RIA ♠
♣ EPISODE NINETEEN ♣
THEME: AWAITING MIRACLE! ????
BEIKE EYE CENTER
IAN POV ????
My phone binged and I took it out of my pocket. It was a call from Mrs Elise.
“Hello Mrs Elise”
“Hi Mr Ian..how is Miss Ria?”
“She is still in the operating room. I’m outside waiting for the doctor”
“Mr Ian plea-se take a break..Miss Ria will be fine”
“I can’t do that Mrs Elise. I’ll just wait out here till I see the Doctor”
“Okay Mr Ian”
“I’ll call you when I talk to the Doctor”
“Okay..bye” she hang up
“The door leading to the operating room opened. Doctor Lui walked out with a Nurse. I rushed to him
“How is she?”
“She is good. We were able to take out all the Cataracts and implant the Stem Cells”
I let out a sigh of relief
“She will be transfered to a ward soon”
“Thank you Doctor Lui”
He walked away while I waited for them to bring Ria out
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pri-vate WARD
I sat in a chair close to the be-d
“Can you hear me Ria?”
She nodded. A white band was on her eyes. Doctor Lui said it was to keep germs away from her eyes so it won’t affect the works of the stem cells.
“How are you feeling?”
“Sleepy” she replied in a low tone
I held her right hand in mine
“Mrs Elise called while you were still in the operating ward”
“Did you wait outside all those times?”
“Yes. I told Mrs Elise that you are fine”
“How are the kids?”
“They are fine too”
I stood up and covered her properly
“Rest Now Ria”
“You should do the same too”
She whispered
“Yeah”
♦••♦••♦
THREE WEEKS LATER
IAN POV????
It being 3 weeks since Ria had the surgery but she was still yet to see. Doctor Lui as-sured us that everything was fine. He said stem cells treatment takes at least 6 weeks or more to heal the patients. And Results shows that Ria’s eyes were getting better.
“How are you feeling?”
I asked Ria as I filled the chair next to the be-d
“I’m fine”
I was just coming back from a meeting with an investor. I had to see the Chinese Businessman cause I promised to visit him anytime I’m in China
“Aren’t you Hungry?” I asked Ria
“The Nurse said you haven’t ate since morning. I bought food from the h0tel restaurant”
I said,setting out the utensils but she didn’t care. I sat next to her,holding a spoon In one hand but she stared into space
“If you’re not going to feed yourself.. I’m going to have to feed you myself” I paused waiting for a reaction from Ria. She ignored my words and sat silently.
I held a spoonful of food right in her face
“Open up” I prompted but she turned her head. I didn’t give up. I brou-ght it closely to herl-ips
“You have to eat Ria”
“I’m not hungry”
I dropped the spoon and packed the food back in the boxes
“What’s the problem?”
“Nothing” she replied sharply
“Are you doubting the surgery?” Ria froze
That was it! She’s refusing to eat because she was yet to gain her sight!
“Ria..we still have three more weeks..and anything could happen even before that time”
“What..what if..it doesn’t work?” Her voice trailed
I took her small hands in mine
“It will work Ria. We have to believe..The treatment nee-ds time to heal your eyes. This is gonna work. You will see! I’m sure that you are going to see soon. Doctor Lui said the result shows that your eyes are getting better”
“I hope so”
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TWO WEEKS LATER
RIA POV ????
The room was silent except for the constant beeping of a device I couldn’t make out. I shifted on the be-d as I regained consciousness slowly. I opened my eyes and was welcomed by darkness again. I heard a voice in the room which i recognized to be Ian’s. Then it was as if I could see throu-gh the white band on my eyes. I reached the knot behind my head and it c@m£ off.
At first, I thought I was imagining things..but I wasn’t!
I blink ra-pidly..and everything bec@m£ clear! I was in a room painted in White.
Unbelievable! I can see!
My eyes lingered to the window where I saw a well built man dressed in a faded jeans and t©p. I sat up immediately.
My mind was blank like a piece of white paper that doesn’t have any words written on it. I glanced around once again to be sure if I was seeing things with my eyes! And…
Yes! I can see!
