" I asked her gently.
"Because... I'm already blind, Cara. I don't want it to add more to the suffering you guys were feeling."
I could feel the weight of every word she just said. I squeezed her hand and intertwined our fingers.
"You're not blind, Alex. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"But..."
"Shhhh...
Alex is not gonna be blind, it's just temporary, just temporary...
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