Stars in Your Eyes | AnunKamol

Chapter 11: Miss You

Anna spent the next few days trying to reach Lila. She visited Lila's door everyday ,but each attempt was met with silence. Her heart sank with each unanswered ring, knowing that Lila needed space but feeling helpless.

One morning, determined to make amends, Anna stood outside Lila's apartment door with a bouquet of her favourite flowers. She knocked softly, waiting for any sign of response. Minutes passed, and there was nothing but silence.

Taking a deep breath, Anna left the flowers at Lila's door with a braille note: "I'm here when you're ready. We all care about you deeply." As she turned to leave, she felt a pang of worry. Lila was fiercely independent, but Anna feared that her anger might isolate her from the support she needed.

Back at her own apartment, Anna weighed her options. Lila had grown so much, and it hurt to think that Anna's actions had driven a wedge between them. Despite her own health struggles, Anna knew she had to find a solution.

After much thought, Anna made a difficult decision. She contacted her supervisor to discuss arranging a new support worker for Lila. It was a conversation filled with mixed emotions; she felt like she was abandoning Lila but knew it might be what was best for her.

"I'll personally ensure that whoever takes over will be a good fit," Anna said, her voice steady despite the turmoil she felt inside.

"Are you sure about this, Anna?" her supervisor asked, concern evident. "You've built such a strong rapport with Lila."

Anna hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. "I think it's the right thing to do. Lila deserves someone who can fully support her, and right now, I'm not sure I'm that person."

Later that day, Anna drafted a voice message to Lila, hoping to convey her decision with care and understanding:

"Lila, I want you to know how proud I am of the person you're becoming. I understand if you need space, and I've arranged for a new support worker to assist you. I'm here if you ever want to talk. Take care, Anna."

Hitting send, Anna felt a mixture of relief and sadness. She hoped that in time, Lila would understand her decision and that they could rebuild their friendship.

____________

Lila sat on her couch, the silence of her apartment heavy around her. She could feel the tension in the air, remnants of the argument at dinner still lingering in her mind. The anger and frustration she had felt towards Anna, Naomi, and Poppy weighed on her, and the solitude only amplified her feelings.

When she heard the knock at the door earlier, she instinctively ignored it. But curiosity got the better of her, and later she found the bouquet of flowers and Anna's note. She held the flowers close, their scent a bittersweet reminder of Anna's kindness.

Lila ran her fingers over the petals, her mind racing. She felt a mix of emotions—hurt, anger, and confusion. She knew they cared for her, but the thought of being treated differently because of her blindness made her feel small, as if her independence was being stripped away.

Anna's text message beeped through her phone, the words echoing in her mind: "I've arranged for a new support worker to assist you." The finality of it hit hard. Anna was stepping back, and it felt like a loss she wasn't ready to accept.

She knew she had overreacted at dinner, but the thought of being pitied stung deeply. She had spent years trying to prove to herself and others that she could manage on her own. The argument had unleashed a wave of emotions she had kept buried for so long.

As the rain pattered against the window, Lila's thoughts drifted to Anna. Despite everything, she missed her presence—the warmth of her voice, the laughter they shared, and the way Anna believed in her when she didn't believe in herself. Lila realised that what she had perceived as pity was actually concern and care.

With a deep sigh, Lila reached for her phone. Her fingers hovered over Anna's number, uncertainty filled her. But she knew that if she wanted to move forward, she needed to confront her fears and open up to the people who cared about her.

Taking a deep breath, she dialled Anna's number. As it rang, she hoped that it wasn't too late to mend what had been broken, to let Anna know how much she valued their friendship.

When Anna's familiar voice answered, a wave of relief washed over Lila. "Anna, it's me. Can we talk?" she said softly.