Chapter 13 – Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Many weeks have passed and Hitomi spent it in her mother's apartment. Immigration papers have been fixed and belongings have been packed in boxes and suitcases. Many have visited to bid the mother and daughter farewell and have wished them best of luck. Millerna and Yukari visited whenever their schedules let them. They endlessly showered Hitomi with lots of goodbye presents along with suffocating bear-hugs. Mr. Kanzaki came to visit a number of times and of course have offered to provide transportation to the airport, which Ms. Kanzaki and Hitomi declined, saying that he has a wedding preparations to attend to. Even Julianne visited, but not alone. She came with Mr. Kanzaki, who had obviously asked her to join him. How dare she show her face and say goodbye to Hitomi, you ask? How can she be so thick? Looking at one angle, she is utterly awful and appalling. Saying goodbye is like a sadistic behavior, where she has now claimed victory while laughing at the face of the loser. Terrible isn't it? However, if you look at a different angle, she is in no place of refusing to say goodbye with her father. What would Mr. Kanzaki think? Mr. Kanzaki knows nothing about the looming love triangle and it is definite that Hitomi doesn't want him to know about it. If Julianne refused, Mr. Kanzaki would worry. Hitomi wouldn't like that. Why else would she decide to leave?

How about Van? Did he visit? Sadly, he didn't. He, who Hitomi loves dearly, didn't come and said his goodbye. This lead Hitomi into feeling disoriented. For her, this has served as the proof that Van held no feelings for her.

It was the day of departure and Ms. Kanzaki was already sitting at the back seat of the hired taxi, which will drive her and Hitomi to the airport. After going through a checklist inside her mind, Ms. Kanzaki watched her daughter standing near the taxi, looking back at the apartment. She knew at once that Hitomi was having her one last look at the apartment, saying her goodbye. Seeing Hitomi wipe her tears with the back of her hand, Ms. Kanzaki called out to her softly. "Sweetie, we have to go. We're hoping that we don't get caught up with the heavy traffic and make it to the airport late."

Hitomi was relieved that her mother didn't make a fuss seeing her wiping her tears away. She was only expressing the normal emotions whenever someone leaves their home. That is what she believes. Maybe one could say that she may be thinking of something else. Shrugging off lonesome thoughts, Hitomi joined her mother and settled herself in the back seat of the taxi. She uttered a small apology, "I'm sorry I took so long."

Ms. Kanzaki smiled. "That's okay. Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?" Seeing Hitomi nod, Ms. Kanzaki told the taxi driver that they are ready to leave.

--------------------------------------------------------

In the PA system, the operator bellowed, "The flight GF 077 of Gaea Airlines departing to Tokyo, Japan is now boarding."

"We made it in time!" Ms. Kanzaki was now breathless. They have been in such a hurry ever since they set foot in the airport. Unfortunately they got stuck in the middle of a heavy traffic. "I really thought that we're going to miss the plane."

Hitomi was right beside her breathing as heavily. "It's not always that I see you run off like a maniac. I guess it didn't occur to you that people were looking at us weirdly." Hitomi started giggling.

"Oh you hush!" Ms. Kanzaki demanded, giggling as well. "Besides, these people won't be seeing my face for a long while."

"Mom, let me remind you that people, who are catching the plane with us, saw you as well."

Looking off into the distance, Ms. Kanzaki's eyes squinted then widened. She looked back at her daughter and smiled. "Honey, there's someone here to see you."

Hitomi held a questioning gaze. "Now?" She turned her head to the direction that her mother was once looking. Hitomi gasped and her eyes widened, in disbelief. She watched the figure get closer and closer. Getting apprehensive, she quickly turned back to face her mother looking troubled.

Ms. Kanzaki spoke softly, "Van wants to talk to you." Expecting that her daughter will refute, she added, "I know the plane will be boarding any minute now, but look there are lots of passengers with us. You would have some time to talk. Go."

Hitomi squirmed and hesitantly turned around to meet Van.

Both Van and Hitomi we're now standing face to face. Van looked straight into Hitomi's eyes and started, "I'm sorry I wasn't been able to come by your apartment to say goodbye."

As Hitomi couldn't handle the intensity of his sincere gaze she looked down and answered meekly. "It's okay. I know that you're busy with the wedding preparations. I don't want to be a burden."

Van held both her upper arms. "Hitomi, how many times do I have to tell you that you're not a burden to me?"

Tears started to pool under Hitomi's eyes. "Then what am I then, to you?"

Van lifted Hitomi's chin up and made her look into his eyes. Seeing her tears sent a pang in his heart. He said willingly, "You are very special to me and I care deeply about you. You are my angel, who brought light into my life and I will always cherish you with all my heart. And most importantly, I…. I…." Van suddenly couldn't find his voice.

