The morning light streamed through the kitchen window as Elara placed a cup of coffee before Adrian. He sat quietly, listening to the faint sounds of the world waking around them.
"You're awfully quiet today," he said.
"I'm just thinking," she replied. "Do you ever get nervous before your checkups?"
"Not really," he said. "I just want to hear that I'm improving. That's enough."
"You will," she said with quiet conviction. "I know you will."
He smiled slightly. "You sound so sure. Maybe you really are my lucky charm."
"You already have me as your caregiver," she teased. "That's lucky enough."
His hand reached across the table, brushing hers lightly. "You said once that when I can see again, I'll regret hearing all the things you said when I couldn't see your blush."
Elara laughed softly. "Then maybe I don't want you to recover too soon."
"I do," he said. "Because I want to see the woman who stayed."
Her chest tightened at the words. She forced herself to smile. "Finish your coffee before it gets cold."
*****
The drive to the hospital was peaceful, filled with soft conversation and music humming low from the radio. When they arrived, Elara parked near the entrance.
"I can walk in by myself," Adrian said, reaching for the door handle.
"I'll go with you," she insisted.
They stepped out together, crossing the driveway toward the main doors. Adrian's hand brushed her arm lightly, using her presence to guide his steps.
Just as they reached the pedestrian lane, a sudden roar of an engine broke the calm. A motorbike veered sharply around the corner, too fast, too close.
"Adrian!" Elara cried, reaching for him.
The side mirror clipped his shoulder. He stumbled, losing his balance, and fell hard onto the pavement.
Elara dropped to her knees beside him, her heart in her throat. "Adrian! Can you hear me?"
He groaned faintly, disoriented. Blood streaked near his temple.
"Help!" she called out, her voice shaking. "Someone, please! He's hurt!"
A few nurses and a guard who had seen the accident rushed over. "We've got him," one said quickly. A gurney appeared within seconds, wheeled out from the emergency entrance.
Elara held his hand as they lifted him. "I'm right here," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You're going to be fine."
Adrian's lips moved faintly. "Elara…"
"I'm here," she said, tears spilling freely. "I'm right here."
The nurses wheeled him through the glass doors, and she followed close behind.
When they disappeared behind the emergency ward doors, Elara stood frozen, her hands trembling.
*****
Elara sat in the waiting area, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes stung from crying, but she couldn't stop.
When Mr. and Mrs. Vale arrived, she stood at once, her knees unsteady. Mrs. Vale hurried to her side.
"Elara, what happened?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Elara's throat tightened. "I am sorry, Mrs. Vale. It is my fault. I did not take good care of him," she said through tears. "I should have stopped him from walking ahead."
Mrs. Vale took her trembling hands. "This was an accident. No one is to blame. Let us hope he will be all right."
Mr. Vale's face was pale but steady. "Where is he now?"
"In surgery. They said there's bleeding in his head," Elara whispered.
Mrs. Vale sat beside her, keeping a firm hold of her hand. Time passed in painful silence, broken only by the sound of footsteps and the distant echo of hospital machinery.
When the operating room doors finally opened, all three hurried forward. The doctor stepped out, his expression calm but serious.
"How is my son?" Mr. Vale asked at once.
"The patient has a concussion," the doctor said. "The scan shows a clot. We managed to relieve the pressure, but he remains unconscious. We will know more after he wakes."
Mrs. Vale's hand flew to her mouth, and Mr. Vale pulled her close. Elara stood frozen, the words echoing in her head after he wakes.
"Can we see him?" Mrs. Vale asked softly.
"In a few minutes," the doctor said. "He's being moved to the observation room."
When the doctor left, Elara sank back into the nearest chair, her body trembling from the shock. Mrs. Vale placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Adrian is strong. He will be fine," she said gently.
Elara shook her head, her voice breaking. "It should have been me. I'm really sorry, Mrs. Vale. I should have stopped him, or walked closer. I—"
Mrs. Vale squeezed her hand firmly. "Elara, listen to me. You have done more for him than anyone. This is not your fault. Accidents happen."
Tears welled in Elara's eyes. "If anything happens to him, I won't forgive myself."
Mrs. Vale brushed a strand of hair from Elara's face, her gesture motherly and kind. "Rest a little. He will need you when he wakes."
Elara tried to breathe, but the fear in her chest wouldn't ease. She folded her hands tightly, whispering under her breath, "Please, Adrian. Wake up soon."
*****
Adrian remained unconscious for the rest of the day. Machines hummed softly beside his bed, their steady rhythm the only reassurance that he was still there. Elara barely moved from her seat. She held his hand, whispering to him now and then, hoping her voice might reach him somewhere deep inside.
"Adrian, it's me," she said softly. "You promised you'd see me one day. You have to wake up."
When Mrs. Vale finally convinced her to rest, Elara only leaned back against the chair, refusing to leave.
By the next afternoon, Rowen and Emi arrived with anxious faces.
"How is he?" Rowen asked quietly.
"He hasn't woken up," Elara said, her voice rough from exhaustion. "The doctor said his condition is stable, but we have to wait."
Emi placed a hand on Elara's shoulder. "You look pale. Have you eaten anything?"
Elara shook her head faintly. "I can't. Not until he opens his eyes."
As they spoke, Rowen's gaze moved to Adrian's still form on the bed. "He's a fighter," he said. "He'll pull through."
The room fell into quiet again until a faint sound broke it.
"Elara," Emi whispered, eyes widening. "He moved."
Elara turned at once. Adrian's fingers twitched. Then his eyes fluttered open slowly, blinking against the light.
"Adrian," she breathed, standing so fast the chair scraped the floor. "You're awake!"
Rowen stepped closer. "Hey, buddy. You gave us a scare."
Adrian blinked again, his gaze focusing slowly directly on Rowen and Emi.
"Rowen? Emi?" His voice was weak but clear.
Rowen froze, then smiled in relief. "Yeah, it's us. Wait, you can see us?"
Adrian frowned slightly, confused by the question. "Of course I can. Why wouldn't I?"
Elara's heart leapt then stilled. He could see. But he hadn't looked at her once.
"Adrian," she said softly, He turned his head toward her voice, brow furrowing. "Who are you? And where's Luna?"
The words struck her like a blow. Her lips parted, but no sound came.
Rowen's eyes widened. "Luna? Adrian, what year is it?"
Adrian hesitated. "It's… 2023. Why?"
The room fell silent. Emi's hand flew to her mouth. Rowen stepped closer, his voice careful. "Adrian, do you remember the accident? The one that took your sight?"
Adrian blinked, visibly confused. "I was in the hospital after it. Luna was here. She was waiting for me. What doy you mean? I can see now."
Elara took a step back, her vision blurring with tears.
Rowen turned to her, his face grim. "He's lost his memory," he said quietly. "His mind's gone back to before the accident before he lost his sight."
Elara stood there, frozen, her heart breaking in slow, silent pieces.
The man she had loved, the man who had once reached for her in the dark, now looked right through her and saw someone else.