Beautiful

Part 8

   Torin was in his cabin after finishing his rounds. His mind kept thinking about one thing and he wanted to get cleared about it. But he didn't know how. When he was engrossed in his thoughts, his intercom rang.

Torin: "Yes"

Receptionist: "Sir, someone called Mr. Rafferty is here to see you. Shall I send him in?" Torin was surprised hearing it.

Torin: "Yes" Within seconds, he heard a knock on his door and he grumbled a Come In. He saw Mr. Rafferty standing at his door thinking something deeply. Torin went towards him.

Torin: "Please come in sir. Why are you standing there?" That brought Mr. Rafferty out of his reverie and he entered and took his seat. Torin sat in his chair.

Torin: "Any problem sir? Why did you want to meet me? Is everyone okay?" MR. Rafferty smiled hearing that.

Raff: "I have no one except my children in my bakery" Torin felt guilty asking such question.

Torin: "I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to offend you"

Raff: "It's okay. I'm here for Cecily" On hearing her name, Torin became alert.

Torin: "Cecily? What happened to her? Is she okay? Is she hurt?" He kept bombarding questions and was stopped hearing MR. Rafferty's chuckles.

Raff: "Relax young man Cecily is absolutely fine. I wanted to talk about her eyesight" Torin felt that he found a long lost answer.

Torin: "Even I wanted to talk about it sir. But didn't know with whom should I talk"

Raff: "If anything about Cecily, you can approach me whenever you want. She is like my daughter"

Torin: "Sure sir. My first doubt is, is Cecily blind right from birth? I don't think so. Do you know anything about it?"

Raff: "Your doubt is absolutely right Torin. She is not blind from birth. She lost her eyesight in an accident few years ago" His voice sounded low expressing his grief.

Torin: "Accident?" Mr. Rafferty sighed before speaking.

Raff: "Yes. Do you remember the bomb blast that happened in NY 3 years ago?" Seeing Torin nod, MR. Rafferty continued. "Cecily lost her eyesight during that blast. She was there to meet her fiancée. She was about to get married in a week. But after she lost her eyesight, the groom & his family rejected her. She was heartbroken during that time. Her parents and her went through hell before she recovered. To give confidence to her, they suggested her to work. Since I employ such people, she came here. But she is the loveliest and youngest of all. She doesn't like talking about that incident or her break up. She always tries to see this world in a new light. Although her world is in darkness, she gives her best to light up her environment. Such a bubbly girl she is"

   Silence occupied the room. Mr. Rafferty was regaining from the sorrow while Torin was trying to absorb all the information. He never thought that a lively girl like Cecily would have such a horrible past. But he didn't feel pity for her. Instead he felt a sense of protectiveness and possessiveness for her. He wanted to be her shield.

Torin: "Are you okay sir?"

Raff: "Yes. I just want to know whether there is any slight chance for Cecily to regain her eyesight. She doesn't want it back. But I want her to see the world again. Is that possible?"                                                                                                                                

Till next time...