The Devil's Proposal
by my NeverNever land
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
Seneca
Waking Up
18 years later
"Are there still things you want us to deliver for you, Ms. Sakura?"
"None... That's all I have..."
"Alright Madam, we will be going now..."
After all the things were packed to their respective boxes, I watched them being loaded at the truck.
Then, I heard the sound of the engine of the truck. The noise that came from it sounded a little bit odd. It was like an empty can with stones inside and was shaking continuously. The sound was unpleasant to the ears but I didn't mind anyway...not at this moment.
The truck slowly moves away from where I stand. I gaze at the back of the truck while its speed increases until it turns left...I don't know that I stared at that place for a long time. I only lost the contact when my eyes get a bit itchy because of sudden dryness. I blink my eyes for several times until the itchiness fades. Then, I turn around and look at the house in front of me for the last time.
I move towards the gate that is coated by rust and trace the fine details that my grandfather especially made from a well-known designer.
I gaze back and forth from the house then outside the lawn...and lastly, the garden.
The house is an English-style Georgian country house with an early-twentieth century garden made by a renowned family. The garden is broadly in the arts and crafts style with appropriate planting like hedges, roses, phlox, lilies and hollyhocks. The house features two whimsical murals commissioned by the women as well as antique furnishings and handcrafted decorative arts my grandfather had collected. But the garden that once bloomed with flowers was covered by various vines.
Suddenly, like a flood, the memories flashed back.
The house was once I called a home. A place where I can return to, but that was a long time ago...
It was glowing and glistening during Christmas. The place was full of lights. The trees and gardens are sparkling like fireflies. The table was full of different cuisine that was made by our best chefs. Before Christmas, there was a party were most of the visitors were elites and nobles. All were dressed at their best attires. Fine ladies and gentlemen surrounded the vast ballroom with music in the air soothed the evening.
Every Christmas, that was the scenario. A habit that my grandfather hard to break. Nevertheless, my grandfather was the king in the house. He emanated an aura of a tyrant and a repressive man, consequently most of the people in the island had a feeling of fear and terror.
He was a perfectionist.
But, I never saw him that way... Mr. Kuonji Sakura may be tough on the outside but inside, he's a warm person. He loved his family the most. He was an impassive person. He wanted to keep a quiet atmosphere as much as possible, though I'm loud he didn't mind it at all. Maybe because I'm the only granddaughter he had, and the only family left.
He was my mentor during the moments of my uncertainties. He was my savior when I'm in need. He was the person I adored the most. He was the one I can called a parent because my parents died in an accident when I'm still a child. He allotted his time to me, his successor.
Mr. Sakura buried his mind to expand his businesses around the world. With his own strength and talents, he conquered his dreams: a place of sanctuary...and here, in Garden Isle, he found what he was looking for. We didn't leave this island after I was born. He managed to buy all the land here right after the tragic storm had annihilated the island. Though, he used any means to acquire the land, he still gave the people a place to live.
He altered the land to be one of the most productive and high-class producer of crops in the world. The new innovation of farming was brought in the Island by him. He contracted specialize persons to conduct a research for the crops. Therefore, the island was known not only on Asia but among other continents as well.
As the economics of the island increase, the people status decreased dramatically. My grandfather sometimes forgot the welfare of others because of some tragic events happened before. He never trusted anyone after the incident that almost caused of my death. I certainly not hated him because of that but sometimes, I felt the sorrow of the people that unfortunately lead me in deep thought about my own grandfather's true identity...
One night, I decided to take a walked at the garden. The time really flies fast, I thought. Here I am, graduated from a well-known school on America where I took Business Management courtesy of my grandfather. Well, at that time that I must choose a degree program, I didn't know what I want so I followed what my grandpa desired for me. I stayed in America for almost 5 years and after I managed our business in America, he destined me in Japan for another 2 years. I didn't know why he didn't want me to come back to the Garden Isle even if I pleaded for him to transfer me to our business there in the island...
"Now, I am already at my home, where I really belong." I said with a small smile in my lips. Then, gentle breeze caressed my face and carried my hair away in my face.
I stayed in the porch with a peaceful face for a few moments.
Then, the silence was break by a voice that came behind me.
"Sakura, what are you doing here at this time?" Mr. Sakura said.
"Hi gramps! Nothing... I'm just enjoying the scenery that you selfishly stave off to your dearest granddaughter." I said with a mocked face.
