Finally the last chapter before I post the epilogue....
Hope that you'll like it...
Review me for comments...
^______^ I'm done! Whew!
Chapter 12: Farewell
Rukawa stirred on his king-sized bed. Eventually punching his pillow as if it could make him feel any better. Sunshine passed through the blinds of his fully air-conditioned room. He had not been able to sleep at all and now he looked more groggier than ever. It was half past ten already and he was still in bed. The maid already came to knock on his door to remind him of his early basketball practice on the park. But this morning, they didn't get anything in reply.
'Miyaru....' She was all he could think of. She was everything he could never be. Happy, cheerful, considerate, polite and thoughtful.
'She wanted to go....but she as thinking of me again. I was being selfish....' Rukawa's thoughts were dull and sullen. 'I would never see her again...that was what I thought of when I first met her.......I really like her. No. I love her. And she would be better off to pursue her dreams than be stuck here with me. Me, who is only selfish and arrogant.'
With that he sat up on his bed upon reaching a decision.
He have to let her go.
'She was the only one who saw through my coldness and loneliness. I have to learn to think about others. I must give her what she wants, its the only way that I could repay her.........'
Miyaru patted her face dry after washing it thoroughly. She did not need to go to school today because her teacher already excused her to get some papers ready. She needed to sin a few documents and contracts before leaving. Yuki meowed, indicating that she needs to be fed right away. Miyaru scooped the fuzzy kitten and headed for the kitchen.
She studied the papers she had just signed last night. She had made up her mind and live her dream. But fulfilling it involved too many sacrifices...
Her teachers....
Her classmates....
Her friends.....
Her little kinder garden angels......
And her Kae-kun...
She had thought about this over and over again. 'Was it really worth it?' she had asked about a hundred times since their first kiss. 'He was ready to pursue his dreams and I......I just wanted mine. Can I not live my dream and have Kaede at the same time? Can I not love and dream at the same time?' She had promised her father that she would study abroad. She was determined to keep that promise and prove to her father that she could do it. Nothing could have stopped her. Nobody was there to stop her. Until that cold and self-centered person steeped into her life. That mean and deadly glare he had cast on her when they first met. She was not attracted to him, at first, she was only intimidated by his presence. He was the complete opposite of her. But maybe it was the sadness and solidarity within him that made her fall. The burning fire that blazed in his eyes whenever he played basketball. It was the same for her. She had surrounded herself with books that she didn't have any time for her friends. She should have known that only a person with the same emptiness like hers in his heart could break the wall that surrounds her....
Kae-kun...
She roused and decided to take a walk. Walking help her think clear; she could grab a coffee or snack later....
She opened her door, stepped out and gasped when she saw who stood in front of her gate.
"Kaede..." She whispered, her pulse quickened ad his eyes met hers.
The look was quite starling, Rukawa seemed to be anticipating her next move. It was hot and intense, the same way he stares at everyone else but beneath that cold glare there was a look of longing which Miyaru was quick to notice.
She slowly walked towards the gate and felt a little jumpy when he addressed her, "Miyaru."
Miyaru didn't look up nor did she display her cute and flashy smile, she just hung her head and asked softly, "W-what are you doing here?"
Its not that she didn't want to see him quite the opposite...she was just wondering why is he here.
"I..." Rukawa started, unable to bring himself to say the real reason he came to visit, "Our bet...I promised to walk you to school didn't I? But since its already eleven....I could take you out."
Miyaru couldn't help but smile, Rukawa is trying to be thoughtful, how sweet. She finally looked up and said," Can you take me to the beach instead."
Rukawa reached for her hand and squeezed it. Miyaru took this as a 'yes' so she began to walk though she didn't dare go ahead. She wanted to stay close and feel his warmth and security. They didn't say anything until they arrived at the beach and Miyaru decided to break the ice.
"Um...Are you mad at me?"
"No. Why should I be?" Rukawa said and he glanced at Miyaru's hopeful face. "You just wanted to study abroad. Pursue your dreams. I have to stay here to fulfill mine....there's nothing wrong with that."
"But don't you think we could fulfill our dreams together? If only I...." her voice trailed off.
"Miyaru...."
"I don't think I---" she started to speak.
"I want you to go." Rukawa finally said.
"W-What?"
"I want you to study abroad.. in Australia." he repeated firmly.
"Kae-kun.." she whispered, unable to believe her ears.
"Please, Miyaru...."
"But---"
"Miyaru, please do this for me. For us." Rukawa said, diverting his gaze to the ocean
"Kae-kun...why?"
"Because..." Rukawa took a deep breath then continued, "I love you, Miyaru and I want to see you happy and fulfilled.....nothing more. 'Even if it means being alone once more....' he thought bitterly to himself as the cold wind started to blow. A thick splatter of the ocean was heard as it splashed against the rocks of the place.
Miyaru kept silent. She didn't answer back, she just stood there, searching for some answers on his face but found none and sighed deeply.
"Kae-kun....." she whispered as Rukawa took her hand. "I love you too but...."
Before she could say anything anymore, Rukawa pressed his lips against hers, making Miyaru melt in his arms. Miyaru felt a hot feeling surge in her chest as she answered her kiss.
'Kaede......I love you too but.....'
'But what if I don't come back......'
'What if I can't return....'
'What will become of you, Kaede...'
'Will you return to being selfish and so cold....'
'How about your dreams....'
Tears started to form in her eyes as she tried desperately tried to block her thoughts. The tears fell, staining both Miyaru's and Rukawa's cheeks. Their lips parted and Rukawa peered into her sad eyes.
"It's gonna be alright..." he said, soothingly and wiping her tears.
"But Kaede, I hate to leave you....." Miyaru said soberly.
"I'm not alone anymore, Miyaru." He said as he took something out from his pocket. "I want you to have this...."
He slipped a ring in her finger and Miyaru stared at in in astonishment for a while.
"Kaede..." she gasped. A blood red ruby gem was embedded on the middle of the pure gold ring.
"I shall wait for you here...." Rukawa said. He, too, had a similar ring dangling on a gold chain around his neck. He took her hands and pulled her down to sit with him. Together, they sat and watched the beautiful setting of the sun, wishing that they could stay that way forever.....
'I shall return...........I promise you.'
'Kaede......'
Author's Notes: I'm done! I'm done! Just wait for my epilogues, ok? About the ring, I couldn't get a nice description of it. Sorry! Hope its alright. I'm really not good at this. Both describing AND apologizing....If you think their getting engage...well everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right? ^________^
My epilogues...yes, I'm making two just to please my readers... say-chan actually gave me that idea. You can vote which one you like when I post it, ok? I could finally concentrate on my other fics once I'm through with this....
Credits to my ryodanz......from my first chapter to my very last I am still thanking them....sigh You guys..........thanks for reading, anyway. Thanks for the laughter and jokes....even if it includes insulting me...yeah I appreciate that too. No problemo. Happy Valentines to you and good luck na lang sa mga lalaking pilit ninyong hinahabol pero hindi naman kayo pinapansin!!! I love you!
say-chan, the angst writer and my really eccentric seatmate....thanks for editing and beta-reading this chapter! Don't tell me that I owe you, I beta-read some of your fics too! (though I don't do my job that well...hehehe) I'll just let you copy my notes, those that you've missed because you're so engrossed in daydreaming about *someone* and writing, ok?
To my best and most lovable friend....Candice. I told you not to read this!!! Arrrgh! Waaaah!!! It's so embarassing! (Just in case she reads this...) ^__^
To those who reviewed: I love you and thanks! I love getting reviews so please please please give me one! Even just a short one!!!!
*Happy Valentines Day!!!*
^___________^
