The Bell Tower
Saya lay in her bed, listening to the familiar sound of a cello. She was pretending to sleep just to hear the beautiful music, but she had been sleepier since her early awakening one year ago. Saya thought sleepily that out of everyone, even Kai, she owed Haji the most. He had always stayed by her side. Even when she had gotten mad and yelled at him. He just took it. And when she cried, it was Haji who would hold her tight and comfort her. She longed for that embrace. She wondered whether he had meant what he said 3 years ago. She thought of the kiss. How could she not know? She thought this as she drifted into sleep.
The next morning Saya awoke to find Haji had fallen asleep. His hand lay on hers. He looked so peaceful like this. What was she thinking?! He had probably forgotten what he said. It was but a distant memory to her. She forced herself to look away, and instead looked at her nightstand. An envelope lay on it. Saya opened it. It said:
Meet me at the tower
When the clock strikes two
Please don't be late
I'll be waiting for you.
Saya wondered who it was from. She supposed it wouldn't hurt to go. But she wouldn't let Haji know. He needed rest. If it was a trap, she could defend herself. Saya went through her day as usual, with Haji by her side. They went and saw Kai and the twins and then went to eat lunch with Kaori. After that they went back home and Haji began to play for her. Right before she went to sleep, Saya thought about how she had taught Haji to play the cello so long ago.
At 1:45, Saya crept out of the house. Haji was still. She walked down the streets of Okinawa. It was always so quiet here. At 1:59 she reached the top. Over on the ledge was a box and an envelope. She opened the box. Inside was a single red rose. Then Saya opened the envelope. Inside was another poem. It said:
Roses are red
Violets are Blue
I just wanted to say
That I love you.
And in that instant Saya felt the familiar embrace that she had longed for. She turned around and saw a smiling Haji. "
Why didn"t you just say?" Saya whispered as she looked into his caring face.
"I did. You just didn"t hear me," Haji replied softly. "Promise you'll stay with me forever Haji."
"I always have and I always will," Haji replied as he pulled Saya closer. They stayed like that for a while. Then Saya stood up and kissed Haji.
"I love you too," Saya whispered.
"That's all I ever wanted to hear," Haji whispered.
"Thank you Haji."
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on.
Regardless of warnings
The future doesn"t scare me at all.
Nothing"s like before.
