Chapter 13 – Under the Cherry Blossom Tree
"What! You mean to say that Hotohori's sword was actually here In Tokyo?" Keisukei's eyes were widened in disbelief. The coffee he just drank almost burst from his mouth.
Miaka nodded, ignoring his brother's shocked expression. She already expected it.
What are the odds? Of all the times China and Japan will collaborate with their treasured histories and put it in exhibition for everyone to see, it has to be the time exactly when Hotohori's reborn will also step put in Tokyo. Keisukei pressed his temple, the fact that David Wong wasn't even aware of the sword's existence yet with the twist of fate, as the latter had put it made him think that sooner or later, he will gain back those memories. It will be just matter of time.
"Do you plan to show him his sword?" he asked her as he wiped his mouth with his handkerchief.
Miaka contemplated "I had thought about it before, but I'm still not sure if it's a good idea. The museum is currently busy as a beehive. Every day at least 3-4 schools visit the museum to see the exhibit not to mention other companies and tourist. I'm just worried that the same thing will happen to him with people as witness. At least when it happened to me, I was alone."
"What exactly happened inside the sword?" he asked curiously.
"Oh... a lot! Believe me, it was a blast from the past experience!" She said. "Aren't you going to finish your breakfast?" She suddenly asked before she positioned herself comfortably on the chair and started to tell her tale. He just cocked his head to answer her question. From the party, they reached Miaka's apartment at 3:00am. She offered her brother to sleep in the living since she has extra single sofa bed. She purposely bought one in case Yui or her mom sleeps over with her.
Keisukei listened intently to all the details. From his sisters first meeting with the David and how the latter unconsciously called her Miko. Then, she proceeded to tell him how she was pulled inside the sword, how it was so different from the book and her reaction upon learning it was Suzaku himself who counselled her and helped her release all her doubts, anger and suffering by letting her see her journey as priestess ten years ago. She saw herself and Yui when they were first pulled inside the book, her meeting with the seven seishies. The mutual affection between her and Tamahome, Hotohori's unrequited love, Yui's hatred, Tamahome's kodokou , Amiboshi's fake identity, failed summoning, , journey to Hokkan and Sairo, her almost raped experience by Nakago, Tomo's illusion imprisonment, deaths of Nuriko, Chiriko, Mitsukake and Hotohori. Almost everything has been laid before her very eyes as if she was watching a movie but without any ability to change the past.
"Do you remember when Hotohori died? I was back in our world with Tamahome." Miaka reminded Keisukei.
"Yes, I remember."
"Ten years ago, I was not there when he died so I really never knew what exactly happened, the book doesn't elaborate actual scene as per se." She paused for a while.
Keisukei patiently waited for Miaka to continue.
"But I was able to witness his death ten years after it happened... And I saw how and why he died..."
"How...? Why...?" He asked, suddenly attentive.
She took a deep breath before replying "Hotohori died because of me..." she whispered. "Nakago indicated his intention to conquer not only the four nations inside the Shijinten chi sho but also our world. He even mentioned to extend Hotohori's regards in the event he will run into me..."
"What?" He suddenly snapped, remembering the battle that ensued between Nakago and the Suzaku Seishi at the very heart of Tokyo.
Miaka continued. "Nakago has withdrawn his entire army but Hotohori didn't allow him to leave. He tried to stop Nakago, in the end it cost him his dear life..." her voice trembled as she relived the scene in her mind. "If he didn't stopped Nakago... he would still be alive, he would have seen his son, Boushin. Houki wouldn't have left widowed... but he died! He died because he wanted me... and Tamahome... and our world to be safe! He wanted me to live a happy life!" Her tears started to trickle down her cheeks but she immediately wiped it with the back of her hand.
"Miaka..." Keisukei look at her with sad eyes as he finally understood her agony... her screams... her cries...
"Keisukei... do you know how much it hurts me when I saw him charged at Nakago without his celestial power? He was just a normal human being at that time and Nakago was extremely powerful! But he selflessly sacrificed himself... he loved me... so much...and I wasn't able to reciprocate his feelings. I didn't give him the chance... I should have been fair to him... but I was so selfish! I was so focused with the little world I created beside Tamahome that I didn't give him even a little attention! I was a horrible-horrible person, Keisukei! Don't you understand! Her voice becoming louder as regrets and sorrow started to build up.
