Capítulo 8: Chapter 6: Notions of Beauty and Hope
Beauty that comes from within is hard to find nowadays. But, since the day I met Sophie, my beliefs in life changed suddenly.
Almost in my entire life, I've never been this interested in someone, to a girl. She's totally peculiar, gorgeous, and real. "Where are you gonna take me, Xian?" Sophie asks me, facing the window, on her left side.
I cleared my throat and answered back, "We're here! You will know, later."
I throw a glimpse of her face, still, I can't believe that Sophie can't see her own reflection. She can't see how beautiful she is, right now. That's why I bring her to the ophthalmologist to check her eyes.
"Good Morning Xian! What's bring you here?" Uncle Hao Xie tapped my shoulders and looked at Sophie, standing beside me. "I want to ask you a favor, Uncle Hao." He would probably be shocked and surprised why I visited him at the clinic.
Uncle Hao smiled and answered back, "Of course! Tell me, what I can do for my handsome niece?"
"Please, check her eyes," I said sympathetically.
Uncle Hao shook his head. "Sophie, let's go!" I whispered it in her ears.
Sophie didn't mind to talk, she's been quiet all along the way here. "All right, Xian, kindly wait here for ten minutes." Uncle Hao guided Sophie inside.
I want Sophie to see the world again, to see the precious things around her. To treasure and to live her life to the fullest.
I was walking back and forth, feeling too nervous about the findings of Sophie's test, when my phone rang loudly.
Yhen is calling...
I ended up the call and turned off my phone for good. Yhen will never understand the words 'Leave me alone'. She's seemingly level-headed but desperate for someone's attention and affection.
"Xian!" I sighed in relief when Sophie and Uncle Hao went out. "How is it?" I let Sophie sit down.
Uncle Hao told me to follow him, I'm sure he finds something serious. "Sophie, wait for me here," I told her and followed him.
"What happened to her eyes?" I frankly asked him.
Uncle Hao gave me an X-ray of Sophie's eyes. "Eye Injuries or Trauma. Any kind of trauma to the eye can cause a loss of vision. This may include conditions such as eye stroke, in which the retina or optic nerve experiences a loss of blood flow. This typically causes temporary vision loss, but if the condition worsens or is not treated appropriately, that loss can become permanent.
Severe trauma, such as might be sustained in a car
accident or other traumatic injuries. In Sophie's condition, the reason why she became totally blind because her eyes didn't cure appropriately and or by any chance, she was involved in a traumatic accident. But, the main reason is, she has an eye stroke."
"Eye stroke?" I asked confusedly. "An eye stroke can be treated with medication that dissolves a blood clot if that's the source of the impeded blood flow. But, unfortunately, Sophie's eye problem didn't address that leads to a permanent loss of vision." Uncle Hao said.
"Uncle, tell me the truth. Can she still undergo eye surgery?"
I do believe that 'eyes' is the door to a human's soul. In the eyes, we can determine the real emotions of a person and the notions of beauty and hope. "Her vision is only 20/200 Xian, and to tell you the truth, Sophie has a 1% chance to survive. If it was sought early, there will be a chance to prevent Sophie from permanent loss of vision."
Perhaps, Sophie was in vain since then. They have nothing, maybe it's the reason why she didn't send it to a very good ophthalmologist. "Thank you, Uncle! Have a nice day!" I bowed.
He nodded and smiled bitterly. How can Sophie bear all of these agonies by herself? I went back dumbfounded and stupefied, I stared at Sophie from afar. She was smiling widely while talking with someone on the phone.
I can't see sadness and agony in her face. She's seemingly happy and contented with what she has right now, and that makes me envy her great determination and confidence.
"Let's go now!" I hold her hand, helping her to stand. "Sayonara!" Sophie said and put back her phone in her pocket.
"Sayonara?"
Sophie holds my hands tightly as we walk back to the car. "Sayonara, it means, goodbye, farewell," Sophie said in a low voice.
I didn't answer her back, I drove slowly and clueless where to go. I looked at my wristwatch and it's quarter to 5.
