Author's Note: I don't own digimon. Probably won't and never will. Please read and review! :D
Chapter 13: Aversions
Three days later, Rika was in Naomi Kitara's office and she got briefed regarding her published book. She was wearing her white buttoned down shirt and a pair of black slacks together with black wedged shoes. Initially, she first thought that she was going to be suspended for reporting late to work last time.
"Rika, your story is already published and printing is already on-going," Naomi Kitara said with a smile.
Rika was surprised with what she heard about her story. "Really?"
"Yes," Naomi Kitara answered straight to the point. "Printing's very faster than usual actually. Maybe you'll get famous that way."
Rika only smiled ruefully with her employer's remark about her. "Yeah… Anyway, is there another thing you want to ask me, Ma'am?"
Her boss smiled. "Nothing much except if you're willing to accept the possible promotion that will be given to you."
Rika thought for a moment after learning that fact. She was still interested in accepting her mother's offer in going to America.
"I'm not sure with that," Rika replied hesitantly. "Really not."
"What a humble subordinate you are!" Mrs. Kitara remarked with a smile. "I'm sure that you'll really get it!"
Rika only nodded and walked away from her boss's office. When she stepped out of the room, she saw Zoe, Mimi and Madoka.
"Hey, Rika! How's everything?!" Zoe asked. "And why were you meeting Kitara earlier?"
"You getting fired?" Madoka asked Rika seriously. "That's absurd!"
"Why?" Mimi asked Rika as well.
Rika snorted as her officemates began to think oddly about her trip to Mrs. Kitara's office.
"I'm not getting fired, you dufuses," Rika answered with a huff. "I only got talked about my editorial schemes and tactics."
"That's so nice!" Zoe smiled and ran towards Rika so she could hug her. "It could mean about a promotion or something!"
Rika suddenly felt as if she could not breathe with Zoe squeezing her. She was surprised because some people could be very supportive at random times. And especially towards a cold-hearted girl just like her.
"Thanks," Rika only said because she could not think of anything to say more if her promotion was the one to be talked about. Because I really don't know what to say.
"You're welcome," Zoe answered with a smile. "Come on, Miss Associate Editor!"
When Zoe and Rika walked towards their cubicles, Rika had something that was disturbing her. Henry's upcoming marriage to Aimei Chen bothered her greatly because he did not tell anything regarding it towards her. Worse, she was still dealing with her feelings for Henry since they were planning on catching up with each other yet Henry was getting married to another woman through arranged marriage. She understood that it was a tradition of Chinese but it still pained her because she had to sacrifice her own happiness just to make Henry follow his parents.
Oh great… The more I'm seeing Henry, Rika thought. The more would be his chance of disobeying his parents… Maybe I should avoid him once and for all.
The topic about avoiding Henry suddenly brought an idea to Rika's head. The proposed trip to America began to linger in her mind.
What if I talk to my mom about my plan to leave for America? Rika thought wistfully. I thought I passed in my mission but I didn't. He's getting hitched to somebody else and maybe I should go out of his way… and maybe… out of his life.
As if fate was taking place even more, Rika's phone was ringing and she saw that the number in the screen belonged to Henry. She did not know if answering was the right thing to do as of now because she knew of Henry's engagement to someone else.
Should I answer it or not? Rika thought as she held her phone. It's been days but I never answered to any of his calls.
As she looked at her phone, she realized that it was already time for her to go home.
Meanwhile, Henry was in his office and was doing his narrative report. However, he opened his phone and saw that Rika was not yet answering his call once again. It had been seven days since he last saw her and he was also trying to call her. However, he only gained no answer during those days and he was getting anxious as the days passed by.
Rika… Please answer the phone, Henry thought. I need to talk to you right now.
But the next few seconds were making him worry more. Rika was not answering him as well and he was missing her so much. He wondered what caused Rika to ignore his calls lately.
Rika… What's happening and why won't you answer me? Henry thought as the phone sent him a message signaling that Rika could be out of reach.
