Chapter 25 – Mad World
"These photographs are gorgeous, Yui-chan!" Mrs. Hongo exclaimed delightedly at the first batch of pre-nuptial photos sent by the official wedding photographer.
"Dear, the food is served now. You can continue to look through after dinner or you'll spill it with curry sauce." Mr. Hongo admonished softly.
"Oh don't be such a killjoy!" Mrs. Hongo snickered, with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Yui placed a piece of Pla Sam Rot dish in Tetsuya's plate, inwardly rolling her eyes and smirking at her parents bantering. They were chatting merrily over dinner when they were distracted by the commotion outside the Thai restaurant through the plate glass window wall facing the street. The rain was heavily pouring and could barely make out the reason of such ruckus but Yui's instinct snapped to attention with the barely distinguishable aura she felt closer to her heart.
"What the..." Yui slowly stood up, unconsciously dropping her utensils when her eyes caught the faint red light flaring erratically at the center of the crowd. "Miaka...?"
She felt Tetsuya's hand on hers as the man followed her gaze outside the window. It was blurry and couldn't recognize the indistinct figures through the downpour except the faint streak of red and yellow light he assumed were coming from the vehicles and traffic lights.
"You said Miaka was with Taka?" Tetsuya murmured and Yui's eyes instantly widened in realization.
"Shit!" Yui blurted, concern etched on her face at the mere thought that Miaka's dinner date with Taka ended in a disaster and the nagging feeling that she was partially at fault for her careless suggestion. And by the disturbing flare of Suzaku's signature color, the blonde knew, just knew her best friend was in trouble!
Giving in to her primitive instinct, Yui ignored her parents call and sprinted towards the restaurant's main door, grabbing some random umbrella from the umbrella holder at the entrance side.
The harsh welcome of cold rainwater slamming her face and the long, loud sequential screeching sound of tires sent goosebumps on Yui's skin. But it was the alarming screams from passerby that halted her steps. Her cerulean eyes widened in horror at the sight of Miaka completely drenched and limping in the middle of the road looking shocked, lost and distraught while still miraculously evading the vehicles.
"Oh my God! Miaka!" She cried out, throwing the umbrella in sudden panic and shoved the people that suddenly blocked her way when she heard another voice calling her best friend's name.
"MIAKA!"
Confused, Yui watched David with wide eyes as the man pushed his way through the crowd.
"David..." Yui muttered to herself, relieved that despite the thunderous poundings of her heart, unnecessarily adding to the raging cacophony on the street; the former seishi was there to protect his priestess in an instant amidst the danger of him also getting hit by the vehicles. But her relief was quickly overlapped by dread at the hysterical scream coming from the former emperor.
"MIAKAAA!"
A look of horror swept across Yui's face when she saw the speeding mustang. "No... NO! He's not gonna make it!" She panicked and bolts forward unthinkingly. "Oh my God, MIAKA!" Yui screamed when she was blinded by the crimson light that instantly wrapped Miaka's body like a protective sheet seconds before the car slammed to her bestfriend.
"MIAKA! MIAKA!"
Yui turned to David's voice and saw the flickering of red light shrouding his body. As soon as the former emperor reached Miaka a foot away the thread of red light connecting his and hers transformed like a thin sheet of blanket.
The priestess of Seiryuu sobbed in relief. He made it. He made it just in time. He was able to save her.
Yui closed her eyes in despair and frustration, clutching the piece of paper and envelope near her chest. You baka! She scolded mentally at her best friend. "Why would you do this, you stupid-stupid Miaka!"
"What did you mean she left?!" Keisukei slammed his right fist on the counter of the nurse station startling the staff, Yui and other visitors. "How can you even allow it in her current condition?"
David and Keisukei arrived at the hospital from the airport with sweating bullets, refusing to believe that Miaka left the hospital without anyone of them knowing.
The head nurse assigned in afternoon shift clarified that Miaka's attending doctor thus explained the serious repercussions in the event the patient dared to insist being discharge earlier against the doctor's advice.
But stubborn as always, Miaka did persist and bid her will, having the nerve to construct an unbelievably absurd lie that her eldest brother was a doctor on his way back from his 2days trip in Yokohama after attending a certain convention. Keisukei shut his eyes and gritted his teeth, cursing Miaka's outrageous escape with just sheer luck, sheer fucking luck that will leave Houdini's style in mockery.
