The sound of crashing waves slowly filled the quiet night. The sky was dark without stars, only the lights from fishing boats visible in the distance. A girl named Naira stood at the edge of the beach, her gaze blankly fixed on the sea. The night wind tousled her hair, but she didn't mind. Footsteps approached slowly but surely.
"Are you waiting for someone?" A gentle male voice broke the silence.
Naira turned slightly and nodded. "Yes. But maybe he won't come back..."
The man, Serafim, smiled softly. His face was simple and his eyes radiated peace.
"I can wait with you, if you want."
Naira looked at Serafim for a moment. There was something about him that made her feel comfortable, even though they had just met. She nodded.
They sat on a large rock, gazing at the endless sea. Naira began to speak, her voice filled with sadness.
"My best friend, Amara, is missing. I've been searching for her for days, but there's no news. She's an orphan and has no one. I... I don't even know where to look."
Serafim nodded slowly. "Do you have her photo? I'll help you look."
Naira took out her phone and showed a picture of a young woman with a sweet smile. "This is Amara. She's the most precious person in my life."
The man studied the photo carefully. "Alright, let's start searching."
The next day, they began their search in places Naira and Amara often visited together.
The first place was a small café in a city corner, their favorite spot to spend afternoons sharing stories.
"Excuse me," Naira said to a waitress. "Have you seen this woman? Her name is Amara." She showed Amara's photo on her phone.
The waitress frowned for a moment. "Oh yes, I remember her. It's been a long time since she came here. Maybe two or three weeks ago."
Naira looked disappointed. "Ah, okay. By the way, did she say anything then?"
The waitress shook her head. "Sorry, I don't remember."
They left the café feeling empty. Serafim looked at Naira and tried to encourage her. "Don't give up. There are many other places we can check."
Their next destination was the city park. It was a routine spot Naira and Amara visited to jog every weekend.
Naira walked slowly along the jogging path, looking at every corner of the park with hope.
"Amara really liked this place. She once said this park made her feel peaceful."
Serafim remained silent, following Naira's steps. They stopped at a bench where Naira and Amara usually sat after jogging. Naira sat down, closed her eyes, and tried to recall the moments they laughed together.
"Do you think she's still around here?" Naira asked softly.
Serafim sat beside her. "I don't know for sure. But Amara left many traces in your heart. We just need to find her."
Naira looked at Serafim, her eyes shining with a hope she wasn't sure could come true.
The sun began to set in the western swirl when they arrived at a small food stall, Amara's favorite place for homemade dishes.
The woman selling there welcomed them warmly. "Oh, Naira! Long time no see. Who's this with you? Where's Amara?"
Naira shook her head. "I'm with my friend, ma'am. Amara isn't with me. I came here to ask if Amara came here a few weeks ago? My best friend... she's gone missing."
The vendor thought for a moment. "Em, Amara? Oh yes, she came here a few weeks ago. At that time, she said something strange... she said she would miss my cooking."
Naira held her breath. "Miss? Did she say she was going somewhere?"
"No, but she seemed sad then. I asked, but she just smiled and thanked me for all the meals I served. She said it felt like home cooking she couldn't get anywhere else."
Naira bit her lip. "When exactly did she come here, ma'am?"
The vendor recalled. "Maybe a week ago."
Naira froze, her eyes wide. "A week ago? That was the day before my surgery."
Serafim looked at her. "What happened, Naira?"
Naira looked at Serafim, her eyes sparkling while holding back tears.
—
A year ago, Naira and Amara were walking home after dinner together at that stall. The usually busy city streets were beginning to quiet down. Naira remembered they laughed and joked all the way.
"If someday I'm not here, will you still remember me?" Amara suddenly asked.
Naira laughed softly. "What? Of course I won't forget! We're like twins."
Amara smiled, but the smile felt different, as if she was hiding something. Before Naira could ask more, they reached an intersection.
The traffic light was red, but a car sped through without slowing down. At that moment, Naira stood on the roadside, turning to look at Amara who was still crossing.
Everything happened so fast.
The terrifying honk, panicked screams, and a heavy impact filled the air. The car hit Naira standing at the edge, her body thrown several meters before falling on the hot asphalt.
"Naira!" Amara ran to her, tears flooding her face. "Help! Please help us!"
