Shadows of the Heart
Chapter Ten
Forgetting
"I want to sue her!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Shut up, bitch. She attacked my friend for no absolute reason and goes into a coma. It's her fault my friend is hurt. And I want to sue her!"
"Me, shut up? Me, shut up? You're the one that comes in and yells oh-so-rudely like you're someone I should respect."
"Ugh..." Yumi gaped. "What rudeness! No wonder your friend is like that." She pointed at the window that leads to Sakura's room. "It's because you can't control yourself and she only follows in your footsteps."
Tomoyo growled. "This is a hospital, miss - Sometimes, I wonder about that."
"Uh... FYI: I'm being nice."
"That's you being 'nice'? Then I hope you never get mad in front of a camera."
Yumi narrowed her eyes. "Hmph!" she exclaimed. She turned around and walked away with her nose high.
Tomoyo sighed, relieved that she finally left. She looked inside Sakura's room.
It's been a few weeks. Sakura had damanged her skull, not seriously, and she isn't in a coma. Yumi came in almost everyday to demand to sue Sakura. She had even filed a complaint to a nearby court, "Court of Laws." It'll take awhile for the court to hear this case. If Sakura wakes up in time, the court'll definitely hear the care. And she'll have to pay a fine for trying to commit suicide.
(Yes. There's a law against committing suicide... Well, at least in the U.S., I think.)
Tomoyo's arm had almost healed. She was able to go back to work, but had to return to the hospital for checkups. Eriol's legs still needed a little more time.
Sakura had tubes inserted in her and out of her.
She hated seeing Sakura like that. And the worse part was that Syaoran hadn't come to visit her.
-
In the last few days, Syaoran had discovered a person who had found out about the case involving Sakura and wanted to be her lawyer. The guy's name was Lang Ho.
(Shut up, I'm just making up names. You know how tiring it is to find a real name? And finding real names wastes my precious school time.)
Lang Ho was a pretty serious guy. He had been the lawyer of a raped victim before. He had told the officials and courts to notify him about any charges involving rape.
When Syaoran saw an unfamiliar person at the company, they talked, and that's how they found out about each other. Syaoran showed him a picture of Frank. Lang immediately nodded, pointing out that it was the defendant he had met on his case involving the raped girl. But Frank got away and had changed his name. He had also alternated his face.
They were at a restaurant across town.
"Well, if he's so smart, how come he left behind so many clues?" Syaoran asked in a low voice.
Lang, dark-haired and hazel eyes, replied, "I don't know. Maybe - don't be offended - that he enjoyed 'it' so much that he just... forgot?"
(Sorry for putting up so many notes. "It" means... ahem... the raping. Ahhhh! But it's not real, so leave me alone!)
"He was the perpetrator many times before, right? And he had always goten away with it. Why would he want to be exposed now?"
"Who knows? He might want things to get more excited. You know how criminals are. They want danger. When they escape, they get a sense of relief. If things stay too quiet for too long, they don't like it. To them, things are better when they go extreme."
"Hmm... I'm gonna concur... But aren't things already exciting for him? He got away so many times before..." Syaoran pointed out.
Lang shook his head. "You're not listening."
He growled.
"It's like playing a game... Doing the same things over and over again gets boring. You'll want challenges - outnumbered in a war. Get it?"
Syaoran narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I guess." His cell phone suddenly rang.
"Why is yourphone on?" Lang asked, an eyebrow raised.
"If I leave it off, things'll get suspicious." He looked at the caller ID. "Hey, Yumi."
"Next week at the exact time, day, place," Lang whispered, getting up.
Syaoran shook his head, gesturing that he shouldn't leave just yet.
"I'm doing something important. Can't you call back?" Then he hung up.
"Doing that'll make her very mad at you, and she'll hunt you down, Syaoran," Lang informed.
"Then so be it," he replied.
-
"Eriol, maybe I should take you and Sakura out of this place," Tomoyo suggested, playing with Eriol's tie. "How do you do this?" she murmured.
"Why? There's nothing wrong here. It's peaceful and quiet."
She sighed, completely frustrated. "It's not that. I just... don't like the people."
"Oh, come on. Every place on this world, it isn't any safer. What are you worrying about?"
She humphed.
"Alright, this is how you tie it," Eriol said, holding her hand as he guided her.
(Everyone knows how to... tie a tie... Is that how you say it? Anyway, it's pretty simple. Ask your father or a guy friend.)
Tomoyo sweatdropped. "You know what? You need a bow."
"Hell, no! That's for things, like, weddings."
"Like I said, you need a bow." She laughed. Tomoyo felt a raindrop. "Let's go inside," she told him, pushing the wheelchair with her good arm.
"I need to check my e-mail," Eriol notified before some came running to them.
