Chapter 13
Sunshine, 15th December
The friends bought some flowers for the patient, which they knew he would love. Bow was worried Tomo hadn't waited, seeing his bed empty. 'Hi guys!" surprised them. He was up and walking, greeting the other sick patients. Looked fresh and excited.
"Wow! What a surprise. I want to go home today, can you sign me out Oniichan?" he implored when he had hugged everybody. Bernadette hung back a little feeling shy. Saito pushed her forward and left the room. Tomo-sempai smiled, holding out his hand.
'He's so tall! And skinny.' "Hi Bern, thanks for coming. I'm better now, come, sit down." He patted the empty space beside him.
"Hey!" a bubbly voice called, a dark head popped out, no one responded. "It's me, Sarah. I dyed my hair back." Kenni walked in and stopped, clasped her handbag close to her. Almond eyes filled with tears and she called the singer's name. She fell into his arms. She told him how worried she felt and that he was a real idiot.
"Kenni, please. Not in front of my fans," he chided, shining despite the slight annoyance he felt. Then he kissed her lips. Bernadette grinned. "Look we're a couple."
"That's great," she replied. Tomo sat down again, feeling tired. He'd not been out of bed for a long time. Bow glanced over, mouthed something. Tomo leaned forward to listen. He laughed. Bow raised his brows and held up both hands in an exaggerated stage act. Most of the people were helpless with mirth.
The patient wanted to pack his stuff but Sarah got everyone to, before he could move. When the last dirty clothes had been zipped into a bag, Saito returned with some forms. Tomo was to sign them before leaving. Shaky handwriting filled the blank, plus the feedback section. The doctor instructed him to return for a checkup in two weeks time. Medicines were confirmed.
Alan was waiting with his new car, a Mercedes. Sarah and Saito held his belongings. He was protesting, he could manage. "No Cousin, you mustn't overstrain. We'll handle it," Sarah led the way. Tomo shook his head, why didn't they allow him to do it himself? Man! Bern took his hand, her grip damp, anxious of his fragility.
In the car, Hirosaki drowsed and struggled to stay awake. "I am so happy. Much of a contrast when I first came here."
"Ought to be! Wei, did you see my new hair?" his cousin bubbled, shoving her face into view. Tomo touched the soft hair and smiled, nodded.
"Why did you make it black?"
"To please ya. You always wanted me to be a true Asian."
Tomo patted Sarah's face cheekily. Bern laughed, leaned against his shoulder. "Tomo chan, will you retire from stage like you said?" the 12 year old girl enquired seriously.
They had eye contact. Tomo smoothed at his hair and observed his nails before forming an answer. "Yes, I will do a last performance. Because I have to conserve my limited energy. Don't want to be ill again."
He continued when his gaze moved to the outside scenery of the trees scrolling past like green and white blurs, "However, I will still do some shows, maybe smaller roles part- time. I want to coach new stars, write and direct more. It is time for a fresh perspective. And start a family."
He frowned when Sarah and Bow guffawed. "Yes! The biggie!"
Tomo glared at his companions warningly and they shushed upon seeing he didn't find it funny.
"Are you unhappy, Bernadette? With my decision?"
"Quite. But I know you can't afford the energy as much as last time. You'll tell all of us?" she responded, looking away. She leaned back against her soulmate and fell asleep.
The ambers fired up. The set of his jaw revealed a sudden strength previously hidden. After a cancer experience, he wasn't as soft or worried as he used to be. 'Yes. When I perform next, I will disclose this. You guys should come backstage,' he thought and laid back.
Bow and Sarah started to unpack the stuff and load the washing machine to wash up the dirty linen. Kennex and Saito were with the actor, making him a temporary bed on the sofa. The house was bright, freshly coated with a new paint of blue and aquamarine green on alternate walls. The old couches were replaced by these softer ones that could be converted into a bed when the patient needed to lie down. Everything messy had vanished, leaving only empty tables and chairs waiting to be sat in.
The actor looked around his living room and nodded. "This is cool. A change…… you made this to welcome me back right? Sugoi."
Kennex sat beside his legs and spread her hands. "Yep! Later go and take a look at the garden and your bedroom. I can't wait." Her fiance took her hand and kissed. She flushed. Tomo laughed softly, his silk smooth raven locks spilling across the cushions, his body language asking for her embrace. The woman felt like weeping again.
"Ooh, romance!" his cousin yelled, jumping in. Dressed in a pink hot top and shorts, the teen pumped her hands into the air and cheered noisily.
"Come here girl. I want to talk to you." He stared at the teen seriously. Kenni left.
"Cous, are you mad at me?" before coming near, Sarah scratched her black hair and asked worriedly.
Tomo sat up and gestured to the colors. "You made the decorations for me right? smiled I'm not angry, why should I be? Thank you. For coming back. Where did you go anyway?"
