Love's Gravity
SUMMARY: One sentence of farewell for her love. A man from her past determined to rekindle his love for her. Three words, and her world spun, created a whirling storm of confusion.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own La Corda D'oro.
Author's Note: Tried to play around with my new-found love for another man other than Len. He might forgive me for writing another story with a different pairing. Teehee~ I'm not sure if I pull it off, though. I'm used to write stories with Len and Kaho as the main pairing, but I this will do. Time to move out the comfort zone, ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ
Chapter 1 – Dove Sei Andato, Il Mio Amore?
HINO KAHOKO
In a stunning black suit, Tsukimori Len bowed, gaining another standing ovation, his violin on one hand, the bow on the other. He is breathtaking and beautiful even from the distance. He never smiled, keeping his cold and serious façade on his face as he bid his farewell on the audience and his adoring fans. After several moments, the curtains closed, and he disappeared from my sight.
There is no turning back now.
I halted my pace in front of his dressing room, my hands quivering. Marking the door's surface are golden metal letters, spelled in his name: Tsukimori Len. The auditorium's backstage is undoubtedly quiet; apart from the soft shuffling and his audible footsteps from behind his door. I let out a long breath as I reach for the silver doorknob despite my valid hesitation and clouded mind.
I need to speak with him; perhaps, this will be the last time I will. The sting in my eyes threatens the fall of tears and quickly shoving the door open, he stood in the middle of the room, holding his violin with both hands and his eyes wide open. It has been days since I last saw him, nights away since he last told me he loved me.
"Kahoko," He breathed out in surprise, as his hands fall to his sides. His eyes squinted for a moment as he laid his violin in its case and walked up to me. His hands immediately found my cheeks, catching the intruding tears. "Why are you crying?" Len's voice hinted concern and astonishment as he grazed my face gently with his thumb, wiping tears from my face.
I never spoke a single word towards him, and never even bothered to answer his question, but deep inside the recesses of my being, I'm torn, aggrieved and tormented. "I can never hate you, Len." I started with a rasping voice through the tears.
His hand immediately slid off from my face and found my hands, entwining them and gripping it tightly. "What is upsetting you?" He asked, his voice desperate. With all honesty, I want to bear the sufferings and pains just so I can be Len's side, remain tolerant and considerate and thoughtful of all his actions, but my heart protests with it.
Day by day, my heart clenches in pain knowing that our relationship grows more distant and deteriorates as Len glistens in the limelight and dominate the music world as a prominent violinist. With his constant concerts, television appearances and interviews, he spent less time with me and even barely has the time to go home to me. I even have to deal with several rumors of him dating this girl, or that girl, but I trust him.
"You've always been so skilled with the violin." I answered, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Please, Len. Hold on to that. Don't let it slip out of your hands."
Len looked at me in disbelief as he left my hands and grabbed my shoulders. I winced in pain as his grip was tight and somewhat painful. "I don't understand a word you are saying, Kahoko!" He said, almost bellowing. "Why are you like this?" Deep within me, I feel like I am being a dim-witted martyr for thinking of him, his welfare and his career. It is obvious he chose his career over me, and as for me, being Hino Kahoko, I understand him till this final moment.
I touched his hand on my shoulders while the other gripped the coat over my heart, and tilted my head so I was facing him. "Len, I'm sorry." I said, my voice inaudible, like a whisper. "I can't take this anymore. My heart can't take it. For several months, I have been constantly pondering on our relationship. I think it has grown to be detrimental to both me and you." He violently shook his head in response. "Kahoko, please—" He answered. "Stop saying such words."
"Len, I'm so, so sorry. Things between us won't work anymore, and you, of all people, should know that. So…" I said. "I'm going back home, leave you." For a moment, everything froze. His bullion orbs widen in incredulity and he open his mouth for a protest, but no word came out from it. Only my rasp gasps and his deep breathing resonated in the dressing room. Realizing Len cannot utter a word, I continued. "I love you, you should know that. Don't worry about me, about us. You can do so much more without me in your qualms." Len is still shaking his head, holding back his own share of tears.
I started loosening his hold on me, despite his efforts to keep me close. Giving him a warm embrace, I inhaled his scent, feel the shape of his well-toned body and his soft, unwavering hands, trying to etch every single detail of his face and features in my memories. His arms wrapped me on the waist firmly, hearing his sobs on the hem of my hair. "No. Kahoko, please, don't." He protested. "Don't leave me. I love you. Please understand that. I cannot live without you here, with me." In the end, I am still the martyr. For a moment, though, I thought words such as 'I will give everything up for you' suddenly crossed my mind, but it is virtually impossible.
"Len, I love you so much, remember that." I said, before leaning on his mouth, and kissing him lightly.