"Send me home now, Xian!" Sophie uttered all of a sudden. I wanted to ask about her eye condition, but I'm too coward to start a conversation. "Not yet. I'll take you to a solacing place." I twitched my jaw.
Sophie stayed quiet after that. She would always play with her fingers while her head bowed down. "I'm sorry." Sophie gulped, upon hearing it from me. She looks uncomfortable and nervous, and still, didn't answer me.
"Yhen and I are not in a relationship. I mean, I don't like her, and our parents decided that 'fixed marriage'. And that day, I forgot the time. I searched for you under in a vicious rain, until I saw you in the school oval, wet, cold, and lying unconsciously."
I don't get myself for acting guilty. Like, Sophie is just an ordinary and blind student, that whom I saved from Yhen and her friends. I'm acting odd lately, I am.
"I sent you home that night, and I slept in the living room to make sure that nothing happened." That's the most naive thing that I've done, sleeping in the living room of a girl that I don't consider as a friend or more than of that.
"You...–" Sophie covered her mouth in surprise, she probably shocked knowing the truth. "It's you!" Sophie added.
I stopped the car, and look at her eyes intently. How I wish she can see me, again. "Hold my hand, Sophie."
Sophie accepted my offer, she didn't let go of my hands until we reach the seashore. "Waves? I can hear the sound of seawater! Xian, are we really on a beach?"
For the first time, I saw how she was longing for a comforting place like this. Sophie takes off her shoes, "Let me." I helped her to carry it, as we stroll at the seashore.
"Xian." I turned my gaze at her, and the light coming from the setting sun touches her paled face. "Hmm." I murmured.
"Thank you!" Sophie smiles like she has no problems like she was living happily and gaily. I stopped, and watch her. "For what?" I acted that I don't know what she was talking about.
Sophie, never cherished this fulfilling breeze since she became totally blind. I knew it, I can felt it. "For bringing me here. I've been missing the cold breeze of the sea, and the breathtaking sunsets. To be honest, I'm longing for something that can warm my hopeless soul, it's never been easy. It will never be."
I can't describe with exact words what I'm feeling right now. I can't believe that she's telling me all her experiences, good and bad. "Can you still remember how beautiful and fascinating the sunset is? I'm just curious." I rub my nape gently, waiting for her response.
Sophie giggles, but in a flash, tears shroud the smiles on her face. "I can't recall anymore. All of my life– in the name of life, I'll deprive myself to reminisce of both the good and bad memories. Sunsets, blue and cozy sky, the starry night, the intriguing bright moon, and the colorful butterflies, I missed them so much! I want to witness all of those creations! I really want to, Xian, but–" I catch Sophie before falling into the white sands.
I heard her sobs and whines, should I hug and rub her back? Or should I let her cry in my shoulders? "Xian, I'm weary and I felt so empty inside. Should I still hold on? Should I pursue my dreams even though I'm blind, even though I have nothing?"
"Shh. Follow your heart, follow your dreams, Sophie. I know that you have a special voice, use it, embrace it! At the end of the day, all of them will be proud of you, not because of your golden voice but because of your great dedication and passion. You can reach it, at the right time, and I'm certain." I whispered.
Sophie cried out, and I let her be. She's been hiding all of these pain through this years, it must be so painful and to choose either you live in despair or live in hope and faith. "I'm sorry! It's just I became too emotional when I'm in this kind of comforting place."
She wiped her tears with her bare hands, and now she's smiling again like she didn't cry in my shoulder a while ago.
Sophie is a type of girl that can stand alone, independent and strong. She is ambitious but in a good way.
"You are beautiful, in and out." I murmured in the air, still, watching Sophie, the alluring scenery of the sea and sky.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
Maryixxx
Maryixxx Hi! I am really forced to finish this novel too soon. I'm just abiding the writing contest rules, I'm too disappointed that I ended it up easily.
But, the good news is, I won the bronze tier. From now on, I'll update and post new chapters.
I have something to do with Sophie, Yhen, Kate, and Xian.
On the other hand, I'm confused, why some of the stories didn't abide by the rules. I mean in some chapters, the number of words is not fit into 1500-2000 per chapter. Anyway, happy reading! *wink*
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