Always

PYŌOR - Pure

Moving is something really difficult for me to handle. It always makes me feel uneasy about everything, but I always hide it. Every single person that is important to me is gone. My dad left me when I started to walk. I was just a child back then, after his death my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She made it but not until I’m 16 years old. She died because of complications in her heart, her heart giving out. I on the other hand, struggling to accept whats happened. Lost my sense of thinking for a year, grieving for the lost of my family. My aunt take care of me. She giving me love and family that I supposed to have. I am lucky that i still have someone to depend on.

“Stay calm, everything is going to be okay” my hand was looking for door handle. Calla searching her book that she left just before going to the bathroom. Once she finally touch the surface of the book, she return to sit at her rocking chair. “Tomorrow is gonna be tough” sighing for tomorrow event.

Calla Amara is bright young girl. She’s everything all girl’s ever dream of, beautiful hazel eyes, long red hair, intelligent in every subject in school but one thing she’s don’t have, ability to see. Her doctor confirmed that was completely blind. Her family history leads her to know reason behind why she’s blind. Nevertheless, it did not stop her to continue living like everyone else.

She love to run, doing anything outside of the house before god decided to take the gift from her. After diagnosed with eye disease and left her blind, her aunt finds something else that might help change her passion for running. Her aunt Tyra sent her to the finest school of disability kids like herself. From there Calla Amara learned how to read and write as we call it braille system.

Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or who have low vision. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language.

Her reading was interrupted by phone, it ringing so loud beside her, upon hearing other person voice she knows who’s calling

“Hello auntie”

“Hai my sweetheart, how are u holding up?”

“I’m fine auntie, don’t worry about me being alone here, I’ll manage”

“I’m still worried about you, you won’t let me stay with you” her voice sound like she about to cry.

“I told you aunt, i can make a living same like everyone else, besides i wouldn’t let you left your job, you just got promoted, it’s something you wanted all this time” i remaind her again.

Sighing sound “okay sweetheart, but if something goes wrong, let me know, i come take you back, promise me Calla”

“I promise mom” she says to her.

“Alright sweetheart, don’t forget to lock your door, make sure to eat..” before she’s continue, i stop her by saying

“I know, please don’t worry. And please look after yourself too, i love you”

“I love you more hon”

It’s late and she has work tomorrow. The night is peaceful makes Calla Amara fast asleep, she’s smile on the thoughts her aunt finally ler her follow her decision to make a living by herself.

Next morning,

At first it was hard for her to find work place. But after awhile she got used to it. Arrived at her desk she began her work. Calla was working at customer helpline, the company is built for disability person like her. It helps people like her working like normal person. The CEO of the company is generous, kind and loving person. He wasn’t hesitate with people like us i on the other hand like to call ourselves visually impaired, it’s more polite if anyone should address us.

Calla made friends with everyone she meet. But non of them was really close to her. She made friends with guard at her work building. His name is John, he was 56 years old, he always there to advice or listen to her story. Calla will always come to him after her shift end, just having conversations with him. Sometimes they watch drama together but John was the one telling what action the actors were doing. Until one night, John was having trouble with his breathing and sudden death left the booth to someone new.

“Hi old man, how are you?” With bright smile she always give to who-she-think was John and sits beside him like she always has.

No answer. Calla feels like something is wrong, ‘But, I swear I heard movement in front of me’. “Hey, John, is there something wrong with you today?” Her sad face shows she worried about this old man.

“Err, I’m not John” a voice said. Calla jumped when she realised he was not John.

“I’m so sorry, I thought you are him. I usually hang out with him everyday, we are like friend. I first know him here, when i was waiting for rain to stop and since then i come everyday to company him, I’m blind so..” this make her blush, and she let her face down, ashamed for her behaviour. “Mind if i ask you sir.. Where is he?”

The man was hesitate to tell her that her friend is pass away. But looking at her hopeful face he felt bad not telling the truth. The man scratching his head and saying “ermmmm.. I’m not so sure i am the right person to tell you this, .. but your friend is pass away couple of days ago, I’m here as a replacement for John”

“Oh god, poor John, I didn’t even know that. I was absent for 2 days.. oh no” she let her tears fall and the man guide her to sit, worried something might happen to her.