What was more infuriating was her audacity to escape even from him and right under his nose! It would appear that there was another man in the face of Japan that shared his name who by the way happened to be a doctor, a surgeon as a matter of fact! They would later learn from Yui that Miaka had arranged this doctor and his wife their business trip in Yokohama and summer holiday trip to Maldives just a few days ago, both agent and client highly amused by the coincidence even calling themselves long lost siblings for hilarity's sake only that the man was a few years younger than their mother.
The impassive head nurse showed Keisukei the copies of waiver forms and clearance papers signed by Miaka. Yui then handed him the small white envelope while passing a sympathetic glance at David who was looking ashen while standing quietly beside the male Yuuki like a frozen statue. Keisukei opened the letter with agitation and swiftly read its content.
Yui-chan,
I'm sorry for running away and not telling you. I just wanted to be alone for now... I'm so lost I just needed to find myself.
Please tell Keisukei not to worry about me.
I know you'll understand... Please forgive me.
Miaka
The letter was utterly messy and clumsily written as if the person who wrote it had barely managed to hold the pen in her hand. But there's no doubt its handwriting belongs to Miaka, its ink smudged with her tears.
"Don't worry about her?! Is she crazy or she's just really fucking stupid!" Keisukei cursed loudly.
David was at a loss. He remembered after their meeting with the doctor yesterday morning to discuss the x-ray results and the recent surgery including the rehabilitation program, Keisukei nudged him to the canteen located at the first floor to eat breakfast. Although he had coffee from the vending machine at the visitor lounge, his practically empty stomach was his least concern. He simply wanted to return to Miaka's side especially when she wakes up but Keisukei was insistent and being polite despite his reluctance, he went along with him. He shared with Keisukei his plan to call Yui to postpone his flight to Beijing but the male Yuuki strongly advised not to delay his original plan for Miaka's sake. The earliest he could cancel the engagement and return to Tokyo, the better.
When they returned to her room, the nurse informed them she finally awakened... and was crying non-stop. He was so worried that he immediately opened the door but was restrained by the same nurse telling all of them the patient didn't want any visitor. Of course, he understood her emotional turmoil. She has just woken up and the memory of that night's events, the meetings, the unexpected confrontation and the accident must have attacked her mind relentlessly.
Even though David was hurt by Miaka's decision not to see anyone including him, he stepped back just as she wished to give the space she desired. He stayed outside her room the whole day and did not sleep for most of the whole night. He was patiently waiting for his beloved to change her mind and to finally allow him entry to her room.
But earlier this morning, he grudgingly left the hospital to get his passport and few important documents and met Yui in Miaka's apartment to get some of her personal things. He returned to the hospital hoping that she would be ready to finally see him. He wanted to assure her he will deal with the false engagement and to promise that he will return to her side the very next day. The former emperor was dismayed to see her sleeping peacefully but didn't have the heart to wake her up though he did not restrain himself to kiss her pale lips before he left her side.
But just minutes before David boarded the plane, he received an emergency call from Yui that Miaka had wordlessly left the hospital. Keisukei who drove him to the airport 2hours prior and stayed there for a while to finalize their plan immediately went back to get him and speeded the car like a psychopath.
And now, they were back at the hospital with Yui crying silently in the corner, blaming herself for leaving the building to check on their business instead of watching over the patient.
Staring at the letter, David wondered if he made another mistake. Ever since he came back from New York the day before yesterday, he seemed to be always making the wrong decisions.
David and Keisukei drove and scoured all the hospitals and clinics in Tokyo and its neighbouring city going all the way to Niigata in search for Miaka, worried for her welfare. The sun had long set down and David was starting to lose hope of finding her. Miaka had her mobile phone switched-off... an obvious attempt to obviate any kind of calls.
How do you find someone who doesn't want to be found?
Unconsciously, David clenched his hands to the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white at the thought that Miaka's actions explicitly expressed her desire to escape specifically from him, avoiding an apparent confrontation of what had occurred in the restaurant two nights ago. 'Miaka...' He pushed away all the negative ideas his mind had woven. The very thought was intolerably nauseating and detrimental to his already shaky confidence.
Keisukei glanced at the man with a sympathetic gesture, gently tapping his shoulder for assurance. The two decided to check Miaka's apartment after getting the spare key from Yui. They glided through the main door and scanned the living room. David's temple throbbed furiously when he saw the door of Miaka's bedroom wide open, the round pink rug with hello kitty design usually placed in the middle of her room was mislaid like someone had carelessly dragged it to the door's foot.
