Chapter:10
"Akane I want to talk to you". Soun said as he entered the room.
"Oh father….its you…I was also looking for you". Akane replied getting up. Yoshio too got up.
"Yoshio…..I wanted to talk to her…..alone ….could you please….".
"Yes, I understand Mr. tendo………I'll go and help kasumi with her work". With that he went into the kitchen.
"What am I hearing father, you now want me to wed yoshio ?". Akane broke the silence that had crept in while yoshio had left the room.
"Its not that akane…I just want you to be happy, that's all……I know that you don't like ranma so I thought that yoshio would be a better option for you my child". Soun told her lovingly.
"But father…..father…..I..l-lo…..". Akane was unable to speak those three little words to her father, she was unable to tell him that she loves ranma and wanted to marry him only. She now felt ranma's absence……her strength- ranma!
'How can I take this big step alone….how can I tell father that I love him…and what if ranma was joking…what if he's not serious. That stupid ranma why isn't he here when I need him. Akane thought.
Her heart was beating fast wondering what would happen next. Her mind was filled with all inappropriate thoughts, all insecure thoughts.
"Akane……just listen to me first then it will be your wish to owe ranma or yoshio". With that soun narrated him the whole story, yoshio had narrated to him.
Akane just listened in surprise.
"And that's why I wanted you to marry him……akane". Soun concluded saying "I've done my part, now its your turn to decide your fate dear, I'll be waiting for your answer". With that he left the room.
Akane stood there shocked at what she had heard.
' Oh......I am really sorry for him…….I know that being a close friend I should help him wherever possible but………how can I betray ranma……we both love each other so much……how can I ruin our own lives?' she thought sadly.
"What should I do now?" She sat there all alone, her head in her hands. She was really tensed.
There, ranma was lost in his own dreams- dreams of akane getting married to him. Suddenly he heard the door opened. Someone walked in. He woke up, half awake. There was darkness in his room so he was unable to see who was that but thought it to be akane.
"Is that you akane?" Ranma murmered half-awake in his bed.
"Yep" came that soft reply. She came near him. He held her by her hands and made her sit near him.
"Don't worry akane………..I'll talk to Mr. tendo today itself……nothing's gonna come in between". With that he hugged her.
Suddenly the door opened and someone switched on the lights. Ranma looked towards the door- It was AKANE!
"What…….you……..then who is she?" Ranma looked at the girl with whom he was. "Shampoo!!" he exclaimed, jumping out of bed.
Akane stood there shocked and completely shattered.
"Airen" Shampoo said, still holding ranma's hand affectionately.
"No……..no…..akane……its not that….I didn't let her in……she….".
Ranma tried to explain, but in vain.
"Stop ranma……don't utter a single word………I now know your real face and I am glad for it". Akane said wiping her tears.
Ranma couldn't see her like that…crying!
"Please don't cry akane……..its not what you are thinking……..believe me…..". Ranma tried to remove his hand from shampoo's grip and moved closer to akane. He forwarded his hand to console her.
"Don't touch me…. you jerk……..I don't need you anymore in my life…..That's the last time you're hurting me".
With that she turned back and left the room, crying.
"No…….akane wait".
Ranma tried to go behind her but shampoo caught him saying "Don't go to that stupid girl ranma……..shampoo loves you and will keep you happy for the rest of your life".
Ranma glared at her. "Leave my hand shampoo…….don't provoke me to do anything unsuitable for me and for you…….I don't like to hit girls...you know".
Shampoo got so frightened by that look that she immediately dropped ranma's hand and moved a step back.
Ranma hurried to that place where akane was.