"Guy in wheelchair and girl with a cast," the nurse mumbled quickly. She seemed like she was thinking it.
"Can we help you?" Tomoyo asked.
"The doctor told me to tell you that your friend in the coma had just woke up," she replied in the same rushed tone.
She gasped. Tomoyo started pushing Eriol's wheelchair toward the elevator, almost crashing into the wall.
By the time Tomoyo was at Sakura's room, Eriol's hairs were standing on end.
"Daidouji?" said a doctor.
Tomoyo immediately nodded.
He smiled. "Your friend is doing great. I expect she'll be recovering very quickly. If there's any problems, press the panic button." With that, he left.
She went right in.
"Hey, you forgot about me!" Eriol called after her. He knew he wouldn't get a response, so he closed the door and stayed outside.
Sakura's emerald eyes were opened. She stared at Tomoyo. Not a single word came out of her mouth. Her head and waist was bandaged.
"Sakura, are you hurt?" Tomoyo asked, holding her hand. "Do you feel drowsy, hungry - anything?"
"No. But thanks."
Tomoyo smiled, beginning to cry.
"Why are you crying?" she questioned.
"I'm glad that you're safe. You didn't leave me, Sakura," she said quietly, hugging her. Surprisingly, Tomoyo didn't realize Sakura didn't respond to the hug. "I was so worried that you weren't going to make it. I was so worried..."
Sakura blinked, emotionless. She smiled. "Thank you for worrying."
Tomoyo looked at her. "Are you okay? Why are you so calm? Sakura, you shouldn't keep all these emotions inside."
"What emotions?" she replied nonchalantly.
"You... Your family... Syaoran?" Tomoyo knew she shouldn't mention it, but it seemed like Sakura was hypnotized.
"My family? You keep calling me 'Sakura.' Is that my name?" She asked the questions very optimistically.
Tomoyo almost stopped breathing. She felt like she was slapped out of a dream. She just stared at Sakura. She... forgot - about everything, everyone? Okay, don't panic, Tomoyo. Just... calm down.
Sakura looked back. Her face was so bright, so blissful. It was like her soul was never damaged, never broken. "Who is 'Syaoran'?"
She bit her bottom lip. I shouldn't tell her. Be happy, like her. Let's start over. Tomoyo forced a smile. "No one. I meant Eriol, my guy."
Sakura nodded, a little confused. "Not to be mean or anything, but I don't know you. I don't know my family or anyone. In fact, I don't know myself. Who am I?"
Really? No, Sakura, you can't forget. But we can build a new relationship. But... I can't rebuild it back to the original.
-
Sakura was desperate. She felt ashamed, worthless. An attempt to murder the rapist and murderer, she thought, would be the last thing she'd do. But it failed. And worst, she implied that she was going to try to kill herself. Now, she didn't have the courage to face them... not anymore.
It was foolish, pretending that she had amnesia. She knew well enough that Tomoyo and Eriol would worry even more. If they found out, she wouldn't know where to go from there.
There seemed to be little hope left.
It was November. Sakura hadn't seen Syaoran for days. She wondered what became of him. Did he left? Suicide? No, he was smart enough.
What became of Joy? Well, Sakura couldn't really tell. She saw Joy pass by her window sometimes, in the direction to Eriol's room, but Joy would always return the way she came very quickly.
"These little love circles aren't very fun," she murmured, hugging her legs.
A breeze blew in. The window was opened a little. The coolness brought back memories of Sakura when she was young. It was just random memories, nothing of recent events.
Sakura wanted to tell Tomoyo the truth now, that she doesn't have amnesia at all. She felt perfectly fine. All the memories were with her, none were missing. But the courage never came. What would Tomoyo think? Would she ever forgive her? Would she walk away, never to return, never to trust her, Sakura, again?
She doubt Tomoyo would leave. They were best friends and cousins, not to mention. However, wouldn't that lie get in the way of their friendship? It would always be something they'd be awkward to talk about. Tomoyo would find it hard to believe her in the future, wouldn't she?
No. It's got to be done. I've got to tell her. I can't live like this forever.
When Tomoyo came earlier and Sakura was playing the "amnesia girl," Tomoyo was calm and explained to Sakura who she was and everything, but she left out Syaoran.
"Syaoran..."
She flashbacked to the day she saw him and Yumi.
"He wasn't with me. He didn't cheat on me."
She widened her eyes.
"Did he do that because I... kissed him? Yeah. He might've wanted to tell Yumi he was sorry."
She put her hands over her ears.
"It's not my business. It's not my business."
-
Syaoran walked into the hospital. He met Tomoyo on the way. They stopped and looked at each other.
"What do you want?" Tomoyo asked.
"I... want to see Sakura."
"You can't. So don't. I won't allow it."
"I just want to see her," he argued. "And it's none of your business."
