[ May I ]
When the world is closing in- and you can't breathe,
Sakura sat on the sofa for the past two hours alone after Ino and Hinata had left her house.
She had finally decided what to.
She is going to call off the wedding.
Sakura continued hugging her legs to her chest, holding on her phone in one hand while rocking her body back and forth like an innocent baby.
"Sasori…" She muttered, her voice was still hoarse from the crying, but she still speaks his name over an over again, like a sort of encouragement to herself.
Of course, she has to break the news to her parents, Deidara, Sasuke, his parents and Itachi.
How is she supposed to do that?
"Sasori…"
On the cue, the doorknob turned and the door swing open, revealing the two Haruno couple entering the house. Sakura wanted to smile and greet them, but her smile was immediately wiped off when her parents were talking busily on their phone, too busy to even look at her to give her a smile or a greeting.
"I thought the contract was sealed, how can they just made another business deal with another company?" Sakura's father was holding onto his phone, his brows were furrowed and his tone was hinted with anger.
"Of course I missed everyone, I'll fly back immediately after Sakura's wedding. Yes, my precious daughter is going to get married in a few days… with one of the Uchiha's heir. Not the older one, he is engaged, it's the younger son." On the other hand, Sakura's mum was in a happier mood though. But it was because she was proud of her darling daughter who would be getting married with an amazing millionaire family who owns one of the biggest companies in the world.
And how is she supposed to break the news to either one of them?
The older female glanced at Sakura and smiled, before returning to her call. "I'll call you later." She immediately cut the call and approached to her daughter, sitting beside her on the sofa. "We're back dear."
Sakura smiled and put down her phone on the table. She fidget with her clothes while her mum switched on the television, and started switching channels till she found the one she liked.
Her father clicked his tongue angrily, grabbing a chair beside the dining table and slumped onto it, continue talking into his phone. "I don't care, as long as you failed to get the matter done by the time I come back, you're fired."
Sakura flinched when he slammed his phone on the glass table. He began mumbling a few incoherent words while Sakura's mum continued changing channel as if she does not care.
Sakura looked up, staring at her father who had started reading his newspaper. She bit her lips and stood up, surprising her mum.
"What is it Sakura? Is there something wrong?"
"Sakura…" Ino broke the hug, taking Sakura's shoulder as the blonde looked into Sakura's green emerald eyes. Hinata stepped back, giving a small smile.
"Take this chance. There's just a few more days left before your wedding. You have to try to call it off before it's too late." Ino said.
"Follow your h-heart. We'll always be h-here for you. Why don't you start with y-your parents first?" Hinata added behind Ino.
"But… how?" Sakura mumbled softly.
"Just tell them straight, and then wait for their reaction and answer their questions they probably would be pouring out. Things will turn our right if you do it correctly." Ino winked
"What are you talking about? How can you call off it as whenever you like?"
Sakura winced at the volume. She looked away and stared at her feet.
"Is there some reasons why you wanted to call off the wedding? Did Sasuke did something wrong? What happened?"
"Sakura, this is not a game. You can't start the game as whenever you like and quit it if you feel like it. Don't be ridiculous, Sakura."
"Dad… I-"
What is she going to say now? She can't tell them that she likes-
"Sakura, don't be a stubborn kid. You can't just say you want a wedding and then call it off a few days before it. The damn wedding is going on." He yelled, throwing the newspaper roughly beside his phone.
"You can' force me in doing something that I refused to do! How can you exchange your daughter's future with just a contract between the Uchiha's? It's not as if I did not marry him, your business would be ruined!"
Who would be stupid enough not to guess that every businessman in the world were throwing away their daughter's future at the two Uchiha's for the sake of working with Sasuke's father.
"It will, and just do what I say! You and Sasuke had been together for freaking 4 years, and I don't see why you disagreed to the wedd-"
"It's because I don't want to end up like you two!"
Both of her parents stiffened, they looked at her curiously, trying to understand every single word she had said. "What do you mean dear? What do you mean by not wanting to end up like your father and I?" Her mother looked at Sakura as she frowned.