Not long after, a woman came inside Henry's room and informed something to her boss.
"Sir Henry, meeting's going to start now," the woman, identified as Jinn, said to her employer.
Henry looked up and gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Okay. I'll be right there as soon as possible."
With this, he closed his laptop and stood up from his swivel chair. He also walked from his room towards the conference room.
Meanwhile, Rika was already waiting in front of her office so she could get home when all of a sudden, her phone rang.
"Hello?" Rika asked.
"Hello, Rika!" Mrs. Nonaka greeted her. "I need to talk to you."
"So do me, Mom," Rika answered. She referred the plan as one of her agendas with her mother. "I need to talk to you as well."
"Where are you? I've been trying to call you but you're not answering me," Mrs. Nonaka replied.
"Mom, I just got home from work. I was busy lately," Rika answered exasperatedly. "I've been battling all my stresses since last week."
"That's good but please don't stress yourself. You know what kind of trouble you had gone before, right?" Mrs. Nonaka pled. "I still want to have a granddaughter from you, you know?"
Rika smiled dryly. She lost her love life, a potential husband and a father of her future child so how would she live in Japan peacefully?
"That's impossible," Rika answered with a snort. "I'm not getting any younger either!"
"Well, you can have Henry as a sperm donor, you know?" Mrs. Nonaka jested from the other line.
"Mom, I'm gonna go and talk to you later, okay?" Rika answered so that she could get home and set up once again the internet connection in order for her to talk to her mother.
Back at Henry, he was busy finishing everything in his office. The conference did not last that long and he was still stuck in finishing everything that he had as of now. Right now, he also could not concentrate because Rika was not answering his calls and she was not doing anything so that she could see him. He began to miss his love even more.
Rika, please… I need to see you, Henry thought as he saw the picture of his girl during their reunion. He only got a copy because of Ryo giving him one as well. However, Rika's picture brought back the day when she last saw him.
"Anyway, thanks for everything, Henry," Rika said softly.
Henry looked at Rika and went towards her. He loved her so much that he did not want to let her go again this time.
"You're welcome," Henry answered back. "I really don't want to accept their offer."
"You have to do it, Henry," Rika replied as her right hand caressed Henry's cheek as she traced how disappointed and frustrated Henry was right now. "I'm happy that you can find someone better than me as you go through your marriage with her. Just do it for them."
Henry's left hand traveled to Rika's right hand and held it. It felt good for him by just touching Rika's hand. He moved towards her and when they were already inches away from each other, he kissed her forehead affectionately.
Rika was surprised to why Henry kissed her forehead. She felt his warm lips on her head and realized that his love for her was greater than anything. When they broke apart, Henry was looking at her intently.
"I'll try my best to think about it, Rika," Henry said. "I don't want to think that you're letting me go that easily."
"But it's for the best, Henry," Rika pointed out. "I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. Your parents already gave me an odd look when you brought me to the dinner earlier."
Henry nodded painfully, not wanting to accept that Rika was letting him go again.
"Anyway, good night," Rika answered. "Get some sleep so you could have the energy to think about it… if you will really think about it…"
That afternoon, Rika eventually arrived at her home and opened the gate so she could walk inside. When she sat down, she stretched her legs and arms as well. Feeling relaxed, she began to pull herself up.
Ah! The sweet life! Rika thought as she raised her arms in the air.
Suddenly, she remembered something and she immediately stood up. She was supposed to talk to her mother in a video message!
"Damn it!" Rika said and eventually ran towards her room so she could get her laptop.
When she ran upstairs, she realized that she had to be careful because she slipped at the stairway before. Fortunately, she landed on her feet at that time.
"Why oh why…" Rika mumbled as she arrived at her doorway and opened the door leading to her room.
She got inside and found that her laptop was just lying on top of her bed. She took it as well as the charger and some cables so she could set up the connection downstairs. She went downstairs and returned back to sitting in the couch. As she sat down, she plugged all the necessary cables and wires in order to establish the connection that she needed for her to talk to her mother. She opened the laptop and waited for the video message to pop in because of the program installed in it. Then after a few moments, she saw her mother in the screen.
