UGLY ✔

7: They Feed on Pain

"Ms. Haron, your eyes need to adjust themselves to the medicines I have prescribed you previously," my ophthalmologist Mr. Robert sighed, examining my eyes, "I need to check your blood pressure. Please roll your sleeves up."

I sighed, doing as he instructed. It was 7:30 and god knows when will I be done.

"Mr. Robert, about the surgery-"

"Oh, yes, I remember," he looked up and placed his fingers on his chin, "You applied for a LASIK surgery, didn't you?"

"Um- yeah, I thought you remember." I exclaimed, irritated.

How can he forget that?

He chuckled,  shaking his head, "I'm getting old Ms. Haron, you need to remember that. However, first, take your medicines timely and then we can talk."

I sighed in exasperation, but I couldn't blame him.

Firstly, I was a careless person and I didn't take my medications on time and secondly, Mr. Robert was my family doctor. He knew about my unhealthy lifestyle, my unpunctuality and my eye problems better than anyone else. He knew my whole life.

"Just tell me when I can get rid of this god damned glasses," I gave him a hard look.

He seemed shaken by my glare and cleared his throat, "Uh- you need to take your medicines properly. If you follow my instructions, within two months your eyes will be prone to laser surgeries. I'm afraid they are extremely risky now."

"TWO MONTHS!" I burst out. The poor man visibly shrieked.

"Ms. Haron, if you had taken them on time, we could've start the procedures now, but-" he clapped his hands together,  suddenly becoming enthusiastic, "I have a good news! If you are careful this time and if we do a presbyopia on your eyes, we can start the primary procedures!"

I gave him an unamused look. He noticed it and said, "So, uh, you can get rid of your glasses within one and a half months."

"Thank you, Mr. Robert." I got up and shook his hands. He gave me toothy smile.

"My pleasure," he said as I saw myself out.

My appointment with the dentist had gone well. He was happy with the condition of my teeth and said I could get rid of the braces tomorrow.

I couldn't wait.

______________________________________________

"WATCH OUT!" a female voice roared from behind me. I glanced at her and saw her sauce smeared pink scarf.

Not again.

I cringed under her glare and I noticed the other students giving us a look.

"Do you even know how expensive this dress is, you homeless rat!" she yelled.

For a moment, I felt like laughing. I, definitely was not homeless.

But you are as good as a homeless person, my subconscious chastised.

"I'm sorry," I replied. When I proceeded to walk away, she grabbed me by my hair.

"Wha-"

"You really think that I'll let you walk away?" she let out a cruel laugh. I saw a few students recording it. The burning pain on my scalp brought tears in my eyes.

"L-let m-me go," I protested weekly. She, of course, tightened her grip on my hair.

"Kendra, I don't think she has ever seen a Kashmiri shawl. I think she is jealous." a bimbo cooed from beside her.