At last, the second chapter is up… enjoy!
The One – Chapter 2
Haruka felt the stinging pain in her head. She tried to open her eyes but the direct light, worsen her headache. Wincing, she tried to open her eyes slowly, and found herself in one strange place. She was lying on a bed covered with white mattress, and one fluffy white pillow underneath her head. Located in a cubicle, she was separated by the rest of the room by two bluish curtains. Her brief examination suggested that it might be a hospital, or clinic. She tried to get up but the pain in her head suggested her to lie down. Suddenly the crack between two curtains became larger, and a head propped from it.
"Ah… you're awake. How are you feeling now Haruka?" the person entering the cubicle asked her.
The woman knew her name? How could that be? She didn't recognise her. She should have recognised that woman if they had met before. It's not easy to forget a lady with odd-coloured hair. But Haruka was definite that she had never met her.
"Just minor headache. How did I get here? How come you know my name?" she asked while trying to sit down, with a hand on her forehead.
The woman let out a soft giggle, and helped her to lean on the headboard.
"You were drunk last night, knocked down, fainted, and the person who punched you, brought you here." Replied the woman.
Just as Haruka received the answer for her first question, another woman entered. Only this time, she seemed familiar.
"Sorry for knocking you down last night. You were under a high alcohol influence. I just thought of shutting you up before more mess made. You do remember me, aren't you Haruka?" the woman spoke while placing her long arm around the other woman.
She remembered her. Tall, brunette, brawler in college, who could forget.
"Makoto Kino, of course I remember. We were in the college track team. It's been a long time." Replied Haruka as her eyes zoomed to the girl Makoto had her hands on.
"Oh, sorry for not introducing you two. This is Dr. Ami Mizuno, and now you are at her clinic." Said Makoto as she sat down beside Haruka.
"Hi doc. Nice meeting you. Thank you for your help." Said Haruka.
"No problem Haruka. And please, call me Ami." She replied, forming a sweet doctor-like smile. Haruka smiled back.
"Mako, thank you for bringing me here." Said Haruka, before continuing.
"If it weren't for you, I don't know what will happen to me. And sorry for creating a scene in your bar."
"Its OK. No big deal. Really! But Haruka, last night, it seemed like you lost control over yourself. Better be careful. I just hope it'll never happen again." Said Makoto.
Haruka let out a deep sigh, and eyed Dr. Mizuno. Makoto saw Haruka's eye-movement and nodded to Ami. As if they can perfectly understood each other, Ami excused herself and said that she'll be outside if they ever needed anything.
"Is there anything you wish to tell me?" asked Makoto.
Haruka took a deep breath, and started to talk. She told Makoto about Usagi, their secret love affair, and the wedding that took place few hours earlier. After few simple but worthy advices from Makoto, Haruka suddenly realised that she had told almost everything about her problematic love life, as if Makoto had long been her best buddy. The fact that they just met few hours ago somewhat vanished from Haruka's mind. She also didn't understand why she was so open to her old friend. But one thing for sure, Makoto seemed to understand her feeling.
At that thought, Haruka suddenly chuckled, and said.
"Hey Mako, why am I easily telling you my problem. I supposed to be talking to a psychiatrist about this!"
Makoto laughed at Haruka's statement.
"Well, that is because I also have my own charm. And… you can easily tell me your problem, because… it so happen, that I am gay too!" she smiled at Haruka.
Haruka stared open-mouthed at her friend's confession. Suddenly memories from college struck her mind. She remembered Makoto then. The tall brunette always had her eye on one cute blonde, Minako. Is Makoto with her now? But, if Haruka based her opinion solely on history, she doubted that they are together. Minako were an idol then. Who wouldn't fall for her? Beautiful blue eyes, long blonde hair with red ribbon, slender, pretty, funny, and cheerful. Minako were an idol then. Even until today, who wouldn't recognise Minako Aino? Japanese hottest female singer. In college, almost every man had tried to date her. Makoto also tried to go out with her, but Haruka never knew the ending of Minako's story in Makoto's life.
But who knows, maybe Minako also fall for Makoto. As the owner of Oak Bar, She should be very wealthy by now. She even looked better. The long brunette nicely gelled and tied into a ponytail, compared to the unkempt ponytail she had then. Looking at Makoto's appearance, it's not surprising that Makoto was a lesbian.
"Haruka…are you ok?"
Makoto's voice snapped the memories out of Haruka's thought.
"I'm fine, just the headache." Haruka lied.
"The headache is common though. Ami assured me that all you need is some rest. That's why I brought you here." Replied Makoto.
"Is this her clinic?" Haruka asked blankly, as to resist the urge to ask about Makoto's partner.
"Yes, we just opened few months back." Answered Makoto.
"We?" Haruka couldn't help but to notice the word we in Makoto's speech.
Makoto laughed at Haruka's nearly horrified look.
"She's my lifetime partner Haruka." Makoto said in a nearly-whispering tone.
Now that answered her question! So, Dr. Ami was Makoto's partner.
"Oh, congratulations Makoto. So you have found 'the one' for you." Haruka beamed, patting her friend's shoulder. She then continued,
"How about your family, do they have any problem with your choice?"
"Haruka, maybe you've forgotten that my parents died in a plane crash ages ago. So my part is settled." Makoto paused before continuing.
"Ami's mom hesitated at first, but she always wants the best for her daughter. As for her father, he disapproved Ami's decision. But because he was divorced with her mother, Ami tends to ignore him." Makoto drew a deep breath upon ending her explanation.
Haruka just smiled and glanced at her watch, 7.00 a.m. This means that Usagi had been Mamoru's wife for about 12 hours. She hated the fact that Usagi still revolved inside her mind and thoughts, even after their love story was supposedly over. Her headache had slowly gone. She then seek for Makoto's permission to leave.
"Are you sure you're fine? Let me just check with Ami first. Wait here will you?" explained Makoto.
Soon, Makoto re-entered the cubicle, followed by Ami. She then handed Haruka's car key.
"Be careful Haruka." Said Ami.
"Do come to the bar." Makoto continued after her lover.
"I will Mako, Ami. And next time I'll make sure I won't create any scene there." Haruka smiled as she answered her friend's invitation.
She took the car key, bowed to Makoto and Ami, and then drove off to her resident.
Haruka opened the door of her apartment. It had been almost one month since the incident with Makoto and Ami. It also means that since then Haruka had lived her life without Usagi. Being lonely was almost unbearable, but life must go on. Making herself busy with work, with occasional visit to Makoto's bar, somewhat prevented her from mourning over Usagi's lost.
Haruka sighed, and tossed her car key on the coffee table. Lifting her eyes to the phone, she saw a message flickered 'You have one voicemail'. She pushed a button and listened to the message.
"Haruka, Makoto here. You have to come to my bar tonight. Someone special is coming! Ami'll be there too. See you tonight! Bye."
A 'beep' sound ended the message. What on earth is so special at the Oak Bar tonight? She could only think of one thing special -- Usagi. Haruka shook her head a few times to dismiss the thought of her married lover, and try to think of anything that Makoto considered as special. But who? Well, she would find the answer tonight…