David walked briskly towards the bedroom, calling Miaka's name with voice filled with hope. His shoulders slacked when he found it empty although the bedclothes were a little disarray. He breathed shakily, hurt and denial leaking through his calm facade. He knew Miaka very well. She never leaves the apartment with her bedroom door open. He and Yui were just here this morning to get a few personal paraphernalia for Miaka and he can vividly recall what the surrounding looked like before he locked the main door himself. He opened Miaka's wardrobe wordlessly praying to all the Gods that his instinct gave him the wrong signal. His heart sank when he saw her usual organized closet disarrayed and half empty.
He heard Keisukei's voice from the bathroom calling him. David's suspicion was confirmed when he saw the same clothes Miaka wore the night of the accident hanging on one of the hooks at the back of the door to dry them. His hands touched the soft fabric dismally; fingers lingering on the ripped sleeve.
David leaned his back on the wall with head bowed down. All the remaining strength in him were suddenly extinguished that it felt he can't even support his own weight. Shutting his eyelids, he cupped his face with both hands and breathed harshly hoping to release even a minuscule of his tension.
Miaka did run away... away from him...
His covered face crumpled in pain. So, this is what it feels like to have his heart and his dreams shattered to tiniest pieces of molecules. No. It didn't even come close to that. He felt his heart was completely disintegrated into oblivion. He wondered why their reunion since he arrived from New York ended this way.
"Perhaps, you... we... should just give her the time she needed." Keisukei tried to reason out in defense to his sister's ridiculous yet reasonable actions. And though the older Yuuki was still furious, it pained him to admit that he could not condemn his sister. Miaka was deeply hurt with everything that happened the other night, too much that she needed the time and space to contemplate.
David didn't answer. As of this late, it's the time that he considered his adversary, fearful of what the time and distance could bring against their relationship. Various unpleasant images flooded his mind once again, slapping him where it hurts the most. It started with Miaka's heart sprouting doubt and hatred... unable to forgive him, unable to bear seeing or talking to him... finding a new man to love and moving on with her life without him in it...
He shut his eyes once again and cursed the negative images that infested his mind. He hated it... And he hated himself for it...
"Do you mind... if I stay here for a while? Just... needed to think..." David said in a disconsolate tone.
Keisukei nodded quietly, he looked at the man with empathy and left him to deal with his personal hell. He knew exactly what he was going through. The events of the incident had played an incredibly grotesque joke on both Hotohori's reborn and his sister. There was also the matter of explaining the situation to their mother. Thank goodness she was in a month vacation in Kyoto to visit their grandparents. Though he still has to think of an excuse why Miaka wouldn't be able to visit their sick granny as she promised she would.
Before he stepped out of the main door, he turned his head and scanned the sombre atmosphere of the apartment. The place was absolutely lifeless without Miaka. Keisukei suddenly missed the cheerful voice and frivolous character of his sister.
Miaka... take your time as you wish but be ready when fate comes back to test the strength of your love. Is your faith bigger than the ocean of doubt? Keisukei took a deep sigh and slowly closed the door.
David didn't realized he was already sitting on the cold tiles of the bathroom and after what seemed to be a long time of blankly staring at the space, he slowly stood up and dragged his feet out of the bathroom and towards Miaka's bedroom. The short distance from the dining to the bedroom felt like a continent apart as for every footsteps David had taken, the images of the happy times he spent with Miaka in her apartment materializes right in front of his eyes eternally adding to the hollowness his heart felt.
Reaching the entrance of the room, he quietly leaned his forehead against the door and uttered a wish that this was just all but a bad dream; just a terrible nightmare that needed a harsh awakening and that Miaka was just behind this door and sleeping soundly on her bed. David slowly turned the doorknob open and stared at the room. His lips twitched a painful smile remembering the first time he entered her private room three months ago after she confessed her feelings to him. Pouring all emotions they had for each other in the dining area that they ended up being intimate in her bedroom. He almost took her then and there. It was because of his deep love that made him hold in his rein of self-control.
David's eyes roamed around, inspecting the room and flickered at one object. He walked tensely and reached for the picture frame lying face down on the bedside table. He picked it up and saw it was their picture taken at the park under the cherry blossom tree. They were both smiling and looking fondly at each other... Him looking at her lovingly. His eyes giving away his true emotions. He was a man truly in loved. David felt his heart throbbed painfully.
Why was the frame lying face down?
Miaka...what did you mean by this? David stared at the picture frame, panic rapidly drawing on his handsome face. Do you really hate me now that can't bear to see us together?
A woman slowly and quietly entered the dark room. Her heart constrict, unprepared for the sight of the man sleeping on her bed with a picture frame lying on his chest. A few loose tendrils covered his handsome face, his lips slightly parted. She swallowed nervously. How she missed him, everything about him. She wanted to touch his face, kiss his lips for the last time... before she completely lets him go...
