Chihro was eleven. She had met Haku three months ago, and she already missed him. Time really flew by. One moment ago, she could have sworn that she had been standing next to him, waving him goodbye. But it was alright, for what was a hundred years to a steady heart? Besides, she had many years ahead of her. She would wait.
Chihiro was eighteen. She had met Haku eight years ago, and she still missed him more than ever. Time moved faster than ever. One moment ago, she was new in the school, drawing green-eyed dragons and boys all they long. But it was alright; she still had plenty of years ahead of her, for she was still young. She hoped that her wait will end soon.
Chihiro was thirty seven. She had met Haku about a decade ago, but his absence weighed as heavily on her heart as ever. No matter how long she had been in this world, time never really slowed down. On moment ago, she was sure that she saw him in the street everywhere, and once, even a shadow of a dragon in the clouds. But it was alright, for she was not that old yet, and not quite ready to grow up. She would hold on to the dream of her childhood. And she would keep waiting.
Chihiro was fifty six. She had met Haku many years ago, and the pain was a little duller, but the longing no less fiercer. Time zipped by now, not waiting for those who clung to the past. One moment ago, she could vouch that she had been arguing with her parents, insisting that she would not marry until the right person came along. But it was beginning not to be alright anymore; she was aging, and she knew that. She could not wait much longer.
Chihiro was ninety. She had forgotten how long since she had seen Haku, only that his face never really left her mind. The passage of time had become all but useless to her. One moment ago, she thought that he would finally come, however late, and she would have welcomed him. But it was alright again; no hurry for anything. She need not wait any more.
He was there, when she was dying. Old, alone, when he arrived, no more than the twelve-year old child's guise he wore all those years ago. The shock and horror on his face when he saw how old she was. He must have forgotten how humans changed quickly, time but a fickle mistress to them, for his river had been lost to him too long ago. It counted, at least, that he tried. The fault was really hers, Chihiro thought. She had wasted her life waiting for someone whom time and youth meant nothing to after all.