[ May I ]
All I want is to keep you safe, from the cold...
Her tears flow like tap water, and no one was there to turn if off.
Sakura ran, not even stopping to apologize to the people that she knocked into.
Sasori watched Sakura as she ran out of the shop. He turned and looked at Sasuke, expecting him to run after Sakura. But he didn't. Sasuke sat down on the chair again, as if nothing had happened.
The redhead narrowed his brown eyes. He looked at the pink hair across the mall, running to the exit. He crushed the flyer in his hand, throwing it into the dustbin nearby before running after her.
0o0
Sakura finally got out of the huge and scary building. She didn't want to face it. She doesn't want to lose it. No… She hadn't lost it, right?
'Sasuke...'
Her legs turned wobbly from the running. Her eyes were totally swollen just by crying for a moment. But she couldn't control it. Tears just kept forming in her eyes, running down her cheeks like nothing. Her heart was still to hurt to believe anything she saw.
Sakura legs dragged her to a bench right outside the mall.
Numb…
Everything was numb… Sakura used both of her hands to cover her face. "Why must Sasuke do this to me?" She sobbed.
The redhead finally managed to squeeze himself out from the huge crowd in the shopping centre. He ran out to the almost empty street, where a few couple was having the sweet moments together.
Sasori immediately noticed the only girl sitting on the bench, both of her elbow resting on her leg, covering her face to prevent anyway from seeing her crying and swollen face.
Biting the inside of his stomach, he took a few tentative steps forward. He never seen a girl cried so hard before, not even the girls he know all these years; Konan and Temari.
What was he supposed to do when he saw a girl crying so terribly because of the guy she love, betrayed her? Sasori forced himself not to pick up his phone and dialed Hidan's number to ask him.
He took a deep breath, urging himself to walk towards Sakura. He stopped on his track and stood right in front of the girl. Concern etched in his feature.
Sakura's head jerked up and Sasori knew, she was expecting Sasuke instead of him.
Sakura lowered her head in disappointment; she sniffed, and began crying back again. Sasori sat beside her without invitation. They didn't do anything for a moment, he just watched as a few couples past by. The passer-bys glanced at Sasori once in a while, muttering to themselves and wonder if he was the one that made the girl beside him cried.
He decide what to do, even if he had to sacrifice himself somehow…
Sasori silently gulped, taking a deep breath. He opened his mouth wide and began singing, singing as if he was just talking normally.
"In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double." Sasori quietly sang.
"Don't worry, be happy."
"The land lord says your rent is late, he may have to litigate."
"Don't worry, be happy."
"Look at me. I am happy." Sasori pointed at himself trying to make a huge smile, and it looks extremely weird. It looks like a smirk than a smile.
"Don't worry, be happy."
"Here I give you my phone number." He took out his phone, and like what Sakura did last time, he pointed at his cell phone.
"When you worry, call me; I'll make you happy."
"Don't worry, be happy."
Sakura slowly turned, looking at Sasori while he awkwardly sang the song. She wanted to smile so much, but her lips were quivering non-stop.
Sasori slowly put down his phone, trying to hide his embarrassment. In his entire whole life, he never once thought he would actually sing for a girl. He must have looked awfully ridiculous as he glanced at a few passers-by that were giggling to themselves.
'What a stupid way to cheer her up…' Sasori mentally groaned in his head. He looked at the other side, trying to avoid looking at Sakura. 'Why the hell did I do that…' He kept asking himself in his head.
"Sa-Sasori…" Sakura sniffed and hiccupped. She wiped away her tears, looking at Sasori's side view with her two red and swollen eyes.
Sasori sighed, looking over at his shoulder, but before he could realize what was happening, Sakura gave him a tight embrace. The redhead blinked. He blinked a few times again.
Sasori immediately raised his hand in the air, as if he was surrendering. His nut-brown eyes widened so big as if he was witnessing his office on fire. The back of his neck grew warm in embarrassment.
"Thank you… Th-Thank you…"
Sasori heart skipped a beat, he slowly lowered his arm. When was the last embrace he had? When was the last time when he felt so nervous… and warmth?
20 years ago?