Sakura tried to laugh, but failed terribly as she hiccupped in between. "You two had already divorced, why force yourself, pretending to be a happy and loving couple in front of everyone? In front of me?"
The room fell into a deathly silence, no one spoke, and the television had been switched off. They needed the peace to calm themselves down.
"When did you know about it?" Her dad spoke, breaking the silence.
Sakura answered, glaring at her feet before looking into her father's eyes.
"I thought I was the happiest kid on earth, I had a cool pink bike, a cute doll house, a computer and all sorts of thing that you are willing to buy for me. I thought I have the all the greatest thing in the world, but then I realize, these entire birthday bash I had, I was never entirely happy." Sakura answered, glaring at her feet before looking into her father's eyes.
"Each birthday Dad… I never got to spend a single party with you. Until today, I never did." Sakura could felt the hot wet tears flowing down her cheeks, but she ignored it. Today, right at the moment, she's going to shout out everything that she had been keeping to herself for the past decade of her life
"On my birthday, my freaking 11th birthday…" She took a deep breath and continued. "I just witnessed you and another woman having sex before my birthday party starts."
Her father blinked in surprise; the secret between his wife and himself had been keeping from Sakura was actually known right from the start.
"You lied." Sakura laughed again, holding the side of her stomach. "You said you were busy working in your office, that's why you could not spent some time with your daughter on her birthday."
"I don't know how many times I've heard the same reason before but…" Sakura stopped her fake laugh, finding what Sasuke and her father's reason for not being able to spend time with her was mostly the same. She bit her lips in frustration and blinked away her tears.
"Mum must have knew that too… Because later that night, after celebrating my birthday with all those laughter's and smile, she was crying in her room and on the bed; the bed which you had fuck with another slut."
Her Dad froze on the spot, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"And Mum…" Sakura pointed at her mother who was sitting at the sofa, about to cry any moment. "Mum was suffering all these years because of you! A week later, you wanted to divorce Mum. I've overheard everything… You said you don't love her, you said all those mean words to her, and she's crying, crying and begging you not to abandon this family…" Sakura screamed, hot wet tears continue rolling down her cheeks while her father was still speechless, no words left for him to argue.
"Not only that… You…you even cruelly said that the only reason you married her. was just because you wanted to take over my grandparent's company!"
Sakura swore she could hear her father gasped. For the first time in her life, she had seen her Dad's unbelievable shocked face. She's not going to hold back. Even if she had to respect her father, the first thing he should do was to respect her Mum first.
"Now you two are pretending to be a loving couple; I don't mind at all. Because I know, one of the reason you two had done this was because you don't want to hurt my feelings… Right? But I'm not going to repeat the process, I don't want to suffer the same fate as Mum." Sakura looked at both of her parents, clearing her throat to speak more.
"I'm not going to lie now. Yes, I did fell in love with another person other than Sasuke. Someone who cares and gives me the protection I wanted more than anyone could give me. But he's not the third-party, he does not even know that I like him." Sakura wiped her tears with the back of her hands before she firmly looked at her Dad.
"But if you're talking about the third-party…" Sakura took in a deep breath and stormed towards the door.
"You probably have to ask Uchiha Sasuke yourself."
With that, she flung opened the front door and shut it loudly behind her.
0o0
"Sakura, calm down. Where are you now?" Ino said through the phone.
Sakura sniffed, looking around the empty street. "I don't know, I think it was somewhere near the restaurant we had visited on Hinata's birthday." Sakura sat on the nearby bench; her legs are sore from all the walking she had when she ran away from home.
"Sakura, stay where you are. Hinata and I are coming straight over." Ino assured her.
"Th-Thanks…"
Sakura clutched onto her phone and stared at her feet, her mind was hazy and her lips were dry. She could not think clearly and her head was in a mess.
Grey clouds hung over the sky as a soft thunder could be heard from a distance. Sakura looked up, giving a sigh. She could not help but gave a laugh. Even God is playing with her, raining right at the moment when she's lost and feeling so frustrated in the inside.