Would it be a sin?
Just before her fingertips reached his lips, she withdrew her hand back as if a mere touch of his skin will burn her. She closed her fists and placed it on her chest. Biting her lips to restrain the tears, she never thought it would be this painfully hard being this close to him now yet she couldn't ignore the invisible wall that kept them apart... she turned away only to catch her breath when she clumsily tipped the round pink rug.
"Miaka...?"
She heard his voice emanated from behind. Miaka lowered her head. Just the sound of his voice though slightly hoarse from sleep, still made her knees wobble brusquely. How she missed him... Terribly-terribly missed him. Building her courage, instead of turning to face the man she slowly took one step away from him. It's for my own good... and another step and another until she reached the door foot.
"Please don't go away!"
Her body trembled when she felt his strong arms wrapped around her tiny frame. She could feel his heartbeat against her back, the warmth of his breath on her neck. "Please don't leave... don't leave me..." The pleading voice breaking the last will of her courage.
Yes... It was in his strong arms she always found that sense of comfort and security. He was her warm blanket... but this warm blanket already belongs to someone else. She closed her eyes.
"I can't... We can't... It's wrong!" the last word literally choked her leaving a taste like acid lingering in her throat.
"I LOVE YOU!" He exclaimed. "What's wrong with that?"
AND I LOVE YOU TOO! She mentally screamed. Miaka tried to remove his arms without success. "Don't make this any harder than it already is... you knew very well this is completely wrong! You're getting married!" She expelled with her tears bursting out like molten rock, her body shaking uncontrollably.
She heard his jaw clenched before her body was abruptly turned by strong hands.
"Look at me!" He demanded but instead she looked away and felt his muscles tensed in frustration.
"Damn it, Miaka, look at me!"
But just before she could see the inflamed look of his golden brown eyes she felt his lips crushing down on hers, kissing her with such intensity. Shocked, Miaka gasped for breath and instantly placed both hands on his chest, trying to create even a little space if not to get away from him but he did not let her go instead he just held her tighter and used the opportunity to slip his tongue and continued to explore in the sweet cavern that was her mouth. This kiss of him was new to her. It was possessive. Violent! His lips were leaving a burning sensation in her core, melting her already feeble resistance.
This is wrong! Miaka's mind was screaming but to her horror her body reacted otherwise when she found herself responding to his kisses... to his burning touch. She kissed him with the same fervour, held him with the same possessiveness. She was mad at him... Oh, how she hated him for breaking her heart... for choosing another woman to marry... But why after all that he did to her was she still in love with him...
So helplessly – madly in love with him.
As if he was pushed by an invisible force, David carried her to the awaiting bed. He thought he was just dreaming when he saw a dark figure standing in the middle of the room. But when he called out her name and saw her stiffened and moved unsteadily, he knew it was her. It was Miaka! He begged her not to leave him but when she reached the door without even turning her head to face him; David knew he has to stop her by all means. He swiftly flew out of bed and imprisoned her in his arms.
But God why, she didn't even reply to him when he said he loved her! Instead she spoke with controlled emotion, those cold words reminding him of a sin he never committed! Getting married to whom?! Her words awakened the rebellious side of his heart, in denial of the doubt that already taken roots in her in a short amount of time they been away from each other since the incident in that restaurant.
He was mad at her! How little faith she had on him? He'd rather that she cursed him or slapped him a hundred times, even a thousand than doubt his feelings. He'd rather be confronted by her anger than give him a cold insufferable space between them. He impetuously turned her around and demanded to look in his eyes. He wanted to see, wanted to know if she really meant what she said.
But she stubbornly looked away and it angered him. Why can't she say it straight in his face? If she refused to give him an answer, then he has to find another means.
He cupped her face and kissed her fiercely... passionately. She tried to push him away to free from his grasp but he didn't allow her to do as she pleased. Oh no, he will not let her get away from him! Not this time! He continued to kiss her fervidly, his hands aggressively roaming her back, relentlessly repressing her countenance, crushing the remaining hold of her shield.
Yield to me, Miaka!
As if she had heard his voiceless demand, Miaka slowly gave up and melted into his. The next moment, she responded eagerly. She kissed him back with the same wild passion, her fingers obsessively running through his hair down his neck then his shoulder and chest.
He missed her so much, every fibre in his body screamed only for her. How can he marry another woman when his heart and body already belongs to her? Can she not understand that?! Can she not feel that!