Sakura didn't let go, she's afraid to do so. She needed a pillar to support her before she would collapse to the ground once again. Sakura started sniffing again, as the cool beads gradually warmed against her flesh,
He didn't know what to do… but to only gave a small pat on Sakura's back
0o0
Sasori stopped his car right outside Sakura's house. He turned his attention and stared at the sleeping figure. Her crying seemed to make her drowsy, resulting her falling asleep.
Sasori noticed the dried tear lines that left on Sakura's cheek. As if by response, he raised his hand and was about to caress her cheeks when Sakura slightly shifted in her position, turning to the other side and faced the window.
He blinked, dropping his arm and shook his head. 'Sasori, what the hell are you doing?'
A soft snore came out from Sakura, her chest rose up whenever she takes in air. He turned his attention to Sakura again, and unknowingly, he started counting every breath that the girl drew in.
He didn't have the heart to wake Sakura up. She must have felt very exhausted from all the crying.
As if she knows what he was thinking, her eyes fluttered and her green pupils stared at the window, blinking a few times before realizing where she was.
"Sorry I must have fallen asleep." Her voice sounds hoarse.
She rubbed her eyes, and tried to force herself to smile, but her lips kept quivering non-stop. "Thanks for the ride." She managed a whisper, alighting from his car
"Sasori. Please. Please don't tell anyone about the incident." Sakura pleaded, her eyes were red enough. Sasori tried to argue but he knew there would be no point. He has to go according to Sakura wishes. And so, he nodded.
And after getting his answers, Sakura just closed the door behind her and shuffled her tired feet. She just wanted to go back home and sleep.
"Sakura! Are you… Alright?" Sasori asked, winding down the windshield.
She just gave a tired nod, lifting her arms and waved a goodbye. Without waiting for Sasori to speak anymore, she whirled around and began walking to her front door and into her house after picking the correct key to unlock the door.
Watching as Sakura closed the door, he sighed as he winded back the window. He stepped on his accelerator and went full speed ahead.
"Buzz…" Her phone began to vibrate in her pocket and the message alert sounded. She could already predict who the sender was.
She took a deep breathe, taking her phone from her pocket and viewed her message.
"Sakura. Let me explain. Just answer the phone! –Sasuke"
Sakura bit her lips. She deleted her message and came across to her phone's wallpaper. It was the picture that she took with Sasuke on his birthday.
She couldn't control anymore. Just by looking at his name and her wallpaper, she broke down crying again.
Sakura slides down and fall on the floor while her back was on the door, both hands covering her face. She broke down into sobs again. "Bastard…" She cried.
0o0
Two weeks. It's been two weeks since she last saw him.
That night, Sakura had been receiving endless call, messages and voicemails, telling her to let him explain. Even coming in the middle of the night, shouting and banging on her front door, telling her to let him in. But Sakura ignored all of it.
And with his stubborn attitude, if it wasn't some neighbors who told him off, Sakura knew the Uchiha could have stay there the whole night…
If… he's really that sincere… that is…
But after that night, she never receives any calls and texts. Neither did he come to Sakura's house and requests to meet up. Actually, Sakura really needed that. She needed the time to think and let her heart mend back to pieces before knowing what she should really do.
If she see the guy one more time, or just the time when she's not strong enough, all the pieces of her heart that were mended back would shatter back again. She knew it.
'There are people who cared, who were there… and not like that stupid jerk who play with my feelings like nothing...'
"You've lost weight…" Sasori said. Sakura merely smiled. "I'm on diet."
"Remember the time when you nagged at me? That if I didn't eat, I'll have gastric pain?" Sasori placed a bag of cookies on the table. After a minute of silence, Sasori left the room, without saying another word.
Sakura sighed. She glanced at the untouched food on the table. Sasori was right. She can't continue to be like this just because of that stupid jerk. Ino would definitely know something was wrong if she keeps up like that.
Finally, she tore the packet and stared at the chips. And one by one, she began eating, completely unknown that the redhead was watching her between the small gap that was left when he closed the door.
'Sasori kept his words. Ino had called me a few days ago and she didn't brought the matter up, nor cursing the Uchiha that she's going to burn him alive. But I seriously didn't know how long could I keep the secret wrapped so perfectly…'
"Sakura! Do you know Hinata's cousin, Neji, is going out?"