"Hi, Sweetie!" Mrs. Nonaka greeted. "How are you?"
"Hello, Mom!" Rika answered. "How's life?"
"I'm good! Like I said earlier, I wish that you could come here in America with us."
Rika suddenly thought of her plan regarding her America trip.
"Mom, are you still open up to me going to America?" Rika asked.
"In a way, yes," Mrs. Nonaka answered. "Why?"
"Uhm… I'm just guessing. Anyway, my passport's been fixed already so I can travel to and fro Japan and anywhere here!" Rika explained. "I even have a visa already."
"That's good," Mrs. Nonaka answered back. "So what's the point in your passport renewal?"
Rika took a deep breath. She was sure but she was definite with this kind of set up that she wished to do.
"I think I'm going to accept your offer, Mom," Rika answered back. "I'm going to America in a few weeks time."
"That's my girl!" Mrs. Nonaka answered excitedly. "So, you'll be really coming here to stay?"
"Yes, Mom…" Rika answered. "And probably, I won't be coming back to Japan at all."
"What made you leave Japan? Why the sudden change in plans? The last time I talked to you… You seemed more excited to stay but now… you wanted to leave… Is there a problem?"
Rika took a deep breath and sighed. If only she could tell the truth about Henry then she would not have to undergo so much again.
"Well, I need to restart my life…" Rika explained sheepishly.
"Well, it's your choice if you do want to start your life in America… Anyway, what about your lovely boyfriend Henry? You told me that you two saw each other once again!"
Rika felt her eyes droop and turn watery at the mention of Henry's name.
"Yeah… We saw each other again but it's not enough already," Rika answered wistfully. "And it's too late already for us to catch up."
"Why, Rika? Is there something that I should know as your mother?"
Rika did not know what to do as of now. She wanted to open up to her mother but she did not want the latter to make a big deal out of it.
"Well… I failed in my task, Mom," Rika answered seriously, referring the task as Henry. "And it's too late for me now."
Mrs. Nonaka sighed from the other line. "What do you mean failed?" she asked."What did you mean by it's too late?"
"Henry's getting married already and he didn't tell me that he's engaged," Rika explained. "This is karma…"
"Why?" Mrs. Nonaka asked once again. "Rika, I understood what you feel because you didn't tell him but don't beat yourself up for it. We all know that you did it for his sake."
"Yeah… But I think it's not enough, Mom… Sorry for being this way but you know how I opened up ever since I got sick and died, right?" Rika pointed out.
"Yes…" Mrs. Nonaka answered. "So, do you still love him?"
Rika became startled with her mother's question. "Why would you even ask that?"
"Comparing to the answers that you're giving me today, it seemed to me that you're still in love with him," Mrs. Nonaka answered with a smile. "Very much in love with him, that is!"
Rika placed her palms on her face. There was no backing out right now.
"Yeah," Rika said, finally. "I still love him and it hurts. It hurts because he's getting married without him and I having a proper closure. That's why I cringed when you told about him and me. It's too late for me and Henry. I think we're really better off in separate ways."
Mrs. Nonaka only looked at her daughter with sympathy. "I know it hurts. But sometimes, you do have to move on. I know it's not that easy for you but I know you can do it."
"So, moving to America is a way of moving on?" Rika asked curiously. "Is that what you can suggest for me, Mom?"
"In a way, yes," Rika's mother answered. "Maybe you were right about that but I think you still have to think about it."
"I've thought about it and there's no turning back now, Mom," Rika answered with conviction. "I've decided already about it."
"Okay… With that, you have to take care of your requirements for your flight," Mrs. Nonaka instructed. "I'll send you the money as soon as possible. If you wanted to have it immediately, just call me, okay?"
"I know," Rika answered wistfully. "And thanks a lot, Mom."
