TORONTO:
I grab the phone on the bedside table. Five missed calls and one voice message. It's from someone named Matt Anderson.
"Kousaku, wake up." I turn towards him and give him a slight tap on his cheek. "Someone named Matt has been calling you."
I glance at his phone again. It's only 8am. Why is he calling him this early?
Aizawa, hmm I mean Kousaku's on leave today... on leave for the next two weeks to be exact.
I can't help but smile when I thought of the time I told him that I'm going Toronto to visit him, since it's been ages since we last saw each other. He said he will try to get leave on the same time so that we can tour around and we have enough time to talk and catch things up, unlike the time he went back last year, when we literally hardly saw each other. From just hearing his plans, I knew he liked the idea.
When he flew to Japan last year, I didn't manage to get the same leave as his and I was always stuck in Lifesaving, Hiyama's gone, and Fujikawa was busy taking care of their child so we didn't manage to spent more time together. Aizawa's not the kind to complain about certain things like that, he fully understands the circumstances and my responsibilities in Lifesaving, but I don't want him to feel that he's not on my priorities list. That's why I thought of visiting him this year. I can't let him to be the one who's constantly making efforts for us to meet. Plus the fact that I terribly miss him. Him and his presence in Lifesaving so badly.
He moves slightly and reach his phone, distracting my thoughts.
He just glance at the screen for a few seconds and place it down, it's like he only checks the time.
"Hmmm." he just release a soft moan. "I'll give him a call later. It's not that important believe me." he said while placing his arm under my head and pulls me closer towards him.
"Are you sure? He called you 5 times." I rest my head against him.
"Yeah. He just wants me to cover his weekends calls. I already told him I can't. I said my girlfriend's coming that's why I took leave for two weeks but he didn't believe what I said." he said in a very sleepy voice.
I chuckled. "He didn't believe you when you said you have a girlfriend?" Well, me too. Until now there are moments that I can't believe that we ended up together.
He nods, buries his nose on my hair and starts caressing my back.
I actually can't remember the exact date when we started dating officially, but as far as I know, somehow it started on the night of his farewell dinner, a week before he left for Toronto. We're both drunk, but not too drunk to forget what we said to each other, it's like a Deja vu when we had a heart to heart conversation concerning his dad and mine. He was sitting on his favorite spot while me, Hiyama, Fujikawa and Saejima were on the counter discussing some non-sense things with Tsuneo a.k.a Mary Jane. When they started discussing about Saejima and Fujikawa's plans on their child I stood up and sat beside Aizawa and said.
"You know what? I'm happy that you choose Toronto despite everything. But I can't deny the fact that I'm depressed at the same time."
He looked at me straight in the eyes and said. "I'm coming back. My life is here…." He gulped his drink, paused for a while, and stared at me once more. "in Lifesaving. So, I will definitely come back."
I was about to asked him what he meant by that but Hiyama and others came towards us, not giving us the chance to continue our conversation.
His words that night leave me in awe. I felt unsettled. It repeatedly played on my mind for days and it literally gave me sleepless nights. It's been like that for a week. But since I didn't hear anything from him after that, I forced myself to stopped wondering about it. I was convinced that maybe he meant nothing special.
Then the night before he left Japan happened. I was on night shift with Fujikawa when I received a call from him.
"I'll definitely come back for you." I'm too stunned when I heard him said that on the other line. I can't utter a word. I'm too dumbfounded to say anything. Astounded, with no thoughts in my head at all, like a computer crash. Then, the reality that he's going off to Toronto tomorrow occurs to me. I unconsciously place my hand on my chest and think hard. After a long awkward silence, I heard my name.
"Shira-… Megumi…"
I think I get what he means now. Following the realization that it may be Aizawa's own way of saying that I am important to him.
"I understand. I'll wait." At that time, I didn't know exactly where it came from. When he told me, he will definitely come back for me my subconscious told me that I'll be much willing to wait for him and that will be the appropriate response for what he said. Seriously, if that isn't a declaration of love, I don't know what it is called then. The words tumble out of me. And the rest was history.
"Did you ask him why he badly needs it?" I look up to his face trying to figure out his expression in the dark. Realizing I won't be able to as his room is in complete darkness, and the curtains won't even let any ray of sunlight in, I gave up and snuggle closer.
This is the first time we slept together since we dated. Well it's because we rarely see each other as we are on different sides of the world. Hiyama and I are still living together so when he went back last year, he didn't manage to visit me on my place.
"I didn't. I'm on leave. Seriously. I don't disturb them when they're the one on holiday."
"Okay. okay. But ask him and please hear him out first. He won't bother you that much if it's not that important to him." I said softly.
"Okay. But let's sleep first. It's still early." He clasps me tightly to his chest. I can't explain what I'm feeling right now, one thing's for sure I am so deeply in love with him.
I hug him back and before I make a facetious comment, I fell asleep.
