Pazu's Decision

Sheeta opened her grey eyes slowly as golden sunlight slanted across her white face. She looked up at the bed where Pazu had been sleeping the night before. A terrible feeling of panic seized her chest as she saw the bed was empty with the covers folded neatly. She ran out of the room, only stopping to put on her leather shoes, and scrambled outside. Her heart calmed as she saw Pazu's figure outlined against the light of the rising sun. The cool and pure air of the mountains caressed her cheeks as she walked up to Pazu who was staring into the distance as if lost in thought.

"It's beautiful isn't it? The sunrise in the mountains of Gondola, I mean." They are even more beautiful when watching them with a dear friend." Pazu turned his head to look into her eyes. He nodded slowly and smiled mechanically as if the smile put a strain on him. Sheeta sat down on the dewy grass and Pazu did the same. Pazu picked a small, delicate, pink blossom and handed it to his friend. Sheeta tucked the small flower behind her ear and smiled as the fragrance perfumed the air. They both stared into the pale sky, each absorbed in their own thoughts. A flock of pure white doves flew through the sun's honey rays tinting theirs wings a light yellow. Sheeta watched them reminded of the song that Pazu had played when the impending dawn had peeked over his town and when she had first met Pazu. There were so many memories that Sheeta closed her eyes to savor them.

The doves seemed to have given Pazu his voice back. He said, very softly," Sheeta, I…I'm going home, back to the miners until things settle down. I swear, no I promise that I will be back! I will come back to live with you!" He sneaked a glance at Sheeta's expressionless face. His hands tightened on the wet grass as he waited for her reaction.

Sheeta met his gaze with a steady glance and then she turned her face away from her and said calmly," I understand your decision but you must come back! I need you!" her clear voice broke on the last word. Pazu was confused at her steadiness but didn't say anything. She suddenly whirled around and hugged him tightly. Sheeta memorized the warm brown of his soft hair, his kind face, his beautiful tawny eyes and lastly, his battered yellow hat. Pazu closed his eyes and hugged her warm body just as tightly, memorizing her as well. Sheeta let go and said," Hurry Pazu! Go before I change my mind!" Pazu ran to where he had landed the plane and got in. He looked back to where Sheeta was standing, watching him.

A small breeze caught the sail and Pazu was lifted into the air. He smiled and laughed as Sheeta waved to him and blew him a kiss. He felt infinite sadness as he rose higher and higher into the blue sky. Sheeta's dark hair rippled in the breeze and the pink flower floated down. With a final wave, Pazu lost sight of the small figure that was his dearest friend. He heard a sob as he too cried. Down in the valley, Sheeta crumpled to the sweet grass and let her salty tears pool on the ground as she wailed to the empty sky.