That night, Naira barely remembered Amara holding her hand, her trembling voice full of fear.
"You'll be alright. I promise, you'll be alright!"
—
Serafim stood beside Naira, his gaze fixed on the night sky. "Maybe you'll find the answer elsewhere. We still have many places to look."
With a heavy heart, Naira followed Serafim out of the stall.
They went to the market, their next destination — the place Amara usually bought daily necessities.
At a vegetable stall, a seller recognized Amara's name.
"Oh, Amara who always buys here? Yeah, she hasn't come to the market for a long time. But she dropped this wallet a few weeks ago."
Naira took the wallet and opened it. Inside was a small photo of the two of them, a slip of paper with a medical checkup schedule, and a doctor's certificate.
Naira was shocked, her hand trembling as she read the letter. It stated that Amara had terminal cancer that was no longer treatable.
Naira wiped her face, tears streaming down fiercely.
"I thought... I lost everything then. I was declared blind, Amara was always there for me. I couldn't even walk for a long time."
Serafim listened attentively. "But you're here now, Naira. You've gone through all that. And Amara, she's still here for you, isn't she?"
Naira nodded, her voice trembling. "She was always there. She took me to the doctor, made sure I never gave up. She always watched over me and made sure I wasn't alone. She was even there when I got the news about the cornea donor that could restore my sight."
Serafim smiled softly. "That's because she loved you in a way many don't understand. And now, she wants you to move on with your life."
Naira looked at Serafim. "But why did she never tell me? If she was sick, if she was going through something so hard... why didn't I know?"
Serafim touched her shoulder. "We should meet this doctor. He might know more."
They went to the hospital listed in the letter. But the doctor was hard to find, so they had to look for his house. After much effort, Naira and Serafim finally found the doctor's home. When they met, the doctor gave Naira heartbreaking news.
"You're Naira? Amara's friend?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, doc. Actually, I came here to ask where Amara is now." Naira replied.
"Amara was one of my patients." the doctor said.
"She was seriously ill, doc, she couldn't have gone far. You must know where she is." Naira said again.
"I'm sorry, Naira. This might be hard news for you. Amara has passed away. She knew her time was limited due to her cancer. She held on bravely. Before she died, she begged to donate her eyes to someone very important to her. At the end of her life, she wanted to leave something meaningful. That's you, isn't it?" the doctor explained.
Naira bowed her head weakly, tears flowing fiercely. "So... these eyes..."
The doctor nodded slowly. "She wanted you to see the world through her eyes," he continued. "This is her last letter. She asked me to give it to you."
After that, Naira visited her friend's cremation site. There, she wept uncontrollably, pouring out all the pain and loss in her heart.
Serafim, who accompanied her, could only hold her, giving her strength to face the harsh truth.
A few days later, Serafim suggested Naira read Amara's letter. Naira was at the place they often came to — the view of beautiful lights shining from the suspension bridge.
Naira read the letter, its contents full of love and hope. Amara asked Naira not to give up on life.
To my dearest friend,
If you are reading this, it means I am no longer in this world. Forgive me for never telling you about my illness. I didn't want to make you sad. All this time, I only wanted to make sure you're alright. And now, I can go in peace, because I know you can see the world through my eyes.
Never despair. Live happily, for me. I'm always with you, even if you can't see me.
Your friend,
Amara.
Naira cried with sobs. Serafim approached and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"She loves you more than you know. She wants you to keep living and be happy."
In an instant, Serafim transformed into a different form; large glowing wings appeared from his back, illuminating the dark night. Naira was stunned.
"Who... who are you really?"
"I am a seraph. A young woman begged me to help you through this hardest time."
Serafim extended his hand and showed a vision of Amara's memories: her struggle against cancer, her efforts to stay strong, and her sacrifice to donate her eyes.
"Amara hopes her sacrifice won't be in vain. Never give up on your life. You must keep moving forward, for her. Remember! She is always with you, through every step you take."
Naira nodded and wiped her streaming tears.
"Thank you... Amara. And thank you... for everything. I promise I will continue this life well, for me and for Amara."
Days passed and Naira lived her life with enthusiasm. In every step, she felt Amara was always near, seeing the world through her eyes. Memories with her friend never faded, reminding her that true love and sacrifice never disappear.
***