Chapter 2 – Mother's love
Kotoko sighed as she ignored the growing ache in her feet. Her black stilettoes clacked steadily against the plain blue marbled floor while behind her three new junior doctors followed her. She pasted a bright polite smile on her face and glanced over her shoulder.
''That is the way towards the paediatrics ward.'' She said, pointing at the closed double doors. ''You'll need your ids to enter. I'm pretty sure Dr. Nick would provide you with one.''
The one with the messy mass of black hair stepped forwards and nervously brandished his. Kotoko smiled and took the proffered id. With a click, the door relaxed and she pushed in. ''Dr. Nick's office is just this way.'' She announced as they stopped in front of another door labelled with the doctor's name. She knocked.
''Come in,'' was the muffled reply.
Dr. Nick was seated in his office with another young man in front of his desk. They paused and smiled amiably as she entered.
''So sorry to disturb sir, but you've got three more students here.''
''Oho!'' Dr. Nick patted his mahogany desk which was littered with books and lots of papers. He stood up and walked towards them. He was a smiling man in his late 50s, good natured with a 'fatherly' aura. Kotoko stepped in and beckoned the boys inside. ''Oh man, Mr. Soham, isn't?'' the doctor shook every one of his new students' hand whilst the boys looked very pleased and surprised that he knew them. The doctor was obviously one of the few people who learn and remember the names and faces of the people he has seen or met.
Good man.
Dr. Nick turned to her with a true smile. ''Been busy, Miss Aihara?''
''It's been a looong day, sir.'' She replied with a grin.
''It has, dear. Is your shift ending soon?''
She glanced down at her watch- 5 o'clock – and nodded. ''Yes sir.''
''Good. Good. Say hi to Hiro-kun for me.''
She beamed at the mention of her son. '' Of course, sir. I'll take my leave then sir, enjoy the rest of your day.''
''Thank you, dear!'' he waved, turning his attention back to the boys.
With a small bow, she let herself out and strode off back to reception. No doubt, her colleague would be loaded with work already.
Kobe's local hospital has been pretty busy with paper works and new students. But to be honest, she was glad that it was this way. She'd really rather be busy because of this than because of a mass accident somewhere. So far, she and her colleague in reception has been balancing phone calls, emails, patients and visitors the whole day and they were getting very tired. There was even so little time to have a lunch break!
Kotoko thought of household bills, of food and of the smiling face of her son. Just like that, she felt a rush of energy. She tilted her chin up with a more genuine smile, her heels clacked faster against the floor. She had 30 minutes left of duty and soon, she'll see her Hiro again.
Kotoko flung her coat around her and grabbed her bag from her locker. ''See you tomorrow, Dara.'' She says as she passed her friend who was re-touching her lipstick.
''Oh, okay! See ya.'' Dara replied and Kotoko glanced over her shoulder to smile at her, her feet not faltering. She had to hurry if she didn't want to miss her bus. She had 5 minutes…
''—Kotoko!'' She looked up but didn't stop her descent down the stairs.
With an apologetic smile, ''Oh, Mr. Ayano, I'm sorry but I'm in a hurry!'' She reached the next flight of stairs and repeatedly apologized at the doctor in her head.
''Kotoko! Wait!''
Despite her need to leave, Kotoko had to stop. The young doctor re-emerged and met her eyes as he jogged down the stairs to catch up with her. She noticed that he was not in his lab-coat and that he had his bag with him.
''Kotoko, are you going to pick up Hiro-kun?''
Kotoko bounced at her feet, trying to control her urge to bolt off.
'My bus…My bus….Maybe I should just book a taxi but that would take some waiting…'
Kotoko stiffened as a hand reached out and tucked a stray red hair behind her ear. In her haste, her hair bun had loosened. She blinked, trying to read the man's thoughts but she had always been bad at reading people's thoughts. Unlike Irie—
''Let me give you a ride, Kotoko.''
She shook her head – her usual reaction – and started to step back. ''I couldn't…Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on you…''
Again, the young doctor reached out to her but this time with more force. He pulled her back with a frown. His brown eyes darkening. ''Kotoko. Be careful!'' Kotoko looked over her shoulder and bit her lip. She had forgotten the stairs. If she had fallen, she wouldn't be able to pick up Hiro. He'd be waiting for his mother… Kotoko glanced at her watch and already desperate, she looked up at her friend.
''I'm sorry, Dr. Ayano, please, I think I'll need a ride…If you don't mind, please can you—'' A gentle hand touched her arm.
''I already offered, Kotoko. Of course, I'll give you a ride.'' He said smoothly. ''About time you accept, actually.'' He added with a slight teasing tone.
She laughed nervously and let the man guide her down the stairs. He was being too slow that Kotoko pulled her hand away from his arm to hurry down the steps. ''I'm sorry, Dr. Ayano. Please, can we hurry? I'm afraid of traffic!'' She looked up apologetically.
The young man just laughed but didn't move. ''Only if you stop calling me Dr. Ayano. Seriously, Kotoko, you know it makes me feel old and I'm not really a doctor yet, remember?''
If she wasn't such in a state of stress, she would've fidgeted and blushed like a school girl. Still, her cheeks still reddened a little and she bowed in apology. With a small handsome smile, the young doctor started jogging the stairs. ''Come on then, Kotoko. Hiro-kun is waiting for us.'' He said as he passed her.
Kotoko breathed in relief and followed her friend to his car.
Kotoko smiled at her friend as soon as the car stopped. Her hand clutched the lever at the door, ready to open it. ''Thank you for the ride, Mika-san. I really appreciate it. I really must be going now though. Hiro must be so impatient already.'' She rushed out, smiling nervously. 20 years old and she still felt uncomfortable in the presence of men.
Especially handsome ones.