"Miaka... sshhh... hush! It's okay..." He stood up and went to hug his sister to console her.
"No, it's not okay!" Miaka snapped back, her hazel eyes filled with sadness as tears clouded her vision "All his life, he lived a lonely life. Ever since he was a little prince, the moment he found out about the legend of the priestess, he already waited for that time to come when he would finally meet me and release him of his loneliness... But you see... he died a lonely man because I wasn't able to return his feelings. He stepped aside so Tamahome and I can love each other. He married Houki to carry on with the legacy, giving the empire an heir to the throne... But he died Keisukei! He died saying only my name! No one else except my name! He was dying but still expressing his love for me... still wishing for my happiness..." Miaka covered her face and sobbed as Keisukei gently rubbed her back to comfort her.
"I wasn't able to do anything, Keisukei! I can't even console him... comfort him... I can only watch him as he slowly succumb to his death..."
"He died with a promise that we will still meet again... beyond worlds... beyond time... beyond life..."
...
"It wasn't only Tamahome who made a promise... He wasn't the only one, Keisukei... Hotohori too..."
"Miaka... when you were in coma..." started Keisukei as he carefully gauge his words, "you shocked us by your sudden hysteria. You were screaming and crying, calling Hotohori's name."
She nodded as she continued to wipe the tears on her face with Keisukei's handkerchief. "Yui told me yesterday."
Keisukei turned surprise but nodded. "Finally hearing the full story made me understand why you became hysteric, even though you were unconscious. Hotohori had loved you very much... more than his own life." Keisukei surmised.
"Keisukei..." Her eyes full of guilt and regret.
"Perhaps, there's a reason why everything happened the way they happened, Miaka" he said while brushing the locks that cover her eyes behind her ears. "The five years of your life without Taka must be some kind of intermission... for the three of you. If you and Taka didn't break up, perhaps you will never meet Hotohori... or David in this world." He corrected.
"The same reason why he has no memories of his past life..." He continued. "It's Suzaku's way to spare him of sorrow. Had he known about his memories, about you... about his feelings, he would have crossed Tokyo just to see you during the last ten years... and most probably get his heart broken again for the second time..." he sighed. "But everything fell in its rightful places... your meeting with him, the sword, the dinner and dance party, even the stars as you said."
"You didn't meet Taka by yourself. Tetsuya and I met him first at the university. He was already wearing the ring and already had blur memory of his past life. It was all easy for Taka, as if the pieces of puzzle were already laid before him. He only had to put it together." He continued "but then he left you because he felt something in him was still missing, and you let her go because you thought that he will eventually come back to you and it has been like that for the last five years."
"And now, here comes Hotohori... or David" he corrected again "He has nothing. No memories to begin with. No sword, no book, nothing to help him. And then he suddenly met you at the airport. What are the odds? It could be Yui or May. But it was you he met, and he felt the connection right away. He unconsciously called you Miko and he couldn't explain why. He was one of the richest most eligible bachelors in China, handsome... intelligent...
"He was the epitome of the ideal man a woman would want. A complete perfect package every woman would fall for. Gorgeous women will fight tooth and nail just to get him and I saw the jealous reaction of some of my female colleagues. Still, he remained a bachelor. A big why? And suddenly, he met you and he couldn't take his eyes off you. And the way he stare at you... believe me Miaka, possessive isn't even the right word. It's like he owned you already to think that you met him for a few days only. That's how sure he was with you. You think I haven't observed you two last night?"
Miaka could only listen quietly.
"What I am trying to say is..." The older Yuuki sighed, "before he met you, he doesn't know a single thing about his past. Doesn't even know you exist. And when he finally met you, David was trying to obtain the pieces of puzzle all by himself, trying to comprehend his feelings. It was hard for him since you or other people like me might think he has mental issues. But he believed in destiny, he believed that there was a reason you two had met, he doesn't know why but he strongly felt it. And he was pursuing you already even without his memories... that's how strong his feelings are for you. Forget he was the reincarnation of Hotohori, in fact forget all about Hotohori. Just look at him as David Wong, he is already head over heels in love with you. Can you imagine if he finally got a hold of his past memories, he would have proposed to you at the very first day of your meeting!"