After grieving for awhile she stands and wipe her face with napkins “thank you sir.. for telling me, I don’t know he already pass away. It really heartbreaking news. Thank you again for helping me sits and stay here. I should go now” Calla was about to walk out but stop. Heavy rain outside, she could feel water at her cheek and storm sound so loud. ‘Was it raining? I was not aware of it, I guess i have to stay here until the rain stops. But it seem like the rain is no where to stop.

“Wait” the man running towards her “it’s raining, i think it’s better for you to stay while waiting for storm to end, if you like, you can waiting in booth with me?”

Calla smiles and nods happily accept the man offer. “Yes, I would love to, thank you”

He grab her hand to lead the way, She was startled by his cold hand. “I’m sorry, I forgot to ask your permission, I’m gonna hold your hand now okay” Calla nod and they walk back to the booth. “You can sits here” he hold her hand and place it at the chair. After settle down.

“Thank you sir, I believe we haven’t properly introduced ourselves” Calla take out her hand and shows to the man “My name is Calla Amara, u can call me Calla or Amara or whatever you please”

His cold hand accepts her’s and shakes “you can call me Liam”

“Well hello my new friend Liam” she giggles. “If you don’t mind I’m asking, how did you know the job?”

“I was walking here couple of days back, and they showed hiring sign. I went in and got the job”

“Really, thats how you know John passed away.. Hemm” She start to recall her dead friend. “Anyhow sir, it’s nice to meet you”

“You too” and then both of them stays silent. After couple of minutes passed, the Calla started to feel awkward. If you are blind you hate when someone you are with not talking. It makes me feel like he or she staring at you.

‘I guess he is not talkative. Ergh.. I afraid i being annoying, stop this awkwardness Calla, you have to let the awkwardness out now’ she love to talk, if she start to talk it’s impossible to stop. ‘Should I continue to ask him questions or I should stay silent. Why am i like this? I can let it slide but this awkward moment really need to be gone’

“If you don’t mind me asking again, where did you live, isit nearby or..?” Calla

“I live in Reiden apartment, road 16 couple of blocks from here” Liam

“Really? That’s really far from here, did you drive here? Oh and did John left his Tv here, i really love to watch drama, I always watch with John but now he’s gone so..” She stays silent for a minute.

“I walk here and ye, he left his Tv, it’s in front of you”

Calla cannot helps but to smiles brightly at him. She didn’t even know this guy and its like she really comfortable with him. “Do you watch drama sir?”

“Not so much”

She suddenly close her mouth and faced Liam, her eyes and lips pouting “you really not much of a talker are you” and her lips show small smile, smirking at him.

She heard his laugh, it was almost impossible to hear. But his laugh wakes something inside of her “I’m sorry, you are the only person i ever talk to for awhile”

“Really? Why is that”

“There’s nothing much to talk, and also i have no one to talk to”

“Well sir, now you have me as your friend, you can talk to me, anytime anywhere” she give him wide smile and laugh.

Everyday Calla will visit his small booth and spent time with him. They will chat all night about absolutely everything. But just Calla do the most talking all the time. Liam just reply when she ask him.

“Hello, welcome to Sivical helpline, I’m Calla, what can i do for you?..” she spoke to the headphones. Usually they will receive a lot of incoming call from customer that seek for help. But sometimes in a month today is not the busy day for her. She only got 20 incoming call so far, so she has a lot of free time to read all of company policies. Suddenly a hand touch her shoulder and talk to her in friendliness manner.

“You are always hardworking girl, i like your way of working, really impressed with your performance” the man was Victor, her perverted boss. He has been ongoing hitting on her every chance he got. His hand dangerously linger on her shoulder slowly went down to her wrist. She felt his breath, breathing her hair and whispering “i love your perfume” no one would listen she was assaulted by him nor witness his behaviour, of course they’re all visually impaired!.

“Excuse me sir, mind if I continue my work” Calla began to politely step out from his touch. Disgusted by his touch and his closeness. She keeping this secret from everyone, she was afraid to loose her job. It’s pays a great amount of salary, and hard to get other companies will offer the same. So she remains quiet.

Hours later, her shift ended. She quickly pack her things and exit the building. Her mind was so full of anger and sadness towards today’s event, she went straight home.