"Pitter, Patter."
At first, it was just a few drops of rain and a cool breeze, then slowly, the rain become heavier and the wind become stronger, messing her hair. The cold water hits her skin and soaking her pink T-shirt and jeans. She does not feel like moving, she was very tired to move. And maybe the rain could clear her thoughts much easier than eating Ramen at Naruto's restaurant. It's still worth a try…
'Sasori Sasori Sasori Sasori…'
The only thing she could do was to repeat his name over and over in her head, nothing else.
"Splash, Splash."
Sakura could hear footsteps running towards her in a hurry. Probably it was Ino and Hinata who would nag her for sitting under the rain, or maybe it was some stranger running down the empty street to get some shelter nearby.
"Splash, Pitter Patter, Splash."
The footstep stopped, not only that, the rain seemed to stop as an unknown shadow suddenly covered her entirely. She looked up, but to her surprise, it was still raining, but she could not feel any cold water hitting her face anymore. She raised her head, and to the shock of her life, there he was standing right in front of her with an umbrella, the redhead that she had not been seeing for a few days.
"Sa-Sasori…"
"What are you doing here? You'll get sick." Sasori frowned. Even though his face was expressionless, his tone was filled with worry and care for her.
She immediately stood up, ignoring the fact that her legs were numb and sore. "I was a little lost here, I've called Ino and she's picking me up. Speaking of coincidence… What are you doing here too?"
"Dinner." He said, looking down. Sakura wanted to smile, forgetting what had happened previously between them and pinch Sasori's adorable cheek. He looked completely innocent with a light red umbrella in his hand
"How have you been?" Sasori spoke, breaking Sakura's thought. They were still standing closely with each other under the small umbrella, but Sakura felt very comfortable with that, she could feel Sasori's warm breathe against her cold and wet skin, and it gave her a tingling sensation that she never felt when she was with Sasuke before.
"Pretty fine. How about you?" Sakura gave a small smile.
"Very good."
The heavy rain continues, perfectly suiting their mood. They were both obviously lying. They were not fine; they were not at least good. They felt as moody and horrible like the rain.
"Sasori… I'm sorry about that day." Sakura shook her head, closing her eyes tightly. Sasori blinked, he never expect Sakura to mention about that day when he confessed, he thought she would be trying as hard as possible to avoid talking about that subject.
"It-It's alright." Sasori stuttered, still a bit surprised, but he easily hid it in a matter of time.
"No, you don't get it Sasori, I'm going to call of the wedding." Sakura showed her bright green eyes at Sasori, showing how determined she was.
Sasori stared at her; his eyes widened a few inches. "What are you talking about?" He slightly shook his umbrella, still could not believe his ears.
"I'm serious Sasori. And do you want to know why?" Sakura said, still looking at Sasori without even hesitating. "Because I'm in love with you too."
"Pitter, Patter."
Sasori does not find it amusing. Either someone had created a clone of Sakura and tricked him like what he had seen in some ninja's movie, or either he had hearing problem.
"Stop this Sakura, you don't have to explain yourself to me because you sympathize me. I understand. The wedding is in a few days, you can't do that."
"I'm not explaining myself because I pitied you! I love you because I can't stop thinking about you, I can't forgive myself for saying those things to you before- because I don't even mean it! I lied to myself, telling myself that I love Sasuke instead of you. I've mistaken, right at the start… I don't love Sasuke anymore!" Sakura shouted, despite the distance between both of them, Sasori did not flinch at the loud volume. He just looked at Sakura, still with the same expression.
"Sakura. Tell me. You said you love me. What makes you think you love me-"
"Like what I said before, because I-" Sakura was about to explain but Sasori ignored her, continuing what he wanted to say.
"-When you don't understand all these while I've been always hinting that I liked you. But you were never able to sense it. Until the day when I had confessed to you earlier… If, it was Deidara who confessed, or perhaps Hidan or any guy you knew. Would you be standing in the rain with him as well? Telling him that you are sorry and you don't mean what you said before because you always love him all these while?"