"Is he?"
"Remember Tenten? On our second year, she was the one that accidentally hit your head with a basketball? I just saw her holding hands with Neji! And not only that! When I said hi and asked about their relationship, they both blush! Oh! You can't believe how cute both of them are! Do you think Hinata knew about this? Why didn't she share such amazing gossips with us?"
Ino kept babbling and babbling behind the phone, and all Sakura could do was to reply with a "Really?" "Wow!"
What else could she say to the most famous gossiping queen, Yamanaka Ino?
'It was as though Sasuke really disappeared into thin air, no one actually knows where he had gone. Not even Naruto know where he is.'
"Sakura-Chan!"
"Eh? Naruto? What are you doing here?"
"I just finished watching a movie with some friends. Didn't expect you to see you here." Naruto said as he looked at the ticket and popcorn in her hand.
"Are you watching a movie with teme?" He asked.
Sakura slightly tensed when she heard his name, even if it was just his nickname. "Y-Yeah." Sakura lied. She felt really bad when she had to lie to Naruto, especially when he was her best friend.
"It's been a month since I last saw him. I thought he was dead. Are you waiting for him?" Naruto frowned "How can he let my Sakura-Chan wait for him?" The blonde began cracking his knuckles.
"Ahhh… Not really, he's in a restroom. I'm going in first anyway." Dropping some popcorn on the floor when she shook it.
"Hi Naruto. What are you doing?" A pale guy walked towards them, a huge fake smile plastered on his face.
"Sai! I'm coming, just tell them to wait." Naruto waved him off.
"The movie is about to start, maybe I should be going in first." Sakura smiled back, giving a nod at Sai, who still smiled at her.
"But Sakura-Chan…"
"You heard Ugly, what are you waiting now? For your dick to grow longer?" Sai asked.
"Ugly?" Sakura slightly crushed her ticket.
"Sai!" Naruto immediately pinched Sai's face.
"Ah, we should be going now Sakura-Chan! Now Go!" Naruto waved at Sakura, while ordering and pushing his friend back to the group. Sakura sighed, waving back as she watched Naruto laughing away while his other mates gave a slap on his back.
She looked at her pathetic ticket, shuffling her feet and handed it to the attendant. After inspecting her ticket, she entered the theater, watching a few other couple hugging and snuggling between the two of them. She tried to look away, turning her attention and began finding her seat before the movie starts
'And sometimes… Friends are still the best when you're down and alone.'
"Sakura?" A familiar voice called out. She turned to find her boss sitting just a row behind her.
"S-Sasori!" She whispered a little loud. "What a coincidence!"
Noticing that there was an empty seat beside her, he moved his position and sat beside Sakura, who was rather surprise. Other than work and after work, she never saw Sasori out on Sundays. Watching a movie? Sakura slightly giggled.
Putting some popcorn in his mouth, he looked at her. Even though it's rather dark inside, there's some light from the commercial that was playing on the screen before the movie starts, allowing Sakura to be able to see the frown on Sasori's face.
"Are you expecting someone?" Sasori asked, ignoring Sakura's giggles. She shook her head.
"I guess… I can sit here then?" He asked again.
"Ahhh sure! I laughed not because I-" She ruffled her messy hair. "Actually, I should be really thankful that you sat here. If not, I would be rather lonely…" She admitted.
Before Sasori could speak further, the movie started and everyone remained silent, all their attention were fixed on the screen.
"Ahhh-choo!" Sakura covered her nose, looking around to see if she had interrupted other people's attention.
"Are you cold?" Sasori asked, just realizing that Sakura didn't wear much clothing, and it was rather cold inside.
"I was just window-shopping when I noticed this movie was up yesterday. Since I didn't know I would be watching a movie, I didn't bring anything to keep myself warm." She whispered back, rubbing her hands together.
Sasori looked at his own jacket before glancing at Sakura. He began pulling the sleeve out and before Sakura could realize what happened, his warm jacket covered her body as Sasori went back to his position, returned to watch the movie as if nothing happened.
