Chapter 2
Eriol woke up the next morning when he smelled something cooking.He sat up and rubbed his eyes."Nakuru,is that you?"he asked groggily.He put on his slippers and stood up.A white-and-blue blanket fell down his seat."What the-"
"Breakfast is ready!"Tomoyo announced."Rise and shine,Eriol!"
"Tomoyo?"He then remembered what happened last night.He groaned."Do you really have to scream so loud?I just woke up!Anyway,since when have you been the cook of this house?"
"Since this morning.I decided to repay your kindness through ding household chores."She held her hand up when she saw disapproval on his face."And I'm not taking no for an answer."She sat down the arm rest of the chair."Why didn't you tell me that you don't have any other bedroom in the house aside from the one I used?"
"Because I don't want to."he said simply as he combed his hair.
"You should have told me,then I could have fixed something for you."she scolded.
"Like being bedmates?"he asked mischievously.
Her cheeks burned."I mean like a makeshift bed or something."
"Oh don't worry.I'm going to buy myself a bigger sofa once I receive the final installment payment for my painting."
"No I have a better idea.Why don't you just buy a second hand sofa and let me be the one to design it?:She gestured at the many old fabrics on around the room.
"But why waste your time sewing when you can just buy a brand new sofa set?"he asked.
"We'll use the money we saved to but necessities for the house."explained the girl.
"Like?"
"Like a bathroom mirror,condiments,a broom,a mop,a medicine cabinet.."
"..a spice rack,more kitchen utensils and a laundry basket."Tomoyo ticked the last item off her shopping list before turning to the very exhausted Eriol."You can now go to the counter to pay for the goods."She went back to the alley to look some more.
He let out a weak whoop of joy before he fell in line behind an old woman who was carrying a cute green-eyed little girl.She was tightly and possessively clutching a dark-haired doll.
"The line is quite long,isn't it?"the woman said all of a sudden.
"Yes."he replied politely.
"Shopping for your wife?"
He almost dropped the spice rack he was holding."M-My wife?What made you think so?"
She smiled shyly."Those things on your cart are the very same my husband and I shopped for after we bought our very own first house."
He laughed,embarassed."I'm afraid that you're mistaken.I-I'm still-"
"Eriol,you forgot the broom!"She thrusted it into his hands.She then noticed the old lady looking at them with barely concealed amusement."H-Hello."
"My Belle looks like you."a soft voice said.
Tomoyo turned to the little girl in surprise.
"She's talking about her doll."explained the woman."A doll her mother gave to her before the former died."
Tomoyo smoothed the girl's hair."Why thank you..what's your name,sweetie?"
She giggled adorably."Cherry."
"Cherry huh?What a nice name!My name is Tomoyo."She pointed to the blue-eyed boy watching them silently."And this is Eriol."
The little girl whispered something to her grandmother's ear.The woman chuckled before facing the two."My granddaughter finds you very pretty,Tomoyo.And I believe her,because this is the first time I ever heard her compare someone to her doll."
Tomoyo beamed shyly.
"And she finds Eriol very handsome.She asks if you two are dating."continued the woman,eyes twinkling.
Both faces flamed."We're not!"
"Yes,I know.I'm sure you two are married already."said the graying lady.
Eriol wiped his forehead with his kerchief."I hate to disappoint you two,but Tomoyo and I are just friends and nothing more."
"Oh."said the woman,then her face brightened."But I am sure you and the girl will share something else other than friendship when the right time comes."
Eriol drove home silently as Tomoyo looked out of the car window pensively.
"Penny for your thoughts?"asked Eriol,breaking the silence.
"Oh it's nothing.I just.."She sighed.She could not summon the courage to tell him that she's still thinking about what the woman in the mall said.Instead she said,"I hope you're not mad at me for spending all your money."
"You didn't spend it;we did.Besides the thins you bought are,as you put it,necessities.Why should I be mad at you?"But deep downhe's worried as to where he'll get the money for their food and electricity expenses for the month.The payment he recieved today for his last painting was the final installment.Hehas no other paintings to sell except for..He heaved a sigh.But he musn't let Tomoyo know that he's running out of funds,or else she'll feel guilty.And he hates seeing anyone troubled,let alone Tomoyo Daidouji.
She smiled."Thank you,Eriol."
"Now it's my turn to ask.How long do you plan on staying in my studio?"he asked,his eyes on the road.
Her smile vanished."I don't know.A-Am I being a burden?"she asked,her voice suddenly unsure.
