Chapter 1 - Audric's Hatred, Ffion's Patience

Ffion moved carefully, not wanting to wake her husband. Any small noise could make him upset, and she knew it would lead to a day of his bad temper.

She felt relieved when Audric stayed asleep as she moved around. Aww, look at him... She was happy to see him still sleeping peacefully. She smiled, grabbed her comfy slippers, and went to the big closet to pick out Audric's clothes for after his shower. 

After that, she brushed her hair and fixed her robe, and left the room to make breakfast for her husband.

Even though Audric didn't like the food she made, she still cooked for him every day. What could she do? If sometimes food was burnt, other times too bland or salty.

Audric didn't want to hire anyone to help with the housework or cooking, and she respected that.

She worked happily, making breakfast and humming to the music from the stereo. She made sure it wasn't too loud, so Audric wouldn't wake up.

"Good morning, Ma'am Ffion. Here's the fresh milk for Sir Audric. I apologize for not bringing milk yesterday; there was a hiccup at home, and my son Lando couldn't assist as he's under the weather." explained Manong Lito, someone her husband trusted.

"Oh, it's you, Manong!" She quickly turned off the stove and faced the old man. With a smile, she took the three bottles of milk he brought. It wasn't a big deal for her. "That's okay, Mang Lito. Audric didn't ask for milk yesterday anyway."

The old man's face lit up, and quickly said goodbye as he headed back to the cacao plantation.

She nodded and turned to her cooking after setting the milk on the table. She kept moving energetically, making sure Audric would eat today. Even a small bite would make her glad!

"All finished!" she said with a smile, looking at the food on the round table.

Half-burnt hotdogs,  a runny sunny-side-up eggs with spilled yolk, overcooked fried rice, and a glass of milk for her husband! It's perfect. 

She even went outside and picked some flowers. Then, put them in a vase to make the dining room smell nice.

"Hi Audric!" She greeted her husband with a big smile. He'd just taken a shower and smelled really nice. "Good morning!"

He didn't seem to like her cheerful voice and just groaned in response. He continued walking, and she followed behind, ready to help him if he needed it.

Audric is blind. An incident damaged both of his corneas. But even though he's blind, he still manages on his own and never asks for help. He remembers the layout of the house to get around.

"You burned the hotdog and rice again," he said bluntly when he sat down. 

She looked pained by his honesty. Like always, he didn't eat the breakfast she made. He just drank a glass of milk quickly without talking.

"It's just a bit burnt, Audric... It's not too noticeable."

He smirked, "Because it's only a little burnt, you think it's okay for me to accept the reason of just a little burnt?" His voice was as cold as ice.

"S-sorry..." 

"Tsk!"

She bit her lip and decided to eat the breakfast that she made. If only the restaurants were nearby at the Villa, she already ordered food for him. She didn't want to ruin his appetite.

Audric...

She wanted to call his name, but it got stuck in her throat as he stood up and walked away.

It's okay Ffion, don't cry.

She smiles and takes a moment to calm down. She knows why her husband acts this way, and she'll keep understanding him. What could her heart do? Nothing. She loves him, and her heart can't change that. She'll wait patiently for the day that he'll learn to love her back, no matter how long it takes.

With a heavy heart, she tidied up the breakfast she prepared and threw everything in the trash. She washed all the used utensils and decided to go to her garden.

Manang Minda would come later to cook lunch for her and her husband. Manang Minda is the wife of Manong Lito and used to be Audric's personal nanny when he was young. The old woman was kind and treated her like a daughter.

She wanted to join Audric on the terrace while enjoying the fresh countryside air,  but she knows he'd just get upset. So, she decided to just sneak glances at him while she's sweeping up dry leaves and watering her favorite plants. She enjoys taking care of different kinds of plants, and it helps her endure Audric's behavior every day.

He looks so sad and empty...

Ffion let out a sigh as she looked Audric standing, and staring in one direction like he always did. Audric had a routine: wake up, shower, eat breakfast, then spend time on the terrace until lunch. 

After lunch, he'd lock himself in the music room or art room on the second floor until evening. At first, she worried he might fall down the stairs alone. But she got used to it. Audric didn't like being helped or pitied. He didn't want her to feel sorry for him or anyone to show sympathy.

Only Manong Lito and Manang Minda were allowed in the house. Audric is friendly when he talks to them, but he gets angry with others, including his own parents and her.

"Why are you pushing me away, Audric?" she quietly asked the wind. Unnoticed, tears began to fall from her eyes, dropping one by one.

"Stop looking at me, Ffion."

She immediately looked away, not realizing her tears were streaming. Even though her husband couldn't see, his other senses were sharp. Since losing his sight, he seemed to sense things around him.

"I keep telling you that I hate being looked at or pitied." His voice was like thunder, laden with anger and irritation.

"I'm not pitying you, A-audric," she said softly.

He scoffed, "Well, I pity you. I pity those like you who stick around with someone like me. Are you just dumb and stupid, Ffion?"

Biting her lip, Ffion sensed Audric's anger and bitterness in his cold voice, even though his eyes showed no emotion. She stayed silent, not letting his temper affect her because she knew where it could lead.

Audric was angry at the world, and she needed to be patient. They were married before God, and she promised to love him until death. His disability wouldn't change how much she cared about him.