"But I already love him too, Keisukei"
"And that is what I want to ask you..."
"What do you mean?"
Keisukei sighed and looked at her perceptibly. "Are you sure of your feelings for him? Or you just felt guilty because he died for you?"
Miaka twitched on her chair. There was an odd, unpleasant twinge in her chest hearing her brother's words. "B-but..."
"Remember, four out of your seven seishi had died protecting you. With or without celestial power, Hotohori was still your seishi with sworn duty to protect you with his life even if he was the emperor of Konan. It was his destiny."
The priestess shook her head, "I understand, Keisukei. But there were plenty of instances, where he wasn't able to join us especially our journey to obtain the shinzahos in Hokkan and Sairo because of his imperial duties. His duty as a seishi was important to him just as his duty as emperor of Konan. He would have known the consequence in the event he died, the empire will become more vulnerable without a leader. Nakago was right, if he had stayed in the safety of his palace, he would still live a long life. He chose to lead the Konan Army to protect his empire. He was never a coward Keisukei. The moment we discussed the role of the priestess, he already asked me to save his nation. That's how he seriously taken his duty." She said, suddenly defensive for Hotohori.
"Set aside being a seishi..." she continued, "my role as priestess and their role as seishi had been forfeited the moment Yui wished to seal Suzaku. Their powers left them and they became normal citizen. By all accounts, he has no more obligations to me but his duty as emperor remains the same. Hotohori himself said so when they felt their celestial powers were sealed away. Further, I left them on their own when Yui made her second wish to Seiryuu to return me to our world. Still, he sacrificed his own life because he wanted me to be happy and he died saying his last words that he loved me."
"Maybe, you misunderstood me, Miaka." Keisukei answered and explained patiently, "there is no question that Hotohori loved you. Like I said, he loved you more than his own life. But, are you certain, without doubt that you loved him too?"
"What about Taka?" have you ever asked yourself, what if he suddenly comes back and you realized you still harbour special feelings for him? What if you realized you have mistaken your feelings for David, thinking that you loved him when it was more of gratitude of what he did in the past? What will become of David then?
...
"Don't you think it will be unfair to him?"
Miaka didn't answer.
The older Yuuki continued, clearly intending to make his little sister understand her feelings first. "I have nothing against Hotohori or David, Miaka. To be honest, I will be more than happy if you two ended with each other. I want you to be happy because you deserve it. And I just knew he loves you so much and will take care of you whatever happens. But you have to tread carefully of your decision to avoid further hurt. I think you will agree with me that he also deserve nothing but happiness after what he had been through in the book." He finished as he went back to his seat.
Miaka brought her knees to her chin, wrapping her arms around it before closing her eyes. Keisukei thought she looked like a child, fragile and hurting. But when she opened her eyes and gazed at him, it was surprisingly disquieting. There were a lot of emotions swimming in her hazel pools and he was now unsure if it was a good or bad thing.
"I understand what you mean, Keisuke. And thank you for your concern." She said, her voice surprisingly intense and certain. "But I think I can safely say that the feelings I have now for David is genuine. I have my own reasons and experience not to mention enough signs for me to say so. I had lived the past five years of my life in complete void. I couldn't begin to tell you how much it hurt me to wait for Taka every single day. I was like waiting for a dead person to come back to life, that's how hopeless I was. I was embittered and angry... I cursed my own life, Keisukei. I was like an empty bottle lost in the middle of the vast ocean."
"Then, David came along." Her eyes shifted to the flower vase and her gaze softened instantly, as if she was only speaking to herself. "He hadn't said a single word, yet he made my heart to leap for joy. He slowly painted rainbow colours back into my life. His every touch warms me, melting the ice in my heart..."
The change in her demeanour surprised the older Yuuki. Though she was gazing at the vase, there was a new found certainty in her voice that was lacking earlier, as if she was getting her very strength and confidence from the crystal glass.
"Keisukei... A few guys called me ice queen... and I didn't care! It never bothered me! But David managed to melt the ice in me I thought will never be melted, I thought only Taka is capable of melting. I had never felt more than secured than being imprisoned in his warm embrace. And I know in my heart that I already love him and if there's something that makes me fear at this moment is the idea that we are not meant to be together in the end. Just the thought of it makes me lose my mind."
