Thank you all who have been supporting this story. This chapter will have some hints of self-realizations that will be fundamental in the success of their reunion. Until the next update.
"Chapter 7: Her Meeting Preparations"
Sakura stared at herself in the mirror in an elegant clothing store in the heart of Tokyo. When the management of the establishment heard the Uchiha Mikoto is coming, they willingly made it a private affair. In short, the doors will remain closed until the very important visitor leaves. The voices of the staff were still ringing inside Sakura's ears. They were talking about who she could be as her presence is not seen in Mikoto's social circle. The onlookers would argue she must be special that the matriarch decided to spend time with her. To be honest Sakura felt pressured. She is an ordinary woman making her way to med school.
Once again her jade eyes focused on the reflection in front. Mikoto had chosen a red short A-line dress for her. It had short sleeves and the length is covering half her thighs. The clothing managed to show her slender legs. The free-flowing fabric underneath the waist made her look elegant. It was paired with lovely strappy white sandals with manageable 3-inch heels. The matriarch encourages that she keep her hair down. The dress looked simple when on display but on her, it looked stunning. She was never the narcissist, but for today it would be an exemption.
"Can I come in Sakura-chan?" The gentle voice of the elder woman reverberated snapping her out of her review. She nervously answered yes and for some reason, her heart began to beat faster. Would this look be appealing enough to get approval? The medical student inhaled to calm herself. Why did it matter that her looks be approved? She is not going on a date. It is just a fan meeting. But it is the first time she will see Sasuke again in years. Would he like what he sees? The thought made her blush at the same time Mikoto entered the fitting room.
"You look beautiful." The dark-haired lady stated. "Sasuke will surely like this." Came the follow-up explanation. "He is not too fond of girls looking too sexy. A lady must carry herself with elegance while looking desirable all the time." A gentle smile graced her sponsor's lips. "Consider this as a gift for all the birthdays and Christmases we did not get to spend." The pinkette was about to argue that the offer is too much. She saw the price tags and the worth is like a normal person's 3-month salary. "Hush dear, you deserve to be spoiled." The comment made her blush more. "Sakura-chan, I was told that Sasuke has been cooperative this morning."
"He knows I am here?" The jade eye beauty spoke with a shaking voice. The elder nodded in confirmation with a smirk on her lips. "He must be upset. I did not use the plane tickets he gave me." The younger girl sighed feeling guilty of actually considering making their meeting a one-sided affair. "I was not supposed to reveal myself to him. That was my initial plan."
"Is it because I came to see you that your decision changed?" The esteemed socialite inquired in a non-judgmental tone. Despite a kind tone, the younger lady felt ashamed of her attitude before. It was gnawing in her heart how much of a selfish coward she was.
The pinkette swayed her head in negation and pushed herself to speak. "I saw on TV. The news to be specific." The medical student calmly thought about what she is about to say next. "The words he stated were very familiar. He would often approach me that way whenever he asks me a favor." The young woman gasped at what had just gone out of her lips. "I mean, he barely asks for favors and when Sasuke does I feel obliged because he rarely .." She was babbling that Sakura decided to shut her mouth.
"Sasuke rarely asks for help or interest in most things besides music." The mother of the man in question finished for her. "That is why whenever he breaks out of his shell, it is hard not to spoil him." The pinkette nodded which earned a smile from the older lady. "Thank you, Sakura for always being there for Sasuke."
"I was not a constant with him Mikoto-san…" Sakura did not want to receive any credit for Sasuke's well-being. Honestly, she was the one always on the receiving end of his subtle kindness. "I think it was my fault we drifted apart. Because I could not understand him well." The pinkette confessed the guilty though that has been hounding her mind after Ino revealed the meaning of Sasuke's songs. Then when she heard it on the radio in the Uchihas limo, it was sealed that it was her who made the wrong assumptions all along.
For some odd reason, her eyes alight sting, and soon tears began to pour out of it. Then she suddenly as if a dam broke, began to sob. It was for all the years wasted and the sadness the two of them probably felt. Did Sasuke feel as miserable as she is? Honestly, it doesn't matter if he isn't. She would be thankful if he isn't.
"He was always thinking of you," Mikoto spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "Sasuke would not voice it out like a normal person. But he sure made it noticeable in his songs and album covers." The mother revealed fondly. "You know there is this orphanage he frequents and for some reason, Sasuke covered the area with Sakura trees." The matriarch glanced at the pinkette tenderly. "He would go there every year and reflect. You probably have an idea who he was thinking about." Sakura blushed at the statement. "Sakura-chan, Sasuke has been waiting for you for the longest time."
Memories began to flood into Sakura's mind. All this time had she been missing the point? Had she been that clueless and placed Sasuke in a difficult position?
At the rooftop on their high school graduation, "I wouldn't celebrate just yet. " The brunette rebutted. "There is another thing I want but the time is not yet right."
"I will never grow tired waiting for you, Sakura." After he would accompany her home from the library during college.
"Spring is here but the cherry blossoms are gone, it just feels like winter." The song played continuously in her head.
Sakura wiped the salty tears off her cheeks and raised her with determination. This waiting game has gone too far and needs to end. Mikoto gleamed at the resolution displayed on the girl's face. The matriarch just knew that things will be going forward for the better. "Mikoto-san, before going to the fan meeting, can we stopover at the convenience store to get a cup of coffee?"
Mikoto had no idea what that cup of coffee is for. But if it holds a special meaning for the two youths then there is no need to question it.