"S-Sasori…"
"I'm not that cold." He merely said.
Sakura gently smiled, tugging his jacket tighter to her body. "Thanks." She murmured, following by watching the movie till the end.
But his chocolate-colored eyes were not focused on the screen, all it do, was to stare at the girl beside him, laughing and crying when the mood changes in the movie.
And so he watched his movie, till the end.
0o0
The clock in the room ticked like there's no tomorrow, his brown eyes watched the second-hand moving around in circles. He turned his attention and stared at the door when he suddenly lost interest in the clock. There was just silent, nothing else. He frowned.
'Is she crying again?'
Sasori stood up, pushing his chair back. He walked towards the door and quietly opened it. He blinked, realizing that Sakura was sleeping. Sasori just stood there, and watched the tired girl sleeping, with her arm on the table, supporting her head as she soundly sleeps.
As he pushed the door further, it suddenly creaked. Sasori slightly jumped, praying Sakura wouldn't wake up because of the noise. But Sakura still remained still, her chest rising whenever she took a breath.
He mentally sighed, pushing the door to the very extend as the frame slightly touched the wall. Some light entered the room, casting some orange light on her peaceful face.
Sasori couldn't control it, his lips slowly turned into a smile.
At that moment, as if Sakura was reacting to it, she slightly moved her head, making a tired sigh. The redhead suddenly crouched into position like a ninja, preparing to escape from the room if she really woke up. He didn't want her mistakenly thinking that her boss was watching her sleeping. That would be extremely creepy.
After making a few adjustment to her position, she slightly mumbled a few incoherent words before finally returning back to her peaceful slumber.
Sasori mentally sighed, gaining back his position.
'What the hell am I even doing…'
Watching as a few strands of Sakura's pink hair slightly fall in front of her face, he finally picked up the courage and walked closer to Sakura, casting his own shadow on her elegant face.
Sasori reached out his hand, slowly caressing her smooth and tender cheeks. The redhead pushed a few strands of hair behind Sakura's ears as he gradually bent forward until his eye level met hers.
He got closer, and closer…
He slowly closed his mesmerizing brown eyes…
And gently, he kissed Sakura's lips.
The sound of the clock ticking appeared to be getting softer. The car's horn outside seemed to disappear into the wind. Instead, all Sasori could hear was Sakura's soft and steady heartbeat.
It was just a few seconds before he slowly opened his amber eyes, watching the bubblegum-hair girl sleeping, as if nothing had happened.
Sasori stood up, moving back and away from Sakura. The orange light slowly went back casting on her gentle face.
'It's sweet…'
His eyes softened once again, he didn't want her to cry anymore. But what can he do? How can he heal the girl's shattered heart? Was he… brave enough?
The redhead slowly raised his arm, touching his lips.
If he was brave enough… would that change everything?
He closed his eyes once again, taking another deep breath. Sasori whirled around, holding onto the doorknob and slowly closed the door.
But sadly, he wasn't brave enough…
0o0
Sasori slightly nodded, putting away his files accordingly. After making sure everything was in place, he walked forward to his desk and took his belongings and headed out.
Before Saosri reached out for the door handle, he glanced over his shoulder and stared at the door. Without any further ado, he pushed the door and trudged down the stairs
The redhead walked out of the building, glancing at his feet once in a while when he's walking to the car. After unlocking his door, he raised his head and gave another look at the clear glass window.
On the cue, a dark blue car zoomed past Sasori and gave a very loud screeched before halting. Sasori immediately recognized whose car it belonged to, and his answer was definitely correct.
Sasuke slammed the door shut behind him, taking out his phone and punched in the number very hard as if the phone owed him money. After dialing the number, the Uchiha pressed the phone screen against his cheeks, waiting impatiently for the caller to pick up.
Sasuke glanced once in a while at the window when he was waiting for the other to answer, and Sasori followed his gaze. And immediately, he knew why his friend's brother would appear in front of their building and whom he was calling.
0o0
"Buzzz…" Sakura's pink phone continued vibrating on the table. Her eyelids slowly fluttered, opening her emerald eyes. Sakura rubbed her tired eyes, trying to find what was the buzzing noise. She glanced at the phone on the table before quickly grabbing it and staring on the caller's name
Sasuke.