Eriol stepped on the brakes suddenly,startling her.He drove the car to the on shoulder area and killed the engine.
"Eriol?"
He exhaled sharply.This is one of the few times he wished that Tomoyo wasn't that sensitive."No,you are not a burden."
"Then why do you ask?"
He glanced at her mauve eyes seeking for an explanation and immediately felt his least favorite emotion-guilt."Because.."he groped for words."..since I already have a housemate,I must have a steadier flow of income."
She understood what he meant.Earning through painting depends on the flow of your inspiration."I can work."she quickly offered.
"No,you'll stay home."He rested his head on the head rest."What I mean is I should work harder in producing better paintings.I never implied that you must leave the house or work too."
Tomoyo looked at her lap."Don't you have a lot of paintings in your studio?"
"My paintings of Kaho?"he looked at her sideways.
She nodded.
"I will not sell them."he said firmly.
"But Eriol,what else will you do with them?"she asked.
He stopped himself from shouting at her."Tomoyo,please.I will hear no more about any more paintings being sold."
"But you can always paint another one."said Tomoyo.
"I CAN"T!!"
She paused,her eyes wide with shock.
"I can't paint her anymore because she's gone!She's dead!I have no more memories of her except for those remaining paintings!"
"I..didn't know.."she began.
"Of course you don't!You don't know anything so stop meddling with my life!!"He started the engine again.
That night,Eriol was troubled.He and Tomoyo didn't utter a word to each other since he lost control of his temper awhile ago."Maybe I should just apologize."he thought as he played with his wine glass.
Minutes later,he stood up and knocked on Tomoyo's room."Tomoyo,let's talk."
No answer.
He knocked repeatedly."Please,I know you're still mad at me.I'm really sorry.Let's talk,ok?"
Silence.
He took his spare key out and opened the locked room.He found the bed empty."Tomoyo?"He looked around but there was no sign of her.
"Damn!"He strode towards the front door.He saw the gates open."How did I miss her?I was in the living room since we arrived,except when I went to the kitchen to refill my glass."It dawned on him.She ran away.
"That idiot!Doesn't she know how dangerous the streets can be at night?"He swiftly slipped on his jacket and took his car keys.He must find her..FAST!
"If something happens to her,God,I can never forgive myself!"he whispered as he drove on the dark street,his eyes alert for any female figure roving around."Tomoyo..damn you!Where are you?"he asked himself worriedly.
The phone rang.Once,twice,then it was picked up."Hello?"said a familiar girl's voice.
"S-Sakura.."Tomoyo began,her eyes welling with tears.
"T-TOMOYO!!"Sakura looked at her elder brother,Touya and her boyfriend,Li Syaoran in shock."Tomoyo,where are you??Are you OK?"
"I'm OK.Someone's taking care of me here."she said,her voice threatening to break."Sakura,I'm sorry.I'm sorry for making you all worry,but I will not go home."
Someone grabbed the phone."Tomoyo,where are you?"It was Li Syaoran's worried voice.
"I'm with a friend halfway around the globe."she replied.
"Why did you do this?Your mother had no decent sleep since you left!"he shouted.
Tomoyo winced.Everyone seems so mad at her!Her tears spilled from her eyes."I'm really sorry,Li.I'm really,really sorry.Please don't give the phone back to Sakura.I might just end up crying..I don't have any other phone card left."
"D-Don't cry,Tomoyo."the voice pleaded."Why did you leave,Tomoyo?"
"Because I love you and Sakura very much."She then noticed a blue car that stopped by the sidewalk."Look,I must go now.Li,please tell my mother that I'm OK.Tell that to Sakura too."
"Wait,Tomoyo-"
She placed the phone down.
The car was silent and still.Eriol thought of ways on breaking the fragile silence but couldn't.
"Why are you here?"she asked.
"I didn't find you in your room."he said accusingly.
She sighed."I was just making a phone call."
"Who were you talking to just when I stepped inside the booth?"he asked.
She didn't have the strength anymore to lie."I was talking to Li."
His forehead creased."Why were you crying?"
She chose not to answer.
"So you were lying when I asked you the first time why you left Japan."he said.
She nodded.
"Then what is the real reason why you left?"he asked.
She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity before she answered."Sakura's getting married to Li this month..and I don't have the strength to witness it."
"Is it because you love Sakura?"he asked.
She shook her head."No.It's because I love Li."
to be continued..
