Recap:
Usui smiled softly. "I know how much you care for your mom and I want you to know that I care for her too, just like you do. I can never intentionally cause her any pain or worries. The love that we have for her will never let us hurt her. So you just relax. I'll take good care of your mom."
Tasuku returned the smile, convinced by his father's words and his love for his mother. "I'm sure you will."
"Then, since we're all in agreement" said Usui, gazing at Michi and Tasuku, "we'll go according to the plan, won't we?"
Tasuku nodded enthusiastically, as Michi smiled and winked at him.
"So, here we go!"
Another new spring morning had dawned bright and clear. But it was unlike any usual day as it was Usui and Misaki's tenth marriage anniversary. Unknown to Misaki, the kids and Usui had a surprise planned.
After an early breakfast, everyone got busy getting ready for the day ahead. And it would be a day like no other.
Usui, standing under the showerhead, was thinking, "Today after the kids gave you the card, you were so happy, even though you'd known about their surprise. You'd looked so breathtakingly cute. That smile could have lit up the room... I can't wait to see your face when I give you my surprise, my dear Misaki..."
In the living room, while he meticulously placed the card on the mantelpiece Tasuku thought, "They're right, I worry too much. But I'm glad that dad understands how I feel. I know he'll look after mum alright while we're at Auntie Suzuna's place. Its been quite sometime since we went there. It will be fun!"
Tying her shoelaces Michi was wondering, "What has dad planned for today? He didn't even tell us about it fully. So it must be something that can't be done in our presence. Therefore we're going over to Auntie's place. Even though it's for a night, I'll miss them. But Uncle will be there too, talking his nonsense and being funny."
Misaki was putting on a soft peach coloured blouse. "Thank goodness Takumi didn't come into the bathroom as he'd said. I was turning around so many times, expecting him to pop up any moment, that I cricked my neck. Just what I need on a busy day! I'm expecting a lot of paperwork and that..." so her mind rambled on, her thoughts contrary to everyone else's right now.
As Misaki was donning the jacket of her suit, Usui entered the room, wearing only a towel hitched around his lean hips.
"Ah, Misa chan! I'm sorry that I couldn't come and soap your back as I'd promised. I hope you're not disappointed," he said in a mock apologetic voice.
"Huh! Why should I be disappointed? I'm glad you didn't come, you pervert!"
"Hey..." coming forward, he put his arms around her and murmured, "Is this the way to talk to your husband?"
Misaki blushed lightly. She slipped out of his arms and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll talk to my husband whichever way I want. Now go and get dressed." Saying so, she skipped out of the room before he could stop her.
She found Michi in her room, dressed and ready to go. "Why don't you come downstairs? I think I can hear Tasuku down there too." Michi nodded and picking up her bag, went downstairs with her. They entered the living room where Tasuku was stuffing his books into his school bag. Misaki noticed that the card was placed on the mantelpiece. Seeing it again, a ray of happiness shot through her. She looked at her two children and for a moment her heart swelled with love.
Just then, a loud honking noise came from outside.
"That'll be the school bus. Come on, its time to go!" exclaimed Tasuku, rushing out the room. Michi chose a dignified yet quick walk and Misaki followed behind.
Tasuku had paused in the doorway to say goodbye. Misaki leaned down and kissed his head, then Michi's and said, "See you!" As she straightened up, Usui appeared next to her, all dressed. "Bye kids!" They waved him goodbye, their eyes shining with the knowledge of the secret they shared with their father alone. Misaki and Usui watched the bus drive away. Usui said, "We should be on our way too." He started to go in but was halted by Misaki. "Wait! Your tie's crooked." She drew closer to him and straightened his tie. "There!" and smiled at him.
Soon, they were on their way to the nearest subway station. Both walked in a companionable silence. Misaki's mind buzzed with thoughts of work while Usui was by turns looking at his wife and thinking of tonight's surprise. They reached the train station and boarded the train. Finding seats, they sat down together. In almost no time, a frown appeared on Misaki's face as she noticed a lot of women ogling Usui. "Don't they know it's rude to stare. That too at a married man." But she knew Usui wasn't any regular married man. He was outrageously handsome, his silver gilt hair emphasised by his dark suit, his emerald eyes glowing with a mysterious light. "Why does he have to look like... like that at his age?" she thought, disturbed. She glowered at those women.
Usui, sensing that Misaki was bothered by something, sought to distract her by asking, "Well, my love. How do you feel after being married for ten years?"
Caught unawares, Misaki replied with the first thought that came to her mind. "Old."
"Hmmm... old?"
"Y-Yes, I-I suppose so."
Usui thought to himself, "Of all the things she could've said, she chooses old. Really, she's never failed to surprise me. This is going to be interesting. Aloud, he enquired, "Why do you say that?"
