Chapter Three
Progress
She really didn't want to think of anything. All she wanted now was peace and quiet - no more communications with the past.
The Sakura before the accident was more cheerful. This Sakura was cold. She was more jumpy and sensitive. She was immature and more vulnerable.
Sakura walked over to the table and smelled the flowers. They were cherry blossoms. Somehow, she knew what they were.
She walked over to the window. A light breeze entered. The air was a little damp. Infants' screams could be heard. She thought they were in danger, but when she looked, they were just playing around, probably a game of cat and mouse.
A small smile appeared on her face. She saw some of the patients rollerblading; she wanted to herself!
~~~~
Syaoran dragged down the scroll bar. He was reading over what he read yesterday. However, he found a new topic: Deaths
He raised an eyebrow in question. "Hmm?"
As he started to read, he couldn't help but feel more guilty for Sakura's accident.
~~~~
Eriol brought out the folder. He drank a little bit of lemonade Tomoyo made. Then he concentrated on a topic he had just found: Deaths
He spitted out the drink, choking at the same time. Tomoyo rushed in. She was too busy trying to help Eriol to notice the papers on the desk.
"Geez, what happened?" Tomoyo asked, helping Eriol onto his bed.
"I think you left a seed behind," he replied, breathing normally.
She laughed from embarrassment. Tomoyo said, "I'll go check." She turned and was about to walk to the desk when Eriol pulled her back.
"No," he whispered. "We should gather Sakura's friends first." He was afraid she would find out.
"Yeah." She smiled. "Thanks for reminding me."
So, Sakura's friends were questioned. [They're the friends Sakura knows in the anime, excluding Meiling.] And fortunately, none of them was the one who raped her.
Syaoran and Eriol found out who the dead ones were. They couldn't believe it. But they understood now. The reason why Sakura wasn't herself, why she seemed to have died and reincarnated into a totally different person. She might be somewhere, but it'll take some time to get her to get over the deaths. It could take only a few days, or weeks - even months! And years... Let's hope it's sooner than later.
A month passed. Syaoran, Eriol, and Tomoyo visited Sakura regularly. Sakura doesn't care about them when they go into her room, anymore, which was something even the nurses she sees 24/7 couldn't do! A progress...
Tomoyo, the thoughtful girl, who never leaves behind a detail, left something very important out. You can understand that because of how worried she is, she couldn't see it. But this detail...
~~~~
"Hi," Syaoran said, waving as he approached the couple. He could really see why they loved and cared so much about Sakura now. He have changed.
"Hi, Syaoran," Eriol replied. He had also changed, trusting in Syaoran more, even though he still didn't have a chance to have that friendly "chat." And he was far too busy to do any research on Sakura's accident, so he was oblivious to something important. The company Sakura (before the bad news), Tomoyo, and he are working for had a big deal with an important company, although he didn't know the company's name and was planning to find out later.
"Good afternoon, Syaoran," Tomoyo greeted, waving also. She was smiling.
"Time sure passed fast, huh?" Syaoran asked. "It's August 14th already, a month since-" He stopped, realizing what he had just said.
Eriol didn't show it, but it showed clearly in his eyes. His suspicion returned - after a month, too - because a friend doesn't remind friends of a tragedy.
Tomoyo grew silent. "Well, time's a-wastin'!" she suddenly spoke up, hooking her hands with Eriol's. "Sakura needs as much time with us as we need with her!" She dragged Eriol to Sakura's room as Syaoran followed silently behind, hands in his pockets.
They could hear the chirping of the green canary as they neared the room. Tomoyo opened the door and pushed it lightly. Sakura looked up, but, seeing who the visitors are, wasn't interested. She returned to pet the emerald canary that was resting on her right index finger. She knew that no matter how badly she acted toward them, they would always return the next day, the minute they have free time - and they have a lot of free time.
The bird chirped. Sakura gave a brief squeal as her visitors closed the door. She giggled. She didn't speak to them much in the last month, only nods for yes's and shaking her head for no's. And she usually stayed in a corner, until Syaoran bought her a pal yesterday. The green canary was chosen to represent Sakura's eyes.
"Hi, Sakura," Tomoyo said, stepping towards her.
There was a look of sadness as Sakura turned to her cousin and best friend. She smiled, the best smile they had ever saw from her since the accident. It seems as if the smile was meant as a thank-you for the companion. "Hi," she replied, in her cheerful and cute way. She looked at the two guys. "Hi." Her head tilted in a cute way, then she resumed to playing with the canary, whose eyes are closed as it was being pet.
Syaoran couldn't help but feel as if their progress was over miles. He smiled, too. The smile caught Sakura's eyes, and it seemed to send something to her.
Sakura froze and looked at them. "What?"
They all gasped. Tomoyo clapped once, glad that she said something other than "hi."
Syaoran took his hands out of his pocket. His cell phone, in his right pocket because he was leaving in a rush this morning, fell to the carpeted floor. If it wasn't carpet, he'd had to buy a new communication device. And great thanks to the carpet!
