Guys! YOUR REVIEWS ARE SO HEARTWARMING! Thank you so much =(^.^)= So here's the thirteenth! Please enjoy 3
CHAPTER 13
A Shallow Conclusion
-o-
I raised my hands again to look at the band on it. The small diamond shined as the thin ray of light reflected by the mirror hit it. If my guess is right, the metal is made of silver-coated platinum, and is designed to be stuck on the wearer's finger for the rest of his damn life.
I can't be wrong. I've tried all means to pull it off and the only last resolve left is to cut my finger. But of course I'm not an idiot to do that. I'm just the most curious person by now.
I mean… what's this ring doing in my ring finger of all fingers? I know I'm not wearing a ring when I washed my dishes way back at Boston before I went back working on my dissertation… before falling asleep and waking up just to decide to come here.
And then everything became weird… especially when I met that girl.
But by the looks of it, it feels like I'm having a déjà vu—like everything's being repeated to me but in a different way. And then I'm starting to have weird visions and I'm haunted by voices in my head. It's a big headache, you can guess.
And it's worse when she's around.
Her scent, her hair, her face, her voice… everything about her… is irritating, annoying but intriguing. She's like a mystery to be solved… a curious case for me.
I sighed in exasperation. No matter how think, I can't figure out how she's related to my headaches. But since I laid my eyes on her, something inside me bugs me to hell, telling me that she's got something—something that I want to know… or maybe, I want to have.
At first I decided that it's not worth my attention. I even went here, at my private residence outside Roseville so I can relax and work, or maybe clear my mind so I can go back to Boston as soon as I can but Konan made it worse. I can still remember what she said before leaving me there.
.
"You made a promise to make her remember."
.
Darn that girl to leave without elaborating it. She even cancelled her phone number so I can't call her to ask. I hate it when she can piss me off.
I pushed my seat back and leaned my head on the headboard of my bed, and then I opened my eyes. "To make her remember, huh?" I asked myself as I examine the ring once again. "Who's her? I can't even remember her, leave alone what I should make her remember…" I muttered. But then something about the ring made me bring it closer to my eyes. There are small letters engraved on it as a design. They're so small that I have to take my reading glasses out of the dusty drawer. I wore it first and scrutinized the ring once again.
"N… M… N… M…" I read and the rest was all N and M. "Just N and M? What the hell's N and M!" I depressingly whined to myself, slamming my hand on the table and forcibly leaned my head back on the board.
Chocolates? Stupid me. It's M&M.
This is crap. ARG!
N and M… Maybe it's a jewelry store. But darn. Why would a jewelry store put their name on the outer part of the ring? That would be ridiculous. Well… speaking of a jewelry store… I stood at once and approached my laptop. I run my program, which can scan the entire web of all the jewelry stores, so I can send them the same inquiry about the ring that I'm wearing. I also posted a picture of it.
I found my face buried on the palm of my hands when I'm done, while All American Rejects's song replays on the background. I've been listening to it and Lifehouse too since I came here. It's weird but I just feel something when I'm listening to them… like… I remember something.
I was about to close my eyes again when I heard a squeaking sound. I glanced around but I found nothing that seems 'squeaking' so I relaxed a bit and—
"Onii—"
"Aoi?" I maundered to myself. I listened for more before heading for the door.
"Onii-chan! Open!" The high-pitched screechy sound confirmed that its Aoi so I went down and opened the door. "YOU'RE SO SLOW ONII-CHAN!" she exclaimed. My eyebrows rose at once at the sight of her—dripping hair, dripping clothes, pale skin and almost-violet lips!
"Get inside you idiot!" I hissed at her as I pulled her inside and closed the door. It was obvious that she's chilling.
"You're the idiot! Open that door! Mikan-chan's outside!" She retorted with a cracking voice.
I felt my heart flipped inside my chest. "Mikan!" And to think I can't be any faster, I was already outside before the next second. I glanced around but I found no one. Aoi rushed under my arm outside and jumped below the stairs. Just then, a sight of a bleeding, unconscious girl made me jump too. My adrenaline started to boil inside me and panic almost took over. I took her into my arms and hurried inside.
"What the hell happened to both of you and why are you here!" I asked Aoi in a rush.
"Whoa, whoa, big bro. Chill, okay? You can nag all you want but let's fix her up first!" she answered. I agreed in silence as I lay the feeble body on the couch. She was so pale and cold but thank goodness she's still breathing.
I examined her bleeding wound and then I noticed her wet clothes. I can't help blushing as I realize how they clung tightly to her body. "Aoi, go get some dry clothes and help her change." I called out and swore to keep my eyes off her face and body. Darn, I'm a guy and I have hormones.
I took off my healing necklace and placed it near the wound. I know it's not as powerful as before but it still healed the wound even if there's still a shallow lesion. At least I will not stay longer by her side to drown myself in her strawberry scent. But even if Aoi already came in with the clothes, I don't want to stand up. No! I mean… I… can't stand up.