"And I promise myself I will fight for him... Not even Taka can come between us..." she said with finality in her voice.
"Then, I'm glad to hear that my dear sister." Keisukei smiled "Say... is it okay if I speak to David?" Keisukei asked her with a sudden anticipation etched on his face.
"Huh... What for?" Miaka inquired as she raised her left eyebrow.
"Nothing much, just wanted to know his intention... What? ...I think I have the right to scrutinize my future brother in law." He winked as he rubbed his palms together with a wicked grin.
"You are so incorrigible!" she swatted her brother's arms. "Don't you dare scare him Keisukei, I'm warning you! Or you will see the four Gods circling your heads in no time!"
They heard her phone ringing so she stood from her seat and took the phone in the living room. The priestess smiled seeing the familiar caller ID.
"Hi, Yui!"
"Hello Miaka, how's last night?"
"Oh, it was a wonderful, unforgettable party." Miaka replied excitedly, "I couldn't begin to tell you. I'm glad I went with Keisukei."
"That's wonderful! Well... I have good news for you as well..." Yui said in a squeaky voice.
"What is it?" She asked eagerly.
"Tetsuya proposed last night, were finally engaged!"
"Oh, my gosh!" She screamed "That's wonderful news Yui! Oh my gosh, I'm so happy for you! We should celebrate!"
"That's why I called you! We wanted to invite you and Keisukei for dinner tonight." Yui answered, her voice full of happiness and excitement.
"Oh Yui! Of course, we will come. This is such wonderful news... Awww Yui... I'm so happy for you, I wanted to cry..."
Yui chuckled heartily "Thank you Miaka. You know, you're the sister I never had."
"Aww Yui... You are more than a sister to me and you know that."
"I think Tetsuya will call Keisukei himself. I will call your mom and my parents." The dinner will be at Oak Hotel, please be there at 8:00pm. I already made a reservation.
"Oh... by the way... Is it okay with you if I bring someone with me?" Miaka asked embarrassingly as she twitched the edge of the pillow in her couch
"Don't tell me it's the former emperor?" The blond asked teasingly.
"Yeah..." She admitted shyly. "Now the director of the company Keisukei has been working for, for the last three years." she chuckled.
"What! Are you serious? Well, that's a big surprise!"
"I know, I know... Keisukei was shocked too. You should have seen his face." A loud laugh was heard in the living room as she remembered keisukei's funny expression.
"Well then, bring him tonight. It will be a lovely dinner."
"Thank you, Yui. See you later."
"See you later Miaka."
OOOOOO
David parked his rented car in front of Miaka's apartment. He switched off the engine and took the bouquet of red and purple tulips carefully tied in white and gold trimmings on the passenger seat. He took a one last look at the mirror and smiled at himself. After making sure the door has been properly locked, he strode towards the stairs on his way to Miaka's unit located at 3rd floor.
They were supposed to meet later in the afternoon to have a picnic at the park he had already forgotten the name. But she called him to change the time and to meet earlier because of the sudden dinner date to celebrate Miaka's best friend's engagement. He has no problem meeting Miaka earlier. In fact he was looking forward to seeing her right away like a first year high school boy that will have his first date ever. He shook his head but didn't complain nor contradict. He already accepted that no matter how absurd his actions were, he wouldn't care as long as he can feel her presence near him.
He knocked at the door and it didn't take long for him to wait for the door to open. She was smiling at him as she held the door knob.
"Hmm... flowers for you, milady." He said with a mischievous smile.
"Aww... thank you. You're so sweet, Sir Knight" She moved forward to kiss his right cheek but David was quick to turn his head and caught her lips with his. The supposed peck on the cheek became a long fervent kiss. Miaka gasped in surprise yet closed her eyes and followed her instinct. Her heart swelled in joy. She was happy. Beyond happy and it felt so right.
David held her chin while his other arm snaked around her waist. He slowly moved forward as she backwards and then pushed the door close with his left foot. She slowly melted in his kisses, placing both her hands around his neck while holding the flowers.
He was actually planning to kiss her on her cheeks then hand her the bouquet of flowers. But when she saw how beautiful she was in her red and white prim polka dot shirtdress, all his plans for the day was suddenly thrown out of the window. He just took her in his arms and kissed her like it was the most natural thing to do. But the thing is, what exactly the status of their relationship now? He can't even remember how he was able to let her go last night at the party.