"I thought you're on leave?" I glance at the person who came in the office. Hanna. She frowns, looking at me questionably with her hand on her waist.
"Yes. I am. But, Matt asked me to cover his calls today and tomorrow. He got urgent matters to attend to." She nods and starts walking towards her desks.
Matt's mother in law died and Shiraishi being herself told me to help him. I shouldn't have listened to her when she told me to asked Matt's reason for his request. I shook my head and let out a long sigh. Of course, Her magic works again.
I switch my computer off, grab the phone on my pocket and stand up ready to leave the room. I glance at my phone, check the time and dial my home number. I tried to rang it a few times before I heard her voice.
"Hello, Aizawa's residence." I suddenly felt like going home. I remained silent, looking at the ground while rubbing my thumb on my forefinger. Even on the phone she owns me.
"Hello?"
"It's me, Megumi." It took me a minute to respond. "You took so long to answer my call."
"I'm sorry, I'm actually in the shower." I can hear the sound of hair dryer at the background.
"I'm drying my hair now. Can you hear me? How's your shift?" she said apologetically. I wanted to regret why I agreed to cover Matt's call. I felt bad for the guy as well but thinking that it lessens the time I should have spent with Shirasishi, upsets me. I felt like my two days has been wasted. I sighed.
"Yes, I can hear you. It's fine. It's not that busy yet. I just feel like our two days will be wasted." I said casually, with a hint of regret in my voice.
"Don't. You did a good deed. He will surely return the favor to you when you need it. And we still have a week. Do you want me to come to your hospital tomorrow? Let's have breakfast at the cafe you kept on mentioning on your emails." Her voice is like music to my ears. I smiled.
"That depends if you manage to get up early." I laugh softly. I never felt so alive. I've discovered a lot more about myself and I've encountered all manner of perplexing, profound feelings and new experiences when I'm with her.
"Don't say that. I just haven't fully adjusted to the time difference yet." I shift my phone on my other ear. I let her talk and I just listen intently.
Flashing back to the time when were not together yet, she becomes more talkative now, she's slowly saying goodbye to her old timid, dense and clueless self. The night before I left Japan, I'm actually quite surprise when she told me that she understood what I meant and how she said "I will wait for you". I didn't really expected her to answer like that. I'm not prepared. I'm absolutely happy but miserable at the same time. Who wouldn't? And I'm feeling the same thing now. Just like what she said we only have a week more. A week quickly passed. I wish I can ask her to stay. But I know it's not that easy.
"I miss you. I wish I've never gone to work, I literally want to go home right now and be with you."
I heard small laughs at the other end.
"I miss you too. I'll see you tomorrow then. I'll get up early. Promise."
Hanging up, I lean against the cold hard glass of the hospital corridors windows.
"Kousaku, there's someone looking for you. She's sitting on the visitor's lounge." I glance quickly at the time and smiled. She did manage to wake up early. I told myself. I've had a tiring night. I didn't manage to sleep a blink.
"Ah, thanks."
"Girlfriend?" Katie asks, one of the Neurosurgeons who came with me at the same time. I nodded.
"Whoa. I didn't know you have any other interest outside of your work?" she continues hastily, gauging my reaction. "That's new. You have a girlfriend. Well, thinking about your unfriendliness and cold behavior to the girls who have eyes on you, that makes sense now." She reminds me of Hiyama sometimes. "The girls need to know this." She added.
I just pretended I didn't hear anything and continue typing my reports, effectively dismissing her. On my mind, I wanted to finish this quickly and meet Megumi.
The elevator is agonizingly slow, stopping on each floor. Come on. Seriously? Finally, the door opens, I walk briskly towards the lounge. The nurses and staffs at the desk nearby gave me a polite smile. I smiled back leaving them with astonished expressions on their faces. I usually nod to acknowledge their greetings but today it's different. It's obvious that they notice that too.
Within a few moments I found her, sitting on the lounge while her eyes were all over the place, looking around with amusement. I watch her from a far for a few minutes and waited for her eyes to caught mine. She smiled widely and stand immediately. I span the few steps distance we have and greet her. We sits down side by side and asks each other how's last night.
"I didn't manage to sleep. Your place becomes unfamiliar cause you're not around." she confessed innocently. I turn towards her, and tucks her fringe covering her eyes behind her ears. It didn't come to me that I can be this passionate towards someone. Having Shiraishi, hmm Megumi by my side made me realized a lot of things, and makes me explore emotions that I didn't know I have. I know I'm too old for this but she really makes my heart beats wildly, like now. It's overwhelming. When I gaze around, I saw nurses and staffs were looking at us, with fondness and overwhelmed expressions written on their faces. I can't question them, perhaps this is the first time they saw me behaving like this.
"That's nice to hear then, I'm going to be hurt if you still manage to sleep comfortably without me around." I said coyly. Her face turns red. "Ehh?"