Sakura did not have the time to react, before she could try to come up with anything, Sasori immediately cut in.
"Sakura, I can understand if you have no more special feelings for Sasuke anymore. But don't lie to yourself and try to explain to me that you love me. You don't. I may be your good friend, a friend than you rely on, like a good brother perhaps. But Sakura, you don't love me. I don't want you to regret in the future. Like what you said. We are impossible. It's better to be friends than being in an awkward situation when we meet again."
"You don't get it Saso-"
"Just think that I've never said all those words before, I've never confessed to you before. Treat it as a mistake I made, like it was just a hidden camera prank."
"But Sasori I really-"
Sasori grabbed Sakura's hand and pushed the umbrella into her hand, stepping back. "I wish you and Sasuke well." Sasori said, giving his most sincere smile, he turned and left, walking in the huge heavy downpour by himself.
"Sasori!" She clutched hard onto the umbrella till her knuckles turned white. She wanted to run after Sasori and hugged him, but she does not have the courage to do so. She had hurt him so much.
"You don't get it Sasori… I really love you…" Sakura cried out in the rain, but the sound of the heavy rain splattering on the concrete ground masked Sakura's words. Her voice turned hoarse as her legs goes numb, allowing herself to fall back and slumped back onto the bench.
It was impossible for him to hear those words, and probably the rest of his life as well.
0o0
"Sasori-"
Sasori pushed Deidara aside and he rolled his luggage out of his room. Deidara gave an annoyed sigh and followed him out. "Just stay for a few hours… you can catch the next flight tomorrow… what's the hurry yeah?" Deidara complained.
Sasori opened his front door while Deidara quickly escaped out of his house before the redhead really traps him inside. Sasori locked his door and stuffed the house key in his pocket, pulling the luggage behind him and approached to the lift that was already opened for them
"At least you should wish Sakura before going off…" Deidara finally used his last resort.
"Deidara. If you are trying to tell me to crash their wedding or do whatever to ruin their wedding plans again, trust me, I'm going to knock all your teeth out."
Deidara looked at Sasori's eyes as he finally nodded in silent, the redhead was really serious about knocking all his teeth out. And Deidara love his teeth, he has the cleanest and nicest set of teeth and he would do anything to protect them.
They walked out of the building and to the road. Sasori glanced to his left and right, trying to find any cabs in sight before turning and face Deidara who was still following him.
"You should go. I don't want you to go emotional all over and do stupid stuffs." Sasori glanced wearily at Deidara.
"Hey… do I look like some kid who plays with teddy bears and sings ABC yeah?"
"Yes." Sasori finally managed to flag a cab as the car stopped by Sasori's side along the pavement. Deidara watched at his best friend brought his luggage and placed it in the car boots before entering the taxi.
"Sasori… UMMMMMMM, take care." Deidara gave a slight wave.
Sasori frowned, while raising an eyebrow at the same time. "It's not like the first time I'm going to some other countries…"
Deidara sighed. "You don't believe in miracles do you? If you stay and go to the wedd-"
"I'm going off now." With that, Sasori instructed the driver where his destination was as they immediately sped off. Deidara watched the car drove down the road as it disappeared when it turned into another corner.
Deidara put both of his hands into his coat's pocket, unknowing to Sasori. The ring was still in that pocket all along as he started to play with it. He took out the other hand as he looked at his watch.
"Better hurry now yeah…" He said out loud, running back to find his car at one of the parking lots near Sasori's house.
He has an important mission to do.
0o0
"Mum…"
Sakura's mum smiled, taking her hand and placed it on her own. "Sakura, your Dad is outside. Do you want to see him?"
Sakura glanced at the huge mirror in front of her. Today is her wedding day, the most important day of any woman's life. She's wearing beautiful white and simple gown and the necklace given by her Mum.
"I don't know…" Sakura mumbled quietly, combing her hair with her fingers.