He loved every single thing about her and its making him crazier and crazier, what's with this woman that made his life upside down like she was controlling him. And he doesn't care being controlled by her, he wanted everything about her. There was nothing wrong with her clothes in fact she looked very cute and sweet in her shirtdress with baby collar. But, how come she looked so... desirable. Was it the red colour?
It took a strong amount of will for David to release his lips from hers, he pulled away for a second and he missed her already. Her lips were so addictive. It was a fact he had established the first time he tasted it and he could drown in its sweetness forever. Miaka slowly pulled away from him placing both her hands to his chest. She bit her lower lips mischievously and shook her head.
"Sir Knight, I believed we have to go somewhere else and if we continue like this I don't think we will manage to reach the park in time." She said with flustered face.
"We can postpone it for another day..." He said, his eyes giving him an elfin look
Miaka burst in laughter "Seriously, after all the efforts I made preparing the food?"
David finally released her but followed her inside the kitchen. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" He asked as she held her by her waist. Miaka was smiling mentally as she recalled Keisukei's words about David being possessive like he already owned her.
"Nah, everything is already in the picnic basket. Have you brought the wine?"
"Yes, it's in the car."
"Perfect. We're ready, let's go!"
OOOOOO
They reached Shinjuku Gyoen Park. Miaka wanted to show the garden to David not only because it was reputed as one of the most important gardens in Japan but because of its rich history. The imperial garden was established during the Edo era and was the original residence of the Daimyo family, Naito. She hoped the atmosphere of the location being a royal garden itself will somehow help the former emperor to remember a little bit of his past life, Konan's imperial garden.
As soon as he parked the vehicle, he stepped out of the car, went to the passenger side and opened Miaka's door. He then took out the picnic basket and wine from the compartment. Although, she brought her company ID to allow her gain free entrance and save one ticket, David insist on paying for two tickets since he said it was their first official date. Miaka shrugged her shoulder and let him do as he pleased, he's the former emperor turned director after all, although she doesn't really care about his titles. She only cared about him as 'him'.
After the tickets had been paid, he approached her and they started to walk to the entrance. He was carrying the picnic basket while his other hand held her waist protectively closer to him as she carry the wine securely in her arms. They looked like a lovely couple whispering sweet nothings only they could hear.
The garden was huge but Miaka knew exactly where to go and David just followed her lead. As expected by Miaka, there were hundreds of people in the garden, in group of families, couples, group of teenagers, children running and playing everywhere, some with their pet dogs. The garden was a busy place for relaxation and enjoyment. She and David just blended in the mass of people who wanted to unwind and welcome the beauty of Cherry Blossom season.
The season for Cherry Blossom usually starts late March. During its full bloom, the garden is a sight to behold. Miaka and David walked to the farthest part of the garden with fewer people. They stopped under one of the cherry blossom tree, she opened the picnic basket and took out the blanket and laid spread to the ground. She sat down and took out the sandwiches, macaroni salad, some nachos and dessert she prepared earlier while David opened the wine with cork fork and slowly poured the glasses in half full.
They sat side by side as they enjoy the moment, sharing food, drinking wine, laughing, watching kids play with their parents, teenagers singing while playing the guitar, other couples snuggling, elder women gossiping, elder men playing shogi. Spring is Miaka's favourite season of all, and though she never missed a single season of Cherry Blossom and even the Chrysanthemum, today is something really very special.
"Isn't it a beautiful day?" She asked him as she turned her face to the little girl being chased by her pet dog, golden retriever.
"It is a beautiful day." David agreed while following her eyes and chuckled noiselessly seeing the dog licked the little girl on her face. "But not as beautiful as you are."
Miaka rolled her eyes and tilted her head. "You know, you should stop saying that before I get used to your flowery words." She curled her lips while slowly sipping the wine.
David frowned, a little hurt by her accusation "I'm not."
"Not what?" She raised her eyebrow, clearly amused by his defensive look.
He took one gulp of wine from his glass and looked directly at her eyes. "I'm not here to flirt with you, Ms. Yuuki." He said in a serious tone.