"Whoi bro, go away. I need to change her clothes." Aoi nudged me away but I can't keep my eyes off her. Darn it. Why can't I?
But no matter how hard it is, I stood up. I was about to leave but I noticed something. "Hey Aoi, why did you get that one!" I asked her when I saw my favorite lavender sweater.
"Stop whining, Onii-chan. I can't find anything better." She replied. "Don't worry. I ordered us some clothes online and I'm expecting them later. In the meantime, be hospitable, okay?" I left her with a glare and went to upstairs to change my clothes too.
Just as I was going out of the bathroom, my phone rang and I picked it up in an instant.
"Natsume, Aoi è lì con te (is Aoi there with you)?" I can tell at once that it's my grandmother. I glanced through the blinds at my sister who's blowing her hot drink. Aoi can leave Roseville. But to take a guest with her and injure themselves this much, maybe there's something wrong.
"No, lei non è qui (No, she's not here)…" I replied. "Perché è così, Mama (Why's that Mama)?"
"Lei fuggì nuovamente ma questa volta, con un ospite. E peggio, era la figlia del presidente. (She escaped again but this time, with a guest. And worse, it was the chairman's daughter.)" She paused for a sigh. "Si figuri, Mi limiterò a comunicare se lei si trova, and oh Natsume (Nevermind, I'll just notify you if she's found, and oh Natsume)…"
"Si (Yes)?"
"Don't spoil your vacation there, and come back here." She said in her usual calm and straight tone, with her sharp Italian accent, the 'R's' are almost inaudible.
I smiled inwardly. I want to tell her that 'I'll think about it' but things are starting to steal my interest and now I don't know how my eyes landed on that girl sleeping on my couch. "Yeah, I will…" I said instead, and then she hung up.
My gaze went back to Aoi. I know she'll runaway again as soon as this girl wakes up so I picked something from my drawer. I playfully tossed it in the air as I descend from the stairs, walking towards her. She straightened up and hid something she was playing with when she noticed me.
I made an eye-roll first. I can't help it. I am irritated because my repose was disturbed and partly because I don't like what happened to them, especially to that girl. "Mind telling me about your little adventure?" I started, sitting on the black bar stool chair across her. She swallowed and cleared her throat, indicating some nervousness. She knows I can cancel all her bank accounts or mess with her academic records in just some seconds.
"Alright. My fault." She raised her hands, palms facing me, in surrender. "I'm looking for someone to accompany me outside… just outside Roseville's gate to distract the guard's attention. I saw her and asked for her favor but she turned me down. When she told me that she's going to the Pink Rose Garden, I told her that there's a shortcut in the labyrinth. I knew my bodyguards didn't mind it at first because I was with someone." She paused, cautiously eyeing me. "I was about to leave her but she just started freaking out when she realized that I was leaving on my own and the guards started chasing us so I dragged her with me. And then I was in a hurry that I forgot to leave her there." She exhaled loudly, as if the air was so heavy to keep inside. I glanced back at the girl on the couch, still sleeping peacefully. I bet she lost some good amount of blood with that wound.
And I don't know why I'm bothered to this extent. If I can remember, I left Roseville… mainly… because of her. Now it's like a big joke flashing, laughing heartily at me—she's here. I want to glare at heaven. Is this a way to bully me? I don't know how I suddenly became affected with her existence and now I'm worrying about her. Seriously, I'll be a liar if I say that I'm mad because Aoi escaped again because it's a natural occurrence. I know I'm mad because of some other reason.
"How'd she get that wound?" I asked her again, blank-faced.
Aoi started blabbering about ending up in an old road, being almost harassed by two drunkards and assaulted in an old shop where that girl put on a fight to save her and unconsciously teleported near here.
"Teleported, huh?" I mused. "She's never been here…" I murmured, trying to think of a reason why they ended up here.
"Maybe she's thinking about you…" Aoi blabbered. My eyes caught hers immediately when the idea hit me. I smirked involuntarily. So that girl's thinking about me? Wow, interesting. I've been spending the last few days rallying on my mind for it to work and remember who on earth she is to me. "Hey you, swell-headed-guy. Aish!" she exclaimed, twitching her mouth to pout. "I shouldn't have told you that! Now you're being so full of yourself again!" she reprimanded. Aoi can really read my reactions well.
"It's your fault." I told her, trying to repress a… well, a conceited smirk.
She pushed her seat back and went to the sink to wash the mug that she used. "Maybe it's just an accident…" she shrugged. I took the opportunity to implant the minute tracker on her watch which was left on the table. I know I'll need that when she succeeds on escaping again. I put it back in its original position after.
When I lifted my eyes, Aoi was on her way to the backdoor. "Aoi!" I called at her using my scary-brother voice.
I noticed her flinch but she snapped her head to my direction at once. "Y-yes?"
