CHAPTER 13
The entire group made their way quietly to Ren's room. A wave of relief washed over Yuzu when she heard the doctor announce the operation was a success, without any complications.
Mei walked a few steps behind Yuzu because she knew what the blonde needed right now was moral support. But even then, she wasn't really sure how she would be able to provide that.
They had nearly reached the door when Mei felt someone tap her shoulder.
"Excuse me Miss Aihara, do you have a minute?" The doctor gestured for Mei to follow her into another room. Mei simply nodded as she followed the doctor.
"Ren" Yuzu spoke softly as she made her way next to her fiancé. His parents were already there but Yuzu didn't even acknowledge them, as she quickly walked to Ren's side and carefully held his hand, her thumb rubbing against his skin gently.
Slowly one by one everyone headed back to the Hotel. Sho told Yuzu that he would handle the reporters. Before she knew it, only she and Gina remained in the room.
"Geez, that was awkward. I haven't seen my olds in years." Gina stretched her body as she stood up.
She surveyed the room before she spoke again.
"Hey, did Mei come back? She's been gone for awhile."
Yuzu looked around the room as she reflected on what Gina just said.
She began to answer but Gina spoke up first, and offered, "I'll go look for her."
As soon as Gina was out of the room Yuzu let out a long sigh as the events from the past day finally hit her. Tears started falling and Yuzu found herself crying at Ren's bedside as she quietly spoke in between sobs.
"I'd be lost w…without you, we b….both would."
Yuzu's eyes widened as she felt a light squeeze. She looked directly at Ren as his eyes slowly opened.
"We?" Ren managed to get the one word out as he looked up at his beautiful bride to be.
Yuzu smiled warmly as she opened up to Ren, "I was going to wait until we got back to Japan."
She looked down at her stomach, then back to Ren as she announced, "I'm pregnant."
Yuzu watched Ren's entire face light up before he asked, "I'm going t….to be a D….Dad?"
Yuzu nodded and giggled as she saw tears of joy drip down the side of his face.
Standing in the doorway Mei sadly watched, silently torn inside, by the private moment between the young engaged couple. But the reality was simply too painful for her. Mei stiffened, eyes closed briefly, fists balled up tightly at her sides as she thought to herself defeated, 'Looks like I can't do it after all.' She quickly turned around and left the two love birds alone.
"Congratulations Yuzu, you will be a great mother and wife." Mei muttered the words softly to herself as she walked to the edge of the hospital roof and looked out towards the beautiful scene of daybreak. The sun was slowly rising in the horizon, reflecting upon the ocean. The peaceful seascape and quiet hush of dawn was ironically peaceful while all Mei felt was anguish. She also quickly realized that they had all had a sleepless night. It was incredible that so much had happened in less than 48 hours.
"So this is where you were hiding, eh?"
Mei knew that voice, she kept her back facing Gina until she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"We were worried-"
Gina stopped talking as she saw a cascade of tears flowing nonstop down Mei's cheeks.
Gina looked Mei directly in the eye as she asked the grief stricken violet-eyed beauty, "Mei, what happened? You ok? What's wrong?"
Mei wiped her tears away and took a few breaths before she replied, "I'm fine, sorry you had to see that Gina."
Gina instantly shook her head as she spoke back to the raven haired girl.
"You definitely don't look like someone that's fine. You know you can talk to me, right?"
A FEW HOURS LATER….
Yuzu slowly opened her eyes as she felt someone rubbing her back.
"Mama?" She spoke softly as she saw Ume standing next to her while rubbing her back.
"Yuzu, you should go and get some rest, it's not good for you to sleep like that."
Yuzu sat up and stretched her body. She observed Ren's chest moving up and down steadily as he slept. She looked up at the clock and saw that it was already 10am.
Ume could see the concern in her daughter's eyes.
"He will be ok. Go get some rest, have a shower and get something to eat Bub."
Yuzu knew her mother was right and she was ready for a proper sleep and a good meal. Yet, the answer her mum was about to give made all of that disappear quickly.
"Did you come alone Mama?"
Yuzu saw Ume's expression change from concern to pure sadness before she answered, "No, Sho is here. He's with Mei at the moment."
"Mei? What happened? Is she ok? Where is she?"
Ume knew that Yuzu wouldn't let this slide, she instantly regretted telling her daughter. She wanted Yuzu to rest.
"I can take you to them." Ume made her way to the door, she turned back to see Yuzu give Ren a kiss on the cheek before turning her attention to her mother and following her down the hall.
Two rooms down Yuzu found herself holding back tears as she took in the sight of Mei, paler than usual, on a hospital bed with Sho and Gina on either side of her.
"Sorry, I tried to get her to go back to the hotel to rest, but she wouldn't listen."
Ume looked to Sho as she spoke.
"Mei?" Yuzu spoke the one word that sent goosebumps up and down both her and Mei's skin.