She stared back, wide eye. "Why are you being so defensive, Mr. Wong? Unless you were..." holding back the last word.
"Unless what? What did you mean?" suddenly straightening his back, still looking at her. What is she trying to imply?
She didn't answer him. She just looked at him with impermeable gaze even David couldn't read nor understand.
Miaka sighed. "I only know you as David Wong," she started. "Then I found yesterday that you're the new director of the company my brother is currently working for." She brushed off the bread crumbs that dropped on her shirtdress. "But that's all."
"If you think I'm only after you as a fling, you are entirely mistaken." He answered without holding his breath.
A small smile escaped her lips. Ah, joy indeed. But she knew it was far too early to celebrate and rubbed her eyes to feign tiredness. "The fact of the matter is... I don't know you. You have expressed your feelings for me yet I still don't know you." She turned her face again to look him in his eyes.
David understanding where she was coming from relaxed a bit. "You think I was not being sincere with you by keeping you in the dark?" He asked her.
"It's not a matter of being sincere" I already knew you in the past and I can bet my shares in the agency that you are the sincerest person I had ever met. "It's about knowing the person..." she moisten her lower lips and continued. "David, it's about sharing who you are to the other person... Not your titles or position in the society, I'm sure I can google your name in the internet and will show me a long list of your accomplishments and background... What I'm trying to talk about is you as a person... your fears, your dreams... your past... everything."
David looked at her with such tenderness. She never ceases to amaze him. The first woman who was not interested to ask him about his list of achievements, his position in the society, his wealth... but only wanted to know him as a person... and he hoped too as a man.
He turned his head to gaze at the landscape, past the cherry blossom trees. This is the first time he will allow someone to see him behind his perfect mask. But he doesn't feel terrified of exposing himself or being vulnerable for that matter. She wanted to know him just as much as he wanted to know her and it fills him with such joy that he would share with her a part of himself...
David took one last gulp from his glass and placed it near the basket.
"Well, like you, I also have siblings." He started. "We are actually four, two boys and two girls. The eldest, my brother died in a car accident when he was abroad. And so, being the only boy left, my life became MORE restricted. I wasn't allowed to travel and was confined in the safety of our house. 'House' because I never really felt it like home."
Miaka's eyes widened in disbelief but didn't say anything. She just listened to his predicament and felt sorry that nothing has changed in his life even when he was reborn.
"When my father died of a heart attack, my life became more difficult. I was forced to grow up and mature. My mother insist that since I'm the only man left in the family, I should be more responsible as to take the role my father had left behind, and that is being head of the family. And although I have cousins from both my parent sides, I still felt isolated since my mother maintained that I should be regarded with high respect. In turn, my uncles and aunties looked at me with an eagle eye, watching my every move and waiting for me to make a mistake."
Finally, Miaka couldn't help herself and so she asked. "And what can they do if you make a mistake? Everybody makes mistake. Nobody's perfect!"
"Miaka, in our culture, you cannot shame the name of your family."
Miaka scoffed whilst raising one eyebrow as she answered sarcastically. "Well, David... maybe you don't know but in our culture too, you cannot shame the name of your family and I believed every country, every culture wouldn't want their names to be shamed." She was starting to get annoyed with their conversation. David's family was starting to get on her nerves. Even Hotohori, the 'Emperor' made a few mistakes too but he was never judged by his advisors!
"I mean not the kind of petty, silly mistakes. But rather the kind of mistake that will affect the business empire and in turn will put shame to the family's honour."
"Well, I still don't get it!" she snorted and continued to rant. "Shouldn't they be the one to be ashamed and not you? The fact that they are waiting for you to make a fool of yourself, instead of lending their support, that's just absurd and totally hypocritical... it's like biting the hands that feed you!"
"I mean what kind of family and relatives they are? They're disgusting to me!" she gritted her teeth. How could they do that to David? Shame on them! "Shame on them!" she said not meaning to say it out loud but she did.
David was speechless. He was just looking at her, half-amused, half-touched and he was just out of words. He never knew she would be that affected with his dilemmas. The fact that she was talking about his family in a disrespectful manner should make him furious but he didn't. He was just too overwhelmed with the concern she showed. The next question totally blew him away.