After Ino and Hinata countless comforting and encouragement, Sakura finally calm down and return back to her house on that rainy day. Her parents were waiting silently and patiently for their daughter to return home. They've called millions of time but Sakura did not answer a single one.
Both father and daughter did not spoke for the entire time, but deep down, Sakura knew he still cared for her even when he was really very busy at work.
She never heard any news about Sasori either, not once, never. She wanted to call him but she does not have the courage to do so even if she really wanted to. She wanted to talk to him face to face, but no matter how much courage she had to pick up her phone to dial his number, she would always shut the phone before the call could go through.
There was a knock at the door. The two Haruno looked up, to find the two bridesmaid; Ino and Hinata, returning back to the room.
"We can take over now. The other guests are expecting you Mrs. Haruno." Ino politely said. Sakura's mum gave a soft peck on her daughter's cheek before approaching the door, "Thanks Ino and Hinata. Take good care of her." Both of Sakura's best friends nodded, understanding the task that was given to them.
Ino and Hinata walked towards Sakura, who was playing nervously with the laces at the end of her gown.
"Sakura… we-" Ino
"I'm fine." Sakura gave a reassuring smile.
"We are sorry Sakura. We to-told you to call off the wedding re-recklessly without knowing what the con-consequence might be. We did not know you would h-have a fight with your Dad."
"I'm fine. Don't worry Hinata." Sakura looked at the Hyuuga heir. "It does not make any difference since we rarely talked to each other as well." Sakura added.
"But the problem is… What about Sasuke? Sasori? Are you really going to marry Sasuke? Even though…"
"I can live through it."
"Sakura… Are you s-sure about this?" Hinata spoke.
Ino and Sakura turned their head and face the Hyuuga heir. "Sakura, aren't y-you in love with Sasori?" Hinata spoke.
Ino nudged Hinata, giving a Don't-mention-him-you-idiot face. That was when there was another knock coming from the door and the door knob turned as a blond popped his head through the small gap and glanced around the room, to find the three girls looking at him.
Deidara smiled and entered walking to the threesome.
"Deidara, you came…" Sakura smiled.
"How can I miss your wedding yeah?" Deidara said before looking at Ino and Hinata.
"Can I talk with Sakura for a while?"
"You can talk here." Ino gave a fake smile to Deidara.
Knowing that saying anything else would not change anything, Deidara sighed, putting his hand into his pocket, he approached closer to Sakura and stood behind her in front of the mirror. Unknowingly, he gave a big grin.
"Sakura, you look beautiful today…" Deidara gazed at the mirror.
"Thank you Deidara…" Sakura said
"Sakura is always beautiful, right Hinata?"
"Yes… Sakura is always v-very beautiful." Hinata added.
Deidara's smile soon fades away as he finally took the silver band out from his pocket. He played with it between his fingers before handing it to Sakura.
"This… is?" Sakura looked up at Deidara, who was showing the ring right in front of Sakura. Ino and Hinata glanced at the ring closely before looking at Deidara, wondering if this was the exact ring that Deidara had mentioned when he told them Sasori had bought and wanted to give it to Sakura.
Deidara glanced at Ino and Hinata, giving a sigh. "This is the ring that Sasori bought a while ago, he… I guess, he wanted to give you to you personally but…"
Sakura stared at it one again, her mouth slightly open, a few image flashes across her mind as she suddenly remembered why the ring he was holding so familiar.
It was the ring that she had once mentioned to Sasori before.
"Whoa… this is so beautiful…" Sakura pointed at one of the rings behind the glass window.
"He bought it… he really bought it…" Sakura widened her eyes, staring at the silver band as he took it from Deidara's hand...
The ring she was holding onto was defiantly more expensive and valuable than what Sasuke had bought for her. Nothing can replace how much love Sasori had poured into this ring. It was for her, it was priceless, it was meant to be hers at first… But…
Sakura placed the silver band on the table as she stared at her reflection. "He isn't coming did he? Did he asked you to give this ring to me, to hint me in trying to give him another chance?" Sakura muttered.