Her green eyes widened every slightly, she stood up, still clutching on the phone in her hand.
'Two weeks. Four days.' Sakura looked at the phone for the timing. 'And two hours, fourteen minutes'
Sakura walked out of the room, her phone continued vibrating in her hand. She randomly glanced outside of the huge glass window, and to her amazement, Sasuke was standing at the car park with his car by his side and looking at the glass window to find if there was any presence.
Right at that moment, her green huge eyes met his black onyx ones. She widened her eyes again, rushing out of the room, knowing that she had been caught.
Sasuke immediately cut the call, he briskly walked towards the building, ignoring that he had not locked his car.
Sasori narrowed his eyes when he realized something was wrong. He locked his car once again, watching Sasuke running towards the building.
0o0
Sakura grabbed her handbag on the desk, but she was too late. The bell by the door chimed, as the familiar presence entered that Sakura was in.
"Sakura…"
Sakura was about to turn and headed up stairs again when Sasuke grabbed her arm. She tried very hard to shrug it off but his grip tightened.
"Let go. Uchiha."
"Not until you hear me explain."
"You expect me to hear you explain? Lies… What if all are lies again? I don't even know how many times did you lied to me, and you expect me to freaking… believe you?"
"Sakura… All these while I didn't call you because I was away in another country having meetings-" Sakura took another hand and pushed away Sasuke's grip, but Sasuke caught her wrist as she glared at him.
"Meetings. Meetings. Meetings. But it doesn't matter anymore. When I realized it wasn't you that chased after me during that incident, but someone else, I utterly. Gave. Up. On. You." Sakura jabbed her finger on Sasuke chest, giving another shrugged, her wrist was free as she approached towards the door, but Sasuke stopped her.
"Are you telling me, these entire four years when we are together, it meant nothing to you? Can't we be together again?" The Uchiha said.
Sakura glared at him, yet she didn't bothered replying to his question. "Move."
Sasuke didn't move, not even an inch.
Sakura gritted her teeth. She sucked in a deep breath before exhaling loudly. "If… If there was a chance for me to turn back the time…" Sakura glared coldly to her ex-boyfriend.
"I would rather be with Sasori than to be with you."
Sasuke frowned, "Wha-What…"
"Move!" Sakura used her force and pushed Sasuke out of the way, pulling the door opened. Sasuke ran out immediately standing in front of Sakura as she fiddled with the keys, locking the office door.
"Sakura, let me explain and you'll understand everything."
Sakura shrugged his arms off again, stomping off towards the car-park lot. While ignoring what Sasuke was saying to her, she stopped in her track. There, was Sasori, standing in the middle of the car park, still debating if he should go into the building to interrupt the two.
He whirled around to find the said two looking at him. The Uchiha sneered, reaching out for Sakura's shoulder, but she immediately slapped it away. She stomped her feet, approaching to the redhead. Sasori was rather dumbstruck and didn't know what to do.
And what Sasori and Sasuke never expected was, the girl grabbed hold of Sasori's arm, giving a huge broad smile at the redhead afterwards. He blinked even more, slightly remembering something he did a few moments ago, which no one on earth except him knows about.
Sakura turned and glared back at Sasuke, pulling Sasori away. "Let's go." She only said.
Watching the two of them driving off in Sasori's red car made Sasuke extremely mad. He turned his fist into a huge, hard rock. As the Uchiha noticed a small pebble on the road, he kicked it, making it rolled over and over and over till it fell into a small drain.
"Damn it… no one dares to mess with me. No one…"
0o0
"I'm sorry…" Sakura lowered her head, staring slightly sad and guilty at her shoe.
"And why would I be?" Sasori asked.
"I… I kinda used you to get rid of Sasuke. I should be partially thankful as well too…" Sakura shifted her position, looking at her boss. "If you weren't there, I don't know what to do…" Sakura hesitated.
Sasori slightly smiled, using his other free hand, he casually waved her off. "I'm glad I could help, even just a little." He said.
Sakura blinked. 'He smiled…'
'And… why is my heart racing?' She frowned, pondering very hard. But her frown slowly disappeared.