“You’re up?” I turned towards the direction of where his voice c@m£ from. He walked closer to the be-d. I recognized him..but it seems he didn’t notice that I could see him.
“Are you feeling better today?” He asked me as he took my hands. Myl-ips remained silent. I don’t know what to say at the sight of him. I can see him! I finally got the chance to see him!
This guy sitting right in front of me was the one who helped me. I had wondered what he looked like and now i can see him. He was was here for me,he took care of me,fed me..and encouraged me never to give up. All those times I ruined his expensive Wears with Vomits..he never complained or feel irritated. During the conditioning treatments he was there..the sleepless nights when I had diarrhea and covering my hair ti-ght to st©p it from falling off and also the morning walks around the hospital when i nee-ded fresh air out of the ward. Ian went throu-gh those periods with me!
And I must admit that we bec@m£ close over the past few weeks than I expected. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes. The same man I tried to push away turned out to be a care giver.
“Why..are you.. crying?” He asked when the tears dropped own my cheeks
Ian stared at me
“Wait why did you take off the band?”
He asked
“You should put it back on..”
I st©pped him when he was about to fix it back. He stared at me in shock. Like he knew my reason for refusing the band
“Can you see me?”
I nodded slowly
“Yes..I can”
“Really?”
“Yes..you’re on a faded jeans”
“Yes..yes! You’re right Ria! Yes i knew it!” He screamed
“I Knew this would work!”
Then he did the unexpected. He hvgged me! And I didn’t push him away instead I pu-ll-ed him ti-ghter and sobbe-d.
Finally! After all these Years of waiting! Now I can see the world for the first time!
“I’m so happy..you can see Ria!”
He re-leased me. A bright smile on his face. It suite his handsome face
“Let me get Doctor Lui”
He rushed out of the room. And c@m£ back with an aged man
“miss Ria” the familiar voice said with a smile.
I wiped my cheeks clean and smiled back at him
“I want to believe that you can see now” I nodded
“How many f!ngers?”
He right hand up in the air
“Five” I replied. He went on and on like that to see if I could identify simple objects around and I did! Ian stood staring at me with a smile on
“It a good thing that you can see Miss Ria”
Doctor Lui said
“What’s next now?” Ian asked
“Few tests..and some monitoring for a couple of days”
“Okay”
“Thank You doctor Lui”
I said before he exited the room
Ian filled the chair back when the doctor left the room.
“So will you like to go for a walk around?”
“Yes!” I exclaimed
I want to see the world! Everything! I want to see it all with him! I want him to be the one showing me world!
EPISODE ♠ TWENTY
THEME:MEETING MY FAMILY!????
RIA POV ????
The limousine driver that picked us at the airport pu-ll-ed up in front of my house. I rushed out of the car ignoring Ian’s warning to be careful. I was anxious to see my family.. Mrs Elise, Phoebe and Phoenix. I wanted to see them!
Two kids ran out of the building and I spre-ad out my arms to accommod@t£ them!
“Mom!” They screamed
Phoenix was a compact little thing.. Cute with a dimple on his right cheek like mine too. His hair shimmering in the sun!
Phoebe had a short black hair packed in ponytails. Her cute brown eyes added beauty to her Heart shaped face. They are beautiful creatures!
“How are you doing mom?”
Phoenix jumped
“I’m fine” I pinched his cheeks
“Can you really see me?!”
He asked again
“Yes..my little man!”
“Miss Ria!” I looked up and Saw Mrs Elise. She was short and plump with her brown hair packed in a bun. She looked wonderful in the knee length go-wn.
“Oh miss Ria! -”
She hvgged Me
“I’m so happy you can see now” I noticed the stray of tears on her cheeks when she re-leased me
“Thanks for taking care of the Kids”
Phoebe and Phoenix dragged the boxes together
“Mr Ian..I don’t know how thank You for taking good care of Miss Ria”
“You don’t have to Thank Me Mrs Elise”
“God bless you. I’ll just take the boxes inside”
She dragged the big one while The kids fights over who will take the second one
“Phoenix let her do it” he let go instantly and made his way to the front door to open it.
