Black of Day, Dark of Night

Azusa N. & Patrick S.

"Goodbye…"

It was the last thing on my mind as I boarded my flight back home.

The mere thought of leaving you tormented me day and night, my angel. The memories of your beautiful smile is burned to my memory.

Regrets. I feel it every day. I never fought for our love.

I was a coward. I ran away from you.

It was a year after I left you that the regrets made me turn back. The wish of seeing you again screamed out of every cell in my body.

I've tried even the most trivial jobs just to earn money. I need to be with you again.

The thought of you pushed me on beyond my physical limits. I even had brushed with the law just to earn those few more extra pennies.

Never has such a man as I. Driven to the point of collapse, I pushed on.

My love for you grew stronger with each passing day, as I hold this old photo of you that I've kept in my pocket.

You photo was the only treasure I had. It kept me hopeful and strive to persevere.

For years I worked and worked. I rose through the ranks in society, achieving more until the day we meet again.

I have made a considerable fortune from my labor and made it just for you.

It was the day, the day I went back to Japan. The day that I'd finally asked for your hand in marriage.

As I got off the taxi, paid my fare; I headed to your house.

I rang the bell to surprise you, but I was the one surprised.

You opened the door and with a little girl behind you.

"Patrick! You came back!"

"I came for you, Azusa!"

I slowly knelt in front of you, I got a small package out of my coat pocket and opened it.

"Azusa, will you marry me?"

"I'm so sorry Patrick…"

I was crestfallen as I heard of this terrible turn of events.

You never looked me in the eyes.

"I've married your best friend Sebastian. And this is our little daughter Sophia."

She looked just like you when we were little…

I slowly stood up and walked away.

"Goodbye…"

As I closed my eyes for the last time; I hung from this cherry tree in full bloom.