Fate Beckons

Chapter 8: Confrontation

Disclaimers apply (I'm sick of this, too, but just in case...)

Aoshi stiffened at her words. His worst nightmare could not be coming true. So she really knew...he took a deep breath. And another. And yet another.

"Um, Aoshi-kor, you are okay aren't you?" She sounded nervous, a little faint.

"Yes. Why?"

"You sounded like you got an asthma attack."

Pause. "No. I've never had asthma. What was that you wanted to talk to me about?" Maybe it's just my imagination. Maybe it's something else. Whatever it is, the sooner it's over and done with, the better.

"Umm...whydidn'tyoutelluswhathappenedtothem?" She wanted to yell and scream at him for keeping her in the dark, but the words all came out in a rush. A rush of emotions overcame her.

Another pause. Why doesn't he reply? She could not take it anymore, and her emotions swiftly burst out of her heart, like water bursting from an overflowing dam [why dam? Don't know, I guess I've been studying too much Geography!] "They were my friends too, don't I have the right to know? You never told us what really happened, I found out through the newspapers." Unable to take it anymore, she burst into tears.

"You didn't ask me." Misao practically blew up.

"Didn't ask you! That doesn't mean you didn't have to tell us!" Her sobbing alarmed Aoshi. Sighing inwardly, he took a deep breath.

"We can't control fate all the time, what's done cannot be undone. Don't blame yourself all the time!" She had seen through him again--was she psychic? "I just want to know what happened, please!"

Aoshi debated whether to tell or not. What was worse? To have her steaming mad and upset at him for keeping it from her, or never forgive him for his inability to protect their friends? He did not want to see (or hear, for that matter) her cry but...

He made his decision. "You're wrong, Misao. I was my fault. I could have protected them but I was helpless--in the end, they died in my place." He closed his eyes.

His voice was so thick with emotions that Misao wished she was right there beside him, to put his arms around him and comfort him, if he would not push her away.

"It's okay, Aoshi. I said before, nobody can control fate. At least now we know that they're up there, watching over us in heaven." A silent prayer. "They wouldn't want you to be like this, Aoshi. They'd want you to laugh and be carefree again, just like before. And so do I."

Aoshi wondered if she had changed that much through the years. Just yesterday, she had been a child, laughing and making people laugh. But right now, she had suddenly matured beyond her years...like a blossomed flower. It was a scary feeling--he had just realised that she was no longer a little girl but a young lady. Inside, he had known all along, but her behavior the day before (a little too cute) had made him reluctant to accept it--until now.

"You have grown," he unconsciously whispered out loud. "No longer the little girl I knew."

"Of course I have," she replied, mildly offended. "Or have you forgotten that I'm 16 this year, Ao-chan?" Aoshi cringed on hearing his childhood nickname.

"Your words...I guess you were right when you told me you knew what I was thinking."

Misao blushed. "You still remember?"

"How can I forget? To know that someone can read your mind is a big shock especially if you already can't keep any secrets from her!" His tone was light. [Arrrrgh! I've been answering too many E. Lit questions on the tone of a poem!]

"I'm sorry! I know some of them weren't my business but..."

"My little KPO," he chuckled affectionately--the first Misao had heard from him in years. [KPO--a nosey person.] "Just don't prod too much--curiosity killed the cat but I'd say you were a little kitten."

"Hey!" Then, her tone softened. "Promise me you won't blame yourself anymore, Aoshi. There are people who care alot about you here. Live and let live, okay?"

Aoshi almost smiled. From the way she spoke, he practically knew who the 'people' who cared alot about him beside his parents and the Makimachi fuufu ( Japanese for husband and wife)--Misao herself.

After putting down the telephone, Misao heaved a sigh of relieve. Hopefully, she had not made that much of a fool of herself! Thankfully, he did seem to have lightened up. It would take time for him to get over the trauma and move on, but she knew he would pick himself up and move on. Just be strong, Aoshi, no matter what. Smiling to herself, she added another thought. And maybe someday you'll return your feelings for me.

Tbc...

Okay, not much content right? Next up--Misao returns to school and Aoshi is about to finish NS. I am reading Army Daze and doing lots of research on NS for this, knowing practically nuts about what goes on after Basic Military Training (sigh). No older brothers to ask too...I'm just taking it as researching for History in advance (you know? That 'Understanding the Past' textbook we Secondary 2s all have?). As always, R&R, I love reading comments. Constructive criticism welcome as well!