Chapter 2: A Dream or Veracity
"Good morning Kris" greeted Miss Mei Li. She's the owner of the flower shop around the corner of the street. She sold the most exquisite flowers in the whole avenue. She is well-informed about flowers too; there was nothing she didn't know about them. Therefore she had a lot of customers which made her a well known florist.
"Morning Miss Mei Li. How are you today?" I responded giving her a charming smile. "Oh I'm just doing great. How about you? I heard that you and Saitomi are getting transferred to Yokohama" she inquired. "Yes that's right." Well what do you know; news does travel faster than a horse. She requested that we come visit them regularly and gifted me a bouquet of peach colored roses.
I started walking towards the park, inhaling the sweet scent of roses. Since I was leaving that morning, I felt that I should walk around the neighborhood. The park was almost empty, well since it was early morning not many people were around. It felt nice to take a walk in the park, breathing in the morning air. Oh, actually I was sniffing the roses; I have a great penchant for flowers.
I could hear some voice just a few yards away. It was coming from the basketball court. The boys in the neighborhood come to practice here every morning. Just then I heard "Oy Kris." I turned to look at the owner of the voice; well of course it was Toya, the basketball legend of the city. You should see the way the girls swoon over him; he's so good looking even when he plays, a "bishonen" as otakus would say. I used to have a crush on him during middle school, not 'cause of his looks but his talent, he's a real genius in basketball.
"Morning, Kris. So what are you up to this early in the morning" he inquired, looking very contented to see me. "Oh I was just simply taking a walk around the neighborhood" I replied with a soft smile. "Hm…. You don't have to leave if you don't want to you know" he teased. "Oh please, give me a break" I whined. "Alright, alright" Toya chuckled putting up his hands in defeat.
"So… you wanna talk about it" he asked apprehensively. I gazed into his concern filled hazel eyes woefully. I knew that he was not talking about me leaving but about yesterday's incident at the antique shop. I couldn't get over it at all, that's why I tried to keep my mind busy. Even though I lied to them yesterday, so as to not get them worried, I knew that Toya didn't believe it.
I sighed and sat down on the nearby bench. Toya took a seat beside me and waited patiently for me to explain it to him. After a moment of hesitance I decided to tell him. At least it would take the burden off my chest and Toya is my best friend, so I could talk to him about anything. But I asked him not to tell the others about it, I didn't want them to get worried. I explained everything, exactly the way I saw it, describing even the smallest matter so vividly.
Toya was dumbfounded; he looked at me understandingly. He knew how I felt. I wasn't a type of girl who daydreams like that and it just simply can't be a fantasy. "I knew I felt something weird about the pendant. I felt a strange aura around it" he said recalling the incident. "Anyways, let it be for now. I know it's weird but doesn't seem that important now, so don't let it spoil the mood today. Let me now if anything else happens; then we'll break it to the others and deal with it in the proper way" he said soothingly to reassure me.
I felt like I could breathe freely again; it was indeed a good idea to let him know. I had to tell him about my weird dreams as well; taking all the facts into consideration he concluded that they are all connected. But like he said, we let it be as it is for now. "Alright, I better get going now. It's time for school for you and I need to get to the station before its late" I informed giving him the bouquet of roses. So we both went our way.
Back at home, I got everything ready and waited for the decided time. Yesterday when I told mom about the news she seemed very excited about it, although she was sad about me leaving. Chris was rather shocked; he never even imagined that I would leave so soon. "Mom, I will be just fine" I guaranteed her. "Yeah, sure; you will be" my brother sneered, his arms crossed across his chest. I chuckled.
"Come on bro; cheer up will ya" I drawled pulling him into a tight embrace. "I will call you whenever possible alright. So please stop worrying, we will be in touch. It's not like we're never gonna see each other again. Besides look on the bright side, you've got the whole house to yourself now" I said with a twinge, releasing him from my hold. I brushed away the golden locks that were concealing his emerald green eyes.
I grabbed my back pack and belongings from off the ground and walked out. As soon as I was out the gate I waved goodbye, without turning to look at them.
I walked towards the street to catch a cab to get to the train station. All the familiar places and faces; I was leaving all that behind.
When I reached the famous tofu shop, I heard a manly voice call out "Liya; why are you all packed up? Where are you going?" It was Mr. Roy the owner of the shop, he also taught martial arts along with his tofu business. He is a professional at both.
"Well I got an admission to an arts school in Yokohama. So I won't be around anymore" I answered gleefully.
"Oh, I see; congratulation and good luck too" he chirped suddenly remembering something. "Thanks I'm gonna need that" I replied. "Wait here a moment I've got something for you" he ordered tenderly and then went into his house and came back with a bracelet. "This is a lucky charm; I want you to have it" he presented, taking my hand gently and putting it on. "Wow; thanks; that's so sweet of you" I replied looking pleased at the cool bracelet. It was indeed very beautiful with all the intricate designs.