"That's not true yeah… He did not know I took it. I showed it to you because I want you to think twice about it. I'm not telling you because I'm your boss or Sasori's friend. I'm telling you because I don't want you to regret forever. I want you to be happy, not putting a fake smile wherever you go…"
"That's not the Sakura I know… The real Sakura is a happy girl who tends to laugh a lot. Even when you put all these beautiful jewelries, gown or make-up, it can't compare to your smile. Only your smile yeah."
Sakura stared at herself in the mirror, asking herself.
'When was the last time I really smiled so happily?'
"Where is he anyway? Did he come with you?" Ino asked.
"He's on his way to the airport now, catching a flight to Sunagakure yeah." Deidara said.
"…What-" Hinata gasped.
"What the hell do you mean? How can he ditched Sakura and left her in the lurch?" Ino showed Deidara her fist. "If only I can give him a punch right this instant…" Ino muttered dangerously.
"He left…" Sakura muttered
The three of them looked at Sakura surprisingly.
"What can I do?" Sakura gave a small laugh. "I can't stop him from going anywhere. If he wants to go, he should. It probably would be better than meeting each other again and be in an awkward situation." Sakura said. Her laughter soon died down.
"Sakura…" Hinata murmured.
"I'm fine…" Sakura said, giving a fake smile. "Perhaps… when time passes, I can love Sasuke the way I do before." She said.
'It's impossible… I can never love Sasuke like the way I do before…'
The door suddenly opened, and there was actually Sasuke's mum. The four of them tensed as they both watched the female Uchiha smiling at them. The only word the four of them had in mind was just 'Creepy…'
"It's going to start now. Your dad is waiting." She said.
Sakura stood up while Ino and Hinata helped Sakura out of the door. Ino gestured Deidara out as well. Deidara bit his lips, looking at the ring on the table.
'It's all I can do yeah…'
0o0
Sakura looked up, everyone was already on their seat, looking at her. She silently gulped as she turned to her Dad, who was already waiting for her. He only gave a smile. Hinata handed her the small bouquet of flowers as Sakura thanked her. The two best friends immediately scurried to their seats as Sakura stepped forward and stood beside her father, ready to begin the wedding ceremony.
"I'm ready, are you?" He only said.
Sakura smiled. "I'm ready when you are…"
Slowly and steadily, Sakura and her father began walking down the red carpet as the piano man began playing the wedding song. Everyone began clapping as a few girls watched her enviously.
Today is her day… and she's going to be hand her over to the Uchiha family.
Everyone would be calling her, Mrs. Uchiha Sakura…
Having this thought really gives Sakura the chill.
Sakura glanced at each side of the church. Her friends were already there; Ino, Hinata, Deidara and the rest. All of them gave a slight wave and thumbs up. All she could do was to smile once again as she continues to focus walking down the red carpet with her high heels.
Sasuke turned around as he watched his bride walking closer and closer to the front. Sakura tried very hard to smile, but she could not. She could not picture herself marrying to Sasuke anymore. Even though it was her lifelong dream, she felt it was turning into a nightmare.
Sakura took another step, and she blinked. She was already at the front. Her father let go of her arm and handed it to Sasuke, who was slightly reluctant to take it. Without further ado, he just walked and stood beside Sakura's mum, who was in verge of crying.
The priest opened his book and looked at everyone, then at the groom and the bride before nodding his head and began the ceremony. Sasuke did not bother to look at Sakura as he stood lifelessly beside Sakura, who was also just staring into space.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God—and in the face of this company - To join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore - is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly..."
Sakura slightly glanced at Sasuke's side, and there was Itachi and his parents, standing at each other's side looking at both of them. Itachi caught Sakura's eyes as he gave a small smile to her. Sakura blinked, smiling back before turning and facing the front.
"Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Slowly, she looked up, gazing at her husband-to-be.
His eyes were emotionless and cold. No trace of happiness either. If he does not felt happy, why on earth did he propose to her? She still does not get it. Itachi and Sasuke were born from the same exact parents, yet why do their personality and characteristics were so different from each other?
