Chapter 7
Sorry it was so long since this update. I hope u guys didn't forget about this fic already. Thank u, really appreciate if u review!
"I'm not tired, don't go Bow. Don't leave me alone here," Hirosaki whined when his companion rose. His hand was cold, sweaty. He was like a sick child. In many ways why didn't he get better? What was the matter with all these scientists? What was happening to the Cancer research? Did it come to a standstill already? So many questions, no answers. Gently he returned the patient's squeeze until Hirosaki relaxed, muttering he was sorry to bother him.
"I love the present," the muscular guy told him, adding he would wear the lovely silver watch when he went out next time. "Here, get changed." He tossed him a fresh Tshirt.
Kenni, his sister, threw Bow a worried glance when the door shut. Muffled coughing.
"He is better. We played chess and I won." She laughed. He loved to do that. Thye formed a close wonderful trio, him, Tomo and Kenni. Unlike other girls who were petty and noisy she wasn't. She would do a lot of things independently, with the female qualities included. She could sing in a talented way. In fact what happened to her performances? He didn't ask why. Bow took a Miranda from the fridge and poured himself a cup.
There was no reason to quit performance arts. Kenni certainly didn't suffer from stage fright. She was a daring singer, graceful, blooming, daring, a persona worlds apart from her timid self.
"Why?" he murmured.
"Pardon?"
"Why did you stop acting?" Bow decided to chance it. She stayed silent. "I'm curious, honest. You're very good. Is it because of Tomo being ill and stuff?"
"He never stopped me from doing what I loved. Reluctant yes, but once I did go upstage he didn't. his father-------- forbade it. He caned my brother for giving me the male role and slapped me. Now Tomo is sick. How can I, be so selfish and self centred, to act while he is bedridden? He will be hurt and frustrated. Oh no, did he hear?" she cried out, paling.
The big man drained his drink and started to run the tap. She sat down, covering her face. Then she wrung her skirt.
"He wouldn't be tight minded."
"I can't."
"Come on let's go and ask Tomo right now. Don't waste your talent. It's unfair. He will understand." Kenni refused, clasping her hands to her chest area. Bow stared, then it dawned on him, his friend loved Tomo. Not as sister, but the special relationship type, girlfriend way.
"I made a pact with the Goddess of Mercy, if he's better. I'll give up everything. I'll not eat meat, if Tomo can get a remission stage. If I don't indulge perhaps she will see it as a worthy reward and cure his sickness. I want him to recover!" Kenni reiterated. The man shook his head, about to come closer to her.
A curse and stuff dropping. Tomo! Both of them ran into the bedroom afraid he had collapsed. The patient was seated on the floor, clad in a chimpanzee t shirt. Both of them helped him back to his bed.
"Sorry, I thought I would, honestly, cope with...." He laughed. His closest companions scowled, reminding him of his limits and not to overstrain himself. Tomo took his sis' hand and sat down, less boisterous.
"What were you talking about, girl? Giving up everything for me?"
"You heard wrong. I merely want to be a devoted Buddhist."
"Don't lie to me. I heard almost all of it, if you like the stage, I will let you go. Saito can coach you, wait, I can..... I'm sure of it. Free lessons. Imagine," Hirosaki's face lit up eager to plan his would-be days. Kenni told him he must be dreaming and be more realistic.
"Go to sleep. It's my willingness, I won't change my mind. You must get back on your feet anyways. Before doing such things. I promised the Goddess. I can't take it back."
Her brother looked very sad, lying back with a defeated sadness. "You got the ability. Why give it all up? I can see it, it's not being hidden.....talk to me if you want to. I can get you there. No problem. Promise me?" Kenni nodded, fluffing up his pillows. Tomo stroked her cheek tenderly with a thin trembling hand, pushed her hair behind.
"You're so kind to me.... I'll sleep now. bye." He said emphatically like a child.
Longing
Bern got no answer. She'd been calling his number for days. Could it have changed? At least better check it out with his sister. Hopefully he wasn't worse. She would hang on longer.
"Hello," the tired voice was a man's, but he didn't sound like her friend. He introduced himself as Benedict. He asked her to please wait. A minute later Tomo sempai came on at last, husky,
"Hi Bern! I'm sorry I did not call or write anything."
"Yeah I was so damn worried for you Tomo! How are you today? Can I come to your place?"
"So how was your vacation? Oh I'm fine now. It was really tiring these days. I slept a lot. Maybe you could come tomorrow instead? I'm under the weather at the moment," the actor replied softly, speaking slowly. Bern clenched the receiver. She told him she'd been at a great camp. It was fun.
"Only I called but there wasn't any answer."