Leaving me Alone with Ian
“So what next now?” He asked before I could think of thanking him
“I will just see the work we have on ground before deciding on what to do next”
He leaned close
“I hope that you’ll give my offer a good thought”
I nodded
“I await a good response..so just call me when you’re re-ady”
“Yes. So where are you heading now?”
“To the office”
“You should get enough rest after seeing to the work at the office” he nodded
Now I’m sounding like I care
“Sure”
He entered the car and waved at me before the car moved. I waved back at him.
I walked back inside only to find them searching throu-gh my stuffs.
“Is there something I nee-d to know about the trip?” Mrs Elise asked
“What are you thinking?”
“No..nothing” she shrugged
“Wow!” Phoenix screamed when he brou-ght out a Superman toy
“That for you little man”
“What about me?” Phoebe pouted
“I couldn’t fine the type of diary you wanted in China. But don’t worry we’ll visit the mall this weekend to buy it”
“Okay mom”
“You can pick some candy and chocolate now..and put the rest in the fridge”
“Thanks Mom!”
“So what do I get in place of goodies,toys -”
I laughed at Mrs Elise remark
“I’m sorry Mrs Elise..I didn’t know the size of shoe or the dress to buy”
She laughed
“It okay..I un-derstand” she packed the stuffs back and closed the box
“Let me put this inside”
“Thank You Miss Elise”
I pu-ll off my sandals and followed Mrs Elise to the room
“I guess we have a lot to talk about” Mrs Elise said
“Yes..”
“I figured that from the smile on your face”
“What smile?..I’m just happy I can see you guys now”
“Yeah I know..but I’m talking about Mr Ian”
I rolled my eyes
“Let me freshen up so we can talk” I slid down my dress and walked into the bathroom
♦••♦••♦
LINT CORP
IAN POV ????
Several of my staffs st©pped to greet me as I walked in. I waved at them without saying a word. I’ve been gone for 6 weeks..away from most of my duties just tending to few files on my system. Grace and Ramsey greeted me cheerfully when I walked into their area
“How are you doing?”
“Fine Sir” they chorused
“How was your trip sir?” Grace asked
“Good”
“Mrs Bryant is waiting for you”
Ramsey informed me
“Okay”
I opened the door leading Into my office. My mom sat at the desk. I wondered how she was able to run things here with her sto-re?
“Hi mom” she stood up and met me halfway
“Welcome son!” She k!$$£d my cheeks
“I missed you!”
“I missed you more!” I replied with a laugh before settling on the couch and she did the same opposite me
“How was the trip?”
“Good..I’m so tired! I nee-d a good rest”
“What about Ria?”
“She’s fine..I just dropped her off at her place before coming to the office”
“Son you don’t know how happy i was when I saw that Ria could see”
Yeah! Mom made a video call with Ria while we were in China! She wanted to be sure if Ria could really see. I thought Ria would feel pressured cause of that but she had agreed to talk to my mom.
“I’m happy too mom”
“And now you’re feeling like the happiest man on earth”
“More than being the happiest mom”
We laughed
“So what the next plan?”
“Oh mom…” I ru-bbe-d my forehead
“Just the same old plans..”
“Did you discuss it with Ria?”
“Yes I told her about my plans to setup her business…and for me to invest in it and then be p@rtners”
“So what did she say?”
“She’s yet to give me a response mom. I’ll give her enough time to think about it”
“Ria will accept”
“How do you know that Mom?”
“My instincts”
“Just instinct mom? I’m sorry that won’t work with Ria”
“Don’t doubt the instinct of a woman..especially that of a mother”
Those times we spent together after Ria was discharged from the eye centre..they were special to me. We visited places in China. I made sure that Ria see everything..and I watched her smile during those moments. Everything had looked new to Ria when I was showing her things and also telling her about some objects in China. She was happy.. More than happy that she didn’t st©pped smiling at everything she saw. We didn’t discuss personal issues..past or whatever but we talked about random things. And I never wanted those moments with her to end!
“Well I hope it works according to your instinct mom” I sighed and went to my desk
“What do we have here?”
“Ian you don’t have to start work today. Go home and rest for few days”
“Few days?”
“Yes”
“No..I’m resuming work tomorrow”
“A day or two rest won’t cause the company harm”
“Yes I know mom.. But I’m not talking about this company”
“Then what?”
