𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳 𝙸𝙽 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴

𓆩♡𓆪 1;

YEAR 2021

The sterile scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of machinery filled the small hospital room. Airene lay on the bed, her heart pounding in her chest. The anticipation was palpable. Her parents stood by her side, their faces a mix of hope and anxiety. The doctor, a kind-looking man with a reassuring smile, approached her gently. "Alright, Miss Airene," the doctor said softly, "I'm going to remove the bandages now. Just relax and take it slow."

He carefully began to unwind the bandages that had covered her eyes for weeks. Airene felt a mix of excitement and fear. The last layer was lifted, and she blinked rapidly as the harsh light of the room hit her eyes. At first, everything was a blur, a dance of shapes and shadows. She blinked again, her vision slowly sharpening. She could make out the outline of a face close to hers. Blinking a few more times, the blurred visage became clear. It was her mother, Mrs. Shin, standing right beside her, holding her hand tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"Mom?" Airene whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Oh, Reen," her mother sobbed, a joyful tear rolling down her cheek. "Yes, sweetheart, it's me. You can see! You can see!" Mr. Shin, Airene's father, standing beside them, pulled his wife into a tight hug, his own eyes misty with tears of happiness. The weight of months of worry and fear seemed to lift off their shoulders in that moment. "Thank God," her father murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank God she can see."The doctor smiled warmly, stepping back to give the family their moment.

After a few moments, he gently asked, "Airene, can you see things clearly?" Airene nodded, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Yes, I can see everything clearly." Her parents beamed, their joy immeasurable. The doctor nodded approvingly. "That's wonderful news, Airene. You'll need to take it easy for a while, but it looks like the surgery was a success."

Airene scanned the room, her newly restored vision taking in every detail. Her heart sank slightly when she realized there was no one else in the room besides the doctor and her parents. A sigh escaped her lips, and her mother, ever perceptive, sensed the sadness within her daughter. "Reen honey, are you alright?" her mother asked gently, concern etched in her voice. Airene couldn't hide the sorrow in her eyes. "Where's Mochi?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Her mother's face fell, and she pulled Airene into a comforting embrace. "Oh, Reen, sweetheart," she said softly, "We couldn't find Mochi. We looked everywhere, but there's no trace of him."

At these words, Airene's composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face as the reality of her missing friend, the one person who had never seen her disability, hit her with full force. Mochi had been more than a friend; he was her confidant, her love, the one who saw her for who she truly was. The doctor and nurse, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward. "Airene, please don't strain your eyes," the doctor said urgently. "You need to take it easy, especially now." The nurse nodded in agreement, her expression kind but firm. "It's important to stay calm. Your eyes are still healing". Airene tried to steady her breathing, but the grief was overwhelming. Her mother held her tighter, whispering soothing words. "It's going to be alright, honey. We'll keep looking. Just focus on getting better for now." Her father placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We won't give up on finding Mochi, I promise. For now, let's take it one step at a time." Airene nodded, wiping away her tears, though her heart ached with the absence of her friend.

She took a deep breath, trying to find comfort in her parents' presence and the promise of hope. As the room settled into a calm silence, the doctor smiled encouragingly. "You're doing great, Airene. Just keep resting, and we'll get through this together." Airene nodded again, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the sadness. She knew her journey was far from over, but with her family's support, she was ready to face whatever came next.