The Other Promise
So what can we, as ponies, do for our loved ones? How far are we willing to go to fight for the ones we love? We seem to be bound to our ignorant beliefs towards gratitude, always identifying with sadness, anxiety and depression. Such a shame, really, and the story of these two ponies are not so different....
⟡∮⟡
It was yet another day in Ponyville. Life could not be much more beautiful as the sun shines brightly in this lively town. Everypony seems to be enjoying their regular lives, prancing along the open streets, seeing the smiles of their friends, and the lovely relationships between customers and merchants can be seen from the market with their open gestures. Even the working ponies seem to be cooperating with harmony, and the gestures of how these ponies greet each other are no less of a feat. It's a beautiful world out there, and what a good day it is to see another wonderful day.
That is, unless if you can't see.
Enter Azure Gem, a beautiful orphan that is born blind without sight. For a mare living in Ponyville, it's such a shame that she can't see how the world looks like through her eyes. All she can do is hear how the ponies talk and express their positive feelings to one another; ponies saying how they'll always be there for you. Perhaps this is what friendship sound like.
All her life, Azure has been hoping that she could see the world, at least just for a brief moment. She knew she only lives once, and she wanted to make the best out of it by loving every single moment of her life hearing others' amiabilities. What she loves the most, however, is her boyfriend.
Radiant Daze, a faithful and true-hearted pegasus filled with determination. He'll stop at nothing to maintain his relationship with Azure Gem. It's definitely something worth fighting for.
Of course Azure has a boyfriend. How could she not? Although she's blind, to him, she's the most ravishing pegasus somepony could ever hope to see.
Every morning she is always greeted by her boyfriend standing in front of her door while hearing words of affection. It couldn't make Azure happier to hear how he's willing to reach great heights for her. She might not recognise how his face looks like, but just by hearing his words made Azure feel content.
It was only recently that the couple had committed to always be with each other through thin and thick. The world means nothing to Azure with him by her side. It just seems so perfect. All she hopes now is just to see his face, although she knows that seems to be beyond the bounds of possibility.
Indeed, in a relationship, there are always hardships. It's about her boyfriends' parents. Azure might not be able to see how they look like, but one thing's for sure, she can hear what's going on - and when she heard of his parents not approving him being with her, she sheds tears that only her boyfriend can comfort and relate.
And things don't always go well with the two. It's not as if they have never fought in their lives. Just looking at the basic nature of ponies where we intend, from our deepest consciences, to blame others for our own faults or even refuse to admit what we did wrong is not something foreign to those two. In the end, however, they try to settle problems like stallions and mares and forgive each other.
One day, Azure's boyfriend invited her to stroll along Ponyville as usual, and she graciously accepted, of course.
"Azure, it's lovely to see you again! How are you, dear?"
"Oh, I'm fine as usual, sweetie. Well, probably better since I'm hearing your voice right now." Azure let out a smile only her boyfriend can see its priceless value.
"Though I wonder, where are you taking me this time, sweetie?" Azure continued.
"This time, I'll bring you to the park near the Ponyville hospital, if that's fine with you?" Her boyfriend replied with a soft tone. Azure couldn't help but nod.
The couple pranced through the streets of Ponyville and ended up in the park near the hospital, where her boyfriend wanted to take her in the first place. There, Azure talked to her boyfriend about her current state while they lied on the grass.
"It's.... everything that I'm hearing is so pleasant.... I really wish I could see, at least just for a moment, to see how beautiful this world is." Azure let out a huge sigh.
His boyfriend grinned and replied with a calming tone while facing her: "Indeed it is.... I wish you could see the world with me, and see me as I see you...."
"Whatever you want, dear, I'll always try my best for you to make that happen. I promise I'll find a way to make your hopes come true. I love you, sweetie." He continued.
Upon hearing those last four words, Azure felt a sense of content and delight. It's not every day he says that, but when he does, Azure becomes very happy.
"All I wanted was to see the world, especially you, dear. If only I can see, sweetie, I'll definitely marry you...."
"Is that a promise, sweetie?"
Azure's boyfriend suddenly held her left hoof and looked at her beautiful face intimately. Azure smiles and said: "Of course, sweetie."
And on that day, a promise has been made; a promise that her boyfriend would strive hard to fulfil.
⟡∮⟡
Later that night, Radiant went to the Ponyville hospital and asked a particular white nurse with a pink mane and tail for help.
"Excuse me, nurse. I'm sorry for barging this late at night, but I was hoping that you may have a treatment for the blind?" He asked with a slightly puzzled face.
"Umm.... Unfortunately, we don't. Equestrian medical technology hasn't reached the ability to cure the blind.... yet, and it might take a really long time to get there, I'm afraid." The nurse looked down while scratching her neck. "Is something the matter?"
