Thanks for all the reviews! I can't update frequently so I apologize in advance. Let's move on with the story now!
Sitting, Wishing and Waiting: Chapter 1'Ryoma Echizhen. Tennis prodigy. Started at Seigaku Junior High School, stormed the international tennis scene by turning pro at 16. Won his first title at 17, has never looked back since.'
In short, that was Ryoma Echizhen's life since 12 in a mere span of thirty one words. Momoshiro Takeshi, current editor for Tennis Weekly, Japan, looked at the short paragraph presented to him and could not help but smile.
As he put down the page, he could not help but wonder to himself: Ryoma, is this what your whole life is going to be about?
Ryoma frowned as the unfamiliar beep tone came on again. Where the hell was Sakuno? He had been trying to reach her for the past fifteen minutes and it was apparent she was not picking up.
There was no reason for her to not pick up. Every time he called, she would be sure to pick it up after a few rings, three rings to be precise. He glanced at his watch. No, it was morning in Japan already and Sakuno was an early riser.
For the past week, Ryoma had been playing in Los Angeles in an All-Star Charity Match. He had promised to call Sakuno the minute he arrived in the city but he conveniently forgot about it until the day he was due to leave.
"Echizhen-san, can we move on already? We have to get to the airport soon to check in." His publicist asked anxiously. He looked at her in annoyance.
"I'm trying to call home first." He said curtly. He punched in the numbers for his apartment and was dismayed to find that he reached the answering machine only.
"Let's go then." Sakuno would be fine. She always would. And she would be waiting for him when he got home, of that he was sure.
Sakuno dug her hands deeper into the pockets of her jacket as the chilly autumn wind blew. She had turned her cell phone off, not wanting to be disturbed by anyone, especially Ryoma.
Unconsciously, she found herself wandering near the park where she and Ryoma had spent much of their time together and sat down a park bench.
"You're shivering. Here, take my jacket." Ryoma said and removed his jacket.
"No! You'll freeze to death!" Sakuno protested but he draped it firmly over her small frame.
"It's better that I fall sick so that you can take care of me." He merely said and kissed her forehead. She blushed a deep red.
She had felt so blissful then, that she was the luckiest girl around to have such a great boyfriend. She closed her eyes as she tried hard to contain her tears. No, she had convinced herself that she was past crying for him but why was it so that her heart throbbed so painfully and her tears threatened to spill?
"Ryuuzaki?"
She looked up at the familiarity of the voice and found herself staring into the all-too familiar blue orbs.
"Fuji-sempai?"
Sakuno had blossomed into a beautiful young lady, her hair no longer tied up in pig-tails but now in a loose ponytail with wisps of hair falling out.
Her eyes still the same registered surprise at his presence. He was similarly surprised to find her alone at the park. She motioned for him to sit down and he gladly accepted the offer.
"Aren't you going to pick Ryoma up? Heard he's coming back today." Sakuno shook her head.
"He can go home himself." Fuji was puzzled by the finality in the tone. Noticing that there were tear stains on her face, he knew something was not right.
"Is something wrong?" He asked gently. "You can tell me." He put his hand on her shoulder and finally, the last wall crumbled in Sakuno.
She bit her lip and tried to prevent the tears from escaping again. "I…I…Ryoma…" Before she could even get that far, she started sobbing. Wordlessly, Fuji took the smaller girl into his embrace.
Ryoma finally reached home and cursed the foul weather. He was unprepared for it and the biting cold had got to him.
But what was inside the house was something he was even more unprepared for it. He noticed the letter immediately. 'To Ryoma' The familiar handwriting was unmistakably hers and he tore it open.
The feeling of dread rose inside him and when he reached the last word, he could scarcely believe what he was reading.
Sakuno wanted to break up with him? That was not possible. Ryoma knew that he had made her angry a few times before and that she had wanted to leave him but they always got back together, somehow.
Surely this time would be the same, won't it? A small box lay besides the letter and he picked it up, opening it.
The ring.
Ryoma dropped the letter and dashed out of the house. No, Sakuno would not do this to him. Not now.
Sakuno lay in Fuji's arms, sobbing, her heart broken, her fragile form racked with tears. Fifteen years of loving. It was too hard to put them all down. There were simply too many memories but she had to do it.
Ryoma ran around the place, searching for her. The cold wind enveloped him as he clutched the ring tightly and continued searching. She could not leave him. They were meant to be together, forever. That was what he said fifteen years ago. And he thought promises were forever.
Fuji wondered what he was doing as he hugged Sakuno. It seemed natural to put his arms around her and comfort her. Yes, it was only a little gesture. But Fuji knew otherwise. Fifteen years of standing afar and watching her. He had been content to see her happy but it seemed standing afar was not enough.
Fifteen years of sitting, waiting and wishing.
To be continued
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