"Wait for me here, I'm just going to change." she nods. I pat her head before I walk away.
We're walking quietly side by side towards the entrance, when I took her hand and intertwines it with mine. She glances at me, made this surprised expression on her face. I squinted and just shrugged my shoulder. I saw her smile at the corner of my eyes and she then places her left hand on my arm.
Aizawa's hands brush across my temple, part of me wants to turn and respond but mostly I want to stay asleep. Hmm. I moan and burrow into the pillow. I open my eyes reluctantly. It's dusk outside, Aizawa is leaning over, gazing at me intently. Oh no! I still can't get used to this side of Aizawa's. It's been 9 days since I came to Toronto. It's like I'm starting to see a different side of him every day.
Again, my mind drifts me away to the night I arrived. Just like the time we first saw each other after his confession on the phone, both of us can feel the rage of awkwardness surrounding us. When I saw him waiting at the arrival gate, he just waved at me and gave me this epic awkward smile. We didn't even hug or kiss each other like what other couples would normally do when they finally got together after a long time of separation. We're completely the opposite. We literally can't act normally on each other's presence at first.
I think the fact that we haven't seen each other physically for so long is a huge factor. Plus, it's me and Aizawa, I mean Kousaku.
I scolded myself few times that night and before, and repeatedly told my brain that "It's only Aizawa. The same eccentric, cold, impassive and ambitious guy I worked with before in Lifesaving." But still nothing changed. Every time we saw each other again, I can't help feeling anxious, awkward, and conscious initially. I can't throw the thought that we're not colleagues sharing sentiments and worries with each other anymore but a long-distance couple now, which makes the whole situation different. I guess I'm still not fully used to it yet.
I, then remembered how we bought pizza and chips on our way to his apartment and how we ate dinner quietly. He questioned things about my flight, trying to create a small conversation to make ourselves at ease with each other's presence and lessen the awkwardness between us. We talked and talked and talked and talked till we have no idea how much time has passed and how we become fully comfortable and how we ended up being passionate with each other, like now. Fortunately, it didn't take a while.
"Hey, you don't have plans of getting up don't you?" He said pulling my thoughts back to the present
"I'm tired. I think I'm really getting old." I told him softly. We've been touring around Toronto for the past days. We had dinner in 360, a restaurant in CN tower, a 553-meter tower. The panoramic view of the city lights is spectacular and it's indeed one of the highlights during my stay here. A day which I think I won't ever forget. Following that, we went to Casa Loma, Distillery Historic District, St. Lawrence Market and visit museums and galleries in Ontario. We're walking' hand in hand. It's been a bliss. Literally. I never had so much fun like this before.
"Let's just stay at home for today then." He sits at the edge of the bed, caressing my arm. Likely waiting for me to make a move.
Feeling guilty, I slowly sit up covering my face. I feel embarrass all of a sudden. Kousaku, look so fresh, with his messy drenched hair, he already showered. I feel so conscious, I have this woke up like this look. My hair's messy and it's all over my face. I look up in shock at the clock in his room and realise the time. 12:35 PM. My eyes widened!
"Ehh, I'm sorry, I overslept again." I immediately climb out of the bed on the side he was sitting on. Still covering my face, I run quickly to the bathroom. As soon as the door close, I heard him says something.
"It's ok. Let's just rest for today and tomorrow then. We still have enough time to tour around."
I look at my face on the mirror and strokes my hair. This is so embarrassing. I told myself. A few minutes later, I heard a knock from outside. I check myself on the mirror one more time before opening the door and pop my head out.
"Here." He said while handing me clean towel. I smiled shyly and utter a soft 'thank you' in return.
I'm aware that there are still some things I don't know about him, and things we may disagree on in the future, but I know He will be the first and the last. Surely, it's the same thing for him.
We were in the airport waiting for the departure gates to open. It's very obvious that both of us were feeling down. The reality that three hours from now, we will be far away from each other again is slowly sinking in. We're sitting next to each other, literally not saying a thing. I took her hand. Two weeks quickly passed. I sigh... deeply.
"Hey." I pause for a few seconds. Thinking hard what to say. Looking at Shiraishi's face. She glances at me questioningly. I can tell she's on the verge of crying.
"I'll see you soon..." I mumble, trying to bring my pounding heartbeat under control. She puts her chin on my shoulder and whisper something on my ears after releasing a soft sob. My hand curls behind her head, stroking her hair. It's only then I realized she's really trying hard not to cry.
"- it'll be longer. I promise. I'm aware that there are still some things I don't know about her, and things we may disagree on in the future, but I know she will be my first and my last. I don't need anyone else. Just her.
Please do leave a comment, review or critism and let me know what you guys think...I seriously want to write better next tym so dont hesitate to let me know which, where and what to improve. Let's continously feed each other's hungry soul with more Aizawa and Shiraishi moments since it's still a long way to 2018. Thank you. This fandom is undeniably the bestest. 😚