With that, I walked out of the door, feeling that remains of his warmth on my body. I ran as fast as I could and refused to look back at him. It was probably my imagination, but I heard him shout for me and the pounding of his own feet on the pavement, chasing me. But I was lucky, fortunately. I was able to hail a cab to drive me to airport even before Len could emerge from the large auditorium doors.
That will be the last time I will see him, I swear to myself and plead for determination.
My mother's house is the last place I want to be in, and the first place Len would have looked for me. If he will, though.
I took hold of several keys from my purse and unlocked the door of my condominium. This condominium is small, fit for a single person, and where I reside during college. Entering the condominium, the faint smell of my scent laced with slight scent of mold and dust lingered in my nose, indicating that it was left fallow for a long interlude of time. The furniture was still covered in a white sheet, now a little bit gray. I smile, pleased and grateful for the solitude and seclusion my condominium offers, away from everything and anything.
Through tired hands, I took white sheet from the sofa, slightly spreading the dust, and folded it neatly. I threw myself on it and sought comfort the soft futon offers me. Following the abrupt talk with Len and my escape and the flight, I am considerably worn out, that my eyelids momentarily droop resignedly and I find it too straining to even find my way to my bedroom. It wasn't that cold, that I don't complain having my coat serve as my blanket for the night. It was not too hard to fall asleep, after recalling and let my mind play the events that took place not long ago, tears slipped through my eyes, aiding me to sleep through the pain.
—
I heard his feet pounding on the pavement, his voice calling my name echoed in the dark halls. "Kahoko." He said, a hint of smile on his lips. "Stop hiding from me." I let out a soft chuckle, knowing that he was getting closer every passing minute to where I was hiding. Not that it matters, anyway. "Len, just a little more." I replied back, exhilaration building inside my chest. "Come find me!" With his footsteps audible in the silent halls, I manage to hear him took a turn in the left and opened a door. He sighed knowingly, unable to find me.
"Kahoko, come out." He said and I knew he was already growing intolerant. I moved closer to him from behind, and immediately placing my hands on his eyes, earning a pleased gasp from him.
"Guess who." I asked, trying to bask my voice by lowering it. Len chuckled softly, and covered my hands on his eyes with his. "What is this about?" He asked, his warmth straight away spreading through my being with just a mere touch of our two hands. I urged him to move forward through an open door, with me guiding him warily. Our steps were slow, yet reassuring. He gripped my hands tightly, bathing my own hands with special warmth.
"Just a little more, Len." I whispered tenderly in his ear and he gave me a nod in response.
I pressed him closer to me, urging him to stop for a quiet moment. "Kahoko, are you there?" He asked in notion. I slid my hands down to his waist, burying my face on his back and whilst, he opened his eyes.
There is a small table on the center of his hefty dressing room, two single candles giving off ample illumination. Rose petals were clumsily scattered on the floor and on the table. A liberal dinner of Len's preferred cooking settled on the table, giving off an appetizing scent that filled both our noses. My violin gauchely placed on a stand beside the small table.
"Happy birthday, Len." I whispered behind him, even as tightening my hold onto his waist. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't have much time to prepare a proper gift for you and how clumsily this place looks. I managed to cook, though. I hope it is fine with you." My face must have been beet red from my mortification, and thankfully, because of the poor illumination and his back, I am able to hide it.
He spun me around and his hands travelled to my face. "You know," He started, a momentous smile on his lips. "This has been one of the best birthday celebrations I ever had." An intruding tear managed to escape his right eye, and he leaned, our foreheads touching. "I love you, Kahoko. Always and forever." He continued, before he locked his lips on mine.
—
"Len!"
I jolted upward to a sitting position, hands shaking and sweaty. I muttered several curses under my breath as I wipe the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. My only escape from reality is still mercilessly haunted by my memories of and with Len, his perfect face, his velvet voice, his piercing bullion orbs, tormenting me. Expressive pain seeps through my being to the tips of my hands and I sighed. My condominium bathed in the sunrise's light, peeping through the curtain. I shiver in the morning's cold. Sighing in defeat, I took my phone from my discarded purse on the floor. Several missed calls and messages came from him, but I shoved it off, ignoring it completely. I dialed my mother's number.
It took a few rings on the other line before someone picked it up and answered the call. "Hello, Hino residence." A sleepy, muffled voice answered. A smile played on my lips. My mother. "Mom, hi." I said, standing up from the futon and opening the curtains. "It's Kahoko." A low gasp came from the other line and soft shuffling of noises.
"Oh my, Kaho!" She exclaimed, relatively livelier and happier than when she first answered me. "Since when did you return from Europe? Are you with Len-kun?" The sound of his name made me cringe away and another bucket of tears threatened to spill but I choked my sob. "Last night, Mom." I answered, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I'm here in my condominium, and I promise I will visit you later in the day."