With wanton abandonment, David shed his knightly armour and laid her down onto her bed as they continued to crush each others' lips with fiery kiss. His long silky hair cascaded like a curtain, covering their faces and concealing the flaming desire in their eyes. He felt her fingers hastily unbuttoning his shirt one by one with great ease while his hands caressed her sides, hooking the hem of her thin cottony shirt with his fingers and without warning dragged it out of her head.
They never kissed this way before, never been this closed before. Miaka trembled at the feel of his hands. Skin touching skin... The burning passion enveloped their bodies in an intense red aura, heartbeats pounding loudly; rhythmically intertwining with their heavy breathing.
"P-please... tell me I'm only dreaming..." She whispered to his ears, looking dazed at the blackness of the ceiling.
David pulled back from her neck and kissed her lips. "Oh no... You're not dreaming, my love..."
"No... Please tell me it's only a dream..." She began to whimper in his shoulder, clutching him in a tight embrace. "In this dream, I'm all yours... and you're all mine..."
"I'm yours and you're mine, even in reality!" David whispered hoarsely, his trembling hand slipping under her to unhook her bra. A primal growl escaped his lips in sheer desperation of ridding the rather complex piece of cloth. He did not realize how impatient he was when he thoughtlessly ripped the annoying material and heard her gasp shakily. Desire has finally taken control over his reins and to fight it was impossible.
Miaka's tight embrace loosened. "Then... in this reality of yours... did you really... wish... to make me... your mistress...?"
David felt a block of ice was placed onto his back, his hand frozen. He slowly leaned back in disbelief and gazed at her eyes welling with tears. The pain and sadness in her hazel orbs were enough to chill the desire up to the last tiny flame in his body. "No Miaka! I would never –"
"Let me go..." She barely whispered the words.
"No! I'm not letting you go! Listen to me –" David replied but she only gave him a pained look that broke his heart.
To his horror, Miaka's body started to fade from beneath him. He panicked and interlaced their fingers together only to hear her fleeting voice.
"Goodbye, David..."
"NO!" David jerked back from the bed lying face down with body sweating profusely. It was just a dream! Damn! Damn! He thought to himself. God... It felt so real... She felt so real... He breathes heavily while he scanned the entire room. Nothing changed except the bed in disarray, bolster pillow lying on the floor beside the picture frame that dropped from his hold and the blanket dangling at the foot of the bed.
David buried his face onto the pillow and inhaled the faint smell of Miaka's natural scent. The exhaustion of the past days finally took over him, the last straw; seeing the picture frame lying face down as if Miaka had already ended their relationship silently. He fell asleep in her room, on her bed... The atmosphere and his longing for her was enough to intoxicate all his senses. He thought Miaka had come back... but it was just a dream.
He laughed unceremoniously... It was a broken empty laugh. He had just woken up and he felt he was still hallucinating... The faint scent earlier was unusually stronger now. David unconsciously ran his finger to his lips. It felt real, Miaka's lips... on his. He heaved a deep sigh and closed his eyes. Miaka... just your scent drove my senses in a crazy wild dream...
God... Miaka, where are you... I love you... come back please... you're the only person that keeps me sane in this crazy world.
The man gently knocked on the door and entered the room, his other hand pushing the trolley with variety of food for breakfast. "Ohayo." He greeted his friend with a sincere smile on his face.
Still with the vaguest idea of exactly what had transpired prior the 'accident'. All he could remember was waking up early in the morning, receiving a call pleading him to help her. Her hoarse teary voice, broken and desperate was enough to make him fall from his bed. Panicked stricken for the welfare of his friend, he didn't even question her odd request not to inform Yui or any of their friends, even her own family of what happened.
Wearing a red and black wool bonnet and sweater, he dragged his cousin's wife and drove all the way from Osaka reaching the hospital at noon. His worry intensified seeing his friend's current condition and without much thought, dialled a certain number to assist them once they were back in the villa. Still with reservation that she would be permitted to leave the hospital, readying to contact the person he had called earlier; his jaw practically hit the floor when the patient began to elaborate an unbelievably superb tale to her attending doctor that if he had not known her, he'd fall to her story too.
The tension expanded instantly when the attending doctor instructed the head nurse to verify the surgeon's information. If she was not lying on the hospital bed with bruises and dislocated shoulder, he swore he would have pinned her ears back for fabricating a deliberate random lie. He agitatedly tapped his fingers across his arms when the head nurse came back with apathetic look, but to his utter surprise the staff only confirmed the validity of the said information. And he realized ever since their university years, she had always been gifted by sheer if not dumb luck.
Without further ado, her clearance papers, insurance and doctor's medical report were processed, prescribed meds purchased and bills paid. They left the establishment quietly and without hustle.