The man opened his mouth but as fast as lightning, Kotoko opened the door and slipped out into the approaching dusk. With a last wave, Kotoko smilingly waved at the young man before she half-ran, half-strutted towards the nursery.
The young doctor sighed and slumped in his seat, watching the woman's silhouette disappear. He debated for a while whether to wait for the mother and son or not. But after 10 minutes and the two hasn't appeared yet, Mica sighed once again and with a disappointed frown, moved off.
''Hello!'' Kotoko smiled at the first teacher she saw who also smiled and greeted her back. She glanced down at her watch and found that she was 5 minutes early than the usual time she picks up her son. Nevertheless, Hiro was still the last one in the nursery. Kotoko reached out and patted the teacher's arm, making her know how thankful she was. ''Thank you so much for looking after him.''
The teacher smiled, seemingly touched. ''Ms. Kotoko, it is our job and Hiro's such a delight in the class and he's very smart!'' the teacher nodded, emphasising the last part.
Kotoko felt proud first, of course. Any mother would. But as soon as her eyes fell on her son who appeared busy writing on his notebook with a familiar focused look on his face, she felt a familiar sting deep in her heart.
The teacher looked once at the young mother and then with an understanding smile, she called out, ''Hiro-kun!'' the boy looked up from his work and then his hazel eyes - unfocused and dull from all the work he busied himself doing, lit up as soon as he saw his mother. The young boy grinned and stood up.
''Mummy!'' he exclaimed and then proceeded on packing up all his stuff right away. Kotoko smiled ruefully at the sight. She glanced at the teacher and excused herself.
As she neared her son, she laid a hand on his mass of curly hair to stop his careless packing. Her poor boy was rushing to pack all his things up. Kotoko knew why and it hurt that she had to leave her son in the club until this time. Childminders would be an ideal alternative to the clubs but they were ridiculously more expensive.
His classmates were all older for a year or two. Children need more sleep and Kotoko was worried he might not be getting enough for his growth. He sleeps at 18:15 then wakes at 7:16 but still, Kotoko feels it wasn't enough. He should sleep in the day too but…
''Slowly, my love. We're not in a rush. Here. Mum will help.'' She told him softly before laying a kiss on his temple, smelling his day's sweat.
''Sorry, mommy.'' He murmured, suddenly shy. Kotoko kissed him again as response and then pulled the stacks of rumpled papers from his backpack. She piled his papers neatly before slipping them in his folder. She'd have to arrange them appropriately when they get home. Then, she took his notebook and then handed it to him. With a sunny smile, her son calmly tucked it in his bag followed by his folder. As soon as he zipped the bag up, he looked up expectantly at her.
Kotoko granted him another proud smile before petting his downy hair. ''Hm…I think you need a haircut, baby.'' She said and the young boy picked a lock of his hair and examined it. She turned to the three teachers and bowed at each of them. Behind her, Hiro stopped his efforts on putting on his coat and copied his mother. ''Thank you so much, teachers. We'll be going now.''
''Ah, you're welcome, Miss Kotoko!'' said the head teacher, approaching her. ''Hiro's such a nice boy!'' she said and then stopped in front of her. Then, at a lower voice, she continued. ''Miss Kotoko, I'd like to talk to you sometime…'' Kotoko frowned, worried. ''Oh no, it's nothing to be worried about. It's just…we were thinking of accelerating Hiro to Year 1 this year. We really believe that he could go straight there.'' Kotoko nodded slowly before smiling.
''Of course, Mrs. Chen. I will call on you to book an appointment. Is this okay?''
The older woman nodded and then waved at Hiro. ''Okay! Bye now, Hiro! See you tomorrow!''
Hiro gave a small tired smile before reaching for his mother's hand. He already finished putting on his coat and then his Ironman backpack around his shoulders whilst his mum and Mrs. Chen were whispering to each other.
As soon as the two left the nursery room after a lot of goodbyes and waving, his mother stopped them near one of the benches and then pulled out her phone. ''I'll just call on a taxi hon. Okay?'' Tired, Hiro nodded and then leaned his head on his mother's thigh with a sigh. Kotoko smiled sadly and then sat on the bench, scooping her son to her lap. Then she pulled the boy's head to rest on her shoulder.
Kotoko dialled the taxi. ''…Oh. Yes. Yes, please, as soon as possible, please. Thank you.'' She turned off her phone and thought of Dr. Ayano, wondering if he was still in the car park. But he didn't say anything about that so Kotoko removed it from her head. ''It might take a little bit of time, my love. Mommy's sorry.''
''Not your fault, mum.'' He replied, nuzzling her neck. His tiny hand fisting on her blouse. ''It's the traffic.'' He added, knowingly.
If only she could drive. If only she could afford the driving lessons and a car...
''Are you tired?'' She asked, almost reluctantly. Her heart broke when he nodded, pressing himself closer to her. ''We'll be home soon.'' She cooed, running her hands through his hair. ''Do you want pizza for tonight?''
As if suddenly electrocuted, her son jumped on her lap, surprising even her. ''YES! Yes, please mum! Oh, pepperoni and meatballs! And can I have black juice too!? Please!'' Kotoko chuckled, beaming back at her son.
''Black juice is bad for you, honey.'' She softly denied him. Coke was bad for the health and the last thing she wanted was an overactive Hiro before bed. ''We'll have a berry smoothie instead, okay?'' Hiro pouted. ''You love smoothies, don't you?'' In the end, the boy nodded. ''Good boy.''
Hiro glowed at the praise before he snuggled back to his mother's chest. Together, the mother and son waited. His mother hugging him tightly to keep away the cold night air.
AN: Thank you for all the reviews! Please keep them going. A writer always wants to know what her readers think! So, how do you think they will all meet up again?!