"I'm really sorry for what happened to you but as your mother, I can only comfort you," Mrs. Nonaka said and smiled for her daughter. "I shall see you soon when I see you."
"Yeah," Rika said as she decided to end the call. "See you."
Rika nodded and with that, the video that contained her mother was truly gone. With this, she closed the laptop and began to think of everything that happened in her life. She placed her palms on her face in frustration.
~ Tell me, have you ever loved and lost somebody
Wished there was a chance to say I'm sorry
Can't you see, that's the way I feel about you and me, Baby
Have you ever felt your heart was breaking
Looking down the road you should be taking
I should know, cause I loved and lost the day I let you go ~
At that moment, Henry was in his house and was drinking coffee. He was very frustrated with himself for he never had the chance to stand up and fight for his relationship with Rika. Even before they could start one, the chance of him and Rika was already gone just because of his engagement to someone else.
Are you avoiding me just because I'm getting married already? Henry thought wistfully. Please tell me why.
Suddenly, he felt a hand that tapped his shoulder. When he looked up, he saw that it was his father Janyuu Wong.
"Henry?" he asked.
"Yeah, Dad?" Henry answered.
"Are you alright?" the older man asked.
Henry nodded and sipped his coffee slowly. The older man had a hunch that something was getting wrong as of this moment.
"Something must be bothering you," Mr. Wong remarked as he saw how problematic his son looked like.
"Yeah," Henry answered nonchalantly. "There is."
"If that's the case, what's it, Henry?" Mr. Wong asked him.
Henry took a deep breath since he knew that his father might understand it. "It's Rika…"
The older man was not surprised when his son replied. He was very sure that the young man was thinking about his ex-girlfriend ever since they had dinner at their house almost a week ago.
"I knew it," Mr. Wong replied. "I knew it!"
Henry looked up and saw his father who was not elated but somehow proud.
"Why, Dad? Why are you smiling?" Henry asked, curious of his father's reaction.
"Because I had the hunch that you'll mention her name," Mr. Wong answered.
"What for?" Henry said bitterly. "She's the woman that I want and now, you had set me up with another woman. Life sucks and it's unfair for me."
Mr. Wong stroked his chin as he thought of something. His son was somehow confused with the situation.
"We didn't expect that you'd come back and return with Rika last time," Mr. Wong justified his reasons.
"I thought you'd forget about that stupid deal," Henry answered sullenly. "Why of all people would you set me up just to be able to entertain to a woman's pleas?"
"You know tradition, Henry," Mr. Wong answered simply. "And it's not us who wanted that plan to commence. It's your grandfather, Henry. Mayumi and I were already reluctant to agree but we couldn't take back our word."
Henry only nodded as he drank his coffee straight up.
"I'm still confused, Dad," Henry said sadly. "If only you knew what caused Rika to disappear…"
Mr. Wong flinched at that point. "What happened before, Henry?" he asked.
"She got diagnosed with leukemia but she recovered and survived," Henry recalled. "She didn't want to tell me because she knew that I aspired of something big and achievable. And now that I saw her again, I still loved her and I really wanted to be with her. But now, it's impossible just because of this arranged marriage that I didn't even want to have."
Mr. Wong became aghast with what he learned. He actually was fond of his son's girlfriend before but right after her disappearance, he never mentioned anything about her. But with what he learned just now, he felt pitiful towards his son and Rika.
Rika was at home and using her laptop once again. She began looking for pictures with Henry so she could have a souvenir once she goes to America. After all, it had been so long since she last saw her guardians. And that was six years ago.
"Mom, Grandma, don't worry… I'll get there in America immediately," Rika said as she saw her picture with her grandmother and mother. "We'll be a happy family together!"
Another folder contained photos of her and Henry together. she was going to miss these when they had to totally part ways.