"Are you happy with your life now?" She inquired while leaning her back and placing her hands on the blanket for support. She straightened her legs and playfully tilted both feet from side to side.
He blinked with the rhetorical question. He swallowed before giving him what he thought was the best answer. "Well... I try to be."
She smirked and tilted her head "What do you mean, you try to be?"
He paused, thoughtful of what to say. "I just try to do my job the way they expect me to do my job. At the end of the day, hundreds of people... no, a thousand people depend on me... not just my family but also the employees under my wings. It was not an easy task, as I told you some people are watching me, waiting for me to fail. It can be really suffocating at times but I guess I had managed to deal with it."
"But you didn't really answer me... you just expounded how miserable your life was, people depend on you but they still want you to fail." She said almost mockingly.
"Miaka, how do you define happiness?" his turn to ask the rhetorical question. "I guess... the way how I lived my life trying to please the people around me, as long as I pleased them... then, I'm happy."
"David... That's just sad... I'm sorry but... that's not real happiness at all..." She said as she felt tears wanting to come out of her eyes...
"Happiness isn't just an obligation to other people... it is an obligation to oneself. It's a wonderful stream of emotion that flows freely from within you that to smile even to a total stranger would be very easy... It's when you feel like soaring high above the sky because you have done something extraordinary even if to others it's still sound silly. It's when you are able to express your feelings and thoughts... happiness is living your life the way you want it not the way other people wants it..."
David gave her a faint fake smile. "Well, I guess no matter how I try to live my pathetic life, as long as I'm inside a cage, I won't be able to experience what happiness truly meant... Being inside a cage has brought me virtual silence and extreme loneliness."
"Then you should fly away! Go all over the place!" She exclaimed, raising both her arms and gesturing him to fly like a bird.
A flock of birds flew across the sky just above the cherry blossom trees.
"Then you should fly away! Go all over the place!" said the fifteen years old Miaka wearing a school uniform and hair pulled up and tied in bun on each side. Her eyes full of youth and enthusiasm despite her pale skin. "You're still young, you know..." As she leaned her face onto her palms while sitting on the grass.
"Just look at those birds!" Miaka beamed as she pointed to the group of birds. David blinked his eyes, for a moment he thought he saw a vision of younger Miaka in her school uniform. "How happy they were to fly freely!"
David looked at the sky where Miaka pointed the birds becoming distant.
"You're still young, you know..." She turned her face to David and leaned her face onto her palms. "There are so many wonderful and beautiful things in store for you... but before you can reach them, you have to step out of your cage and braved whatever adversities will come along your way. Happiness is the ability to fly freely..."
David couldn't say anything. He was deeply moved by her words. Filled with mixture of emotions about his life, his family and the woman sitting beside her, he suddenly grabbed Miaka and embraced her tightly like he had never embraced her before. "Thank you..."
Miaka was surprised with the sudden embrace yet she responded by leaning towards him and placing a chaste kiss just above his jaw. David looked down to catch her eyes, to let her know how grateful he was just by being with her.
"You're a wonderful man, David... and you deserve to be happy." She whispered sincerely.
The former emperor gazed at her lovingly. "I think I know what it felt like to be happy... and I only felt this extreme happiness whenever I'm with you, Miaka... You make me happy... just thinking of you makes me smile even when I'm alone... you make me do things I had never done before... being with you feels like walking outside the heaven's threshold..."
David leaned down and kissed her tenderly on her lips. Miaka closed her eyes and placed her hand to his face to kiss him back.
"I love you..." he whispered under his lips as he continued to kiss her.
Miaka's eyes shut open and suddenly leaned backwards, pulling away from the kiss. She was looking intently in his eyes trying to measure the weight of his words.
"I love you..." He repeated not taking his eyes off her. "I know it sounds weird but I loved you the moment I laid my eyes on you..." placing a kiss on her forehead. The moment I saw you at the airport..." placing a kiss on her cheek. "I had been waiting for you my whole life..." placing a kiss on her eye. "And to finally meet you, to finally express my feelings for you..." brushing and placing a kiss on her nose." …made the long wait all the more worthwhile." As he moved his lips to hers and deepened it more and more.
Miaka closed her eyes and felt the butterflies in her stomach, her heart wanted to explode from happiness. He finally said the words! He finally said it! I love you too David... a single tear escaped from her eye.