"And where are you going?" I asked her, trying to pierce her consciousness with my eyes.
She snapped her head back to the door innocently, "Going to check if our clothes are already dry." She said. I followed her with my eyes until she came back with their clothes. I was able to exhale. Darn this importunate girl to make us worry this much!
I continued watching her until she reached the girl and then, knowing that I'm keeping an eye on her, she glanced back glaring at me. "Would you get lost, you freak? I have to put her undies back!"
Aww sh.t. I really have to be lost. Darn it, I think I'm blushing.
I was about to get up from my seat but the doorbell rang. I went for the door and found packages to be received so I signed the receipt and carried the stuffs inside. But I'm just surprised that the task didn't even tire me. Usually… it would—I mean, carrying heavy stuffs.
I shrugged the thought away, just glad that I'm feeling unusually healthy. The girl was alone in the living room area when I came back. "Aoi…?" I called out. No one answered. I called her again for several times but still, Aoi didn't answer… and I'm starting to panic.
I dropped the boxes and paper bags and hurried upstairs to check my computer.
"Crap." I cussed unconsciously when I saw the moving red light on my tracking application. I can't help running a hand on my hair and end up pulling them while I bit my lower lip. With the speed that she's having, I knew at once that she even dared to take my spare Ferrari.
"Wait…" I muttered, "…the… the girl…" and then like a flash, I was downstairs again. I can't believe what kind of exercise my sister just put me into.
But then pant became a ragged kind of breathing when… I saw her.
What's with this girl? Even a sight of her sleeping affects me. I can't believe this. Again, I run my hands on my hair and heaved a heavy sigh. "Now what should I do with you?" I found myself muttering. I decided to take her upstairs on my bed.
WATCH IT! I don't plan anything with this girl. Heaven forbid!
So I carried and finally laid her on my bed. She was wearing my favorite lavender shirt and my dark gray sweatpants. I'm glad she didn't get a fever from the rain and the injury.
Again, I was tempted to gaze at her face. How should I describe it?
Uhm… ugly?
Well, if I will use the standard around me like Aoi, Konan, Roslyn and even my grandmother, she will hardly pass. I smirked at the thought. But as I look at her… damn, I'm captivated. She holds some kind of enticing quality that enchants me and I don't know if I will hate or love it because… for some reasons, it amuses me and weakens me at the same time.
I have to shake my head so I can think rationally but my action didn't help even a bit. Who is this girl?
I went closer but I was like… stunned and then I felt a sting of pain inside me. I kneeled beside her, so tempted to touch her face. I run a check on my head to find an excuse to not lay a finger on her but I was defeated by the curious part of me.
Her face… I know I've seen it before… I just can't remember when. And her hair… this color—
.
"I'll definitely find you. I'll get you back no matter what…"
.
I suddenly winced in pain. Ugh! Darn headache.
It's my dream. It's when I was holding a girl with… the same rusty honey-colored hair.
Then suddenly, Konan's voice echoed in my head. "You made a promise to make her remember."
My mind went blank. Just now, Konan's words and my own haunting voice seem to be paralleled. They keep echoing in my head, simultaneously and I think I'm going crazy. I stood on my feet and as my equilibrium betrays me, I reached for the side of the table for support. My heart beats in my head and it's giving me the worst headache that I can endure.
I reached for the glass of water and gulped al its content, blinking hard. The music on the background fades, giving way to another song—You and Me. Nolstagic. It reminds me of weddings—
Wedding—
I went back to her side, slowly scrambled for her left hand… and my heart leaped, wanting to escape from my ribs. I have to close my eyes and start breathing again, jaw tightly clenched. I don't know what to feel. I feel so suffocated and drowned in my own pool confused feelings. I think I forgot how to breathe.
She's wearing the same ring.
My head hurts again with the whiplash of unsorted events: The blinding brightness, the sun, the sea, the bright colors of summer, the smell of freesias, jasmine and rose, the aroma of coffee right on the tip of my nose… I can't… stop them! Then comes a smile… a view of the city lights against the sunset… it's making my breathing hard and heavy…
I blink again. The song continues on the background and I reach for the laptop to turn it off. The visions are torturous! Again, my head jumped to another dimension: a girl… bright smile… A girl… in my arms… A girl… brown eyes… and my heart stopped. I can see a girl whispering something in my ear…
"I love you… Natsume…" then I glanced down at her…
I clenched a fist on my chest, hoping that it would calm my heart down. But I don't think it would stop… unless… unless I admit to myself… even if it's a shallow conclusion.
That she's the girl… in my head.
N and M…
It's Natsume and Mikan.
CREDITS:
First, to all of you :)
*to these Songs also (this is Natsume's Playlist):
BACK TO ME by All American Rejects
YOU AND ME by Lifehouse
FIND ME by Boyce Avenue
NEVERMIND by Taylor Swift
=(^_^)= I'll be so grateful to have reviews from you guys. Thanks so much!
