‘I… have to go back Japan…’
Like a prick on bubbles, an internal implosion occurred within me. DonÂ’t tell me all the fantasy I am having is coming to an end? If this was a dream, I pray that I will never wake up from it.
‘I understand… your parents are over there and they worried for you…’
Even though I am fighting inside, I had to put on a brave front. Well, she isnÂ’t my girlfriend or something, I canÂ’t demand her not to leave. Girls of her age needs their parents to be with them more than friends.
‘Will you come and visit me if I ask you to?…’
‘Yes of course! I will!… Can we still contact through IRC?’
I was hoping for a small miracle, its nothing much, but at least I could still talk to her online.
‘I don’t think I have computer or internet connection at my house…’
The atmosphere is getting intense and to make matter worst, the I could feel a drop of water falling on my skin.
‘Then… its ok… we could chat on the phone whenever we can and I think we better leave now, it’s going to rain.’
We both got up and walked hastily towards the road in trying to catch a cab, but halfway through, the merciless weather started pouring heavily. Even though I just had a shock from what she had just told me, in the present moment, in my mind, all I thought of is to shield her from the chilling rain as I didnÂ’t want her to fall sick. My hands formed a tiny, little barrier and covers her head. It is damn dumb and I donÂ’t understand why am I doing such acts - it wonÂ’t block the rain from drenching her.
Then, I saw a coming taxi driving and I flagged it.
‘You are so silly Cloud…’
The next thing I knew, we were in the cab pretty drenched. I told the uncle to reduce the air-con to the lowest and put my arms around her shoulder, rubbing her arms to gain some heat. Gradually, for some reasons, she was in my embrace and I was stroking her soaked hair. Her eyes were kept closed and my fingers travelled to her cheeks. Pinching lightly to fulfil my long awaited-desire, she opened her eyes, like an awaken baby in the morning. My index finger teased her dimples a little as she felt tickled and ruffled her head in between my arms and chest.
All good things must come to an end - the cab reached her place and lucky thing, there was shelter to her house. I told the uncle to wait for a while and got out of the cab with her.
‘When are you leaving then…?’
‘Tomorrow…’
Tomorrow? Did I just hear wrongly? What’s the rush? Sometimes, reality is extremely cruel – heaven makes sport of men.
‘I am suppose to tell you earlier, but I can’t bear to…’
She is right. If she told me earlier, my feelings would be just like dying patients with the last stage of cancer – waiting for THAT day. It’s terrible!
‘Would you see me off?…’
In my heart, there is this robust urge of seeing her every second, but if I were to see her off, the scene would be unimaginable. My mind and soul wonÂ’t be able to endure the parting scene.
‘I think, we should just keep this the last meeting then…’
I actually managed to smile and kept this mask of mine, this brave front indestructible. It remains on my face emotionlessly and dead.
‘Well… perhaps it's better if we keep it this way. By the count of three, we both just walk off to our destination and never look back ok?
She nodded and I could see her tears closed to spilling out.
‘3…2…1…’
(To be continued...)