"Bring Len-kun with you when you visit then, Kaho." She said, elated. "Your sister would be very happy to see him." A tear slid down my cheek, and I felt scared to speak, knowing that the moment I will, my voice will be trembling, shuddering and hoarse through the tears. I placed a hand on my mouth, preventing the sound of my rasping gasps travel through the phone. It's futile, I know. "Kaho?" Mom asked. "Kaho, why are you crying?"
I couldn't answer. All I wanted was to cry endlessly until I'm satisfied. I involuntarily feel on my knees and leaned on the glass of the window with my phone still on my ear. My piercing and muffled crying echoed loudly in my room, drowning the soothing words and expressions my mother gently whispers in my ear. It felt like hours have already passed when I cannot muster a tear anymore and I stopped crying but still have the urge to do so. Thankfully, she didn't cut the call. "Kaho, did something happen?" She asked, her voice gentle and kind and worried.
"I'll talk to you later, Mom." I answered. "I'll see you later, then."
Standing up from the floor, my legs felt like fluid, shaking tremendously with each step I take. I dragged my luggage from beside the coffee table to my small bedroom, dropping it halfway through the door. I have the sudden urge to throw myself on the bed, take in the comfort and escape it offers me, and refuse to move any longer but the image of my mother and sister worrying crossed my mind. "I have them," I said to myself. "They must be terribly worried."
I removed all the clothing in my body, except for my undergarment, retrieved a clean towel from my closet and stepped inside the bathroom.
It probably took me hours to clean and dress myself because of my sluggish movements and constant weeping. I stood in front of the gates of my house, the skies were turning discolored, the threat of a strong downpour. Opening the creaky metal gates, the front door instantly opened, my mother standing on the doorway. Relief and delight washed over her face as she walked up to me and enveloped me in a warm embrace. "Kaho, look how beautiful you have grown!" She murmured softly.
I hugged her back, finding my mother's warmth comforting and relaxing and it did manage to chase away some of the wretchedness piling up inside my chest. "I'm so glad to see you, Mom!" I replied. My mother's scent and her warmth completely filled me with nostalgia in view of the fact that the last time I have been here was almost five years ago, as a result of being constantly with Len overseas. "I missed you so much!"
She led me inside the tepid house, removing my coat. In more than five years, not much changed in the house, except with several additions of photographs and framed newspaper cut-outs hanging on the wall. The house smells of buttery aroma of croissants tied with sweet lavender from the flowers. My sister's head appeared from the stairway, her face suddenly lit up the moment she saw me. She made a humorous dash from the landing to the floor and I crashed into her arms, hugging me tightly.
"Oh my, gosh!" She practically squealed in my ear. "I cannot believe you're home and you're this beautiful." I giggled at how she managed to emphasize her words. I hugged her back and a smile played on my lips. My sister remained to be carefree and sweet and she smelled the same, the way I like it. She smells like the morning summer air.
"Come on," I said, without squealing. "You're also stunning, you know?" She loosened her hold on me, leading me to the sofa. By the look on her face, she must have countless of untold stories waiting to be told and numerous chitchats waiting to be spilled. I gave her a calm nod at each story she brings up, with my mother eyeing us both happily, pleased with our diminutive, unplanned reunion. She remained silent about our talk earlier this morning.
Mom brought us newly backed pieces of croissants and cups of warm tea and slid beside the space beside me. She took hold of the remote control and turned on the television. My vision immediately travelled from my sister's vigorous figure to the television and my eyes widen in shock and disbelief that I almost fell on the floor. Air was literally knocked out off my lungs as my mind registered the meaning of the words sprouting out of the reporter's mouth in the TV.
The headlines of the several newspapers and the main focus of different news channels were identical, only varying in couple of words, but still, the same, exact meaning: World-famous violinist, Tsukimori Len, separated with high school sweetheart and longtime girlfriend, violinist Hino Kahoko.
—
Where did you go, my Love?
—
Author's Note: Pairing is a surprise. :) Oh well, I hate losing all my ideas for stories due to a long span of time, so I have to write this as quickly as possible, though I made sure the grammar and spelling are fine, so yeah, it practically covers it all. Anyway, favorites, alerts and reviews are always appreciated. Reading alone actually does. I hope you enjoyed it. Mark your comments and suggestions as a review. I'll happily reply to them. :D I had a very hard time thinking about the title, so the title is still pending, subjected to change, blah, blah.
So about the title.. Hmm, well, I missed my Physics teacher, like a hell lot. Any suggestions, please? ヾ(^ ^ゞ
-miyakOoO – chan.
ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