I met up with Saitomi at the train station. "Hey Li; all set to go?" she asked looking very thrilled. "I guess" I replied. "It's really tough leaving, isn't it" she inquired with a shade of gloom. "Yeah; well lets leave that aside it's already time for the train to arrive" I said warily trying to ward off the gloominess.
"The train to Yokohama will be arriving shortly. Please stand behind the yellow line for your own safety. Thank you" went the announcement. So we walked towards the platform. Now all the gloom has disappeared and we were feeling immensely ecstatic.
We were now traveling to Yokohama. "How long is it going to take to get there?" Saitomi inquired, looking out the window to enjoy the beautiful panorama that was gliding by, which I was doing as well.
"Don't know" I replied without looking away from the window, still enjoying the view.
"I hope we'll have a great time traveling" she anticipated. "Yeah; this is one of the few times I'm traveling long distances in a train, alone." Well my mom doesn't mind me traveling alone or going to far off places. But I like traveling in groups; it's more fun that way, especially with my brother.
"You're not alone" Saitomi snickered jubilantly. "Oh yeah; you consider yourself as an adult now, do you" I ridiculed, playfully. "I thought we both were" she teased in response. "Yeah right; we still have a long way to get there" I snuffled.
"Dad said that he will be there to pick us up" I informed. "That is if he's free. I hope he won't be too busy" I anticipated, 'cuz it's been a long time since I've last seen him. So I wanted to see him the first thing I got there.
*Hours later*
"We'll be reaching Yokohama Central Station in ten minutes; the passengers are requested to make sure they don't misplace their belongings. Thank you" informed the announcer.
"Great" I exclaimed. "So we've passed Tokyo already" she asked, thwarted. "I hope we could go shopping or sight seeing there, sometimes" she said enthusiastically.
"Sure we will" I assured her. She always loved to go shopping in Tokyo. "Look dad's here" I called out. My heart was pounding with sheer delight. I couldn't wait to see him again. "Sweet" she remarked, realizing how ecstatic I was. Well she was enjoying it too.
"We have reached Yokohama Central Station. Thank you" went the announcement. As soon as the door opened I shot out, threw my stuff on the ground and flew onto him. "Hey dad" I chirped, hugging him so tightly. He was holding me gently but firmly, he had missed me a lot too.
"Hey, Mr. Nicholas" called Saitomi. "Hey you two" greeted my dad. He was a tall man, 5'10; very good looking, hair as brown as chestnut and eyes a bright shade of garnet.
"I'm so glad to see you two again. Look at you; I'm away for 2 years and you grow up too fast" he commented. "The usual dialogue for all parents when they see their children after being apart for a long time" I remarked.
"Well, I must say you both have grown into fine young ladies or are you still that tomboy I know of Li" he teased. "Hey!" I groaned. "What do you think Saitomi, is she still the same old Li". "Yup she hasn't changed much" Saitomi informed. "Cut it out, you two" I moaned. They both started laughing.
"So how are you doing Saitomi" he inquired. "Oh I'm just doing fine. Thank you" she replied smiling pleasantly at him. We walked to his car and loaded our bags and things inside and drove off to his house. "Did you guys have a nice time traveling" he asked looking at us through the mirror. "Yeah a great time indeed" we responded.
"I can't believe you're here." He shot a funny look at me with a smirk on his face. Yeah, I knew what he meant; my mother. She was really sad when dad had to leave to come here for work and now I'm here.
We drove into a beautiful abode. It had a spectacular garden with numerous species of flora and fauna; it looked splendid like a small version of a mansion. "Awesome, this place looks great" I commented. "Definitely" Saitomi approved.
"Well, being a great and famous archeologist does really pay off" I remarked.
"Alright, let's get you something to eat" he said, walking into the kitchen. It was a well furnished house in both European and Japanese style.
"Here's your breakfast, hope you enjoy it" he chirped, setting down two dishes of scrumptious food. "I'm really sorry but I have to leave for work now" he said dismally. He wanted to stay back at home today since we arrived.
"Guess the country cannot function without its great archeologist working all the time huh" I commented with a tinge of misery but without letting the other two know about it. "Well, bye then and have a great day" I said shooting a velvety smile at him.
"Have a good day" Saitomi chorused. "Alright I'm leaving then".
Then we started planning on what to do that day while finishing our breakfast. "So what do you want to do the whole day" I inquired taking a sip out of my orange juice. "I don't know; maybe get some rest and do something really exciting later" she replied.
"Right; I can't just spend the whole day doing nothing" I concurred. "Lively as always" she remarked with a smirk. "Oh really; It doesn't hurt being a little agile and adventurous now, does it" I inquired eyeing her innocently.
"Of course not. But you're on a totally different level" she replied smiling mischievously. "Very funny" I responded in a mock hurt manner.