Liam was hoping to see her again. Everyday he will wait for her, listen to her and watch her pretty smiles. He smiles when he realised the reason behind it was her. ‘The shift was ended long ago, where is she?’ He started to worried that something bad might have happened to her. He called his superiors to ask permission to end his shift.

Calla was walking alone in the quiet street. Her walking stick the only sound at the moment. As she arrives to the front doors, she take out her keys to open her door but someone hugs her from behind, his rough hand wraps around her mouth to prevent her from screaming. He grabs her keys and push her inside.

“Well, well .. finally i got to be alone with you my Calla” her legs and arms were punching and kicking this monster but he was too big for her to fight. She bite him hard when she got a chance to wiggle against his hold. He screamed and let go of her.

“Who are u, what do you want? Please leave, there is a 200 dollar inside my wallet, just take it and leave please” she begs for her life.

Loud laugh makes Calla shivering like crazy ‘i know this laugh’ she tried so hard to remember who is this monster.

“Look my sweet Calla, I’m sad that you don’t recognise me at all babe, your sent, your body is all i ever dreamed of all this time” he come closer to her caressing her shivering face.

“So beautiful, you makes me want to f**k your little c**t so hard baby”

he force Calla to stand but she cannot stop screaming and crying ‘this b***h ! she’s gonna regret not listen to me!’ He hold Calla on the ground and climb on top of her, he slap her so hard multiple times, her face beginning to show pink bruise. He is a monster, this disgusting man is holding her against her will and kicking and punching her until her no longer struggle to run away.

She heard the sound of fabric, this monster is undressing her by tearing her dress

“you have magnificent breast baby”

She was so in pain, she prayed someone will help her from getting raped by this monster. She cry louder, when his rough hand touch her breast and kissed her neck. He stroking his manhood against my legs. She prayed someone will help her, she close her eyes, there’s no way out of this.

“Dear god please help me, please”

Suddenly the weight was lifted off from her body, she sits, unable to move because her sprained legs. She close her exposed body with her hand, she drag herself away until she feel a wall and hugs her legs crying. Listening to the sound of two man wrestling far from her, she heard the new guy saying “you asshole, how dare you touch her”

“W.. ww.. who are you” the monster screams afraid, defeated by her saviour.

“You are dead!” He begun to punch him repeatedly until he was unconscious. The punching did not stop force Calla scream

“Please stop” with a little strength that had left she said to him “let him go, don’t kill him” she cried.

The man stops and stares at Calla. He looks at his hand covered with blood. The rapist face nearly unrecognisable. Blood came out non stop from his nose and mouth. He close his eyes to calm him up, and look at the asshole lifeless body “He deserves it” he stands, take out his phone dialing 911. After explaining what happened he pleaded “.. .. .. .. .. please be quick, thank you”

A soft touch at my wrist and under my legs frightened me. I punching and kicking him. “Hei.. hei.. it’s me Amara, shh.. shh.. it’s just me” he hold her tight. She knew him, the only person on earth called her Amara was Liam.

“Is that you sir?” She held his shirt with both hands shivering, relieved she was safe from that monster. Strong arm put her head in his chest and hold her tight. She cried in his arms, her fragile body was shivering with fear from experiencing what just happened.

“Thank you for saving me, I thought that i was going to die tonight” just the thought of it makes her want to cry again. “I was so scared sir”

Liam just remain silent, he hold her small body, calming her from this nightmare. If he didn’t come in time i don know what would happen to her, now she was in his arms, he will never let anything happen to her ever again. He rocked her shivering body to ease her crying, that seems to be working, he keep doing it until she feel asleep.

“Police..!” Two man barge inside the house with the gun on their hand. They found us, “are u Liam..?”

“Yes, i called..”

“Alright sir, is she okay..? I called ambulance, they on the way here.. i will take your statements after we send your wife to hospital”

Liam nodded understand his command. Not long after that, medical team arrive, he carry her bridal style into ambulance. The nurse and female officer checked and taking pictures as evidence. The bruises was all over her body, she has two broken ribs, sprained ankle, and cut all over her face. Every time she winced pain, he swear all he ever think of was that stupid asshole died in his hand. She held my hand so tight wake me from my thoughts, she never let me left her side.

“Anywhere else you feel uncomfortable Mrs Knight..?” The nurse ask her. She did not reply with words but shake her head as saying no. “Alright then, I’m sorry this happened to you Mr and Mrs Knight.. if you want my help press the red button beside you, i will straight away come to help” the nurse left us alone.