"Well," deliberated Misaki, thinking her answer over, "It's natural isn't it? We've been married to each other for ten years and we've gotten older. I mean I'm 34 years old and you're 35. Being married for ten years doesn't mean we're going to get younger after this. This year too is just like every other, we'll get a year older. Although looking at you," she narrowed her eyes, "doesn't seem as if you've aged at all!"
As soon as she'd uttered those words, she wished she hadn't. "Damn! I didn't have to say that out loud."
Usui was struck by her answer. He suddenly realised the true meaning behind Misaki's barbed looks at the girls ogling him (which he had been unconcious of until then) and her comments about his appearance. "Why, Misaki dear, I'd never have thought that you were jealous." He stifled his urge to laugh. It was refreshing to see an envious Misaki. "As I'd thought, this has turned out to be interesting. But I'll put your mind to rest."
He turned to gaze seriously into her amber eyes as he said, "May I return the compliment, my love? By saying that your beauty has remained intact through all these years and you're as lovely as ever. To me, no other person is as dear as you are."
He got the reaction he'd desired. A delicate pink spread on her cheeks.
Misaki thought, "R-Really? He thinks like that? No, that can't be, he's just teasing me as usual." But the sincerity in his eyes was genuine. He'd meant every word he'd uttered. But it was her nature to turn away when confronted with true emotions. So she gave herself a mental shake and averting her face, said, "Huh! Only in your dreams!"
Usui sighed. "Just the same as ever!" Then her words recalled another matter to his attention.
"Which reminds me, why did you wake up early today? Had a bad dream, I guess?"
Misaki denied it at once but under Usui's skillful persuasion, she caved in and briefly told him about her nightmare. An involuntary shiver went down her spine as she narrated the horrific details.
"Igarashi Tora, eh?" Usui's face hardened and his hands clenched into fists. Noting his reaction, Misaki pondered, "Why is it bothering him so much? Its unlike him to get angry, especially over such silly things. This is bad." She took his hand into hers and said, "Hey! It was just a dream Takumi. There's nothing to be so pissed about. It was just a silly dream," she insisted.
Usui's moment of rage passed almost as abruptly as it had come. He glanced down at their entwined hands and smiled. "Yes... its nothing to be pissed about. It was just a bad dream..." and in his mind, he added, Whereas the happiness we share is the reality." And he held onto her hand more firmly, as if never wanting to let go of it.
On seeing that Usui had reverted back to normal, she smiled contentedly and let her hand remain in his.
Very soon, or so it seemed to them, the station at which Misaki got down arrived. She reluctantly let go of his hand and as she stood up, he gave her a fleeting kiss on the cheek, unseen by anyone else.
"See you in the evening."
Misaki nodded, made her goodbyes' and take cares' and got down onto the station, making her way to her office through the teeming crowds, the feel of Usui's goodbye kiss lingering on her cheek.
She entered the huge multi-storeyed building which housed the leading electronics brand for which she worked. The doors of the elevators opened up on the 27th floor, the Administration Department. She passed the cubicles where her subordinates worked, greeting Good Morning to her and each other. She hadn't been seated for very long in her personal office, when there was a loud tap on her door and a figure rushed in, exclaiming, "Happy Marriage Anniversary Misaki chan!"
Misaki found her hand being pumped up and down.
"Shintani! Calm down! You've wished me enough." Shintani Hinata grinned down at her. "Sorry Misaki chan. You know how excited I get. Imagine," and his eyes took on an emotinal gleam, "you've been married for 10 years now! You've a loving husband and two wonderful children. Of course this calls for celebrations! You've no idea how lucky you are. I wish you eternal happiness and good fortune."
"Ehh... Shintani," she muttered, half amused and half exasperated, "don't be like that. Its embarrassing. Moreover, its not that rare. You've a lovely wife and child too," she reminded him. "Oh! That reminds me! This is from Suzuna and my side. An anniversary gift for you and Takumi kun," and he produced a large, gaily wrapped package.
"You really shouldn't have... Thank you all the same." As Shintani just waved a hand, she asked, "By the way, what is it?"
"Its a cafe-au-lait set. Suzuna won it in one of those lucky draws where you send post cards. So you don't have to worry that we've spent too much for this." He flashed her a sweet smile.
Misaki gazed at her childhood friend, who also happened to have vied for her love when they were in their teens. However, once he found his soul mate in her sister Suzuna, he'd been her closest friend ever since. He'd been the best man at Takumi and her wedding and was also Michi's godfather.
"I'm glad things worked out the way they did and I still have Shintani beside me, as a loyal friend."
They chatted for sometime and after that Shintani left, saying, "Have a nice day Misaki chan!" As he made his way to his own office, he couldn't help adding in his mind,"...and an even nicer evening and night!" and smiled secretively.
A/N: That was chapter 3 folks! I just wanted to clear up one little thing. This story has been posted by me in the Manga Fox fanfiction terrace, way back. So those of you who've found the story on both the places, don't get all agitated that this is a copy. I'm the writer and I've posted this with some modifications on fanfiction net.
That's all for now!
