Summary: Look around you, each and every single person you see have their own significant stories to tell. And sometimes, you'll be a part of that story. It might not matter to you, but to them it does. Because those stories make up for who they are now.
This is not a love story. This is a story about life and every simple thing we neglect to see and appreciate. This is a story of one's journey towards self-discovery and realizing what's really important in life.
A Story about Haruka meeting people while on her journey. People with different stories to tell which in the end help her realize the most crucial thing.
Italicized are Haruka narrating
-Journey-
1
"Where do people find the courage to start again?"
I remember him asking me this question.
We live life with tremendous confidence and comfort because we are in a place where everything are familiar. But what if things get out of hand and everything you have and known are all gone. Where do we start? Where do we find the courage to live again? Better yet, how?
-x0x-
Her eyes wandered as she stood on an unknown territory with foreign faces going on and about around her. She clutched onto her duffel bag as she breathed heavily out. With her head up high, she took her steps forward.
There wasn't any place in mind, she just wanted to move forward and keep going. It doesn't matter where this would take her or how long it would last, savoring every single second was all that mattered to her.
The sight was refreshing, the soft breeze was relaxing and her smile couldn't get any bigger. It was peaceful and exactly what she needed right now. Her walk came to a temporary halt when she came across a bench underneath a tree. She sat down and marveled at the beauty around her.
"I already paid for these!" An angry voice took her by surprise. Her bright green eyes searched around and spotted a man having a heated argument.
As soon as she felt the argument wasn't going anywhere, she stood up from the bench and walked towards them. She doesn't really understood what they were fighting about, but judging from the constant hand gestures, head shaking and the hotdog stand, she knew it had something to do with money.
She pulled out her wallet and handed a sufficient amount of money to the seller. After bowing her head, she turned to her heels and left the premises. Both men were taken by surprise by the sudden gesture, but the seller gladly took the offer.
The other man though, jogged behind her and tapper her shoulder. With a smile up, he then said happily out, "Thanks. You really saved me back there. I'm Andrew."
Her brows creased as she tilted her head questioningly.
"I said thank you." He mouthed slowly, to which she squinted at. "Oh I get it, you don't speak English. Oh boy. How should I say this?" The man scratched his head while thinking to himself.
"Me." Pointing a finger to his chest. "Andrew."
The blonde looked at him and uttered "Haruka."
Andrew brightened as he finally heard her voice. He smiled and asked, mouthing slowly word per word "Do. You. Have. A. Place. To. Stay?"
It wasn't the smartest idea ever, but to Andrew, it was all he could think of; the only way he could let himself be understood by the green eyed foreigner in front of him… And only He and God knows how
But beyond that stupid idea, Andrew was able to get a simple head shaking out of Haruka.
"Great!"He clapped his hand, smiling genuinely back. His finger then pointed to her "You." Then raised another hand up, palm facing Haruka. "Can stay." Rolling his hands together then pointing his hand to myself. "with me."
Haruka raised her brows. But before she could shake her head, Andrew added, "Please. I need to repay you, and this is the only way I know."
Andrew knew she wouldn't follow what he just said, but he earnestly hoped he'd somehow would feel it. And certainly Haruka didn't have a clue what he just said, but looking at that genuine smile, she knew it'll be just alright.
She looked at him in the eyes and replied, "Okay."
-x0x-
It was the 13th of May when I met him. He came across as some goofy and irresponsible young man with no intentions of getting serious in life. And sure enough, I was right. Walking into his apartment, made it clear. It was disorganized; everything was everywhere, with no proper place, just like him. Confused and everywhere.
He was everywhere…
but he wasn't irresponsible.
-x0x-
"Don't tell me things you haven't been through!" Andrew shouted through the phone. "I don't want to talk!"
Haruka walked through the conversation and found Andrew breathing heavily. He turned around and saw her standing across from him, slightly stunned.
Andrew grunted and spoke mildly, "Just please, leave me be."
He shut the phone and threw it onto the couch as he took his steps towards the blonde.
"So you're leaving already." He uttered, looking at the duffel bag. Haruka nodded, dropping on the floor.
It had been three days since Haruka stayed in his apartment. From those three days, Andrew was nothing but a gentleman to her. They shared numerous conversations, and though Andrew knew most of it Haruka didn't have a clue, he still kept talking to her. Because somehow, he had a feeling she really did understand.
"I'm sorry you have to see that." Andrew softly smiled, pulling a seat out. Haruka only stared at him with brows both raised up. Andrew laughed a little as he rested his chin onto his palm. "Hey, where do people find the courage to start again?"
Haruka just stood there staring quizzically at him.
"Two years ago, I was involved in a car accident. Five people died instantly that day, including my wife. The doctors said I was fortunate enough to live through that." He scoffed at his own story. "I've lost my wife, my job and pushed everyone who tried to get close to me. I've been living my life mourning for those deaths, feeling highly responsible and guilty for not dying. I'm not fortunate. I'm miserable."
He knew she wouldn't understand that's why it seemed easier to her to tell these things.
"They all told me to let it go, start living my life again. My sister who just called told me the same thing. But how?"
-x0x-
When things like this happen, it was as if our life was also put on hold. We stop living with just a snap of your fingers.
SNAP.
That simple.
The longer it takes the harder it gets to get back on your feet and continue. We forget how life has been before and that courage we're supposed to have is trapped within us.
So how could we start now?
-x0x-
"I've been living my life this way for the past two years and I don't know how to live my life differently anymore. But I want to continue living without this past dictating my life. I just can't seem to let go. because once I do, it feels like I'm betraying her." Covering his face with his hands as he sobbed quietly to himself. After a while he stopped, wiping his tears with both hands.
"I'm just sad you're leaving" He lied, looking up and forcing a smile out to Haruka. Andrew then lead her to the door. He turned the door open and stood next to it. He smiled again, saying "I know you don't understand what I'm saying but it has been a pleasure to meet you.
The blonde could still see his tears sparkling underneath his eyes. Her face instantly softens. Haruka stepped out of the apartment, clutching tightly onto her bag. But before she walked out of there, she turned around and spoke mildly, caringly,
"You start when you're ready." She smiled and bowed.
The young man, though partly surprised to find her speaking in the same dialect, found himself smiling at the statement. And somehow, somewhere, he felt a little lighter.
-x0x-
Where do we start?
People would give you long, well-thought of responses to that question. They would throw in big words in their statement and they might be justifiable. But there's probably no definite answer for that. No matter what people tell you, unless you're not ready for it then it doesn't matter what those are. Because in the end the question of where, when and how cannot be answered by anyone except you. Everything will always come down to you and only you.
So where do we start?
-x0x-
-Three Months later-
Bright sunlight welcomed his Monday morning as he stepped out of his apartment. A smile quickly spread unto his face as he looked up into the bright blue sky. He averted his gaze back ahead and dug his hand unto his pocket.
"Hey sis, it's Andrew." He smiled, taking his steps forward. "Wanna have lunch?"
-x0x-
We start with ourselves.
Oneshots. though all will be related to the ending.
I always wanted to write something that isn't a love story. lol
more updates on other stories. since I'm free the whole week.
I can't find ch3 of kono. lol