One photo contained him and her during the first time they went out. She was dressed in her traditional turtleneck shirt with a broken heart on it along with a pair of jeans while he was wearing his black shirt, orange vest, his brown pants along with his grey and yellow-colored rubber shoes. The date was only accidental since it was not even planned at that time. He remembered the time when Rika suddenly began to open up to him and it was the humorous thing he ever heard.
One night as the moon was shining brightly, a blue-haired boy and an auburn-haired girl were walking along the green grassy park while their hands were entwined together. It was just their second date and they only had gone to hugging and holding hands.
"You know, Henry…" Rika started as she looked at the boy. "I think…"
Henry seemed to know the answer since the girl was looking at him seriously. "I think you hate me… is that it?" he asked.
Rika let out a snort. "If I hated you then I wouldn't have gone on dates with you, you idiot."
Henry only laughed. He was used to her bad-ass personality and that was what made him like her. She was independent, smart, tough and at the same time, beautiful.
"Sorry…" Henry cleared his throat as he saw her facial expression. "It's just that… I can't believe that you're here with me right now."
Rika's face eventually showed a little smile. "Believe it or not… I'm happy that I chose you rather than that idiotic Rooster-Head."
Henry was surprised. Sure, he had a mental competition with Ryo because the latter wanted to have Rika as a girlfriend. Besides, Ryo had been the crushes of the girls in their school and he knew that Rika could also have a crush on Ryo because of his dashing looks and personality.
"Why?" Henry asked, somehow puzzled.
Rika took a deep breath. "I really don't like Ryo at all. I'm serious. You may think I had a crush on him but he's not really my type."
"Really?" Henry asked in a disbelieved voice. 'Wow. I'm lucky.'
Rika nodded. "I'm sorry if I'm not like any other girls. I'm not really a romance person after all."
Henry eventually hugged her in understanding. Rika suddenly enjoyed the warm feeling because of his arms.
"It's okay. I understand. The important thing is that I love you," Henry assured as they broke apart from the hug. He then kissed Rika's forehead which made the auburn-haired girl blush.
"I… I…" Rika stammered as she felt the boy's kiss on her forehead. "Thank you."
Henry eventually smiled. "No. Thank you. Thank you for letting me be with you."
Then the young teens were engaged in another contented embrace with each other.
And another photo contained him and her in their normal and every day clothes.
One day, as Rika was getting some things inside the locker, she felt two hands cover her eyes.
"Hey!" the voice said as she was seeing black.
"Henry!" Rika answered as she recognized the voice.
When the two hands were already away from her eyes, she eventually saw Henry who was standing right next to her already.
"What are you doing here?" Rika asked, surprised that he was with her today.
"Isn't it obvious, Rika?" Henry smiled. "I'm here to help you carry your books."
Rika scratched her head as she became confused with what was going on.
"The last time I checked, you're the guy who told romances to me," Rika answered with a snort. "And besides, I can do things on my own."
Henry eventually pinched Rika's face. In span of few days, he had been easily getting fond of her and finding himself to be more affectionate towards her.
"What kind of boyfriend would let his girlfriend suffer?" Henry pointed out.
Rika scratched her head once again as she took her books from the locker. "So, I'm your girlfriend?" she asked, trying to make things clear.
"Of course!" Henry answered with a smile while beaming with pride.
Rika eventually let out a shy smile as she tried her best to absorb the situation.
"Gee, thanks, Henry. Like I said, I'm only new regarding these kinds of things!" Rika explained.
"Don't worry about it. I understand. Feelings do take some time to grow," Henry answered with a smile. "Now come on, Rika, and we still have a class to catch."
Rika eventually smiled as she closed her locker door. She gave the thick books to Henry and carried the thinner ones. Then they walked towards their classroom in a subtle yet easily depicted couple.
Rika placed the picture to her chest and finally let out silent tears. Maybe it was for the best. Moving on would be for the best. She had finally made up her mind and decided to totally move on.
Oh, Henry… I'm gonna miss you when you get married and when I get to leave for America… Rika thought. Wish you all the best and best wishes on your upcoming wedding with Aimei Chen.