He smirked.
"I know my princess. And I enjoyed the idea that I tortured you from holding off to come back."
He glanced towards the beautiful night sky.
"You're a cruel man for that mister." I said with amused voice as I also glanced towards the sky.
I missed these times...
"Thank you."
"For what gramps?" I smiled
"For being an obedient granddaughter."
I looked at him with inquiring eyes. He never used a tone like that to me...never once especially the word 'thank you.'
"You know I can't defy your rules old man." I humoured a bit.
Then he showed a face that I seldom saw, a smile.
"Mikan..."
He only called me 'Mikan' when he was up to something, when he said something important.
"Yes, grandpa?"
"I'd decided that...you will stay here for good."
Slowly...I jumped to him.
"Really? Oops. There's no turning back."
"Of course princess. I have one word." He grinned. "But, don't be so excited yet...there's a condition."
I made a face.
He reached my chin and lifted up my face so the two hazel orbs met.
"It's easy darling. You will be the president for a month. What do you think?"
My eyes widened after the words registered in my mind.
"WHY GRANDPA?"
"Woah! I thought you wanted to stay here for good? And you promised me that if I accepted your request, you will do whatever I wish. Do you forget it already? Or you don't want to stay here anymore?"
"Wait! Argh! You're such a wicked man gramps!" I whined but he just laughed with my attitude.
"It's the right time for you to handle our business so you can be familiar with the flow of our transactions...and...I will leave for America after you are acknowledged as my replica for the presidency. Sooner or later, you will manage my empire thus this will be the best training I can give you."
"So what's your answer Ms. Sakura?"
"Alright...I will do it."
I sighed dejectedly.
I didn't know what he was up to. After the agreement we had. I were immediately became the president. The boards welcomed me warmly. Then, there was a welcome gathering for me and all the employers, farmers, and people in our island were invited and witnessed the celebration.
After the night, my grandfather left early for his flight. I personally gave him a ride. We bid our farewells. He walked slowly first then he turned around and gave me a salute. I saluted back. I watched his figure faded as he walked through the doors...He didn't told me his reason why he left for America and that left me with an uncomfortable feeling that I can't explained.
A month passed swiftly, I looked at my calendar and a vivid memory played on my mind...
As I watched him walked slowly through the doors...all of a sudden, he collapsed midway. I ran to him and he was sent to a near hospital. After he was confine, the result of diagnose left me breathless. My mind went completely blank...
"Ms. Sakura, it's so hard to say this but your grandfather...has an acute disease that even any treatment or medicine cannot cure it."
An...acute...disease...
An...acute...disease...
An...acute...disease...
Words were keep repeating like a broken disc.
No! This can't be happening! I screamed inside my head. This can't be true. I'm only dreaming am I?
No... My grandfather was a tough man. He never showed his weakness to anyone, even to me.
He never told me he was unwell during that time. He always solved his problem alone. If only I were at his side all the time...If only I were sensitive enough to see that he was hurting inside...
There was never a day I left him alone at the hospital. He was unconscious for weeks.
I abandoned my duties and responsibilities as a president to take care of my grandfather. Slowly, the business got out of hand. The income deteriorates dramatically until the business declared bankrupt.
I felt empty after the hospital called me at the office... He left me, like my parents did to me. I didn't have anything left aside from the house. I already sold almost all our properties including the house because of the medicines and fees charged at the hospital...
There's a sharp pain in my heart when I recalled the memories I shared with this place. The moments that seems so long forgotten... I feel a warm tear that escapes on my eyes. I brush it instantly. I promised myself that I will never be prison again by my loneliness and despair.
I look at my watch that tells me that it's time to go. With a last look, I step my feet opposite from the house...
"How's the farm Mr. Narumi?" said by the man in a gray suit.
"The crops we harvest this year are all first-class thus we can acquire a good amount of money for these crops."
"Good."
"You are really a one lucky guy."
"What are you talking about?"
"When will you stay here for good? You know, the farmers here will be glad especially the ladies."
"You're already here and I have many works I left at the America." "You're avoiding the question old man."
"Hahaha. You're still sharp."
"You have already done your vengeance for your family." "You know, you're not getting any old. Maybe it's time for you to have your own family."
"What crap are you saying. I don't have any plans to have a family. Maybe never... and... even he was already dead, it doesn't mean it is over. Until all the Sakura will be at my grasp, I will still keep my vengeance to them."
7/17/10