Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin
Chapter 7
Hello, dear readers! Well, you see...maybe Kaoru was so lost in a moment...remember that she misses and loves Kenshin so much...and there's no conclusion yet for their love story.
Or maybe, she was afraid that she would lose him again that she doesn't mind her pride and just grabbed that shining opportunity in front of her...she doesn't want another regret.
So, please...bear with me. Thanks! ; )
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I didn't answer. I didn't know what to say.
I have just made a realization that I already had too much.
Sano shook my hand to make me say something.
I was about to say something when suddenly I felt my phone vibrate from my handbag. I freed my hand from Sano's clasp and I stood up to answer the call.
"Hello?" I answered as I looked at the group to excuse myself.
Kaoru!" A feminine voice exclaimed from the other line. "I'll be back!"
It's Tomoe, her childhood best friend. They were neighbors and their parents were close friends, so did they. They were classmates, playmates, best friends and everything. That's until Tomoe's dad died when they were 10 years old. Tomoe and her family moved to Australia to be with her mom's relatives.
Almost every summer Kaoru spent her school vacation at Tomoe's. That's going on until they were senior high school and became very busy. But they never stopped communicating. They called each other once in a while or at least sent an email every now and then.
And guess what? Tomoe getting married.
She will return in a week for her engagement party and for her wedding. And as usual, she's a bridesmaid, AGAIN. But of course, she's happy for her. She's always happy for her friends finding their prince charming and live their happily ever after...She never felt jealous, not even a bit.
But she won't deny that she somehow felt pity for herself. She always hopes that one day she would stop being a bridesmaid and be a bride. She actually longed to be Kenshin's bride when the time comes. She dreamt of it, often.
She peeks at the table behind her. Looking at Kenshin's smiling face, the searing pain started to creep all over her...as if she was being stabbed over and over again as harsh reality came rushing through her.
She will never be Kenshin's future bride cause he already found one... and that was not her, and would never be.
I can't be like this, not on my best friend's special day... and not anymore on his face.
She hurriedly wiped her unwelcomed tears with the back of her hand.
Please, Kaoru...she pleaded to herself as she tried to compose herself. Jerking her head up, squaring her slump shoulder and putting on her best pretend smile ever.
She then turns around and faces them.
As she started to approach them, each one of them started to look at her with wary eyes.
Breathe in, breathe out, Kaoru... She did as she chanted the words at the back of her mind. Thankfully, she felt herself calming a bit.
"I'm sorry, guys but...but I have an emergency at the office..." She lied. Oh...so now...with your childhood best friend getting married...becomes an emergency? She mocked herself inwardly.
She felt Misao eyed her intently..."I'm really sorry...but since it's almost over, can I go now please?" She asked with pleading eyes, wearing a fake smile.
Please, you don't want me to break down here? Was clearly written in her wide blue eyes but only Misao can read it.
Misao nodded in agreement getting her unspoken message. "Oh, sure..." As she stood up and gave her a big hug.
"I'm sorry guys..." She said addressing everyone around the table.
As she preparing to leave she's been debating to herself whether to bring up or escape that unanswered question raised by Sano. No, I should answer that.
"Oh, yeah... Kenshin is inviting us to his engagement party, right? When was that again?" She inquired looking directly into his eyes. Ha, ha... you're such a good pretender!
He stared at her for a moment then answered. "It's on 23rd, Kaoru..." I nodded thoughtfully. How dare you speak my name!
"Oh!" I exclaimed followed with a chuckle. "I almost forgot to congratulate you... How about a cheer for Kenshin, guys before we leave?" I smiled and winked at them.
"Ohh...yeah...hahhaha..." Sano boomed with laughter. Everyone acted accordingly as if they were just woken up from their reverie... Thank, God... they backed me up.
My gaze fell on Misao and gave her my most reassuring smile and mouthed I love you, friend.
After some loud cheering and several hugging and smacks on the cheeks and of course an exclusive goodbye with Misao...I finally escaped the premises, tugging Yahiko behind me.
