appleofhereye

[appleofhereye]

Apple of Her Eye

How I wish to feel the beauty of breathing once again. 

Today is certainly no ordinary day. I got up, glanced at my reflection in the mirror, and observed how my face was looking. "My eyes are glistening," I murmured to myself, as if it received a message that it'll be the show's star. Some time passed, and I finally finished getting ready. My guise deemed somewhat professional, as I got into my car and drove away. A billboard containing the words "BioNeu Hospital, your pillar in sight" then greeted me. With a tad of fear, I shrugged and went inside the rotating doors. The head of the hospital told me that the event would be held in their function room, and the truth was proven as numerous heads turned and gazed at my being as I arrived. Public speaking was never my jive; it made my skin crawl by thinking of the judgment I would receive. However, there is a sole reason for all of this; it is all for that person.

My thoughts dissolved when I heard the enthusiastic master of the ceremony's voice, a signal that the event was about to start. Messages of remarks here and there filled the ambiance of the room. "And now, the interview that I'm sure everyone's been waiting for is next! Ladies and Gentlemen, please give the warmest welcome to Dr. Theia Stoll," the host uttered. Those words made my body stand up and march toward the wide podium. The interview went surprisingly smoothly until the last question arose. " Dr. Theia, your work has certainly changed the lives of the people who were once deprived of seeing. What is the reason behind pursuing the field?". The question echoed inside my head. I was already expecting this situation, but the answer remains a challenge.

Twenty years ago, I was a different person. Seeing the world was never a part of my capabilities. Back then, I was always wondering what wrong I did to the gods for not blessing my life with sight. Everything was pitch black. Because of this, my perception of living was full of negativity. The eternal love of my parents was the only thing that held me from ending my misery.

I thought the 6th of August would be like every other dark day, but no, it was not. I found it really cheesy whenever my best and only friend, Emily, gushes about her crushes as if she's in a rom-com movie. She'll always say, " Theia, I swear it's as if everything is in slow motion whenever our gazes meet! If only you could see it with me, you might finally believe me." Based on the tone she was using, it probably came with eye-rolling. Like Emily described, I felt the same on that day.

"Theia, right? Were you named after the goddess of sight? I am a fan of the story.", some masculine voice said. That voice, how would I describe it? It's as if angels went down from heaven and strummed a harp. I just gave him a nod. "I'm Kalix, by the way.", he followed. From then on, we became inseparable. At first, I thought he was just another high school guy who does nothing but waste his life. Boy, was I wrong. My days were filled with bliss, and I felt what colors looked like.

Out of all his good traits, I appreciate the most that he never, not even once, made me feel that my blindness was a disability. Kalix has always made me believe that I am the best woman alive. He never raised his voice at me. Encouraging voice messages filled my inbox day by day. And I cannot even believe that someone has the patience that long! Kalix always made sure to join my walk home even if my schedule conflicted with his. Indeed, a golden retriever’s qualities are similar to his. Mom and Dad were so happy because, finally, their daughter had someone that loved her as she was. It was the kind of love that would make you appreciate life and live in it.

However, life was also the culprit because it hit me right in the face. What happened? Let's go back to when we celebrated his 20th birthday. Kalix called me to walk by their garden. He broke the air and said, "I have something to tell, my love." I waited anxiously with cold palms held together. What could he possibly tell me?

Kalix took a deep breath. "I have been attending regular checkups. This has been going on for 8 years. Theia, I have long been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease." Those words felt like wrecking balls banging through my head. Before I could react, he talked again. "The doctor told me that in the 9th year, I would start to forget almost everything." Tears started to stream down my face, followed by a burst of anger. After several minutes, I finally got the courage to speak. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" I asked him. Kalix explained that he did not want to waste our limited time; he wanted to savor every moment. Honestly? I get his point. It just feels unfair because he and I doesn’t deserve this fate. I cannot even imagine that what we have will all fade to a blur. “How am I supposed to act by the time he forgets?” and “Should we keep on trying and make him remember me every single day?” Those are the thoughts I kept asking. Once again, I felt that the colors in me were starting to disappear. Darkness was the subject of my vision. The memories of that night were filled with pain and despair.

Kalix and I agreed to not talk about the revelation. Instead, we hid the truth from ourselves and made the most of the remaining year. He made sure to prepare me when that day came. I despised time so much because of how it blows by with just a snap. On the 6th of August, I went by his house to spend time together. He greeted me with a confused look. As if he's wondering why a stranger had casually barged into his home. Without hesitation, I walked fast and left. Tears filled my face as I walked. The funny thing is, that day was the first time we met, and now, it was the day that he permanently forgets.

From then on, I promised to make a way to physically see him. I strived hard in my academics to become a doctor. My blindness became my subject of research as I stepped into college. Seeing Kalix was all my heart desired. With that, I successfully crafted an eye transplant that doesn't only transfer the cornea but the whole eyeball. The eight years of research was worth it. I became the first tester of the transplant. Of course, worry crept into me as the thought that it all might go wrong crowded me. However, I believe that Kalix was always beside me every step of the way because everything went well. I, Dr. Theia, changed thousands of the blind's lives.

"Did you get to see him?" A reporter asked, and I nodded in answer. My goal was fulfilled, but the burden in my heart remains. For the first time, I saw how gorgeous of a man he is. He does look like Kalix, my Kalix. Sadly, we're merely strangers in this world. The greatest lesson I've learned in my experience is that some people we cross paths with are only meant to stay for a while. However, it is in our grasp to use that particular experience in something life-changing. Kalix is the sole reason why I have come this far. With this, I have no regrets.

About the Authors

Franzeen Balbiran graduated in the year 2035 Magna Cum Laude at the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduating, she became a loving wife and a caring mother to three children. As a fan of romantic-themed novels, she then pursued to start her writing journey. Her first written novel entitled “Inside a Mirrorball” became a hit and received multiple awards, including the New York Times best-seller title in 2041. The latest novel, “Apple of Her Eye” was a joint work with Marcus Villarino. The inspiration behind the book was when they met a blind old lady that shared her regrets because she did not have the opportunity to see what her greatest love looked like. Franzeen continues to share her imaginative mind with her followers through reading platforms like Wattpad, Fictionaut, Camp Nanowrimo, and many more.

Marcus Villarino attended the University of the Philippines Diliman and graduated in 2027 with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, where he grew fond of writing poems and stories. He makes use of real-life situations and experiences and adds layers of metaphors and allegories to form unique and enthralling fictions that span a multitude of genres. His breakthrough came with the historical romance trilogy Texas Bluebell, consisting of "Texas Bluebell" (2036), "Highway 15" (2037), and "Goodlands" (2040), all of which became New York Times best sellers. Marcus is currently a husband and a father of one, and he and his family relocated to and currently reside in Denver, Colorado. He is also a polyglot, fluent in 5 languages, and is also a guitarist.

11-HUMSS A Finals - 21st Century Literature

by: Balbiran, Franzeen Villarino, Marcus