The man assisted the woman from the wheel chair and cautiously carried her inside the car when she softly asked him to swing by her apartment to take some clothes. He obliged seeing her shivering with cold. Carrying the woman up to the 3rd floor, they entered her apartment, putting her down onto her bed in a sitting position. His cousin in-law, Pipa; helped to pack his friends' clothes while he left the room to give the women their privacy and went straight to the kitchen to help him with a cup of hot coffee whilst reading her medical report.
Just as he finished his last gulp he heard a loud thud in her room followed by a hysterical scream calling his name.
He rushed towards the door, instantaneously banging it on the wall and was horrified to see her body lying unconsciously on the floorboard. He carefully carried her to the bed aware of her delicate form. He tilted his head with mixed emotions... worried over her condition, frustration for pushing herself so hard as if she was deliberately punishing herself and annoyance for pretending to be strong when she looked every inch fragile.
The man sighed heavily. On the contrary, it doesn't make one to be multi-talented but others just can't help themselves. He wanted to scoff at her stupid excuse of having a nausea due to the hospital smell that she insist to clung on her body. But he was also stupid to think she would be rational and docile enough not to insist she could manage to take off her clothes on her own without anyone's help or assistance when she was bloody wearing a brace, obviously; to limit her movement and not to strain her shoulder.
Stepping at the pile of clothes on the floor, he picked it up and quickly stepped out of the room to avoid taking his temper on his cousin's wife for being obtuse when as a medical practitioner herself, should know better than allow the patient to move on her own. Why did he even drag her here if she would not serve her purpose? He sighed again, trying to calm his nerves. He hanged the cold and seemingly damp clothes inside the bathroom but noticing its battered condition – ripped sleeve and the blood stain, his heart clenched in worry and remembered the report he perused some minutes ago.
He quickly washed his cup and brought down her luggage and back pack to his car's compartment. Perceptively, even without knowledge of the events that happened to her prior the car accident, he knew she was running away from someone. The luggage just confirmed his suspicion. And he knew she would not want to stay here in Tokyo even an hour short than necessary.
He couldn't help but think that this scenario was one of those rare moments he felt some sense of gratitude that he came from the family of doctors and scientists, though in not more than one occasion that he was branded a rebel for not pursuing the same path, still, thanks to his basic knowledge he learnt from his family. And with his cousin in-law in tow, Pipa; after making sure her recent fall didn't do much harm on her already battered body and fastening her immobilizer to prevent her upper body particularly her shoulder from moving, he gently carried her. Pulling the main door locked, he descended from her apartment's staircase and laid her to the front passenger seat.
He drove cautiously, his eyes fixed on the road with no hint that his mind was wandering somewhere else. Turning a street, his line of vision was momentarily blinded by the sun rays of noontime. He turned a quick concerned glance on his side, worried the rays that briefly blanketed her pale face will disrupt her peaceful sleep. He heaved a sigh of relief when they reached the entrance of the tunnel. When the car materializes at the other end, he decided to buy a set meal in McDonalds drive-thru in case she would wake up.
They entered the villa's enormous gate late noon with the other passenger still unconscious. The butler greeted their arrival with a warm smile, directing him to the awaiting guestroom with the other maids behind carrying her luggage. After making a brief phone call he instructed one of the maids to look after her while he and Pipa gets some rest.
"Alexis..." Miaka's eyes flickered in recognition. "Ohayo..." She replied softly.
"I supposed your hungry stomach is rumbling for missing food the whole day yesterday." He replied teasingly.
Miaka smiled weakly. Alexis knew her well like Yui. Her gluttony was one of the things that annoyed Yui to no end but endears Alexis.
"Is your nurse attentive to your needs?" He said with a concerned tone and carefully helped her to sit up.
"Nurse...?" She asked surprise evident on her face.
"Yes. I'll explain to you later. Now eat. I'm sure you're famished." He said while spreading the butter and honey onto the hot pancakes.
"Oh, okay..." She replied briefly. "They... I mean they were two of them who help me changed my clothes and brushed my teeth..." Miaka stared at how the butter melted the moment it touched the hot pancakes. The image reminded her of the vivid dream last night.
In her dream, she was back in her room and surprised with David's presence sleeping on her bed. She woke up with tears profusely running down her cheeks. It felt real... he felt so real. His kisses... his touch... she was like that butter, melting to his hot passionate embrace and burning kisses.
And she was awfully weak. Even in her dream she allowed herself to wilt away. How can she face him if the mere sound of his voice was enough to crush her stronghold?
"Miaka... are you alright?" Alexis put down the bread knife and wiped her tears tenderly.