"You lied on the registration sheets, so you're not permitted to see her. I was informed that by the nurses and doctors."
He growled.
Tomoyo sighed. "The rules aren't against you for very long. By tomorrow afternoon, you're allowed to see her. Be thankful it was just a little white lie, Li, because a second felony like that places a harder penalty on you."
With that, she left.
Syaoran blinked. He smiled, feeling relieved that Sakura had a friend like Tomoyo.
As he walked out, he thought back to the care-free days before any of this happen.
I was with Yumi. But is it my fault that we've drifted? She was doing something else. Actually, she was... bossy. That's why I think of her more like a sibling now. She always tells me what to do and where to go. That's more like a protective and bossy sibling.
When he was at the company, he saw Yumi talking to Frank.
"Oh. Hey, Syaoran," Yumi greeted happily, rushing to the door to see him. "Where were you? I was so worried."
"I wanted to be alone, Yumi," he answered unhappily. He brushed her off and took the stairs instead.
It's such a coincidence that this company's initials are L.I. That's why I was attracted to it. Then I met Yumi, and we decided to hook up. I didn't know she was the president's daughter until before I met Sakura. Before that, she was always answering my phone.
-
Eriol peeked out his window. The curtains were barely above his eyes. It looked as though he was hiding from something. Anyway, he looked towards the parking lot. Seeing Tomoyo with that detective was getting him all worked-up.
He glared, growling in this throat.
"I haven't heard from you for a very long time, Detective Miep. So, why are you still bothering Tomoyo?" he asked out loud, sort of like a maniac.
The car pulled into one of the spaces available.
"You'd better not lay a hand on her," he warned quietly.
The Miep guy got out of his car and opened the door for Tomoyo. Tomoyo smiled and made a comment. Both of them laughed briefly.
Eriol breathed out loudly. His nostrils flared and his eyes widened.
Miep held out his hand to help Tomoyo out. Tomoyo, being polite, took it and thanked him. The guy bowed and held onto her hand as he led her toward the front door of the hospital.
"Ohh!" Eriol exclaimed. "He took advantage of it and kept her hand! That little-"
"Oh," Tomoyo said, loud enough for him to hear, "I think I forgot my cell phone in your car, detective."
"It's all right. I'll get it, since I have the day off anyway."
"So it's gonna take you all day?"
He laughed. "Not really. You can go on ahead without me."
"Lame joke," Eriol murmured.
Detective Miep walked to his car and opened the door. When he took out the cell phone, he turned around. He looked directly at Eriol, grinning.
Eriol gaped. His eye twitched. He grasped his hands hard.
The man waved, practically laughing, then went into the front doors.
Eriol immediately got away from the window. He pulled the curtain down, then began pushing the wheelchair toward the door to open it. He wanted to seem as though he was going somewhere.
Tomoyo opened the door at the exact moment. She, for some reason or two, opened it with great force because it knocked Eriol's wheelchair back.
Eriol landed on his back. He groaned.
"Oh, gosh! I'm so sorry, Eriol!" she bursted out, helping him up.
"It's okay. I'm fine, not dead. Why are you so excited, Tomoyo?"
Tomoyo's face lit up. She pushed Eriol's wheelchair toward the bed. Without her knowing, she wasn't holding onto anything on the wheelchair, so Eriol went flewing forward now.
"Ahh-" The wheelchair abruptly stopped, and Eriol was almost knocked off once again.
"One should not misuse this, Tomoyo. Please be careful next time so you don't hurt him," the detective informed her.
Eriol almost died of a heart attack: two falls and the guy he didn't like saving him the second time.
"I'll keep that in mind, detective," Tomoyo replied, relieved that Eriol didn't die or was hurt. She pushed the wheelchair to face her as she sat on his bed. "So, how are you doing, Eriol?" She grinned.
Detective Miep waved good-bye and left the room.
Eriol gave her a funny look. You're acting more like that Miep dude, Tomoyo. You're scaring me. "I'm fine. Are you okay, Tomoyo? Because you pushed the wheelchair two times in less than one minute."
"Oh! I'm sorry, honey!" She kissed him on the cheek. "All better now?"
Whoa! You're acting non-Tomoyo-ish! But that wasn't too bad. "I've been fine." He raised an eyebrow. "Why were you in - with that guy's car - I mean, with him?"
Tomoyo looked at him innocently. "Remember this morning? Well, I met him at the front door, and he told me that he found a lawyer for Sakura because he knew she was being sued."
"He - He - He found her a lawyer? Him?"
"I'm sure it's impossible to think so since he's a detective and all-"
"No, I mean, I should be the one to find the lawyer! Not him! Not some dumb detective that you've just met!"
"Oh, is that how you feel, Eriol? Ohh! I'm sorry." She kissed him again.