"What are you crying for...? He asked as he gently wiped the tear with his lips. She opened her eyes and was about to answer.
"I..."
THUD!
"Aww!" Miaka cried out when the ball hit the back of her head. Gone is the romantic atmosphere.
"I'm sorry Miss!" cried the young boy running towards them followed by his father.
David picked up the ball and returned it to the boy. "I'm sorry Miss, please forgive me!" he cried out again as he bowed his head.
"Oh... it's okay..." she smiled "No harm done!" waving her hand flippantly while the other hand still fondling her almost bruised head, just as she wanted to complain how it hurts, she couldn't get angry just by looking at the boy who was on the verge of crying over the accident. David gently stroked her head to soothe the pain.
The father came and apologized as well with a slight bow. Miaka smiled and assured them there's nothing to be worrying about. She turned to the boy and patted his head and told him that when she was younger, she also hit someone with her ball while playing with her best friend at the playground. The man she accidentally hit was a policeman taking a break and eating ice cream. The ball hit the man straight to the face and the ice cream splattered all over his face and uniform. The boy's eyes widened as he waited for the climax of the story while clutching the ball in his arms, his nerves suspended in trepidation. Miaka said she was so scared the policeman will catch her and put her in jail. The boy gasped upon hearing the word jail. But then Miaka continued as she said that the man was very nice to her because she apologized right away despite her tears and fear, the man even bought ice cream for her and her best friend but told her to be more careful next time.
The boy felt relieve and was happy. The father thanked them before going back to their group. David was watching the entire scene with facination and thought how Miaka would definitely be a good mom when the time comes that she is to raise her own kids. For a short time that they met, the qualities she was showing made him to love her more and more. It seems that there's not a single rotten bone he can shake in her body.
He already confessed his love for her and he believed it will only be a matter of time before he pops the question. There was no doubt, even his own logic can no longer reasoned out, he already met the one and only woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He is certainly not getting any younger. He is turning 29 in a few weeks time but as much as she wanted Miaka to be his wife, something made him hold back. There were a lot of things going on in his family, they wanted him to marry someone else and although he never agreed from day one, he still need to make sure his decision was completely understood and not to be questioned. Proposing to Miaka was another matter. He can already see the looming storm once his family finds out about her.
David sighed and pushed the negative thoughts in the deepest corner of his brain and decided tomorrow is another day. He wanted to focus today, only on Miaka and their date.
After another hour, they started to pack their things and prepared to leave. They have to go back to Miaka's apartment to change clothes for the dinner. The boy who accidentally hit Miaka with his ball came over and brought her three pieces of mango, strawberry and blueberry flavoured egg tarts. He introduced himself as Kenjie and told her when he grows up he will court her and then marry her.
Miaka made a hearty chuckle with the boy's cute gesture and accepted the egg tarts. She can imagine they brought the tarts for their own consumption and must have forced his mom to give it away to impress her. She grinned at the thought and leaned down to give him a hug. David however had a scandalized expression, his jaw practically hitting the grass. And here he was thinking he was being too bold and straightforward, opening his feelings to her in less than a week. Suddenly a boy of nine years of age went to her and boldly expressed his intention to court and marries her when he grows up! And it only took a plain two hours after the said meeting! He shook his head in disbelief! He never thought Miaka had such charisma with the opposite sex he suddenly felt insecure and threatened.
She noticed the odd expression on his face and elbowed him. "What?" She asked, amused.
"Didn't you just hear him said he will marry you?" He creased his eyebrow.
Miaka laughed, she couldn't believe he was so affected. "Please... don't tell the mighty David Wong is suddenly feeling insecure with the little boy? Thats..."
"That's what?" he asked raising his eyebrow.
"That is so not like you... so... unnarcissistic." She curled her lips to force herself not to burst out of laughter.
"Of course not!" He winked at her, suddenly composing himself. "He might already propose to you but I kissed you first." he turned to her face and gave a mischievous smile.
"You narcissist!" She elbowed him again but he just dodged and embraced her.
She embraced him back. A few more minutes, the couple left the park with a content smile drawn on their faces.
Miaka leaned her head to his shoulder as he turned the ignition key and drove off. For them, it was the most perfect date they ever had.
End of Chapter 13