literature

Love With Four Senses

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   Four years have passed since that terrible accident. The accident that almost costed me my life. Instead of that, it costed me my eyes. I woke up in the hospital room and all around me was darkness. "Can somebody turn on the lights?" I had said, thinking that it was just night. The nurses on duty didn't have the courage to tell me. The lights of the car I crashed with were, apparently, the last I would ever see. According to the doctors, the nerves of my eyes had lost connection to my brain, due to the collision, and they couldn't be restored. They told me that life would go on, and that I could move on, that blind people today can live a better life, that they have the same opportunities for school, jobs, friendships and love, that I could learn the Braille code, so I could read books again.... They kept rambling on what I could do, but all I heard was: "You're blind. There's no sugar-coating. Your life will never be the same."
   And, truly, it wasn't. It had not been the same. My father was there for me while I was at the hospital, stroking my hands and my face, telling me it's gonna be alright, you're going to be fine, "at least you are here with me, at least I didn't lose you." After my mother's death, we only had each other. He quit his job, so that he could look after me. He did everything he could to make me feel better. He changed the whole house. My room, which was at the second floor, was transferred on the ground floor, spefically the guest room. The walk-in bathroom of the room was marked with a sticky tape on the wall, which helped me guide myself throughout the house, until I got used to using a special cane. He learned braille, he cooked and cleaned by himself, because I was technically impaired. But, he could always find some time to spend with me. I could no longer watch television or a movie, but he always came up with something. We listened to music together, played board games, he even read books for me. I would lie down next him, like a small kid, and he would read whatever I asked him to. He seemed to like it, too; both of us cried when we finished The Fault In Our Stars.
   For my first birthday after the accident, I got a big surprise from him. He called me that morning, to come out to the garden, and I took my cane and came as fast as I could. He came to me and set me down on one of the rocking chairs. Then I felt a pair of tiny paws against my thighs. Out of the sudden, something licked my cheek.
"You got me a dog?!" I exclaimed, as I made my way to its face, feeling its soft fur.
"Not just a dog; a dog trained especially to help and guide blind people. I thought he might keep you company when I'm not at home. His name's Charlie. He's a Golden Retriever."
   Charlie turned out to be a sweetheart. In no time at all he learned our whole home by heart and, trained as he was, he didn't have to be ordered twice to bring me or my dad something. By a week, we had fallen in love with him. But, it appeared that life didn't want me to fall in love only with Charlie. No, there was also something else. Something, or someone, that would really change my life.
   That special someone came into my life two months after Charlie. I was out for a walk with my dog, when I felt someone bumping on my shoulder. He was quite bigger than me, which resulted in me losing my balance. I would have fallen down, if it wasn't for a young man, who grabbed me at the last moment.
"What an idiot," he had said. "Can't see where he is going. Are you okay? Oh..." Of course, I thought, he noticed the cane and the dog. He's going to leave awkwardly now. But he didn't. "My name is Marcus. Come on, let's sit down."
Before I could say anything, he took me by the arm gently and walked me to the nearest coffee shop. We talked for a long time. I felt comfortable with him, like I could be myself; I hadn't felt like that for a long time.We talked about anything (I was grateful he didn't bring up my eyes), made jokes, laughed. And we would have continued, had it not been that I had to go back home.
"I have to go now. My father will be worried that I'm late. It was great meeting you, Marcus." I had got up to leave, when he touched my hand softly, and said, "I can take you home, Kaitlyn. My car is just around the corner."
   Under different circumstances, I would have refused. Trusting people is even harder when you can't see. But it was his voice that made me feel safe around him. I said yes. He was, I have to admit, a proper gentleman. He opened the door for me, drove me right in front of my house, and came to see me off. My Dad was expecting me, because before I could even reach the front steps, I heard the door swing open. Marcus and my dad chatted a little, while I was wondering how Marcus looked like. "Black curly hair, green eyes, tall and muscular- he seems to be working out-, and he has the kind of smile that makes girls drool. He is a very kind young man. If only you could see how he looked at you." That was my father's description. A small gleam of hope lighted inside me. After the accident, I had never thought of actually loving someone, because I believed that I wouldn't find the right person.  Dating a blind girl, I always thought, was more of a trouble. That's way I thought that he'd never come back.
