As I entered my house,my father just sat at the sofa,watching the television. He just said to me to get changed as we are going out for dinner. After that we never said a word to each other till the next day. I felt gulity for not telling my father about the tennis thing,to let him get hurt once again. I guess after leaving this place,I won't be able to remind him of the painful memories we had in the past.
At school,I told Zaizen everything that had happened last night. He tired to calm me down since I was panicking like mad. I couldn't concentrate during class and often wondered off even during lunch. At the end of the school day,I was really restless.
Zaizen then offered me to go to his place for the day. I accepted the offer since I was not ready to face my father back at home. He have taken leave for the next few days to help with the packing. I really wanted him to scold me but he kept quiet the whole time so I thought it must have hurt him too badly. Later did I know,he was at Zaizen's place.
"Dad,what are you doing here?"I asked uneasily.
"I am here to discuss an issue with the Zaizen's and have just finished."he replied calmly.
Then he took out the racket that Zaizen handed me yesterday and continued,"I suppose this belongs to you. No wonder you haven't bought the chopping board that day."
"Sorry sir,it was my fault."Zaizen spoke up.
I looked at him and he returned it by giving me a look that I could depend on.
Zaizen's mother looked at the both of us and spoke as well,"I suppose we should tell them our plans,shouldn't we,Mr Akiyama?".
At that moment both of us feared that this could actually break us off apart,earlier than expected. We held on to each others' hands,preparing for the worst.
I was shaking like mad. I couldn't help to the feeling that I was about to face the concequences of my actions. I regretted it alot.I shouldn't have gone up the rooftop on that very day. I shoudn't have met him in the first place. But if I haven't met him,I wouldn't have such a wonderful time,I wouldn't have learnt to love tennis...to forgive my brother...
We were led to the living room were everyone's face was serious. I sat beside Zaizen,with my face facing down on my lap,unwilling to face my father. Zaizen on the other hand,held my hands as he looked at his parents and my father with sheer determination,willing to accept whatever fate was throwing at us. The first to spoke was Zaizen's mother.
"I suppose we should get started on it. Mr Akiyama,I suppose you are the most qualifed person to speak about this since you propose the idea and your daughter is greatly involved in this matter."she said with a calming manner.
"Alright then,if you insist. I shall tell the both of you what are my plans from on now. Whether you agree or not,your happiness and future is what determines it."My father continued on after Zaizen's mother.
The both of us looked at each other with fear in us. We were sure that this wouldn't be a good sign. That very look on my father face already said one thing,he have made up his mind and not going to change it.
My father continued on,"Well I have come to my decision from what I have seen yesterday. It is about to affect the Zaizens' lifes and to yours too,Yuki. I am sure you would feel lonely in some point of time. But back to the point,I am going to leave you here with the Zaizens'."
When I heard it,I couldn't believe my ears. Zaizen too was stunned like me. Then the rest of the people of the room started smiling. Zaizen's brother laughed at Zaizen's stunned face. Zaizen snapped out of it and started hitting him around the house. I was still trying to process it in my brain. What the heck is my father saying?!