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Like the Seasons that Pass:
Winter
"I stood there, my hand reaching out…yet no one else was there to take it…to hold it…to caress it…
…and I stood there - alone - as the train sped off…with you in it."
"Kira, where are you going?" an almost exasperated voice spoke and echoed through his ears. He was by then running, the phone intact, his head and shoulder supporting it.
"I don't know!" he shouted back, haste evident as his eyes fixed forward. His feet continued its fast pace as his heart and mind raced. He shot a glance up at the clock tower coming in view. Its longer hand pointed to seven, the shorter past eight.
"I don't have much time left…" he continued as he took the phone by hand and turned it shut. He wasn't sure where exactly he was but as long as he kept a clear view of that gigantic structure, he knew he's in the right direction.
That clock tower lies above the station…his sole destination.
His knees by then were trembling, the cold air seemingly breezing through as his breathing little by little formed small puffs. It was evening – the coldest ever known. And as he rushed about, evading every possible person or object that blocked his way, finally he reached it.
Momentarily halting, he took a moment to take a deeper breath as he started his ascent to the cemented stairs before him. This was the only obstacle left and though he wasn't sure if he had enough stamina to make the climb and walk further, he was relentless nevertheless.
Each step he took felt as though he carried the whole world on his shoulders. Each footprint he left on the then snow-covered surface felt as though fate was against him for giving him this toll. But those alone which were defined by his physical limitations would definitely not stop him. It would take a thousand more storms and stoned steps to pull his will down.
Upon reaching the top and taking the last step of what would otherwise be an endless climb, he finally caught a glimpse of the main entrance. He made it…and he had barely enough time to smile as he once more averted his gaze to the clock. Eight forty-five.
Fifteen more minutes, he mused, as he gathered his strength once more and ran towards the entrance. Once there, his view was plagued with different faces – faces of busied persons rushing about their businesses. Each one carrying a luggage of different sizes, each one eager to take their train and leave. He was there confused, not knowing where to start searching. He proceeded towards the information desk, inquired about a certain name and asked for a public announcement.
"Sir, what is her name again?" she politely asked a she took a few more minutes to process things.
"Lacus…" he breathed hard. "…Lacus Clyne, please…please tell her…I'll…" he stuttered not due to nervousness but more so due to weariness. "…tell her I'll be waiting at the visitor's lounge…"
"For a moment sir…"
And as he stared blankly into space, a memory came to mind.
Running by foot for a mile under the present weather conditions certainly wasn't a joke. This was unexpected and came as a spur of the moment. Over the past two months he had been thinking really well. Memories, he recalled, plagued his innermost thoughts. The consequences of his actions lay at bay for he was certain of only one thing, that is, he wanted to see her so badly.
He wanted to be with her ultimately. Voices rang in his ears…voices both familiar and not.
But one, stood above all.
"Kira…"
"Lacus…"
"Sir…?"
He was brought back to reality, as he fixed his gaze on the woman before him.
"Yes?" gaining back his voice, he spoke.
"What is your name, sir?"
And when she saw the confusion on his face, she lowered her tone and made it a bit further pleasant.
"I'm afraid I'll have to get your name before I relay your message."
"No…"
"Sir?"
"…never mind. I…I really shouldn't be here in the first place. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Unable to say anything more, even stare her in the eye, he simply nodded his head and excused himself.
He walked across the hall, seemingly not minding wherever his feet led him. Perhaps all that he could ever think of was going some place else…somewhere where their memories won't haunt him. To think, he rushed all this way to the point of exhausting all his energy just to see her for one last time. To think he never even thought of what might have happened had he not gone here.
But all that remained in the past now, and he had to move forward. He had to.
And in what was called irony, as he was about to turn for his leave, there he saw her, standing by herself, having a conversation with someone by the phone booth. Mesmerized and a bit at a loss for words, he stopped whatever motion he had within, and his eyes only fixed on her.
He could barely hear his heart skip a beat. Even from a distance, she still had him.
- - - - -
It was one of those days when a certain blonde managed to get home early. She had just opened the door and proceeded to enter the still darkened room after. Nine o'clock. She sighed. This was the day after all. She went upstairs to the second floor and managed to remove her formal dress. Yes, it was one of those nights when she'd cut short a meeting with a foreign delegation and relieve her from further stress.
To make matters even worse, she had to worry about her brother's welfare as well.
Putting on comfortable clothes, she decided to momentarily pause and breathe in. She'd rarely done that before these days, not with the hectic schedule imposed on her.
In the middle of her reverie, she heard the beeping sound of the then loud-speakered answering machine…following it, a voice she never knew she could hear again.
"…Cagalli…it's me…I have been thinking for some time now…"
Eyes widening in recognition, she momentarily halted her actions to make sure she's not dreaming all of this.
"…about Kira…I know I did lots of things…and I'm actually starting to have doubts on my very actions right now…"
Slapping herself back to reality, she immediately rushed outside her room. The corridors being hideously dark, she practically groped her way towards the stairs.
Busy in whatever she was doing, she finally made it downstairs and managed only a few bumps and turns in the way.
"No! No! No!" she kept shouting in the process as she practically dived for the phone before getting hold of its handle. The one on the other line did say a few more words but all that lingered was her saddened voice.
"…well, the train's here, I have to go. Bye."
"Lacus!" she spoke hastily upon placing the same to her ears, unfortunately, a beeping sound was all that was heard. Without wasting a minute longer, she took hold of her keys located beside the door as she took her coat and grabbed her phone.
- - - - -
"Come on! Pick it up! Idiot!" she cursed in frustration as all she heard was the monotonous ringing sound. Not keen on giving up, she dialed another number as she opened the door to her car and got herself in.
"Yep." Came the rather relaxed tone of a male from the other end.