Sakura's eyes rested on the cell phone as it was picked up. It's been a long time since she saw one, and she faintly remembered what song she chose for it to play - maybe it was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
"Syaoran!" Tomoyo whispered, her head turned around a little, following Sakura's gaze. "She's curious about the phone! Give it to her!"
"What?" Syaoran spat. He looked, and, surely, Sakura's eyes were on his green cell phone. Then she looked at him pleadingly. And he took a few steps, which made Sakura moved back a little.
"Okay," he whispered to himself. "Slow and steady..." He was sweating a little, wondering what Sakura will do as he advanced toward her.
Sakura seemed amused. She didn't know him, but she find it cute how he acted toward her. Something was familiar about him. Would this be a sign that Sakura's "memory" is returning, or is it just coincidence that they know each other?
She gently placed the green canary into the wooden cage that came with it. Her head turned to Syaoran, who had stopped when she looked away, but continued taking small steps toward her when her attention returned to him. She stretched her right arm, allowing herself to be lured from the far corner of the bed and climbed toward the edge that Syaoran was coming from.
It seemed an eternity as Syaoran took a few more steps. He was half-way across the room, the spot Sakura had never allowed him and the couple to even come five feet close. Eriol and Tomoyo held each other, breathing with difficulty.
Syaoran smiled again. Sakura smiled back. There seemed a silent communication between the two.
Then...
It rang...
A loud ring...
... that disturbed the "romance"...
... the progress...
Sakura snatched her hands back, surprised by the sudden noise. She had forgotten how it was like, how high the ring was and how far it can travel.
Syaoran mentally slapped himself. When the cell phone dropped, it must've hit the ON button. No wonder Sakura was intrigued, because of the light that abruptly came on, as if by magic. She has been away from the outside world too long.
Syaoran growled, running out of the room.
The door closed.
Tomoyo ran through her violet handbag, but couldn't find anything that was advanced technology. She couldn't even find her cell phone! When she turned to Eriol, he raised an eyebrow in question. Then she flashed him a glare, which made him understand fully. He nervously shrugged.
Syaoran saw who the caller was. He growled: "What is it?!"
"Geez, Syaoran, honey," a sweet voice said from the other side. "I'm your girlfriend, and you greet me like that?!" she demanded, although it was more calm than rude.
He sighed. He should've known. Yumi will call. She must have been trying to talk to him all morning. But at this time-!
"I'm sorry," he apologized, hesitatingly. "I'm busy, Yumi. What do you need?" Then he added quickly, "Make it fast. I don't have time." So true!
"What? What's going on?" she asked, whining.
He sucked in a huge breath of air, trying to calm himself. "I - I'm just..." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "Okay. What do you need?"
"That's better." She giggled. "Syaoran, where are you?"
"I'm - I'm at - " He growled. "I'm eating. Why?" Syaoran was growing impatient.
"You're lying!" she retorted. "It's quiet over there. Usually, someone would be playing an instrument or dishes-"
"Okay, okay. You caught me," he admitted reluctantly. He could see Yumi smile in his mind.
"Where have you been? You've been gone most of the time and don't return to the company that often anymore, Syaoran." Her voice was a little pleading. "I tried to call you, but your phone is off every time, until now! Father's asked if you wanted to quit or if you wanted to be promoted, that's why you're avoiding the company... and me."
His eyes narrowed. He had to admit, he was so dense to see that this was how Yumi's father was. He wanted him! Because of his brains and looks and Yumi. But Yumi was a nice girl. All she wanted was him, and Syaoran had never wanted anything before... until now. But he didn't want Sakura that kind of way. He just wanted to help her recover before he gets married, so he wouldn't have to live with the guilt knowing that Sakura's accident happened because of him.
Let's not get into the story yet, because there's still more important matters at present.
"I'm worried, Syaoran, that you might leave me, that you'll love someone else."
Syaoran sighed. He had feelings for Yumi [Not that kind of love!]. "I love you forever. Okay? You happy now? I need to go, Yumi."
She sighed, relieved. "Thanks, Syaoran. I needed that. There's just so much going on in the company. Father just made a big deal with this other company the last month. And without your help, it's complicated. Bye."
"Bye." He made sure he turned it off before returning to the room. He sweatdropped. Everyone was still in their position before he left. Sakura was wide-eyed as she turned to him. Syaoran bounced back, as if seeing a ghost.
"We'll leave you alone with her," Tomoyo whispered, walking out of the room.
"Take good care of her, Syaoran," Eriol said, patting his back unwillingly. His distrust for Syaoran had returned, but he can't tell Tomoyo that. She'll become suspicious, too, and will probably go... well, she won't be an angel after that, will she?
Syaoran smiled stupidly. What to do... he was thinking. He took out his cell phone and made it light up. Sakura's eyes instantly lit up and looked curiously at the piece of technology Syaoran was holding.
