Always Only You (Rewriting)

12| Duodecim

Don't go through life, let life grow though you

-Eric Butterworth

Leah's Pov:

"It'll take time, of course, to grow the nervous tissues and implement them to regenerate your optic nerve. I find no damage to your eyes after studying the results of these tests. We shall carry the operation in two weeks? Is that okay for you?" he asks as Ryan's hand gives mine a tight squeeze.

"That would be good."

Ryan discovered an ophthalmologist surgeon who specialized in neural reconstruction, that is repairing and building of damaged nerves, and even after my vehement protests, he still dragged me to the hospital, a place I hate with all my heart. Maybe it is because they always reek of phenol. As soon as we step in, the smell hits my nose and I flinch as the memories hit me. The smell being a reminder of the many days I spent in the hospital- bedridden and blind.

As I feel his arms brushing mine, I feel a wave of relief. I think that I can tolerate anything if he is by my side. I was apprehensive at first to come here because the surgery would be expensive and we wouldn't be sure if the operation would be a success, but Ryan told me that it wouldn't cost any money since they are still undergoing approvals and trials to make the procedure public, so I agreed. There's no harm in trying, right?

"When did you lose your eyes sight?" The doctor's voice sounds patient and kind. "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask any questions," he hastily adds as he notices me stiffen immediately.

"You don't have to answer him if you don't want to," Ryan softly whispers to calm me down as I feel the air escape my lungs and my lips softly quiver in response.

"I had the accident when I was in Russia, it was a car accident." I start, feeling Ryan stiffen bedside me at the mention of his country. I never told him the details about the accident, all he knew was that I was in a car accident when  it happened. I feel that he deserves to know, and maybe if I do this, I shall let go of my demons and maybe he can let go of his.

"It was in December-"

"Leah! Give me that glass, don't drink too much! You have to drive us to the airport now, and we don't have license here," my mother gently chides, snatching the glass of champagne from my hand, her blue eyes questioning mine hazy ones.

"Dear, let her have another glass, it won't hurt," my father chuckles as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and draws me closer. "She's settled in Russia, doing what she loves best with her troupe. She deserves a drink." He beams with pride.

I smile as my parents bicker quietly. We were attending the after show party, as our show was a success, the director was elated.

"This is Mr Lenkov," the director introduces me to a dark haired gentleman, who tips his hat. He must have been very handsome when he was young. His green eyes twinkle with crinkles in the corners, "It was a wonderful performance, I must say, I am impressed.I usually don't attend such shows. It is a pity my son  isn't here, he is missing out on meeting such a beautiful girl." His praise makes me blush in embarrassment.

"Thank you for your kind words, sir."

He nods, "I hope we meet again."

As the director ushers him to another group, I feel a tap on my shoulder. "Leah," I whip around to stare into Luke's opulent eyes as he gives me a chaste kiss on the cheek. "You were wonderful," he rasps.

"So were you," I smile, giddy as I feel the effect of alcohol mildly taking a toll on me.

"Leah, honey." My mother taps my arm as she wraps the cashmere shawl around her tighter, "Our flight leaves in two hours, you have to drop us at the Berlin airport."

"It was nice meeting you, Mrs.Richardson," Luke says, pulling my mother into a warm embrace, making me smile as my mother nods her approval of my man as she mouths, 'I like him'. He turns to me and tucks a stray brown hair that falls in my eyes behind my ear, "Stay safe Leah, call me when you reach home."

"I will."

But I didn't.

I didn't realize that I was crying until I felt Ryan's warm fingers brush the tears softly from my face. "It's fine-"

"I still remember what song was playing on the radio, as cheesy as it sounds, it was uptown girl. My father and mother used to love that song."

"Oh! Turn the the volume up, Leah! It's our favourite song," my mother insists and I giggle, still a bit dazed from the alcohol but listen to her as crank up the stereo and hear them both sing the song- out of tune.

"Ugh, why do you two like this song song much?" I pretend to complain, trying to hide my smile even though I really just wanted to hear it again.

"How many times do we have to tell you Leah," my father gruffly scolded, secretly pleased that I asked, even though it was the ten time. "I proposed to your mother with this song."

"Yes, your father to me to this little Italian restaurant, even though he hated pasta, and made a band play that song while he got down on one knee-" she eyes her husband lovingly. "I wouldn't have said yes to anyone else."

"Ew, please don't kiss in my car." I chuckle, glancing as they slowly lean in.

"I wonder when Luke will pluck the courage to ask, I am beginning to like the boy."

"Mom!" I huff, as I turn my head to look at my mom, who wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. Though I love her, she loved embarrassing me all the time. "We aren't ready for that kind of commitment yet. Who knows what will happen after this -"

My father's eyes suddenly widen and he points his finger at the road, "Look out, Leah!"

My eyes switch back to the road to find a man in front of us, holding another man by the throat and in his hand-

"He has a gun!" My mother screams in horror, making me swivel the car to the left.

I pant as I feel the adrenaline pump through my veins. I glance at the men. The one with the gun lifts the gun in the air and suddenly goes still. I was so focused on the men, that I didn't realize that a lorry was approaching us from the other side.

Honk!

I couldn't hear screams coming from my parents but I screamed the most. There was a flash of light and then darkness, as I felt the impact hit our car.

I feel the weight lifted off my chest. Maybe now I am ready to move on, with him.

"Why do you seem upset?" I ask him as we walk out of the doctor's office, wondering if he is angry about sharing my past with a complete stranger before he got to know about it.

I didn't realize that Ryan had gone livid beside me. I let go of his hand for a brief second to touch his face to only realize that he is shaking. This is the first time I spoke about the accident, I don't know why I chose such a timing but at least now he knows.

"You remember what the man looked like?" He presses instead, ignoring my question.

I stop to think, recollecting the burning of our car tires and the smoke that surrounded me. The man who was in his forties seemed ordinary looking, nervous and agitated as he held a young man with a knife. He was dressed in a normal suit-

"Ah, I do remember one thing though-"

"What's that?"

"He wore a bright yellow polka dot tie."