Miaka blinked and felt her cheeks blushed. "I- I'm fine..." She said embarrassingly. He has yet to know the reason of her chaos but she felt not ready to talk about it. "I really did appreciate everything that you've done..." She eyed him with gratitude. "I wouldn't want to disturb you... I know you're busy with the upcoming art exhibit but I don't know where else to go... I promise I won't be a nuisance and won't stay longer than necessary, as soon as I-"
"Do you want me to pin you ears back, lady?" He said with left brow arching theatrically. "You words wound me, my dear." He teased her by pouting his lips to show an offended frown.
Alexis gesture rubbed her highly sensitive emotion. "I – Ah... I'm sorry... I... I didn't mean to!" her voice trembled so much that she had to swallow hard, new hot tears started to roll down her cheeks, mortified her words sent a wrong message of being an ungrateful witch after all the help he had done. "I'm so sorry... I never meant to offend you... It seems like I can't do anything right at this moment. I'm so sorry!"
The priestess was suddenly reminded on why she was here in the first place. Why, like in the restaurant she felt the need to escape the hospital. It was too much, too unbearable that despite the strong presence of her friends and brother outside her hospital room, she still felt miserably alone.
After she was emotionally ambushed and scarred by the mockery of their connections, Madeline was one of the least people she wanted to see upon waking up. Why? WHY? - did they allow Madeline entry to her room? To further ridicule her? To further destroy her? Why was there no one to console her, protect her from these people that killed her?
Miaka asked herself why she had to survive the car accident when all she has to endure was insurmountable pain. This pain was so much worse than the pain she felt five years ago. The way she and David had to separate left her with demented thoughts.
Why David... Why...?
"Now-now... hush... I'm just kidding..." Alexis carefully hugged her and stroke her back tenderly. "Smile now, okay..."
He noted her strangely despondent behaviour, a far cry to her cheerful character. He rewinds their conversation and after a quick careful consideration, he surmised there was nothing rude or in the slightest way distasteful with their exchanged of words. In normal circumstances, the conversation would just make her laugh facetiously.
He's a painter and interpreting emotions through his artworks was what he does best. He saw everything he needed to see in her hazel eyes. The nurse wasn't making a mountain out of a molehill when she reported Miaka was sobbing silently in the middle of the night whispering a certain name.
Miaka was heartbroken... extremely broken that she needed someone to guide her before she did something stupid. Not that he would excuse himself for tolerating her foolishness. His own stupidity and recklessness clouded his better judgment to decide what suit her condition best. But he had already dearly paid the consequences of his actions yesterday when his uncle lambasted him harshly in front of the servants. "Better?"
She nodded quietly.
"Please eat. You need to take your meds... you missed all of it yesterday ever since our trip. I wanted to wake you up but uncle said you'll be fine. You needed rest."
"Uncle..."
"Yes. Uncle Jiro. He's a doctor. He'll come later to check up on you. So be a good girl." He said with a reassuring wink.
David squeezed his eyes shut while pressing the bridge of his nose. The ray of morning sunshine gliding through the window and slowly flooding his face with its warmness, promises a beautiful day. Yet for him, the dark circle around his bloodshot eyes and the threatening headache augurs a portentous chain of crisis.
Collecting whatever strength that remains in his reserves, David slowly stood up and decided to wash his face in hopes to clear the dark clouds that blurring his mind. With water dripping from his wet face, he leaned his hands on the counter and stared his own reflection in the mirror as if confronting the phantoms mysteriously concealed in his golden brown orbs. What he saw shattered the remaining hold of his confidence. He could not believe the man standing at the other side of the mirror was a man full of insecurities. Never in his life had he felt insecure... even under the scornful microscopic scrutiny of his relatives... even under the shameless comparison of other people to his own brother.
Never!
Only now...
Never had he felt such rampageous emotions completely destroying even his inner calm leaving him vulnerable to invading holocaust.
Just two days.
He was judged and destroyed in just two days.
And to be truthful, he had the slightest idea of how and where to begin his life again.
He lowered his head and exhaled a sharp breath.
David emerged from the kitchen to the living room when his mobile phone rang. It was Keisukei. Not wanting to lie, he revealed he fell asleep in Miaka's apartment. He was marching back to the bedroom when he stopped from his tracks. His gaze locked on a particular frame sitting atop the shelf just above the TV console. He swallowed and reached for the picture frame, eyes widening in astonishment.