The operator in the PA system once again bellowed, "This is the final boarding call to the flight GF 077 of Gaea Airlines departing to Tokyo, Japan. Please proceed to Gate 21 immediately."

Ms. Kanzaki was now calling out to Hitomi. "Hitomi, dear, it's time to go!"

Hearing her mother, she said to Van, "I'm sorry." She forced a smile and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Van." She then ran off to her mother not looking back.

Van watched Hitomi's hurriedly receding figure until it disappeared as she entered the gates. Turning back, he thought, I went here to say goodbye, but why didn't I do it? It is just one simple word. Maybe if we were granted more time, I could have said it.

Van walked back in defeat. Hitomi's departure has now painfully struck his heart. This has answered his question. He is bound to go through the excruciating process all over again. He will be with one and he will try to forget the other.

Is this really what fate intends to happen between Van and Hitomi?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Folken watched his brother, all dressed up for the wedding in his luxurious black tuxedo, stare at himself through the full length mirror. Van's face held an incomprehensible emotion, making him look like he has totally phased out of reality. "Having wedding jitters?" Folken asked Van, walking towards him.

Van slightly jumped, which shook him out of his reverie. Folken laughed a little at the sight of this. Van sneered at his brother but he quickly withdrew it. He answered his brother's question. "Pretty much, I guess."

Folken patted Van's shoulder. "Don't worry little brother. It is normal to feel that way, especially if you're dealing with an arranged marriage. Come to think of it, our parents don't think of this as an arranged marriage for the fact that you carry actual feelings for the bride." He looked firmly at Van's eyes through the mirror. "You do carry feelings for Julianne, right?"

Van returned his brother's gaze and answered simply, "Yeah."

"But not strong enough to actually want to marry her."

Van now turned to face his brother. "Wait a minute. Where are you going with this?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about and I'm pretty sure that that is what you're thinking about when I came in. Van, I'm not that blind not to see anything that you're trying to hide. Mother sees it, too. I guess this is the right time to tell you about what I found out recently, since you have now proved my point that you're not ready to go through this wedding."

"What did you find out?"

Folken took a breath. "I have recently, which is actually hours ago, acquired some good news about our family's financial status. Our stocks' values have sky-rocketed early this morning and we're definitely back in business. After through endless hard work of scouting clients, we have found a renowned billionaire who has thought of our father's company as exceptionally promising."

Van's eyes widened with surprise. "How come everything is so quiet? How come no one in our family is talking about it?"

"They are talking about it, but only silently. If you're asking why they are still going through with the wedding, I believe they think of it opportunity to definitely boost up both families' assets. Think of it as a lifetime partnership. Since, they also believe that you and Julianne love each other; the marriage is a risk they are willing to take."

Folken now watched his brother walk back and forth inside the room. "So you have to choose which path you're taking. Ask yourself who you want to be with. Take a closer look inside you and determine your heart's desire."

-------------------------------------------------------------

All guests were now upstanding as they saw the figure of the bride standing at the far end of the aisle holding on to her Mr. Kanzaki's arm. The wedding march song started playing and the bride alongside her father started to walk down the aisle slowly. The guests were astonished seeing the bride in her exquisite, flowing, white wedding gown with a long terrain trailing behind her. A diamond studded Cassandra tiara was sparkling underneath the shimmering Rhinestone and Crystal veil in elbow length. Accentuating the attire the bride held a bouquet of white roses mingled with greenery giving an effect of a waterfall-like spill of blooms and greenery.

Van stood on the other end of the aisle, waiting, with Folken, his Best Man, beside him. Taking his eyes off the slowly walking bride he turned to look at his mother, who gave him a smile; however, her eyes held sadness and grief…for him. Van smiled back reassuringly and turned his attention back to the bride who was now near the altar.

The bride and Mr. Kanzaki now reached the altar. Mr. Kanzaki shook hands with Van and gave the hand of his daughter to him. Van led his bride in front of the minister.

The guests were all seated and the minister commenced the ceremony. "We are gathered here today to take part in the most time-honored celebration of the human family, uniting a woman and a man in marriage. Van and Julianne have come to witness before us, telling of their love for each other. We remember, theirs is a love whose source is the affection of those who loved them into being."

"We remind them that they are performing an act of complete faith, each in the other; that the heart of their marriage will be the relationship they create. In a world where faith often falls short of expectation, it is a tribute to these two who now join hands and hearts in perfect faith."