   But I was wrong. He did come back, right the next day. He asked my father the permission to take me out for dinner that night. Of course, my dad gave it. I hadn't been on a date since the accident. It seemed weird to me. I wore a red dress I had from before the accident. I had a pair of dark sunglasses to cover my greyish-green blind eyes. Marcus came at around 8 o'clock.
"You look wonderful! Wow..." he had exclaimed. I giggled. I had forgotten how a compliment felt like.
"I'm sure you look handsome, too." I could feel my cheeks blushing. "I hope you don't mind that Charlie will come with us. I assure you, he is very obedient. "
"Oh, I don't mind at all. Shall we?" He took my hand and we left. 17th of August. The day Kaitlyn fell in love with Marcus.
   Now, three years after our first date, we're still together. Four years since the accident, three years since our first date, two years since our vacations in Europe, a year since I finally started feeling better with my life. Today is 17th of August again, and I have a date with Marcus. He said that he'd make it special, "because you're special, and because it's going to be a special night for both of us." I could coax nothing more out of him. So I had spend the whole day preparing for my date. I put on a brand-new dress, sandals, and a golden necklace (a gift from my dad). I finish my look with a pair of black Dior sunglasses (a gift from Marcus for my birthday). My dad walks in my room just as I finish getting ready.
"You're so beautiful," he tells me, and I can understand by his voice that he's crying.
"Oh, Dad...Thank you." I walk toward him and hug him. We both start sobbing. "It's okay, Daddy. Thanks. Thank you for everyhting."
"Anything, as long as it makes you happy. You know I'll do anything for you." He kisses my forehead and we let go. He walks me out of the room just as the bell rings.
   My dad opens the door and I can hear Marcus coming in. I make a few clumsy steps and he pulls me into his arms, in a big hug. "You're a beauty," he says, and I can feel him place something on my ear. My nose fills with a familiar smell. I may have lost my eyes, but my other senses have been sharpened.
"A rose?" I ask, feeling the soft petals among my hair.
"Yes. A white one, your favourite. Now, m'lady, shall we?" he asks, with a funny British accent.
"Why, of course, my kind sir," I reply with the same accent, and burst out laughing. I give my Dad a good-bye kiss, take Charlie's leash and Marcus leads me to his car.
"So, what are the plans for tonight? You said it was going to be special," I say, as he fastens the seatbelt for me. He closes the door and I hear him flop on the driver's seat. He starts the engine and we leave. Charlie sits at the back seat.
"The plans are secret. They are a surprise," he says, singing the last sentence. "But, I promise you, you're going to love it."
   Not long after we left my house Marcus stops the car and turns off the engine. Before I can ask a thing, he touches my arm and says: "Wait here. I'll be back in a minute."
"Where did you go?" I ask, when he gets back.
"Oh, just a small business of mine. Well, let's continue our night! Are you hungry?" At the sound of the word 'hungry' Charlie squeezes his face between the two front seats and gives a small bark.
"We know Charlie is. Are you taking me somewhere nice?" I ask as he turn on the engine again.
"You know that fancy restaurant at the centre of the city? The one that celebrity went and suddenly the place became famous?"
"The 'White Rose'? The one place none of us can afford?" I ask laughing. It is the most expensive restaurant in town.
"Well, I didn't get you a white rose for nothing," he says and turns the car. I can now hear the buzz of the city.
"You're kidding!" I shout. "The only thing we can afford there is bread and water!"
"That's why I've been saving up for the last four months, silly. I have enough for a full meal. I told you tonight was special." I let out a happy cry and squeeze his arm. Maybe it was an expensive place, and the people there were a little snob, but it remained the most glamorous place downtown.
   Marcus stops the car and my door opens immediately. "Miss?" A man with a slightly posh accent offers me his hand and takes me at the entrance of the restaurant. Marcus comes and hands me Charlie's leash.
"Excuse me, sir, but pets are not allowed inside the restaurant," the man says.
"He has to come," I say, holding Charlie's leash firmly. "He is my guide-dog, because, you see, I'm blind." I tap my glasses. "He is trained, and I can promise he will cause no trouble whatsoever."
"In that case," the man says, "he can come inside. But he must not annoy the other customers."
"He wont!" Marcus says and walks me inside. "He's an angel, and so is my beautiful date!" he shouts just as I sit on my chair. "The most brilliant creature in the entire world! Sweet, smart and a real beauty!"
"Shhh! Are you mad? They'll kick you out!" I say, my cheeks burning.
"Mad? I'm glad you mentioned that! Wanna hear a story?" he asks and his warm hands touch mine.
"As long as it doesn't involve you shouting random things in the restaurant. Go on," I say, and put my chin on my fists.
   "Once upon a time," Marcus begins," the feelings decided to play hide-and-seek. Happiness said "Hurray!" and run to hide. Anger siad "No!" and left. Sadness wiped away a tear and gloomily followed happiness. Apathy said "I'm bored" and didn't play. Madness said "I'm gonna count to one hundred and then I'll come and find you!" So all the other feeling ran to hide. Love hid behind a bush of pretty red roses. When Madness reached 100, she set out to find the rest of the feelings." The waiter comes and takes our order. The food comes shortly after, and I nibble at it, waiting for Marcus to continue the story. I'm not that hungry anyway. I give Charlie a piece of my steak, and chews it under the tablecloth. I take a small sip of wine, just as Marcus begins again.
