The Saturday Headache That Led Me to a New Pair of Eyes

Hello Hivers of this respected community! It is Talay again, back on her writing journey to share her real-life experiences as a student and as an adult. This week is so long, but still I am grateful to reach the weekend for a break from academics and work. Saturdays are really relaxing as much as Sundays, but regardless, they give us this sense of peace and coziness in our bedroom without so much to think about. Mostly, my Saturdays are spent in my bedroom, reading my classic books or checking my students’ outputs as an intern. But today is different because I woke up with a headache and nausea that made me scream in my room for seconds to call my mother. Sometimes my mornings really start like this because my eye is not in good condition anymore, so I just suffer with headaches because I don't want to wear glasses, although I tried, but the old one was broken.

My mother was so scared of my loud voice; she was sweating when she got to my room, and I felt stubborn for doing that. I apologized to her because I didn't want to scare her, considering she has a heart disease. I don't want her to be shocked or scared because her breathing would just be abnormal. She said we would go to Bogo City for a check-up and that we should get my glasses too so I won't suffer anymore, knowing I am an intern now and I always check papers, so I won't be suffering from headaches. Even if I don't want to wear glasses, I still followed her for the sake of my health (⁠^⁠^⁠)

Immediately after breakfast, we left the house of my uncle since we stayed there today and rode a tricycle from Tabogon to Bogo City. It was a long ride, at least 1 hour, before we reached it because the tricycle was old as well as the driver. But since we were already on his tricycle, we still rode it because Manong Driver was old. The view along the road was so beautiful, relaxing, and peaceful—away from city life and in a paradise hidden behind the mountains and valleys of Tabogon. I could not see the farther view clearly, only when I scanned the photos did I realize how good the view was. It was green and blue, vibrant in a light and hopeful morning.

We reached the clinic after an hour, which is the Verdida Optical Clinic located in the center town of Bogo City. My mother got her glasses here, so I was confident I would be having mine accurately. When we entered, there were only two clients, and we were the third in line. It was air-conditioned, so it gave us a breath of relief after an hour of travel since the sun was scorching after 30 minutes of our departure. I signed up the form of the clinic since my details are recorded there, so when next time I visit, they can trace my history. Also, they gave me a number.

Then I was called by the ophthalmologist since it was my turn. I was nervous earlier, not because it was my first time, but because I knew I made a mistake of not getting my eyes checked early and allowed it to worsen until today. The doctor really said that, and my instinct that he would say it became true. But he wasn't mad at me; he was just concerned for his clients. He also reminded me of the importance of taking care of our eyes, how to take care of them, and that the earlier the check-up, the easier it would be to help my eyes.

I chose a frame in their display after that, one that would look good on my face's shape and would not make me look like a grandma. I had two options: a red frame and a black one. I liked the red frame at first because it looked like one from Korean people; it would complement my outfits. But the black one is just flexible in color—it can fit any outfit and occasion. So I chose the black one. And the final glasses are in the photos below.

We rode in my uncle's car when he fetched us from the clinic because we would be going to the market for our lunch and kitchen wares. The ride felt lighter this time, maybe because I already knew my eyes would finally get the care they needed. My mother was also in a better mood, and I felt relieved seeing her calm. Somehow, the rest of the day felt gentler, like everything was slowly settling back into place after a hectic morning.