“I want to start working on my plans for Ria”
“Sound determined”
“Always”
♦•••♦
RIA Ap@rtMENT
RIA POV ????
I sat at the countert©p in the kitchen sipping a cu-p of coffee. I was waiting for Mrs Elise to finish washing the dishes. And ever since I c@m£ back Mrs Elsie st©pped me from doing anything. She helped me arranged my clothes back in the closet. She kept saying that I should save up my energy for our discussion later in the day after the kids must have gone to be-d.
“Now we can talk”
She wiped her hands clean on a napkin. She sat on a stool facing me directly
“Where do I start from?”
“Tell me what happened after you regained your sight”
“Well Ian was there..”
“Yes I know.. You told me that on phone”
“We didn’t do much in China.. Just visiting places and him showing me things. He also helped me to identify objects and colors”
So?”
“And yesterday..Ian asked what are my plans when i get back home”
“Okay..”
“You know my plans Mrs Elise.. Saving up to enrol into a fashion school and getting a space for the business”
“Yeah like having a workshop”
“Yes”
I still have a lot to learn about being a clothe designer. Wedding go-wns and some other trending clothes I’ve seen. I nee-d to learn and become a professional in this Field
“So what did he say?”
“Actually Mrs Elise..” I paused and wra-pped my f!ngersaround the cu-p
“Ian wants to help with sewing business”
“That a good thing”
“You think so?”
“Yes Miss Ria”
“I don’t like that idea..”
“Why?”
“You know..Ian alre-ady spent too much on that trip to China and the surgery bills. And he’s still kinda insisting that I don’t pay back whatever he spent. Now he wants to help again”
“You can p@rtner with him. Like you can let him invest in Your business”
“But I still don’t have enough to start”
“Then I suggest you let him help you if he wants to. And from what I’ve learnt about Lint Corp..they produce textiles.. You can p@rtner with them so they can supply with materials…”
“Yeah Ian said that too..but I still don’t feel comfortable about helping me just like that..cause I keep having this thought that..one day Ian might demand something in return”
“Perhaps did he make any advances while you were alone with him?”
“No he didn’t..”
“So what does that tell you?”
“I..i..don’t know Mrs Elise”
“Well it means that Mr Ian is different from the type of men you know. He is not in your life for S-xual plea-sure if I may say..like Lucas did -”
She st©pped
“I want to believe that too..”
“You have to. Mr Ian is nice and he wants to be p@rt of that great dreams of yours. He is waiting for you to let him in and help you with whatever he can”
“So what do I do?” She sighed
“Go to your room..” She stood up and collected the coffee from me
“Think about what Mr Ian told you..what we discussed.. Think de-eply and make up your mind once and for all”
I think that’s what I should do. I nee-d to have a de-ep thought about my life,think about Ian’s deal and make up my mind.
“Thank You Mrs Elise”
I hvgged her before walking into my room.
I crashed on my be-d and pu-ll-ed the covers over my b©dy.
Ian was extremely good company. He was calm.. Very intelligent. He was interesting and knowledgeable. He was interested in anything I’d to say. He could be very funny at times..And it was really nice to be with him. Not that I trusted him but I felt safe and protected. I had no idea what that means..but I could give Ian a benefit of doubt. I might learn to change my perspectives about Men throu-gh Ian. And also allowing him to help me,I waited for a miracle..a breakthrou-gh to fulfilling my dreams.
“It not bad to let Ian into my life”
I whispered to myself
“If I was able to stay alone with him for six weeks..without him acting funny”
then Ian might be a good man. Different from Lucas.
♪♪♪♪♪♪
“Letting go of everything
That has ever had a hold on me..
No more running when I’m scared.
Running never gets me anywhere
I used to care but now its whatever
They don’t want you to do better
They’ll get you down if you let em
Just remember,no pain is forever
I know its ha-rd to forget, how wrong they did you
All of the $h!t that you’ve been throu-gh
All of the fights you got into
Just remember that God is still with you
They want to bring me down..”
LIFE IS ONE BIG FIGHT
Theme song by Tatiana Manaois!