She had run away to another town to seek shelter. At the time her feelings cascaded crazily and freedom was so important to her. The limits Hirosaki enforced were just too much and Sarah couldn't take it anymore. After staying at several boyfriends' houses, she finally ran again afraid she would be pregnant. Her final and permanent settlement was with a distant aunt Binnow. The lady found her a school and she stayed, becoming a good student again. But with her own taste for fashion colors.
"I see. I'm sorry. I must have been too preoccupied to really sit down and chat with you," he said.
She grinned. "Cool man. No problem now. Come see the bedroom! Plezzzzzz."
The room was beautiful. All the bedsheets had been changed to clean crisp ones, a fragrance of roses touched the senses. Tomo gathered up his hair in a rubber band and tied a top knot, bouncing on the bed. The floor was carpeted, the shelves cleaned. "Um hm, I shall help you to put back all your books. Say hi to your long time no see relatives," she bubbled, taking out the novels and arranging them into the empty slots. "Tomo chan, you're in remission. Don't be ill again, k?"
Her back to him, she sounded grudging. "I don't want,…. I hated seeing you in hospital. I felt like shit."
Tomo promised he would take care of himself. That's why he made the decision to stop performing so much. Sarah smiled back and ran out, calling Kennex to come and make love. He winced at the externalization. He ought to have a word with her.
Over snacks, coke, fruit sodas, yoghurt, chocolate chip and ginger cookies, the couple sat with the teenager. Kennex asked Sarah if she was staying long. "We'll be happy to put you up in our house. Tomo misses your company."
"Yes, but in a month I will go home. I need to continue school. I'll come visit again."
"Please stay. I'll write a letter of excuse. It's been such a long time." Tomo offered her a 7- up. She slurped.
"Don't skip school, don't make a fool out of oneself. A girl must be dignified," she recited playful. Her cousin shook his head and said,
"Let's make an exception. I want to spend time with you. To make up for the lost times. I won't be a nag, I promise!"
For her 17th birthday the man bought her a pair of crystal drop earrings. The day before she was supposed to depart. Sarah squealed and attached them, admired herself in the glass. It matched her straight black and purple highlights, which he chose. And her long black skirt, heels, and spaghetti. The opera artiste wore a long sleeved cotton yellow shirt, grey pants, sported a lower ponytail.
"Thanks!" she squeezed his hand as they walked to a shop selling perfumes, CDs and more. He would miss her bubbly company when she went home, his heart heavy despite the jokes and banter. Time squirmed in a tight fist.
Bow knew this. He suggested phoning the aunt and asking her to let Sarah stay until Tomo was ready.
"But I can't be selfish. She wants to school," he spoke in agony.
"Yes. Up to you." Bow watched as his friend signed on a document and slip it into a file. It concerned a formal agreement on how much payment was due for a performance in Janie's Street. "You're acting in this one, the Journey to the West? As what?"
"Tripitaka. I won't have to dance so much then." He watered the flowerbeds and examined a bud shooting out from the hole. "Come watch. You're free?" His ambers searched Bow's, indecision looming over his brows. A problem was worried at until Tomo stepped on it. The big man took his shoulders.
"Yes. I will come. Talk to Sarah, she understands."
20th December
After the performance, everyone removed their costumes and makeup. Alan spoke to some of the props managers, directed them to move. The troupe leader chatted with his brother, simultaneously lifted his heavy staff to lean on the corner.
"What shall I do, Oniichan?"
"You will know." He helped Hirosaki remove his lipstick and makeup. Only the mascara was left, wet with perspiration. The actor wiped off the remaining traces with tissue and cloth. When he opened his eyes, Sarah stood hesitantly, in the mirror.
"Hi. What a surprise," he said. The autograph session was the next day, the other group had to rush off for another destination.
Silence except for the buzz of props, packing of costumes and gossip. The man smiled, inviting her to sit.
"Um, why have you been worried? I can take care of myself," Sarah insisted. "You still won't let me go."
"I was not…. I would like you to stay. It will break my heart, we've not spent much time…..Give me a chance," Tomo whispered, looking up at her. She hadn't sat then. He took her shoulders.
"Not your fault. I just needed to ask.. See you." She opened the flap.
" Bie zhou. Ke yi ma?" Don't leave me, please? Can you .
Sarah looked very straightfaced, her lips set firmly. Her hands clenched. Tomo rose too, smoothing out the creases in his bright robe. He moved to change into normal wear, but she asked for a picture.
"I give in."
"What?" the artiste asked, breathless. She kept the photo into her wallet and produced a pen. He left his name on her notebook.
"Let's say my heart has softened a lot since you asked me so many times. I don't wish to make you cry," the teen said wryly. Tomo sniffed, a long finger rubbed his eye corner. He smiled.
"Xie xie. Wo men qu chi xiao ye." Thank you. Let's go for supper.