His golden brown orbs stared at every single person on the picture wearing a bizarre outfit except for Miaka. David's surrounding began to swirl like spontaneously turning the pages of a book. With every wild swirl flashes a faint memory of the stars. He mechanically muttered the names as soon as his eyes fell on each of them. Tasuki... Mitsukake... Chichiri... Nuriko... Tamahome... Suzaku no Miko... Hotohori... Chiriko...
David's eyes fixed on the young woman in a school uniform and the young man in elaborate silky robes. Miaka... As if things have started to make sense, he muttered the familiar words that had been glued to his memory ever since he heard them first. Constellations... Celestial warriors...
Chiriko...
Suzaku no Miko...
Hotohori-sama...
Konan...
...
According to ancient legend, the character which appears on your majesty's neck marks you as one destined to be a protector of a priestess who shall come from another world and summon the power of Suzaku.
Keisukei heard a disturbingly loud thud on the other end of the line and knew something amiss had happened.
Leaning her back on the headboard with pillow against her head, Miaka stared at the pamphlets Doctor Jiro handed earlier. It was about restorative exercises for dislocated shoulder. Her eyes fixed on the bold italic letters yet no one knew if she had read or even understood its content. She was indeed rendered immobile and the only thing that betrays she's a living human being and not a life-size doll was her slowed breathing, new IV tubes attached to her since their arrival in the mansion and her eyes blinking once in every five minutes.
Indeed, her love life was a complete tragedy... much worse than Romeo and Juliet. The protagonists died faithful of their love for one another. Romeo robbed his own life when he saw the unanimated body of his heart's muse. Juliet took her own when she saw him lifeless and cold. Shakespeare put an end to the story the moment he decided to kill them both. The course of true love never did run smooth. It was but a perfect tragic-tale with no room for loopholes or intended sequel to the original.
Poor lovers... deprived of second chances.
Yet, an immeasurable pang of jealousy stirs in her heart. Romeo and Juliet died... tragically... because of one stupid misunderstanding... careless miscalculation... Nevertheless, Shakespeare sealed their deaths with unquestionable love between the two characters.
True love indeed... For one cannot breathe air without the other.
The focal point of the whole story...
Perhaps, it was high time to face reality. In her case, there will never be a happily ever after at the end of the story. Hers was not a fairy tale... only tragedy.
She had never felt her heart shattered to pieces and then fixed only to be shattered again without some degree of mercy. She felt incapable of looking herself in the mirror for dread of finding another person worse than Frankenstein.
Miaka knew she was just an average girl. There was absolutely nothing outstanding about her except perhaps her gluttony and clumsiness. Yet never did it affect her self-conviction for as long as she followed her heart's virtues.
But now, her heart ached in great unfathomable sorrow. Her forsaken soul buried in the primal chaos of desperation.
For the first time in her existence she felt... Ugly.
Under no circumstances in her life had she allowed others to deride her with such shameful derogatory remark. They can call her glutton... clumsy... pig... idiot... even ice queen for all she cared! But not that one! Never!
And now, not only she can hear those little wicked voices behind her ears. Ah, those faint whispers in the recesses of her mind, sometimes creeping in her veins... sometimes leaping, striking where she's vulnerable... mocking her from inside and out until she is completely deadened.
Her body screamed ugliness... every hairline... every wrinkle...
She's Ugly.
Perhaps, too ugly that even the reincarnated characters in the book couldn't take her seriously. Who would want someone like her?
A failure... A tragedy...
A/N
And mad world indeed... I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter though it is a little depressing. I also hope you wouldn't find it unnecessary to repeat Miaka's accident. It was after all in Yui's point of view. I also wanted to explain how Miaka survived something that would have killed her instantly in real world. Believe me, I had seen one and it was a traumatic experience.
This will also explain David's haggard and paled look after the accident since it was the first manifestation of his power in Miaka's world, in present time. Although, he still didn't know that he actually saved her because he was too horrified to be conscious of the raw power his body was emitting.
As for Doctor Yuuki Keisukei, he was Miaka's client back in chapter 21 - I.T. Meetings. This is actually the main reason why I was compelled to briefly mention him in that last chapter.
Ahh.. the dream... the only explanation I have would be their strong connection. They were both hurt and thinking strongly of each other to the point that they actually met in each others subconscious mind. Tricky but hey, their connected in so many thousand ways ;-)
xxx
Again, this chapter is without beta editing but I do hope you will get past the mistakes and enjoy your read :-)
A TEDDY BEAR HUG to all my wonderful readers especially those that reviewed my last chapter. The faves, followers and PM's. My apologies for not replying so quickly, I'm all jammed up thanks to my work! I'm working now and so happy! But of course, i'd be happier to hear from you, so here's hoping to read your reviews and thoughts! :-)