Sasuke seemed to have caught her looking at him as he glanced down at Sakura, who immediately looked away when he looked right into her eyes. His eyes were scary like he was about to kill any one in this instant. How is she supposed to face Sasuke every single day under the same roof? Perhaps they might be even be sleeping in different rooms.
Who knows?
Giving a silent sigh, she slowly turned to her other side.
There were her ageing parents, who were standing closely side-by-side to each other. Her father was staring in space and does not seem to be listening, while on the other hand, her mother was listening attentively to the priest. When Sakura had turned, her mother seemed to have caught her looking as well and she immediately smiled at her daughter. Sakura could only give a faint smile back before looking at the priest once again.
"Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy – and for the help and comfort given on another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly – it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained."
'Mutual Joy, comfort… What are these? Does that happened between Sasuke and I?'
'Should… I change my destiny? And be with the one I truly and dearly love? Someone who can give me all the security and love I needed?'
'Or shall I be trapped in this fixed fate, and ended up just like my mum, in an unhappy marriage with no one she could turn to?'
"If there was a chance for me to turn back the time…"
"I would rather be with Sasori than to be with you."
Haruno Sakura, take this chance and pursue your love!
"I'm not joking Sakura, I love you."
Because he loves you too!
"Tell me who is it! Maybe I can help you!" Sakura said excitedly, waiting for Sasori to answer her question.
"You…would?" Sasori looked at her surprisingly, yet she still doesn't know she was the one that he was referring to all along.
"Yup! I'm sure the person would be the most fortunate girl in her life." Sakura grinned.
Be that fortunate girl, Haruno Sakura! You shall be that girl who would be spending the rest of her life with the one she truly love all along!
"Through marriage, Sasuke and Sakura make a commitment together to face their disappointments – embrace their dreams – realize their hopes – and accept each other's failures."
Sakura notice a few movements behind her. She gave a sidelong glance at Ino, who was fidgeting annoyingly while Hinata was playing with her fingers anxiously. But Deidara patiently stood there and his face remained impassive. He just gave a nod at Sakura and mouthing the three words that probably changed Sakura's decision.
"Follow-Your-Heart."
"We are here today – before God – because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes – to witness the joining in marriage of Uchiha Sasuke and Haru-"
Sakura dropped the bouquet that was in her hand; she turned sharply and let go of Sasuke's arm. The Uchiha was caught by surprise as he watched Sakura running down the red carpet.
Everyone gasped as they looked at each other with wide eyes.
"What is she doing?"
"What happened?"
"Oh my God, she just runs out from her wedding- with the Uchiha's!"
Sakura's mum looked around panicky. She stepped forward and was about to run after Sakura when someone grabbed her wrist.
"What…" Sakura's mum turned immediately, looking into her ex-husband's bright emerald eyes.
"Let her go. She should choose whom she wanted to be with for the rest of her life. Don't ever let her repeat the mistakes we both had done." He said, adding a small and sincere smile behind.
She stared at him, and slowly returned her arm back to her side. "You're right… we should let her go…" Sakura's mum said as she watched the commotion between the Uchiha's side and the Haruno's side.
"She's all grown up already…"
0o0
Sakura was trying to take out her left high heels as she hopped with the other leg. She turned to find Sasuke, who was still looking bewildered and confused as he was rushing to get his car.
"Naruto. What are you waiting for?" Sasuke gritted his teeth as he looked through the windshield.
"He's trying to start the car… unless you thought he was making out with it…" Sai said, standing beside Sasuke as they both were looking through the windshield at Naruto. Sasuke gave a disgusted look while Naruto glared at him. "Shut up!"
Sakura took the opportunity to run as fast as possible as she rushed outside of the church and out onto the street. There were no cars in sight as she started waving frantically for a cab to appear magically.
That was when a familiar vehicle approaching her way, it was not Sasuke's, but instead it was Deidara's.
