I miss my friend.
This is what Sho read on the note he saw on Niya's, their cat, necklace. There was a tiny note attached on the cat's necklace that Sho noticed.
It had been two years since he bid farewell to Arrietty. And he was certain Arrietty wrote the note.
"Arrietty..." Sho whispered in the air.
Sho, his mom, and his grandmother were on a vacation at the old house. Many memories in that house flooded Sho's mind. That includes his memories with Arrietty. They arrived last night, and he did not even notice the note when Niya first approached him.
"Niya, can you take me to where Arrietty is?" Sho gently massaged their cat with his fingers while asking the favor.
Tha cat, of course, replied with a "meow" sound. Sho took that as a "yes." He then let Niya smell the note, and the cat did not fail him. It was looking at a direction while doing a "meow" sound.
Sho has decided. He will finally meet Arrietty. Sho then gave Niya the privilege of sleeping in his room. His condition was already normal, and his heart gained its good health.
During breakfast...
"Sho, my son, what do you want to do today?" Sho's mother asked enthusiastically.
"I will start walking a few blocks after breakfast mom. Niya will be my guide." And he then massaged Niya's forehead. The cat was sitting on a chair beside him.
"Oh, that's great Sho! That will strengthen your heart and lungs. I'm happy to know that son!"
"But Sho, please don't overdo it, okay?" Sho's grandmother asked worriedly.
"Don't worry grandma, I won't run. Just a simple walking exercise in the morning."
"Enjoy son. You can breathe fresh air here. And people are friendly here, so you don't have to worry." Said his mom positively.
"Very well. Just as long as you won't overdo do it Sho."
"Thanks mom. I won't grandma."
"Alright then, your grandma and I will be busy buying groceries in town after breakfast. So I guess we'll see you by lunchtime then."
"Okay." Sho then smiled to both ladies and continued eating.
After breakfast, Sho hurriedly prepared for their morning walk. He brought a backpack with some food and water in it and attached an adjustable lanyard on Niya's necklace for him to hold. When everything was set, they started their "walking exercise." Niya led the way, while Sho was enjoying the fresh air and the nice view.
After a not-so-long distance, Niya finally stopped at a shortcut towards an old mansion. The shortcut was full of flowers and plants that pleased Sho's eyes. They stopped in front of a huge gate of the mansion where Sho needed to think first of what to say to get in the premises.
Niya kept on her "meow" sound, and Sho understood that Arrietty is just near. He quickly thought of giving a note to Arrietty through Niya.
I'm outside the front gate. I'll wait for you.
I miss you too,
Sho
He then detached the lanyard from Niya and gestured the cat to go to Arrietty. The cat was smart enough to understand what was going on. Niya then hurried to where the Borrowers were. Sho, on the other hand, watched Niya run to the back of the mansion.
Sho was patient in waiting for Niya to come back, and it wasn't long when Niya came back. When the cat was in front of him, it was only looking at him like it was waiting for something. After a few seconds, Sho's heart was pounding really fast that he had to hold his chest. He finally saw his little friend, Arrietty.
Arrietty, on the other hand, was hiding at the back of Niya's left ear before she showed up to Sho. She was also very nervous that she slowly showed herself up. It was a long pause before either of them could say something. They were just staring at each other like both of them are about to cry. Sho finally said something.
"Arrietty,..."
"Sho...!" Arrietty then ran forward and jumped on Niya's forehead, reaching Sho's open hands.
Sho then let Arrietty touch him on his nose.
"Sho! You came back!"
"Sho! You came back!"
"Of course! I wanted to see you Arrietty!"
"How did you find me?"
Sho then massaged Niya's head. The cat was now licking its paws, not aware of the emotions pouring on them.
"Oh Sho! I'm so happy I get to see again!"
"Me too Arrietty!"
Sho then let their foreheads meet, and they closed their eyes, hoping this moment will last. When they composed themselves, they started talking happily. Sho was hiding in the bush, so nobody can see them.
"Did you come back to our house?" Sho asked Arrietty.
"Yes, I did after a few days. I was trying to get something from our house. Things that we forgot when moved here. And Niya happened to notice me so I thought of putting a note in case you will come back."
"You did great on placing the note! Luckily, it was really placed and hidden well on Niya's necklace, and it did not fall off or get damaged."
"Yes, I made sure it will still be there in case you come back."
"Thank you, Arrietty."
"No Sho! Thank you..."
They both smiled at each other.
"How are you here?"
"Well, everything's doing really..."
Arrietty was not able to continue when Niya stayed alert and saw something at a distance.
"Oh no, you have to go! They know I'm gone, and I know Spiller is looking for me."
"Spiller?"
"Please go now!" Arrietty then jumped from Sho's hands to Niya's forehead and then to the ground.
"But Arrietty,..."
"Please! If they found out that I'm seeing you again, we may not see each other again, EVER!"
Sho understood quickly. He then moved and walked away while keeping on turning his head towards Arrietty's direction.
"Go! Don't worry about me! I'll be fine! I'll see you again I promise!" Arrietty shouted full of joy and hope.
It was when Sho smiled happily while walking away, knowing the assurance of them seeing each other again.