Eriol sweatdropped. O... kay. Something is seriously wrong. Is this Tomoyo a fake, or something? Because she's being too... somewhat more than I need at this time. I bet she's a robot! He stared at her. "Continue."
"All right!" Tomoyo smiled. "His name is Lang Ho, and he had just arrived to this part of town. I've just talked with him before coming here. Lang's been following this case since it started. He knows how to convict the guy that did it-"
"You mean perpetrator."
"Yes! Thank you so much, Eriol! Here's a special bonus!" She kissed him on the lips.
Eriol, caught by total surprised, didn't even react. Nope. This is the real Tomoyo because she's wearing that natural-taste lipstick.
Then he suddenly remembered that Sakura had amnesia.
"Is it because of Sakura that you're... being nice to me?" he asked.
Tomoyo froze.
Eriol realized that he had just mentioned something that hasn't been on her mind for a while. "Oh. I mean-"
"No. It's not because of her," she told him, growing quiet as she resumed her position.
"So, what else did the lawyer say?"
"Hmm. Just that... Eriol, there's something else I got to tell you."
"What?" He looked at her.
Tomoyo didn't make eye contact with him. Her eyes were away from him.
"It's okay. You can tell me, no matter how bad it is. Tomoyo, what's wrong?"
She got off the bed and bent down, looking up at him. Tomoyo's eyes moistened.
"What's wrong?" he repeated, holding onto her hand tightly.
She cried into his lap.
"Tomoyo..." Eriol patted her back. "You can tell me later, okay?"
"No, I can't. This is serious, Eriol." Tomoyo wiped away the tears. She stood up, walking towards the door. "I called this person a little after I talked to the lawyer. She's been in the situation similar to Sakura's. And, Eriol, promise me you won't walk out on her or deny anything. I want you to promise me that you're willing to stay here and listen to what she has to say."
Eriol looked at her.
"Eriol!"
"Fine. Let her in." He didn't know who it was. What is she talking about? Who do I know that's a girl that's been in a situation like Sakura? And why would I walk out on her? "You have my word, Tomoyo."
Tomoyo nodded, looking down. She opened the door and walked out.
There was a few minutes of quarrel outside. Then the door opened a bit wider, and someone stepped in.
She had black hair cut to her shoulders and her eyes were blue.
She looked familiar. She looked like the girl that used to have black hair to her elbows...
"Joy? Joy!" Eriol exclaimed. "I thought I told you to disappear from my sight!"
She winced. "I'm sorry," she said, bursting into tears. She tried to walk out of the room, but Tomoyo pushed her in, and slammed the door closed.
"Talk to him!" Tomoyo said. "I won't eavesdrop if you two promise to talk it out. Especially you, Eriol!"
There was a long moment of silence. When Tomoyo was sure they wouldn't try anything to escape, she loosened her hold on the doorknob, and walked away.
Eriol sat on his wheelchair, looking at Joy.
Joy wasn't very comfortable. She kept moving her hands in all sorts of positions. Even her eyes won't stay still. One moment, she'd look at him. The next, she'd turn away.
He remembered she used to be hyper, like Sakura, but not naïve. And her hair was longer, not that high above her elbows.
The ice continued to form.
Then Joy put her hands down and placed them on the doorknob.
"Tell me what Tomoyo is talking about," Eriol suddenly said. "Why is she crying? Why aren't you... You've changed, Joy."
She grasped her free hand. "Now you want to know - Now you want to know! I've been waiting to hear that weeks ago, Eriol, after the night it happened!"
"The night - What happened? What are you and Tomoyo talking about?"
"Remember after the party at the company, Eriol?" Joy began, a little slow. She sat on the floor and hug her knees, crying.
"The party," he said, growling.
"I'm sorry that it happened. It was my fault." She seemed deadly calm. She sniffed. "After the party, you dropped me off by my house, but you didn't leave until I was on the bed, remember? It was the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me... The only nice thing anyone's every done for me."
Eriol softened. He felt sorry for her.
"That night..." She began to trail off, crying softly. Her forehead was on her knees. She trembled. "Someone was at the door, ringing the doorbell. It was night. I didn't know who it was. I didn't even think. I waited for the visitor to leave, but he didn't. He kept... ringing. The doorbell kept ringing. I went to the door and opened it."
"... in the situation similar to Sakura's..." Tomoyo's words echoed.
"Joy, you were... You don't have to say anymore. I should be the one to apologize. I'm sorry that I didn't see the change in you or kept you safe."
"I'm sorry, Eriol, for hurting you and Tomoyo."
"Actually, it made our relationship stronger. Thanks, Joy." He paused. "Do you need some time alone?"
Tomoyo arrived as soon as Eriol said that. She stood outside, resting against the wall, smiling.
"No. I think I can handle it," she murmured.
To Be Continued...