“Knight..? As if Liam Knight..?” She ask.

“Yes, my last name was Knight, i never meet my family though but they left a note at my basket giving my full information”

Her eyes saddens, “I’m so sorry”

“Don’t be sorry, it’s long ago, it did not sad me anymore” he assured her. He move his thumb back and forth. She give him small smiles. That moment they both know they have falling in love with each other.

Weeks later .. ..

“What did she doing now?”

“She wants to go to his house. But not going anywhere just sitting in the car”

“What! You should chase after him you i***t”

Liam stared at her disbelief. He let out loudest laugh, he laughed his eyes out hearing this little girl cursing for first time.

“You laugh” she laughs together with him. “I love hearing your voice”

“You changed me Amara, in the good way” he kissed her palm.

He always so gentle with her like she is made of glass. He would help her walk on crossroads, buy her groceries or anything she needed. He cared about her enough to show everyone that he was in love with her. Every moment they spend together, they develop strong feelings towards each other.

After a few days admitted, she was allowed to go home. Neither one of them has a car, Calla and Liam took public transport from hospital. He held her hand as they walking reaching her house.

“Wait..” she stop, pulling his hand to stop with her. “Let’s rest for awhile please.. my legs hurt a little bit” she blush, she wanted to act tough, but her legs betrayed her.

Liam watched her limping to a nearest stares, and follow her steps to wait until she is ready to walk again.

“Liam..?”

“Yes..?”

“Who was that man..?”

Liam knows exactly who she was referring. He let a loudest sigh and cup his face with his to hand. He don’t want to recall that night nor telling her who was that busted.

“Victor Becket” hissing his name.

Calla let her head down unable to proses what she just heard. Her tears came out remembering that terrible night.

“Please don’t cry” soothe him. He immediately come closer taking her in his arms, caressing her hair, whispering sweet things to her and he will always be there for her. She nods at his chest never let him go. “Come, i carry u at my back” he released her and squatting in front of her. He touch her knee to tell her he was in front.

“You have to know, you going to regret it” she climbs into his back. He stands with ease and continue to walk towards home. “I didn’t realise you had a quite big muscle, have you been working out?” Her hand wraps around his neck, she like his smell. It was like manly smells it’s really shooting her nerves. He had a long hair, beard that not fully shaved, also i can tell he was not properly groomed. He smells wonderful apart from the look. I always wonder how Liam look, now my curiosity slowly filled with answers. ‘Just his face left’

Reaching home he open her door and walks in. He open all light and drop her in the living room. “I’ll help you clean up all of this mess, if you let me stay for awhile” he look at her.

“That will be lovely..” She excused herself to take shower get rid of all the sweats and clothes. With Liam helping her to walk towards her bedroom, she clean herself. She comes out from bedroom with towel still wrapped around her head. “Liam..” she call him worried he left her.

“I’m in living room. I have finish cleanup” he walks to her and takes her hand to lead her towards living room. “I should go now”

“What..? No you can’t go..!” She hugs him, shivering fear something bed happened again. “Don’t leave, don’t leave, don’t leave..!” chanted that words over and over again.

“Shhh.. baby, okay, okay I’m not going home then, I’ll promise you, I’m sorry making you feel like this” he keep his hand at my back and stroking my back ever so lovely. Her fear still too bad he’s regretting his decision telling her he wants to leave. “I cook you something to eat, come, you have to take your meds”

“You cooked..? For me..?”

“Yeah, I cooked for you”

“Wow.. i didn’t see that coming” she giggle

“I cooked for myself sometimes, when you are alone you get to learned everything, i was born not with silver spoon on my mouth” he set all dishes and grab her hand to touch the plate and spoon. “Be careful it’s still hot”

She smiles before blowing hot spaghetti, she eats them all clean. She never tasted anything like that before, it’s so delicious. “Did you working with famous chefs or something..? Your food is delicious..? I never tested something like this before anywhere”

He smiles, he never takes his eyes off her face. He stared with a smile on his face. He never smile so much in his life until she came. “Go out with me..”

She stops smiling, her eyes blinking not believing he asking her out. “Is that a date..?” Her brows meet, asking for the truth.

“It’s a date..”

“Okay”

To be Continue …………