"Gomen nasai, I must have been sleeping. The phone was off the hook. I've been ill. I can't possibly sleep with it intact or I'd have a headache. Gomen, do forgive me?" the man asked. It seemed like he was very sad, lonely. Tomo coughed some and then returned with a hello again. "Anyway the doc told me to take it easy and rest. Tell me more about camp?"
Bern reaffirmed how much she wanted to see him. Tomo paused a while, then said, "I'll check with Kenni if it's ok. Ok! You could come, maybe three o'clock?"
"Great! I will come. See ya!"
Benedict came to the gate. He wore the largest anchor chain she'd ever seen and had short blond hair. As he strolled over to the gate to open it, she noticed a little moustache. His blue eyes smiled sincerely.
"I trust you're Bernadette. Come in." She caught his hand and asked if her friend was very pale........What if he looked very skeletal? Cancer patients seldom had a good appetite. Tomo must have thrown up and everything, though he hadn't told her. Naturally he would keep his discomfort from her as she was too young.
The house was the same, quiet and tranquil. The fan overhead whirled at normal speed. Bern saw a figure seated languidly lengthwise, reading a novel. His face was white, hollowed out, a hook drip was attached to a nearby stand behind. Sweat trickled down making his skin gleam. This was Hirosaki-san, almost unrecognizable. Except for his hair she wouldn't have said hi.
The patient looked up, a grin creasing his lips. He patted a chair beside his, sitting up straighter. The veins on his wrist looked like green branches up his arm, they were not there previously. Pale lips.
"You look browner, so cute! I on the other hand must look pale by comparison," he teased. Almost sarcastically, he felt jealous of her? Bern twisted her hair. Then she remembered the flower basket.
"These are for you, I've been in the sun so much. I disliked the mosquitoes. Tomo sempai, you're very hot? Shall I make the fan faster?"
"No, no, if you do, I will be cold. That better?" Tomo rubbed his face with his sleeve. "I perspire a lot from the medicine I take. Would you like a drink?" His thin hand stroked the petunias and placed it on the glass table. He wore white and dark trousers.
"Yea, but you don't need to stand. I'll get it myself."
Tomo sempai seemed distracted and agreed. His hands went into the pockets. [Too late, I've already seen those veins] "Tomo, sure you're ok?"
He smiled again, pulling a cushion to hug. "Fine. I'm happy when I don't feel the pain. Say,...I wrote a new play. Like to read it? I'd like your comments and criticisms. No, it would hurt my feelings if you refuse child. Wait, you need a pen." The opera artiste searched the pencil holder made of wood until he found one. Bow served her the coke, the droplets sweating on the surface. It was cool and refreshing. If only Tomo-sempai would tell me how he is truly feeling.
But if he did, I might get worried. He once told me nagging is irritating.
"Bernadette, I have to say this. Thank you."
"Why, what for? It is my friendship that I should come." The girl put down her drink in case it slipped for it was so smooth and damp.
The young man suddenly had tears in his eyes. He swallowed, leaned forward to clasp her by the hands. He took a breath, then tried to return to his normal public self. Only now it failed, for he looked pointedly agonizing.
"Thank you because you came. I have been awfully lonely. Except for Bow. I don't want to be hospitalized," he choked out, shaking. Bow tactfully held him by the shoulders. Bern said she liked him.
Tomo let go, sat back more confidently. "Gomen, I must have frightened you. [rubbed his nose] it's just, I'm so appreciative of your visit. I was critically ill. Yet, I felt extremely isolated." He flushed for the first time. Bern came forward and sat closer to him, touched his hand.
"I know, you must be sad and miserable."
A tenderness filled his voice, she didn't look up, leaning on his shoulder. "Will you be my daughter? I haven't got a child of my own.... I feel we're closer than friends. Temporarily, can you?" She was shocked. She jerked up. It was luckily unnoticed by her friend, he was holding tightly the handkerchief dripping with his sweat.
"You don't have to. I don't blame you," he added softly, returning his intelligent gaze to her. Bern shook her head and hugged him. She felt his sharp intake of breath.
"I don't mind."
"Um. You must think I'm crazy." Tomo's forehead gleamed perspiration. Bow asked him to rest. "I'm ok. Really. I mustn't be too agitated, the doc's instructions....... Bernie you can take the script home to read. I'm very sleepy now. Just send it to me when you're done."
He closed his eyes. "Goodbye." She told him------it was curable. He should have faith and go to a good doctor.
Hirosaki didn't speak, and as soon as the door shut he sniffled. [What for? Doctor after doctor but no result, now my condition has worsened. I would most probably be dead soon! Bern, why can't you heal me? Why, how could you tell me to be hospitalized? I thought you'd be more caring. ]
Pained hurt wet escalated into the pillows. Benedict touched his shoulder his face pulsing with pity. "I'm exhausted. I'd better sleep ne?"