The car stopped right in front of Sakura as she bend down and looked at Ino who was unwinding the windshield.
"Didn't I tell you before? Hailing a taxi is too risky." Ino winked.
Sakura gave a huge smile as she quickly scurried into the car at the back. "Where are we going?" Deidara asked, wanting to make sure while sakura slammed the car door shut.
"The airport! I want to get to the airport! This instant!"
Deidara chuckled; stepping hard on the accelerator and going full speed ahead.
"Where's Hinata?" Sakura asked frantically.
"Hinata are distracting Naruto and Sasuke who would be coming after us. You know Naruto is dumb, he'll never understand whatever I say so I did not bother explaining to him why you probably ran away. And of course, Sasuke is his best friend, he would helped him to get his bride back."
Sakura looked back at the church and bit her lips, feeling annoyed.
'I'm sorry… Mum, Dad…Hinata and Naruto…'
0o0
"Hinata… are you sure that they had turned left a while ago?" Naruto asked the Hyuuga heir who was sitting behind at the passenger's seat. Sasuke was looking at her impatiently, wanting an answer out from her immediately.
Hinata does not want to lie to Naruto, but she have to help her best friend. Her life depends on this, and getting Naruto is now second on her list. She bit her lips and nodded. "Yes, she had turned l-left." Hinata calmly said.
And for the past half an hour, Naruto had been driving around circles and circles while Deidara had reached their destination.
"Sakura go!" Ino shouted as they stopped the car right outside the entrance.
Sakura stepped out of the car and looked back, glancing at the two blondes. "Thank you, I-"
"Sasori hates to wait, remember the three things I told you about him? Get going before he really leaves yeah!" Deidara waved her off as Sakura nodded, giving a genuine smile and run off.
She ran and ran, holding onto the gown and the two shoes in another hand.
"Sasori! Don't Go!"
Sakura needs him, she should have run after him on that rainy day, she should have run out from the church when she seen the ring. If only she have a time machine, if only everything could turn back to the way it was…
"I can't live without you!"
"I need you!"
Everyone was looking at her as she continued running down the hall. She was searching for a redhead, but the chances were so slim.
"Sasori!"
Even when he heard her from a distance, Sasori probably would not approach her. He was hurt from all the things she had done. She's foolish. She's stupid. She's dumb. Why did she not realize Sasori's love for her?
"Sasori…"
Sakura slowly stopped running and stood in the middle of the entire crowd as she started to hiccup uncontrollably. Everyone in the airport was still looking at her weirdly, pointing fingers at her and murmuring to themselves. Sakura started sobbing like a kid, all the make-up was ruined and her hair was in complete mess, but Sakura did not care, all she wants was to have Sasori back.
She fell on her knees and dropped the two shoes on the ground, covering her face with both of her hands. Her heart was broken. She thought she could go on with the wedding and forgets about Sasori even when Deidara had brought to ring for her to see.
She could not. She could not do it.
"D-Don't go… P-Please…"
She really loves him, but she was too foolish to only realize that now.
"Sakura. Tell me. You said you love me. What makes you think you love me?"
What is the reason? Why does she love him?
If Sasori were to ask again, she probably has the answer now.
It was because it was he who made her understands what does being loved feels like. It was he who pulled her back from her lonely and cruel world. He taught her what does love means. He can give him the protection and the love she all. And perhaps he could be the one to fulfill her dream, with or without children.
All these while, she was just afraid to admit she have fallen in love with Sasori because she thought, she still likes Sasuke when she does not anymore.
She loved Sasuke. She loves Sasori.
She wants to spend the rest of her life with this redheaded fellow who she had unknowingly saved 20 years ago.
But the problem is, will fate allow them to meet again?
To be continue
Author's Note:
I'm totally sorry for such a long update. Boooohooooo… This chapter is awfully hard to write, and some parts were not linked up properly, ARGH.
And I don't like this chapter D:
Thanks to all reviewers, including the ones that I did not have time to reply, and every single one of you who is reading this story. I love you!