Eriol woke up the next morning when he smelled something cooking.He sat up and rubbed his eyes."Nakuru,is that you?"he asked groggily.He put on his slippers and stood up.A white-and-blue blanket fell down his seat."What the-"
"Breakfast is ready!"Tomoyo announced."Rise and shine,Eriol!"
"Tomoyo?"He then remembered what happened last night.He groaned."Do you really have to scream so loud?I just woke up!Anyway,since when have you been the cook of this house?"
"Since this morning.I decided to repay your kindness through ding household chores."She held her hand up when she saw disapproval on his face."And I'm not taking no for an answer."She sat down the arm rest of the chair."Why didn't you tell me that you don't have any other bedroom in the house aside from the one I used?"
"Because I don't want to."he said simply as he combed his hair.
"You should have told me,then I could have fixed something for you."she scolded.
"Like being bedmates?"he asked mischievously.
Her cheeks burned."I mean like a makeshift bed or something."
"Oh don't worry.I'm going to buy myself a bigger sofa once I receive the final installment payment for my painting."
"No I have a better idea.Why don't you just buy a second hand sofa and let me be the one to design it?:She gestured at the many old fabrics on around the room.
"But why waste your time sewing when you can just buy a brand new sofa set?"he asked.
"We'll use the money we saved to but necessities for the house."explained the girl.
"Like?"
"Like a bathroom mirror,condiments,a broom,a mop,a medicine cabinet.."
"..a spice rack,more kitchen utensils and a laundry basket."Tomoyo ticked the last item off her shopping list before turning to the very exhausted Eriol."You can now go to the counter to pay for the goods."She went back to the alley to look some more.
He let out a weak whoop of joy before he fell in line behind an old woman who was carrying a cute green-eyed little girl.She was tightly and possessively clutching a dark-haired doll.
"The line is quite long,isn't it?"the woman said all of a sudden.
"Yes."he replied politely.
"Shopping for your wife?"
He almost dropped the spice rack he was holding."M-My wife?What made you think so?"
She smiled shyly."Those things on your cart are the very same my husband and I shopped for after we bought our very own first house."
He laughed,embarassed."I'm afraid that you're mistaken.I-I'm still-"
"Eriol,you forgot the broom!"She thrusted it into his hands.She then noticed the old lady looking at them with barely concealed amusement."H-Hello."
"My Belle looks like you."a soft voice said.
Tomoyo turned to the little girl in surprise.
"She's talking about her doll."explained the woman."A doll her mother gave to her before the former died."
Tomoyo smoothed the girl's hair."Why thank you..what's your name,sweetie?"
She giggled adorably."Cherry."
"Cherry huh?What a nice name!My name is Tomoyo."She pointed to the blue-eyed boy watching them silently."And this is Eriol."
The little girl whispered something to her grandmother's ear.The woman chuckled before facing the two."My granddaughter finds you very pretty,Tomoyo.And I believe her,because this is the first time I ever heard her compare someone to her doll."
Tomoyo beamed shyly.
"And she finds Eriol very handsome.She asks if you two are dating."continued the woman,eyes twinkling.
Both faces flamed."We're not!"
"Yes,I know.I'm sure you two are married already."said the graying lady.
Eriol wiped his forehead with his kerchief."I hate to disappoint you two,but Tomoyo and I are just friends and nothing more."
"Oh."said the woman,then her face brightened."But I am sure you and the girl will share something else other than friendship when the right time comes."
Eriol drove home silently as Tomoyo looked out of the car window pensively.
"Penny for your thoughts?"asked Eriol,breaking the silence.
"Oh it's nothing.I just.."She sighed.She could not summon the courage to tell him that she's still thinking about what the woman in the mall said.Instead she said,"I hope you're not mad at me for spending all your money."
"You didn't spend it;we did.Besides the thins you bought are,as you put it,necessities.Why should I be mad at you?"But deep downhe's worried as to where he'll get the money for their food and electricity expenses for the month.The payment he recieved today for his last painting was the final installment.Hehas no other paintings to sell except for..He heaved a sigh.But he musn't let Tomoyo know that he's running out of funds,or else she'll feel guilty.And he hates seeing anyone troubled,let alone Tomoyo Daidouji.
She smiled."Thank you,Eriol."
"Now it's my turn to ask.How long do you plan on staying in my studio?"he asked,his eyes on the road.
Her smile vanished."I don't know.A-Am I being a burden?"she asked,her voice suddenly unsure.
