BLIND

"Are you sure about this?" Mrs. Harley asked her son who was packing his things carefully. He was slow in his movements making sure not to trip on things over and not to break anything. He sat on his bed and looked into the direction where his mom's voice was coming from.

"Yes, mom. You don't really have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. Let's just think of this as my vacation, hmm?" he was pleading at the same time resolute on his decision.

"Ivan, I know you're strong and we can get through this and we can always schedule for the surgery. Why must you do this?" his mother's voice was full of worry that he started to change his mind. He didn't want to hurt his parents. Both of his parents were surgical doctors.

"Don't you want me to marry and have my own family? Why not let me have a vacation so I can think about it?" he continued packing his things and closed the suitcase after a while. 

"Alright. I will let the driver send you to your Auntie's apartment complex. Make sure to call your sister and father once you reached there." he just hummed an answer as he walked out of his room leaving his mom teary-eyed.

Today, Ivan will be staying in an apartment complex to experience a normal life of a blind person. He chose to stay away from his parents for a while cause he knew that they would sabotage his "normal life".

He knew that the vases at home were put away. He knew that the edges of the things at home were rubberized. He knew that they would do things to his advantage, but he wants to learn.

"Why do you need to learn what other blind people do when you can depend on us?" his sister asked him one time when he called overseas. "You don't plan on becoming blind forever, do you?"

"I just want to experience how they see the world." Ivan answered with hope that his sister would understand. He was 7 years older from his sister but they were very close.

"Bro, you must've forgotten. Blind people can't see the world," her sister listened to his retort but there was only silence "I was just kidding. I know you're serious on this matter. I hope you'll think it over. If you would really not change your mind, please be careful always." he heard her sniff on the other line. 

He knew that her sister would understand. He wasn't born blind but due to an accident, his cornea was affected thus him being blind now.

"Sir Ivan, we have reached the apartment complex already sir. I'll just get your things and help you go upstairs."

"Hn" was all he said as he alighted from the car and went inside the building. The guards and the caretaker of the building knew him already way before he was blind. "Starting today, I am just a normal resident here. Just call me Ivan. I don't want other tenants to think I got privileges." he said before entering the lift.

The driver helped him with his suitcases and brought it to his Auntie's place and left him as per instruction. He called before he arrived but his Auntie was still at the grocery store so he sat at the living room alone since he didn't have the key of his room and he didn't want his roommate to freakout thinking he's a burglar.

Ivan decided to go down and roamed around the place where the building was situated. He just continued walking until he reached a place with more people.

"Such a waste of beauty. He looks perfect as long as you don't know he's blind." one of the women said while looking at Ivan who stood on the roadside. He traced the source of the voice and smiled at her.

"Oh my gosh! That smile is so sweet. Good Lord, I believe now that nobody is perfect." retorted another woman.

They continued with their gossip as if their life depends on it.

Kaye was walking when she saw someone at the roadside, right beside the traffic light post. He was looking at the women who were gossiping - most likely of him.

"Why is he standing there? Doesn't he know it's dangerous area already?" Kaye mutters to herself as she continued to walk towards the man. As she approached him, she noticed that his gaze was blank. 'He's looking at you but not really looking at you. Blind?' she questioned herself while looking at him carefully.

"Do you need something?" Kaye was startled when he turned to her suddenly. "Ah that...that..what was I saying..." she was stuttering while looking at his face. "Do you need help? You're not being bullied, are you?" she answered his question with questions as well when she found her brain still functioning.

"I'm fine, thank you." he then turned around and walked with his stick tapping on the road. People were aslo considerate and made way for him.

Kaye just followed him silently. "You don't really have to bother yourself with me. I can take care of myself." he stopped walking and turned to her again.

"I'm going the same way as you actually." Kaye didn't know why but she felt guilty looking at his eyes. She felt her face getting hot as he gazed at her.

"It's my mistake, then. Sorry for my rudeness." he bowed and started walking again.

"That's fine. Are you new here?" she inquired but not really waiting for an answer.

"Hn" was his response. 'Who is he saving his words for?' she asked herself upon receiving just an "hn" for an answer.

"So you're in adjusting period. You'll get used to it. Trust me, I've been there, done that." they just walked but she did not really offer any hand. She knew what pride is. She was just observing him on the sideline until she noticed that he's getting inside on a familiar apartment complex.

"Thank the heaven and earth, you're safe. Where have you been? I saw your things upstairs but I couldn't find you. I was about to call the police!" his Auntie talked nonstop as she turned him around for any wounds or anything alarming.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Auntie. But what could happen to a big man like me?" he was nonchalant to the dilemma that he caused making his size an excuse. His Auntie was overreacting which he also understood given that he's blind.

"If it was before, nothing could happen to you. You're already in this situation yet - Oh Kaye, I'm glad you're here." Kaye was supposed to leave the scene already when she was called by the owner, Ms. Louise Harley

"Hi Ms. Harley, good morning!" she greeted with all the sweet smile she could offer as they walked toward the elevator. She found it awkward witnessing a man being treated like a baby.

"You just got off from work? It's almost lunch time already." Ms. Harley sighed eyeing the girl who was holding her groceries. "This girl, get yourself a shower and go to my apartment. I'm making us lunch." she ordered her as if Kaye was her child coming home late. Kaye pushed the twelfth button since they're all getting off on the same floor.

"Ms. Harley, I can see you have a visitor today so I will not intrude." she kindly decline the lady with her offer of lunch together. It was no longer new to her since Ms. Harley didn't have a child so, she treated Kaye as her daughter for four years now.

"Oh your name is Kaye. I apologize for my rudeness once again. My name is Ivan, her nephew." Ivan introduced himself as he reached out his hand for a handshake.

"No problem at all. It's nice to meet you Ivan. I'm glad Ms. Harley will have company now." Kaye took his hand just as the elevator opened it's door.

"He's your company, not mine." Ms. Harley whispered then walked out and went to her apartment room. Kaye was stunned and remained standing inside the elevator.

When Ivan noticed that the girl didn't move he put his hand forward to keep the elevator opened. "Are you alright?"

"Huh? Ah yes. I'm fine, sorry. I'll go this way." she went on her way without looking back as her brain was getting messy.

"Don't forget the lunch we'll have together." Ivan reminded her before she could close her room.

"I'll be there." she shouted back to make sure he could hear her. When she realized she agreed, she could only face-palm herself.

Ivan was laughing when he entered his Auntie's apartment. He knew that Kaye was troubled about something that his Auntie said, not that he knew about it, but he would know it.

It was already in his expectation that she would agree due to being distracted, wherein fact, she disagreed prior to that.

"Wipe that smile on your face." his Auntie told him as she arranged the table. "What makes you so happy?"

"That woman, uhm Kaye, she agreed to eat with us."

"I know. I heard her voice when she answered you." Ms. Harley smiled as she looked at her nephew. It was very rare for him to smile since he became blind.

"Well, it was your fault for telling her something that distracted her. What's that all about?" he knew that his Auntie would not say something ill against the woman since they're very close so it could be something personal or her Auntie could be teasing her.

"You'll find out later." just that and his Auntie went back to the kitchen to finish cooking Kaye's favorite dish.