Syaoran started playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Tomoyo sighed, contented. She was relieved that Syaoran was the one to create the biggest progress in a month. She looked up at Eriol as he opened the car door for her. "Thank you."
"Yeah," he replied, uncertain why she just thanked him, which she never did since he proposed. "You're welcome...?" He raised an eyebrow, going to the driver seat.
Eriol backed the car and drove into the street in a few seconds.
"Brainfreeze," Tomoyo muttered, taking the straw out of her mouth. She was drinking pink lemonade with ice.
Eriol took a sip from his coffee as he stared out the window, looking at the busy streets. "Why'd you thank me?" he asked.
Tomoyo stopped and looked at him. She smiled. "If I had visited Sakura on the day we were preparing for the wedding, then it would be different - Syaoran wouldn't have done what he did today." She stirred the drink with her straw. "If you hadn't proposed, then things would go another way."
"Yeah, I guess," he agreed, setting the cup down.
Tomoyo changed the subject, "Who did you think called Syaoran?"
Eriol narrowed his eyes and took another sip. "Probably his boss. He never told us where he worked." He never told us where he worked... he repeated the sentence in his mind. I'm thinking too much.
"Yeah..." she said thoughtfully. "You should ask him!" Tomoyo suggested, putting her hand on Eriol's. "A nice guy-to-guy talk." She looked at him hopefully.
"Yeah..." he replied, thinking of the "chat" he wanted to have with Syaoran.
Tomoyo returned to their earlier subject. "I thought Sakura was just kidding..." She sighed regretfully.
"Tomoyo." He squeezed her hand. Eriol didn't like to see her so down.
"I mean... If only - If only!" She broke into silent sobs. "I don't know... It's like Anne Frank. She lasted a few weeks before the camp was liberated by the Allied forces."
"There's a difference..."
"I don't know," she continued, her eyes distant as she looked at his eyes. "I thought Sakura was just kidding," Tomoyo repeated. "It all sounded so real that day... I knew I wasn't paying much attention to her since your proposal. And it seemed as if she was begging for my attention... That night, if I had stayed and went to wherever with her, then she'd be happy with Syaoran now."
Eriol patted her hand.
Tomoyo wiped a tear away and looked outside. Eriol smiled, relieved.
Sakura laughed and pointed at the cell phone, then back at herself. Syaoran placed it on the floor, the dividing line between where he stood and where Sakura sat. Sakura happily got up and took the phone. Then she remembered how the cell phone works, but only by a little. Her memory was still a little foggy, but she remembered nonetheless.
Syaoran casually walked over to the window. He opened it enough so a little wind would enter. There was a long silence as Sakura continued to mess with the phone.
There was a soft giggle...
Then Syaoran heard a thump. His head instantly spun around.
Eriol and Tomoyo rushed to the Sakura's room. The doctor came out. He looks at them, then say, "She will be fine. Please do not pressure her; let her have her way."
They nodded, not sure what he meant. The doctor walked down the hall. Finally, Tomoyo plucked up the courage to look inside the room.
The window was opened a little. Sakura was lying at the bed, unconscious, sleeping. Syaoran sat at the foot of the bed. He looked up.
Tomoyo stomped toward him, pulling him up by his shirt collar. "What happened?!" she demanded.
"Tomoyo," Eriol whispered, trying to calm her down.
"I thought she'd be safe - What happened?" she reiterated.
"Tomoyo," Eriol hissed, "don't disturb Sakura."
"Okay... Okay..." Tomoyo replied, trying to steady herself.
Syaoran started to explain, "The doctor said there was a... something. She won't let something go. I think he means she's depressed... very depressed." He glimpse at Sakura for a second. "I should go." With his hands in his pockets, he left the room.
"You stay, Tomoyo," Eriol told her, setting her onto the chair Syaoran sat earlier. "I'll have that guy-to-guy talk that you wanted."
Eriol closed the door. He followed Syaoran down the deserted hall. They entered the same elevator.
"You know something, don't you?" Eriol suddenly asked, looking at Syaoran.
Syaoran scoffed. He smiled at his reflection. "I guess I do, Eriol. I guess I do."
They remained silent until the elevator stopped and slid apart the doors.
"Do you mind telling me?" Eriol continued as he and Syaoran advanced toward the entrance of the hospital. They walked along the hospital's yard, hands in their pockets.
"You see all these people here?" Syaoran said, looking at the patients. "They're victims... And so is Sakura." He closed his eyes, breathing in a soft breeze. "Someone did something, and that leads them to suffering. For some, they'll never get over it; for others, it's just a memory in the past, one that proves their worthiness.
"Many people don't care or understand the situation until they've experienced it, so they can't help the victims. There might be more than one problem; interferences leaves a deeper hole in the heart. In Sakura's case..."
He paused, turning to Eriol. "She fainted after you two left. I know why... You do, too."
"Deaths," Eriol breathed.
~~~~
To Be Continued...