Truthfully, she had been so upset lately, and completely ignoring the surroundings around her. Even when she's with Sasuke back then, he never gets to do what her amazing friends would do just for her…
'Like Ino's delicious apple crumbled pie, she always made it at my house whenever she was free. Back then… I would always complain about how fattening it is, and how messy my kitchen would end up. But now, I awfully missed it…'
She licked her dry lips, thinking about how the pie would always melts in her mouth whenever she savors it.
'Like Hinata's careful character, she worries about everything, even small details like, "What if Naruto-kun were to see me in orange?" But now, I really wishes someone like Hinata to worry so much about me, as if she was my mother; who went on overseas business every time.'
Sakura mentally sighed, remembering how Hinata was so excited and nervous when she realized Naruto had invited her to his house for a house-warming party.
'Like Naruto funny, yet awfully lame jokes, even though he is a loud-mouthed guy who always exclaimed that he would be the Ramen-King someday, he never once failed to cheer me up whenever I'm down. Perhaps, that's why I always thought, that eating Ramen was the best way to lighten my mood.'
The girl looked at her favorite phone's strap. It was Naruto's handmade gift on her birthday, and she extremely loves it.
Like Deidara's teasing, funny and cheerful character, it actually brightens both Sasori and my mood. He cares for me like a big brother. He knows what a girl thinks, and what a girl wants. Obviously he looks pretty much a playboy, but he's a kind-hearted person.'
Sakura could remember the bright daisies on her desk. The flowers were still in perfect condition, as both Deidara and her would frequently change the water for the flower.
'Like Sasori…' Sakura paused, trying to think hard about him, she slightly peeked at his charming features… 'His dark-brown eyes that seems so mysterious yet innocent at once. His crimson red hair that seemed so messy as if he just got out of bed… His soft and bubbly face...!'
'What am I saying now? I'm suppose to… Argh…' She gave a face palm and shook her head.
"What are you doing?" Sasori frowned ominously, giving a sidelong glance at Sakura while he still focused on the road.
"I was just thinking of something… That I probably shouldn't." Sakura mumbled, praying that he didn't see her slightly tinted cheek.
"Oh…" He only said, returning back his composure.
Not long, Sasori reached right outside her house. Sakura smiled and gave a "Thanks", before getting of the car.
Sasori averted his eyes away, biting his lips, after getting enough courage he stopped her before she could walk off. "Are you okay?" He asked. Sasori was slightly worried that Sasuke could have affected her mood.
"I'm fine." She just gave a curt nod.
Sasori gave a nod back, and then there were perfect silence. Both of them were staring at each other, as if they were expecting something.
"Er… why don't you go first?" Sakura break the silence.
"I need to ensure your safety before going first." Sasori merely said as if it was nothing. But to Sakura, she felt rather shock, to say the least.
Sakura blushed again. She quickly whirled around and walked to her front door, trying to avoid Sasori from seeing her current state.
Fumbling nervously with her keys, she slotted in the key and entered her house without looking back.
After ensuring that she was safe in her house, Sasori drove down the street. Sakura watched the car disappeared by the window and she turned and sat heavily on her sofa.
Her phone rang again, and she knew fully well who it was. With no intention of picking it up, she took her phone and shut it off, preventing from any disturbance as she watched her favorite love drama that was ongoing now.
0o0
Sakura slumped onto her bed, brushing through her slightly wet hair. After giving a quick glance at her sleeping pet, she mentally sighed,
She shifted her position and faced the dressing table. She sighed after looking at herself in the mirror. She could clearly see the dark rings under her eyes. She's been so stressed up lately by the incident that she found it rather hard to sleep nowadays.
Unknowingly, her eyes fall upon her pink cell on the table.
'Should I call him?' She mused.
"11:09" Her electronic cloak brightly showed her the time.
Giving a last look at the clock on her table, she picked up her phone and began dialing the number.
To be continue
Author's Note:
There's commercial before a movie starts… right?
To prevent the OOCness, I tried to make Sasori comfort for Sakura not to overboard, and just right. But I think there might be flaws somewhere.
Reviews are absolutely appreciated!
-Pocky