A blind man's dream.

Mr. Bradley had been suffering from eye complications before the death of his wife and things escalated after she passed away. He was so depressed that he barely left his room days after Mrs Bradley passed away during childbirth, he never bothered about his medications or the well-being of the newborn and his family had to take responsibility for the newborn. They did everything necessary and even gave her a name.

Two weeks after Mrs. Bradley passed away, Mr. Bradley woke up one morning and discovered that he couldn't see. He raised an alarm and his family ran to his aid. They have been around to take care of Anabel even though Bradley didn't appreciate their efforts, he blamed the baby for taking the life of his beautiful wife.

"Bradley, what's wrong?" Aunty Caro, his aunt screamed immediately as she flung the door open.
"Aunty, my eyes. I can't see!" Bradley screamed as he tried to find his aunt with his hands.
"Hold Anabel for me," Aunty Caro gave the baby she was carrying to Hannah, Bradley's immediate younger sister who had been around too.

Aunty Caro held him and Bradley stopped the blind search he was doing.

"Your eyes are normal, I can't find anything in them," She said to Bradley after checking his eyes.

"It's burning me and I can't even see anything," Bradley screamed again.

"Let's take him to the hospital," Hannah suggested and they all went to the hospital immediately in a cab.

The nurses helped Bradley into the hospital and when the doctor diagnosed him, the news broke Bradley's heart

"You shouldn't have stopped your medication, you brought this upon yourself and I fear it's permanent damage,"

Everything the doctor said replayed in his head and he wouldn't stop crying in the vehicle while they were heading home.

"You are not helping matters Bradley, you need to be strong for Anabel," Aunty Caro consoled him but he was infuriated at the mention of Anabel.

"She caused all of this, her mother, my sight, she took everything away from me," Bradley responded angrily.

"Don't you dare say such again. This girl has nothing to do with your predicament and everything has been destined. Your mother died not long after your birth but no one blamed you and your father didn't hate you," Aunt Caro replied.

Bradley was pissed and Aunty Caro thought it would be best to move in with Bradley since she is a widow and her kids are all grown.

Aunty Caro took care of Anabel and Bradley as well. She helped with chores and at a point advised that they took a maid. Bradley's brother watched over his business and things were going smoothly except for the fact that Bradley couldn't see.

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On Anabel's second birthday, Bradley saw his wife weeping in the dream.

"Honey, what's wrong with you?" He asked as he rubbed her head.
"You abandoned our daughter, you abandoned me. She is not responsible for everything that happened, she deserves the best life," Mrs Bradley replied.
"I am sorry, everything happened fast and I wasn't in my right senses," Mr Bradley apologized and immediately woke up from the dream.

He wept for a while before finding his walking stick and left his room. The maid found him and helped him to Aunty Caro's room where Anabel was sleeping.

"Is she here?" Mr Bradley's voice sounded like he was going to cry.

"Will she ever forgive me?" He asked Aunt Caro.

"She is young and it's better if you put away all the ill thoughts you have towards her," Aunty Caro replied.

For the first time, Mr Bradley touched Anabel. He touched her face and shivered as he wept silently.

Aunty Caro had to comfort him and they were there until Anabel woke up.

"See, daddy is here," Aunty Caro said to Anabel and she mimicked her.

"Da-da," Anabel repeated the words several times and it made Mr. Bradley emotional. He became part of her life and they grew in great love.

Over two decades later, Mr Bradley fell ill. He refused to be taken to the hospital and continuously told everyone that he needed to rest and reunite with his wife. It made everyone sad and Anabel had to take time off at her father's company where she managed after graduating from the university just to look after her father.

"Anabel, my daughter it doesn't look like I will be here much longer. I want you to be strong," Mr Bradley said to his daughter while they were sitting in the compound for fresh air.

"Don't say that Daddy, you will get better. Let's have faith," She replied.

Some months later, Mr Bradley had a dream after a long time and Mrs Bradley appeared to him again. She looked so happy and he was happy to see her as well

"Thank you for taking care of our daughter, I have the power to grant you a wish but I can't restore your sight," She told Mr. Bradley.

"I have tried enough on earth and life wasn't the same since you left. It's time I rest and join you in the peaceful place that you are," He replied.

"You have really tried Bradley, just make that wish and take it as my appreciation," she replied.

"Okay, one thing I have always wanted is to see what Anabel looks like as an adult," he replied.

"She is beautiful just like us," Mrs Bradley replied and there appeared a portal. Anabel emerged from it and Mr. Bradley was happy to see what his daughter looked like.

"Anabel," He muttered his daughter's name and the dream ended. At daybreak, Anabel went to check on her and discovered he had passed away.

"Daddy don't do this, Aunty is gone and you are gone too," She wept bitterly.

Neighbors heard the cry and they came in numbers to check what happened. The news of his death spread like wildfire and people prayed for his gentle soul to rest in peace.