After the long hours sightseeing and shopping we got back home and decided to make dinner. Just the moment after we finished preparing dinner dad came back from work. "Hey, I'm back" he called out from the lobby. "Welcome back" both Saitomi and I chorused. He walked towards his room, depositing all his documents and materials of some ancient artifacts from the work-site onto his table. They seemed to be very fascinating. Well things like those always seem to catch my attention.
After changing into his casual wear he walked into the kitchen to see what we were up to. "Mmmmmm…. That smells so… good" he said inhaling the wafting aroma of food.
"Well ain't somebody glad that his daughter is home to do the cooking from now on" I teased. He smiled and sat down at the table. After setting all the dishes on the table, both Saitomi and I sat down too.
"So did you have a nice day" I inquired, taking a sip out of my glass of water. "Yeah, I did. I'm getting close to finding the artifact that we've been searching for years now. It's really great" he said smiling away with joy.
"Well I'm glad" I exclaimed. "What's it about"?
"A lost regalia of an ancient mystical empire, a staff; some people who tried to usurp the throne stole it. During the pursuit the stone which was on it was lost and only the platinum rod remains; so it's up to us to find it now" explained my dad.
"Phew" I whistled. "Wow! Staff made out of pure platinum? Lost regalia? An ancient mystical empire? Unbelievable! Awesome! Count me in for the expedition" I grinned. Saitomi giggled.
It was already late for anymore conversations, so we finished our dinner and retired for the night. On my way to the room I saw something in my dad's study that caught my attention, a painting of the stone he was talking about. I walked in to get a better view, the moment I laid eyes on it I froze. Bloody hell! It's the same one that I saw in the vision at the antique store. Somebody please tell me that I'm hallucinating or just having a nightmare. I didn't stand there any longer; the moment I thawed I hurried back to my room upstairs.
But the moment I reached my bedroom door a voice called out from behind, "Kris you okay? What's wrong"? I gasped with fear but realizing that it was Saitomi I turned around. "You look like you've seen a ghost. You okay?" she enquired anxiously. "Yeah I'm fine. It's…. just that I….. ", sighing heavily I looked away to avoid her anxious gaze "I was just thinking about some stuff" I replied.
"About what"? Saitomi inquired again. I felt a tingle on my neck; I knew that Saitomi was staring pointedly at me. "You know I think I saw Mr. Roy in the city today" I replied, raking my copper colored hair with my fingers. But I wasn't lying, I really did see him. "Really? Nah, I think you're just imagining things" she said soothingly.
"Okay, I know what you're thinking. You think I'm going hysterical; first those weird dreams and now Mr. Roy" I complained. "Okay, 'now' you're being hysterical" she laughed. She saw the irritated look on my face and paused. "I saw those dreams again but I never get to see the whole thing" I moaned.
"That's why you're so irritated? Oh come on."
"If only I got to see the whole thing, then I could figure out at least something and then be at peace" I yelled. Saitomi was stunned; she didn't think that I would be this frustrated about it and this is the first time she's seeing me this angry. Well she wasn't frightened by it because she knew that I didn't mean to yell at her and about my temper tantrums, even though she'd never witnessed it before. Mind you, 'my temper tantrums' are not such a good thing. No one has ever survived it…. it's like a volcano, it rarely comes but once it's here then it's the end of the world.
"Li! It's alright. I'm sure it's just you're zany imagination running wild" Saitomi snickered trying to cheer me up. "Zany?" I chuckled. "You have got to be kidding me. Oh well I guess you're right. It's pointless to get all worked up about this. Alright, see you in the morning then. Good night! " I smiled. "Yeah, good night" Saitomi responded.
I closed the door behind me and collapsed onto the bed. Even though I calmed down I couldn't sleep, so I grabbed my laptop and went online to check my e-mails. Suddenly a window pops open and someone greets me.
Takeo: Hi again.
Me: Oh hey there. Didn't think I'll bump into you again. So how's it going?
Takeo: well I'm fine, just the usual. Oh by the way, you're advice seem to have some effect. So thanks again.
Me: I see that's nice. Hmm… so where are you from?
Takeo: well I'm from Yokohama
Me: you're kidding. I just got to Yokohama today. I transferred here from Matsumoto.
Takeo: wow! That's great. So I guess we'll see each other someday, since we're in the same neighborhood. Oh got to go now, catch ya later.
Me: yeah that will be great. Bye now.
So went the conversation. Well at least it helped me to relax a bit more. I wasn't bothered by those weird things again. I was kind of excited about making a new friend and that we're in the same neighborhood now. It eased me up, so I went to sleep thinking about the new adventures to be experienced and new bonds to be made. Hoping that at least this time I would have dreams about these and not all that fantasy stuff or according to Saitomi my 'zany' imagination running wild.
*The pendant twinkles*