The minister turned to Julianne. "Do you Julianne, knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him to overcome them, take Van to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

The minister turned to Van. "Do you Van, knowing this woman's love for you and returning it, realizing her strengths and learning form them, recognizing her weaknesses and helping her to overcome them, take Julianne to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Van looked at Julianne who was smiling with hopeful eyes. "I…."

-----------------------------------------------------------------

It has been a month since Hitomi and her mother has left Gaea for Japan. All was going well. Ms. Kanzaki started working immediately and Hitomi was now a student in a local public high school and has joined the school's track team. Of course, you could never avoid the downsides. A lot of adjustments have to be done in Hitomi and her mother's behalf because of the sudden change in lifestyle. There are not many luxuries and on weekdays they pretty much go through the same routine over and over. They get their rest during weekends.

It's a Saturday. Ms. Kanzaki is preparing lunch, while Hitomi is in her room enjoying her free time. The doorbell rang.

"I'll get that", shouted Ms. Kanzaki. She turned off the stove, as she has already finished cooking and headed to the front door. She approached the door and opened it. She couldn't believe what's standing in front of her eyes.

----------------------------------------------------------------

There was a knock on Hitomi's bedroom door.

Hitomi was lying in bed, reading a book. "Come in", she called out. She heard the door open. Not looking up, thinking that it's only her mother, she asked, "Is there anything you want me to do, mom?"

"Your mom is downstairs and I don't think she wants you to do anything."

Hitomi jumped at the sound of the deep voice…from a man. Unless she's mistaken, that voice could only belong to…Van.

She looked up and put down her book. Her heart skipped a beat. She was right. "Wh-What are you doing here?"

"To see you."

Hitomi's eyebrows furrowed. "Alone? Where's Julianne?"

"She's in Gaea."

"Why did you leave her there? I mean, you guys just got married."

"I see you haven't heard. Well…we didn't exactly get married. We did have the ceremony started. Let's just say, it got cut off."

Hitomi couldn't believe what's she's hearing. "Why?"

"Because of me. I chickened out. It didn't feel right for me."

"But…How about your family? What is going to happen to your family now?"

Van smiled. He was touched that Hitomi cared for his family. "There's nothing to worry about. Our family's financial problems have receded. Besides, that's one of the reasons why I had the chance of not going through with the wedding."

"I see. That's good then. I mean with your family solving money problems and all." Hitomi paused for a while then continued. "Umm…Is that why you came here? To tell me this? Wouldn't it be easier just to call?"

Van took a seat on the side of Hitomi's bed. He looked straight at Hitomi's eyes and held one of her hands. "I came here to tell you something…personally. I believe that a phone call just won't do."

Van's touch made Hitomi blush furiously. She tried hiding it, but she couldn't. She stuttered, "Wh-What are you going to tell me?"

"Do you remember when I met you at the airport and I wasn't been able to finish what I said and didn't get myself to say goodbye which was my original intention? I think I just realized why I didn't say goodbye. For me it meant that it wasn't over. I just couldn't let you go. On the day you left until now, you were always on my mind constantly. You left a mark in my heart that I wasn't been able to erase. To go through the wedding I just had to erase that mark. I tried. But now I realized I don't want to erase it. I realized that I love you."

Tears were now pooling under Hitomi's eyes. She was speechless. She couldn't believe anything that she just heard. Having no words to utter to truly express how she's feeling at the moment, she flung her arms around Van rendering him a tight embrace.

Van returned that sign of affection and was ecstatic at the outcome. He had felt a great feeling of accomplishment. He pulled away and aligned his face to Hitomi's face, their noses almost touching. He murmured, "I love you."

Hitomi murmured back, "I love you, too."

Their lips met and they shared a heart-warming kiss.

-----------------------------------------------------------

THE END

-----------------------------------------------------------

A/N: OMG! I finally finished it! What do you guys think? Please do tell me! PLEASE REVIEW!

I would like to thank that people who have reviewed namely, Chocolate-Covered-Coffee-Beans, Inda, tigger093061, pbee, Kathya, killua, Shizuka-naTenshi, babycoh04, f-zelda, Addictd2., Chisakami Saiyuki, dancegoddess. You people are the best! LOVE YOU ALL!

Thanks so much all of you!

I would like to share this verse from the Bible that I love dearly.

Corinthians 1: 13

Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's faults, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end.

And from me to you:

Take things into perspective. See the hidden truths. Forge your desires into heart. Don't let worries cloud your vision. Everything will be clear. Fulfill your destiny. Walk on.

Love lots,

elena-maria

P.S. I realized that I haven't been including a disclaimer so this will be the disclaimer for the whole story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. Please no suing, I've got no money in my pockets.