   "And, anyway, after some time she had found them all except Love. She looked behind the trees, under the rocks, among the grass, but Love was nowhere to be found. Madness, frustrated as she was, shouted and yelled, and she kicked with all her strenght a bush of roses. But, alas! It was the same bush Love was hiding in. The thorns of the roses pierced her eyes. She howled in pain, and Madness discovered her. But it was too late. Because of the injury, Love was blinded forever. Madness, realising her mistake, apologised, cried for hurting her friend and promised that from then on, she would always take care of her and lead her wherever she wanted to go. Love agreed. So it is then, that Love is blind, and Madness leads her way in the world." I can feel him shifting on his chair. He places a small velvet box between my hands. "So, Kaitlyn, you say I'm mad. I am madly in love with you. I've told you a thousand times."
"I love you too," I say softly.
"You once told me that you thought it impossible for a person like you to find love. You said that you would be a nuinsance. Trust me, you are a treasure, not a bane."
"Marcus..."
"You are the best woman I have ever met. We have been together for 3 years now, and I feel that I am ready to take the next step." He pushes the tiny box towards me.
"The next step?" I ask. My mind is racing and one thought crosses my mind. Could it be?
"Yes. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't care if you can't see, and I don't care if people look at us oddly when they see you walking, I don't care what they think. Because I love you. You are perfect to me." I hear a small 'click' and Marcus takes my right hand and places something cold in it. My fingers run around it; there is a loop, and something hard on top of it. It doesn't take me long to understand what it is.
"A ring?" I ask with a barely audible voice. "A... wedding ring?"
"Exactly. This is my proposal." His hands leave mine as I hear him getting up. He touches my shoulder softly and turns me towards him. "I am on one knee now. And I ask you this: Kaitlyn, will you marry me?"
   A wave of emotions hits me. I am positive the whole restaurant is staring at us. Everybody falls silent, the only sound being Charlie's loud breathing. I close my fist around the ring.
"It's not going to be easy," I say, clasping his hand. "You know how my father can't leave me alone for more than a few hours, and I can't get a job because I'm blind, or at least, it's not that easy, and-"
"I don't care how hard it might be. I don't care if I have to go through hell and back for you, I'm going to do it! I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
   I take a deep breath. I love him, I really do. Thanks to him, my life was better. He made me see, without my eyes, how great life could be. That I had a chance. I may have never seen him, but I love him. I lack one sense, but the other four know he is right for me. I don't need to see his face when he says "I love you"; my ears know he means it. I don't have to see the white rose on my hair; my nose tells me it is nothing but an act of love. I don't have to know what his favourite leather jacket looks like; I know its touch when he covers my shoulders with it when I'm cold. I will never see his face when he leans for a kiss; I will always know the taste of his warm lips. Our love really is blind.
I exhale. I can feel the tense of his whole body, the tense of all the people in the room, as they expect my answer. I take off my glasses and put on the small ring.
"Yes," I say, whispering. "Yes," I say even louder. "Yes!" I cry, laughing. "Of course, I'll marry you!"
"Oh my God!" he shouts, laughing as well. He wraps his arms around my shoulder and lifts me up in the air. He sets me on the ground and gives me a big kiss, and all the customers and staff of the restaurant clap their hands. There are even a few cries of "Bravo!".
   I feel the stone of the ring. There is no doubt, no second thoughts. With the remaining four senses of my body, sound, smell, taste and touch, I know Marcus is the one. And as he hugs me tightly, laughing, his body shaking with relief and happiness, the "Congratulations!" shouted by the people filling the air, Charlie yelping happily, I know, no, I can swear, I have made the right choice, no, the best choice.

The story behind this: While in Cyprus, I saw a couple, and they seemed to be really in love. I noticed then that the woman carried a cane, and a very dark-shaded pair of sunglasses covered her eyes. I came to the realization that she was blind. Her boyfriend (or husband, I don't know) was so tender and good, he looked as if she was the only and true love of his life. To be honest, they looked like the perfect couple.

The love and affection they showed to each other was so nice, it gave me the inspiration to write. I came up with this short story of what her past might be, and of how those two might have met. The names and places are fictional. I hope you like it! Leave a comment and tell me what you think!:D (Big Grin) 
© 2014 - 2024 annietheelf
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Aisuringa's avatar
Ship! Ship! Ship! Ship! :D

OHMYFREAKINGGODSILOVETHIS!!!!!