Eriol stepped on the brakes suddenly,startling her.He drove the car to the on shoulder area and killed the engine.
"Eriol?"
He exhaled sharply.This is one of the few times he wished that Tomoyo wasn't that sensitive."No,you are not a burden."
"Then why do you ask?"
He glanced at her mauve eyes seeking for an explanation and immediately felt his least favorite emotion-guilt."Because.."he groped for words."..since I already have a housemate,I must have a steadier flow of income."
She understood what he meant.Earning through painting depends on the flow of your inspiration."I can work."she quickly offered.
"No,you'll stay home."He rested his head on the head rest."What I mean is I should work harder in producing better paintings.I never implied that you must leave the house or work too."
Tomoyo looked at her lap."Don't you have a lot of paintings in your studio?"
"My paintings of Kaho?"he looked at her sideways.
She nodded.
"I will not sell them."he said firmly.
"But Eriol,what else will you do with them?"she asked.
He stopped himself from shouting at her."Tomoyo,please.I will hear no more about any more paintings being sold."
"But you can always paint another one."said Tomoyo.
"I CAN"T!!"
She paused,her eyes wide with shock.
"I can't paint her anymore because she's gone!She's dead!I have no more memories of her except for those remaining paintings!"
"I..didn't know.."she began.
"Of course you don't!You don't know anything so stop meddling with my life!!"He started the engine again.
That night,Eriol was troubled.He and Tomoyo didn't utter a word to each other since he lost control of his temper awhile ago."Maybe I should just apologize."he thought as he played with his wine glass.
Minutes later,he stood up and knocked on Tomoyo's room."Tomoyo,let's talk."
No answer.
He knocked repeatedly."Please,I know you're still mad at me.I'm really sorry.Let's talk,ok?"
Silence.
He took his spare key out and opened the locked room.He found the bed empty."Tomoyo?"He looked around but there was no sign of her.
"Damn!"He strode towards the front door.He saw the gates open."How did I miss her?I was in the living room since we arrived,except when I went to the kitchen to refill my glass."It dawned on him.She ran away.
"That idiot!Doesn't she know how dangerous the streets can be at night?"He swiftly slipped on his jacket and took his car keys.He must find her..FAST!
"If something happens to her,God,I can never forgive myself!"he whispered as he drove on the dark street,his eyes alert for any female figure roving around."Tomoyo..damn you!Where are you?"he asked himself worriedly.
The phone rang.Once,twice,then it was picked up."Hello?"said a familiar girl's voice.
"S-Sakura.."Tomoyo began,her eyes welling with tears.
"T-TOMOYO!!"Sakura looked at her elder brother,Touya and her boyfriend,Li Syaoran in shock."Tomoyo,where are you??Are you OK?"
"I'm OK.Someone's taking care of me here."she said,her voice threatening to break."Sakura,I'm sorry.I'm sorry for making you all worry,but I will not go home."
Someone grabbed the phone."Tomoyo,where are you?"It was Li Syaoran's worried voice.
"I'm with a friend halfway around the globe."she replied.
"Why did you do this?Your mother had no decent sleep since you left!"he shouted.
Tomoyo winced.Everyone seems so mad at her!Her tears spilled from her eyes."I'm really sorry,Li.I'm really,really sorry.Please don't give the phone back to Sakura.I might just end up crying..I don't have any other phone card left."
"D-Don't cry,Tomoyo."the voice pleaded."Why did you leave,Tomoyo?"
"Because I love you and Sakura very much."She then noticed a blue car that stopped by the sidewalk."Look,I must go now.Li,please tell my mother that I'm OK.Tell that to Sakura too."
"Wait,Tomoyo-"
She placed the phone down.
The car was silent and still.Eriol thought of ways on breaking the fragile silence but couldn't.
"Why are you here?"she asked.
"I didn't find you in your room."he said accusingly.
She sighed."I was just making a phone call."
"Who were you talking to just when I stepped inside the booth?"he asked.
She didn't have the strength anymore to lie."I was talking to Li."
His forehead creased."Why were you crying?"
She chose not to answer.
"So you were lying when I asked you the first time why you left Japan."he said.
She nodded.
"Then what is the real reason why you left?"he asked.
She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity before she answered."Sakura's getting married to Li this month..and I don't have the strength to witness it."
"Is it because you love Sakura?"he asked.
She shook her head."No.It's because I love Li."
to be continued..