"Err.... yes. It's about my girlfriend. I really need to find a cure that can help her see. She means so much to me...." He replied with an anxious expression.
"There is.... one way. But I'm not sure you're going to like to hear this...."
"Is there? Please, tell me, nurse!"
"Somepony.... needs to donate their eyes to the recipient. Eye transplant is the closest thing we have, I'm afraid."
Azure's boyfriend couldn't help but think while he looked back from the nurse. His eyes were stuck to the long hospital hallways, but what caught most of his attention is the method he can achieve to fulfil Azure's promise.
"So.... all I need to do is find somepony that's willing to donate a pair of eyes to her, right?" He looked back to the nurse with a smile.
"Um.... yes. If only that's easy though. Good luck finding somepony who's that willing, I guess." The nurse replied with a confused look, not sure whether or not he's going too far on this.
And on that night, a decision has been made. It couldn't be harder, could it? If he could find a pony that is willing enough to donate a pair of eyes to Azure, he would be able to achieve her promise. It's a tough commitment to make and a seemingly impossible task to achieve, but it has to be done, for he loved her so much that the world means nothing compared to her. Just having Azure being able to see would be the perfect gift a stallion like him could have ever hoped for.
"Nurse...."
"Yes....?"
"I'll need your help on this...."
"It will be done."
The following week, Radiant has been busy doing personal matters. He's been reading books, an unusual habit of his that he picked up only recently. He hasn't contacted Azure ever since. She couldn't help but keep worrying what was going on Radiant's mind. He always contacted her almost every day, if not asking her to go out, then at least sending her a personal letter to tell her he's fine.
But she knows he's not in his usual self. ("Something's not right...."), Azure thought to herself.
One night was all it takes for their relationship to change. Later that night, a knocking can be heard from Azure's door.
*knock* *knock*
"Um.... who is it?"
"Azure Gem? I'm Nurse Redheart, Ponyville's nurse-in-charge. Somepony wants to see you in the hospital right now."
"Nurse? Why would somepony wants to see me this late?"
"I was told not to tell you who or why, but I need you to come with me to the hospital right now."
"Oh.... I see. Alright, do take me there."
⟡∮⟡
A few hours have passed since Azure arrived at the hospital and laid onto a bed. The nurse told her that this might hurt a little. She never expected an operation to take place. But when the operation has finished, she couldn't believe her eyes.
More specifically, she couldn't believe somepony's eyes.
She.... can open her eyes! She can see her surroundings! She began to look around, confused, on what was going on until she realised that she can see everything clearly. It's just like what she've always wanted from her boyfriend, just to see him and this beautiful world.
It's such a beautiful world and she couldn't see it. However, that night changed her life entirely. Not only her life, but her relationship as well.
While she was looking around the room around her, she happened to see a particular blind stallion. He seems to have a blindfold around his eyes. Though he doesn't seem to be unhappy, he happens to be smiling in front of her.
"Sweetie.... how do you feel?"
"R-radiant? Is that you?"
"Yes, Azure! I was hoping this could really cheer you up. I've come to fulfil my promise, dear."
"W-what? But I.... y-you're blind?!"
"It doesn't matter now, does it, dear? Now.... w-would you.... marry me?"
"What? Marry you? B-but I.... I didn't know you were blind! I thought you're this particular stallion I hope could comfort me because he's.... normal! B-but you're just like me, aren't you? You're not.... normal."
"S-sweetie? But why? I can explain...."
"No.... there's no need for you to explain anything further, Radiant. Consider this relationship over."
"What? But you.... you promised. It was a promise I kept - a promise I was willing to fight for...."
"Consider that promise never to happen. I can't afford to marry somepony like.... you."
An ominous wind suddenly swooshed the room. A moment of brief silence follows thereafter. Radiant Daze couldn't help but leave the room; in tears.
Azure closed her eyes, reminding herself what she has been through. She hugged herself while crying, thinking all this time, she's been in a relationship with somepony blind. A few moments later, Azure left the hospital and went home. It was the saddest moment for not only Radiant's, but also for Azure's, as she hoped that she could see her boyfriend's eyes. It was the most unfortunate reason to break up, but she just had to do it. For her self-consciousness got the best of her.
⟡∮⟡
A few days have passed. On a particular Wednesday night, Azure stumbled upon a particular letter coming for her doorstep. She attempts to read the letter, it says:
Dear Azure Gem,
I'm sorry it had to be this way.
I'm sorry that I wasn't good enough for you.
I'm sorry that I'm being obsessive.
I'm sorry that you think I'm not your type.
I'm sorry for everything that I have done.
There's no more reason for me to live without you. My life has been so empty and bland. Everything was so different without you. I never found happiness, I never found peace. By the time you read this, I'll be gone for good. But that doesn't matter.... since you won't give a single care. Don't let your life go to waste like what I've been doing this entire time.
Please, take care of my eyes.