Five years passed

 

★★★★★

Katherine

I hid behind a wall, my back pressed against the cold surface as I waited for the doctor to leave the floor. I was still in my hospital gown, a sharp reminder that I was a patient.

Today was different- I could see with my eyes again. The world wasn't just sound and touch anymore; it was light, color, and motion.

Taking the elevator I reached the ground floor before hurrying my steps toward the exit.

Since it was early in the morning, there was no rush on the ground floor, but I knew if any of the staff saw me wandering, they would question me. Hence, my focus was on the time to leave the Premises.

As soon as the sunlight hit my eyes, I blocked my sight with my hand and let them adjust to the brightness.

Slowly the world sharpened into focus. The luscious trees swaying gently in the breeze, cars gliding by, and flowers blooming next to the pavement. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I knew I could not enjoy standing in front of the hospital.

Hence, flagging down a cab, I climbed in, giving the driver my address.

Once home, I changed my clothes and took a few things like credit cards, passport, and, hesitating for only a moment, the gun. I looked at my phone one last time that was lying on the bedside table before I stepped out of my room.

The cab took the route toward the airport, but at the last moment I changed it, and the cab took me to 7 Avenue.

My feet halted, and I knocked on the door. There was nothing in my eyes but a frost. The door was opened, and standing the man in front of me was none other than Givon Martinez.

"Kat!?" His sleepy eyes were wide open as he faced difficulty expressing my name. "Kat!" He uttered my name again as he staggered back, "You...you can see!" It was horror that came out of his mouth as he tried to believe I could see again.

"I have been able to see since I found out you sold me off," I said, my eyes bore into his.

"What? What are you talking about? I sold you off. How could you accuse me of something like that? You said you wanted to go to the restroom, but after that, I couldn't find you anywhere. Then I got a call from your aunt saying you were with her," Givon lied with such ease on my face, but his expression betrayed him. He tried to smile, but a flicker of guilt brushed past his eyes.

I did not answer because I was surprised to see him lying through his teeth as if I were a fool.

"Babe, what's going on? I know you are pulling my leg! Tell me how you did you get your sight back," he said, shrugging his shoulder.

"Say something! Your silence is killing me," He took his steps forward, approaching me. He was slowly reducing the distance between us, but before he entered my space I inserted my hand in my bag and brought out the gun as I shot Givon in his hand. He howled in pain, but that didn't stop me from shooting his other hand.

"Bitch, what are you doing?" He snapped, "Ah, you psycho!

I did not allow my words to speak for me. Instead, I raised the gun again and shot both his legs the following second. The sharp, cracking sound of bullets echoed in the room as Givon crumpled to the floor, writhing in agony.

"After today, every time I see you, I will shoot both your hands and legs, but I will not take your life. Pray to God you never cross my path again."

I turned on my heels and began walking as Givon's howl wafted to my ears, "I don't want to die, Kat. Please, Kat, forgive me. I am in pain, Kat!" His painful cries left a warmth in my heart and I finally experienced the peace.

On my way to the airport, I threw the gun into the dense bush, lining the road as if discarding the remnants of my old life. Closing my eyes, I muttered, "Thank you, Mr.Bratva for giving me another life, but I am sorry, I can't be your woman."

★★★

FIVE YEARS PASSED

"Mom, Mom...." a childish voice crashed with my dream. I opened my eyes and found my son Liam hovering over my face, "I think this is the house. Look at the name on the board!"

"Huh!" I was startled and I looked outside the window. My breath hitched as I saw the familiar house-Liz's house. It had been five years since I had seen her, now...." I heaved a deep sigh.

"Ma'am, can you settle the bill, please," the driver’s voice cut through my reverie, pulling me out of my thoughts. Every time I dreamed of my past and what I had done, it left me feeling out of place after waking up.

"Yes, sir. I am sorry," I said and handed him cash, taking it out from the bag.

I followed Liam out of the cab and looked around, nostalgia hit me. A lot of things had changed, and I had no idea how Liz would react to seeing me. Though I had not planned to return, I got to know of my insurance money, which I thought I had lost. The amount was substantial, enough to give me and Liam a fresh start.

"Mom, is there any procedure to walk forward, or will the person in the house come out and welcome us here," Liam said, giving me a mischievous grin. I could not help but smile too, "I know that smile, Liam. Let’s go inside," I said, grabbed Liam's hand, and walked forward.

"You think a lot about something, but every time I ask what it is about, you always say nothing. There is something I know," Liam said as he glanced around the house instead of looking at me, only because he knew I was going to lie to him again.

"Because your mother is an overthinker, and it is a bad habit. Trust me I am working on it," I said, giving my son a guilty glance since Liam was not like most boys his age. He had a sharp brain, and a keen sight even though he was just five years old. Sometimes, he made me wonder if he was more like him.

“What- No? That man cannot be such good-looking and humble as my son!” Shaking my terrified thoughts I knocked on the door. The sound barely faded before it swung open, and Liz froze in its place. Her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost.

"Liz, it's me!" I said as I felt myself tearing up, "This is my son, Liam!" I gestured toward my side, Liz followed my gaze and noticed Liam. She simply stared, as though trying to process what she was seeing. Then, without warning, she broke into tears.