Mei lifted her head up to look into those bright emerald eyes that had helped her to see the colour in the world.
But she instantly saw how tired and worn out Yuzu appeared. She definitely looked like someone that hadn't had a proper sleep in over a day. Trying to keep her emotions in check Mei spoke in her usual monotone voice, "Yuzu what are you doing here?"
'What are you hiding Mei?' Yuzu thought to herself as she looked straight into Mei's eyes. She knew better then anyone, how Mei worked and right now she knew that the younger girl was trying to push her away. Sadly, she couldn't figure out why.
Taking a few steps forward Yuzu answered her stepsister.
"Mama said you were in here. What happened?"
Mei knew that Yuzu was reading her like a book right now, but she wanted to see this through to the end, she had to, because she thought it was best for Yuzu.
"Could I have a few minutes alone with Yuzu please?" Mei glanced at the other occupants of the room as she made her request. As soon as everyone left and the door was closed Mei let out a long sigh. Yuzu made her way next to Mei, she went to grab her hand but to her surprise Mei pulled it away before she could grasp it.
"Yuzu."
Yuzu looked up as she heard Mei speak, as soon as their eyes met Mei spoke again.
"I hear Ren is recovering well." The instant the last word left her lips, Mei tried to offer a meek smile at the woman she loved, but unfortunately, couldn't have.
'What is she talking about? Why are we talking about Ren?' Yuzu tried to find the answer as she looked deep into those vibrant violets but all she could sense was Mei's loneliness and sadness.
"Mei I-"
Yuzu was cut off as Mei continued to speak.
"You shouldn't be wasting your time here with me, Yuzu."
Shock was written all over Yuzu's face at what she just heard.
"What are you talking about Mei? I already told you that-"
Mei could feel her tears coming, welling up in her eyes, but refusing to fall. As she struggled to hold them back, she took in a deep breath and spoke over Yuzu.
"I don't want you here Yuzu."
Ignoring what Mei just said, Yuzu questioned the younger girl.
"The kiss Mei, you felt it, didn't you?" Yuzu didn't give Mei the chance to pull away as she quickly grabbed her hand, placing it upon her heart and continued to speak.
"Mei I lov-"
Mei cut in before Yuzu could finish.
"Don't finish that sentence."
Yuzu looked to Mei in confusion, she waited for the young girl to explain.
"I don't know what you felt Yuzu but….."
Mei pulled her hand free from Yuzu's grasp, immediately longing for the contact once again, but realizing what was meant to be, as she continued to speak.
"I felt nothing, if anything, that kiss made me realize that I no longer have romantic feelings for you."
'W…..What is she saying?' Yuzu's mind started to spin. She quickly recovered as she spoke back with one word.
"Liar."
Mei's eyes widened as Yuzu's voice was clear and her glare was as genuine as ever.
But she couldn't back down, not now. She didn't want to hurt Yuzu but Mei knew that she had to do it. She held Yuzu in her gaze as she spoke back.
"You're engaged Yuzu, or did you forget that?"
Yuzu didn't know how to respond and before she could Mei spoke again.
"You have promised yourself to Ren, you shouldn't be going around kissing and confessing to another person."
'OMG did she just go there!?' Yuzu screamed in her head. Mei watched as Yuzu's face quickly turned to one with anger written all over it as she argued, "Like you're one to talk Mei. Or do I need to remind YOU that you used to go around kissing people when you were betrothed to someone else!?" Yuzu's heart felt like it was going to burst from her chest. Anxiety, hurt, confusion all coursed through her body as she thought to herself, 'This can't be happening! I know we both felt that kiss. Why is she doing this?!'
Mei felt her heart sink, the pain in the blonde's eyes pierced her heart more than any words could.
'Just one more push.' Mei thought to herself before she took in a breath and spoke.
"At least I was never pregnant when I did it."
-Gasp-
That was it for Yuzu, the tears were running down her cheeks, she felt like Mei had stomped all over her heart again. She watched in disbelief as Mei maintained her neutral expression.
The door quickly opened as a nurse walked in and apologised.
"Oh, sorry Miss Aihara, I thought you were alone in here."
Mei went to speak but Yuzu spoke first as she turned around.
"It's fine, I was just leaving."
The nurse could feel the tension between the two and tried to give a warm smile as she spoke back to the blonde in the room.
"I won't take too long if you want to come back in 5 minutes."
Yuzu started to make her way towards the door and her reply made both her heart and Mei's shatter.
"No, I won't be coming back."
Mei's vision started to get blurry as the tears filled her eyes, she tried to wipe them as she watched Yuzu leave the room. Was this the end?
TO BE CONTINUED….
HEY HEY, SORRY BACK TO MY HECTIC ROUTINE AGAIN SO I'M NOT SURE HOW OFTEN I CAN UPDATE BUT I WILL TRY MY BEST :)
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