"Where are you?" With a mixture of irritation, she spoke.
"Cagalli...?" By then, she had managed to start the engine as she maneuvered the vehicle towards the road.
"Where's Kira?"
"I dunno."
She took a sharp turn as she glanced back at her watch.
"Well, can you at least try to contact him?"
"I could but I doubt he'll even listen."
"Oh sure, he would."
She could feel the other's curiosity welling up.
"And why would he?"
"It's about Lacus."
Getting an idea himself, he responded.
"Cagalli, I think I know where Kira is. Fill me in the details later."
The vehicle sped off, its screeching sound lingering in the surrounding.
- - - - -
He could see her hang up as she sighed heavily. He wanted direly to approach her, but then hesitated as he continued observing her every move. The long hand of the clock made its passage over twelve as its thundering sound echoed through, signifying the arrival of a new hour.
A few more minutes, the train arrived, halting slowly in the process until fully stopping. People gathered around the doors, eager to get in first and take the best seat available. But Lacus, she didn't. Instead, she patiently waited for others to enter the vehicle, which they did with such haste as soon as the very doors slid open.
She had always been the patient one – always acted dignified as though time was of no matter.
And somehow, somewhere in the corner of his mind, a flame of hope kindled. Perhaps the reason behind of her actions involved her desire to see someone - that she was waiting for that someone.
He smirked as he mentally slapped himself.
Lacus wasn't like that. Lacus won't be like that. Once she'd decided on something, she'd see it through. No turning back. No doubts. And those characteristics of her were among the many others that he admired. He'd surely miss them…her smile, her laughter, her tears.
All he wanted to do now was simply stand there and try to make use of the little time he had of watching her, observing her though far.
- - - - -
"Kira…what are you still doing? Pick it up now!" Losing temper himself, he spoke. After numerous attempts of reaching him, he then took an incoming call, this time from the said man's sister.
"Did you reach him yet?" she spoke breathlessly.
"Nope. I'm still trying."
"Where are you?"
Just as the question was asked, the clock tower's tip came in view.
"About five to ten minutes away. You?
"Still on the other street. It'll take time before I reach the station..."
"Yeah...it would definitely."
"Athrun, we have to reach him no matter what."
And in a final breath, he spoke with determination… "I know."
- - - - -
He watched as she took hold of her luggage – a small hand carry bag – and entered the same train. People continued to enter afterwards, and soon enough, he lost sight of her. Bowing his head down and ruffling his hair, he gave his farewell.
"Bye, Lacus."
Turning around, he proceeded towards the exit and walked aimlessly. There were numerous faces there. All busied and all in a seeming hurry. And yet there he was, walking away from it all.
As soon as he reached the exit however, someone called from behind him. It appeared she was the same lady behind the information desk earlier.
"Sir…" she tried to catch her breath.
"Yes?"
Fixing the creases from her uniform, she straightened her back and faced him properly as she handed over a small object beneath her grasp.
"Your phone. It seemed you left it by the counter."
"Thank you." Appreciative of the act done, he bowed his head courteously as he watched her take her leave. He then proceeded walking.
"How could I forget?" he whispered as he browsed the same. It listed a couple of missed calls…and before he could look into the details further, it rang yet again for the nth time.
"Hello?"
"Kira!"
"Athrun?"
"Stop her! Stop her now!"
"What? I can't understand you."
"We don't have enough time, just stop her…"
"You know, now's really not the time…"
"JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN!"
Taken aback by the sudden outrage of his friend, he stopped. Words were spoken as his eyes widened. It only took a few seconds before his body responded. The phone still in his grasp, he ran back inside the station.
He swore he bumped numerous people in the process but he never cared less. All that mattered now was that he reaches the train before it leaves - and fast.
"Please let me make it!" he fervently prayed as he made his dash towards the said vehicle.
Getting it on his sight, he jumped overboard the ticketing machine, catching the attention and awe of many passers-by. Upon landing feet first, he quickly made his way across a sea of people. The doors began to close then as he made a final attempt by shouting out.
"Wait! Just wait up!"
Security personnel responded as quickly, circling him little by little, cutting across the people in the process.
The train began to motion and he tried to run after it…shouting out the one name that ringed in his ears.
"Lacus!"
"Kira, she called…Lacus called. We have no time left. She said she needed a sign - - you! That's why you have to stop her. All this while, she's been waiting for you to show up! You were right, your presence could change everything!"
"Lacus!"
To the top of his breath, he shouted…all his strength failing him as his knees began to give up. The cemented walkway ended…and he remained there, halting just on its edge. His vision still on the speeding train.
And as he gazed, more memories came back. Of how they used to sit down side by side on the sandy shores. Of how they played with the little orphans with the kind reverend. Of how sweetly she smiled - a smile she gave only to him.
Those and much more came rushing - pouring down, seemingly unending.
As the train's tail furthered away, a realization dawned unto him - a realization he still 'til the very last minute refused to accept. But there was nothing left. No one was there to take his hand. Resigned, he looked at his hands.
Perhaps it was not meant to be. Perhaps this was really how it was to end.
Grasping for air, his body gave up, gravity pulling him down. He was breathing hard and harder every minute that passed.
And as the sight of the train vanished, all he could do was lay there - eyes staring blankly across the distance.
The cool air had never felt this cold before. Not now, not when he had all his hopes gone out as the snow fell from the heavenly skies - the sole witnesses of his plight.
To be continued…
A/N: Sorry for the long delay and I have to admit this isn't my best and I could do better but somehow, hopefully, I pulled it through. There are tense errors in this one and perhaps other grammatical errors. Haayz. I'm still looking for my muse after all. On a brighter note, thanks for taking time to read it all the same. It's much appreciated.