Chapter 34: Crack the shutter
"Your mom said you have a new girlfriend."
"Yes, granny."
"I was hoping that was just a phase. Well, you are still young; maybe you will grow out of it."
Sayaka breathes deeply. 'This conversation again.'
"Maybe when you meet a nice young man at the university, you will change your mind. There will be a lot of worthy candidates then. Once you recognize that you will need an heir for your mom and dad's legacy, I am sure you will see the reason."
"Granny, I have a very worthy girlfriend, and she's so much more than just a trifle phase." She heard a high-pitched shout; she saw a child running, she turned to the side and covered her other ear to hear her grandmother's reply.
"Sayaka, you are the sole heir to the company. It can't go to another family after you are done with it. You must produce an heir, or all the hard work your parents are doing will be for nothing."
"I understand your concerns, granny, but I don't see myself bending to society's expectation of me. I will marry this girl someday. If we will adopt a child together, then you will have your heir."
"Marry a girl and adopt?" Her grandmother laughs nervously. "Don't be silly, child. Your mom said this relationship of yours is fairly new. You must be kidding. Amane, talk some sense into this child."
A few seconds pass, and her grandfather speaks. "Sayaka, me and your grandmother are just concerned for your future. We are trying to understand this teenage rebellion you are doing. But someday, somehow, you will grow out of it, and you will understand where we are coming from. Your eccentric father might have given you freedom now. But I am sure he would like to have his legacy passed down for generations to come."
As the heiress continued to listen, she turned around and saw Yuu walking away. She covered the microphone. "Where are you going?"
"I saw a drinking water fountain near here. I'll be back in a second."
'Oh, she's thirsty again.' "Alright."
"Are you listening to me, child?"
"Yes, pappy. I understand."
"Well, anyway, have a good birthday. Say hi to your parents for us." She could hear her grandmother saying something similar in the background.
"Thanks, Pappy and Granny. Have a good night." The call ended. 'What a lovely way to say happy birthday.' She exhales heavily. 'If mom and dad are okay with my life choices, then I don't need to worry about my grandparents' views on how I should live.' As she tried to put her phone back into her purse, she was surprised to find Yuu's bag on her hand. 'Why am I holding this? And where is she?' She glanced around. I'm trying to remember which street has the drinking fountain. 'Should I follow her to the fountain? Nah, she said she will be back.'
A few minutes passed, and the brunette was starting to worry. The foot traffic won't let up. Even with the summer sun beating down on them, people from all over the world wouldn't miss the chance to visit Venice if they had the chance. And it seems they all have the same idea about going today. She saw a small puddle near her. Something flashed in her memory. A boy running with an open soda bottle. 'Did she bump with that child?' She heard an almost silent ding from her girlfriend's bag. "Oh, her phone is in the bag." The world stops for a second, people move in slow motion, the noise jumbles, and it ends with a high screeching pitch. "No!" Some people look at her for a moment, then move on. "No, Yuu, no." She ran to the nearest street and found the water fountain. It was recently used. She saw the prints on her girlfriend's walking shoes. She followed it to another street. "No, no. Why did you come here?" The prints disappeared near the intersection as the sun was directly overhead.
Her eyes roam around. Most people are wearing variation of while clothes like her and Yuu. Sleeveless shirts, blouses, T-shirts, polo shirts, skirts, shorts, and pants It is a sea of doves, swans, and rabbits. 'Where are you, my love? Please be safe.' She decided to go back to the water fountain to check again, then go to the starting point. Thinking that maybe Yuu is trying to find her where she left her. She paces as she looks around. Minutes had turned into an hour. 'This can't be happening. Her parents entrusted her to me. She doesn't speak the language. Venice is a labyrinth. And she doesn't have her phone.' Sweat started to roll down her back. 'Why did she give me her bag? What was she thinking? And why the hell did I accept it?' Her fingers started to tremble. 'No, calm down. You need to think. Think. I can't call dad. He is three hours away. What can he do? I need to solve this on my own.'
Approximately eight hundred meters away. The redhead faced the river; she could see the nearby bridge that was full of people taking pictures and crossing happily. Enjoying the sight across the glorious Grand Canal, though she doesn't know that.
"No, I should not cross the bridge. She is here somewhere." She looks back at the street she entered. Identical whitewash houses with orange brick rooftops—if she wasn't lost, she would have enjoyed and feasted her eyes on the houses that bore so much history. "Sayaka, I am sorry." Breathing heavily, she goes back to try her luck on the ever-winding streets of Venice.
After walking aimlessly for a half hour, Yuu decided to follow the flow of people and find herself at Piazza San Marco again.
'Okay, so from here, where did we go?' She is covered in a thin layer of sweat. And had a very dry throat. 'Crap, I can't also have heatstroke while being lost. She will kill me.' Glancing around, she looks for a place where she can sit down and clear her mind. 'Is there no place to sit down for free?' Most of the cafes are full. People are laughing, taking pictures, enjoying conversations, and drinking cold beverages without a care in the world. With the unrelenting sun above, Yuu is starting to feel faint. 'Come on, wake up. You can't give up. She might kill you, but at least you will die seeing her face one last time.' Her renewed motivation comes with a fresh gust of wind. Then she heard a familiar accent. The intonation she grew up hearing, someone is speaking Japanese. She perks up. Her head darted to the speaker of the most wonderful language, in her opinion.
"Whose idea is it to go here in the summer, huh?"
"Well, we won't enjoy the sights if it's raining. And winter here will be unbearable."
"Then what about during the early fall or spring? Look at this crowd! It's exhausting."
"We both have jobs during those months, and we are already here. Do you want to teleport to Kyoto right now? The weather will be the same."
"At least there will be trees! Look at this. It's been pavement, houses, buildings, and water for miles."
"There is no pleasing you. This place has too much history."
The brown-eyed girl debated if she should interrupt the heated conversation between the bickering couple. But the woman saw her and smiled. Instant patriotism was displayed.
"Hi, are you here alone?" Said the woman after eyeing her for a moment. The woman looks like she is in her early thirties. Shoulder-length brown hair, almond-shaped cheerful eyes, and a sweet disposition. A transformation in her persona with her partner
"Hello," Yuu bowed deeply. "I am lost, actually. Can I please use your phone? I just need to call my friend. I know she's around here somewhere looking for me."
"Oh my, you poor kid. Here." She handed her phone over. "Take your time." Then she noticed how dry her lips were. "Drink this." She offers a bottle of water from her bag. "I haven't opened that yet. Go ahead."
Yuu bowed again and received the water bottle. She dialed her number since she doesn't know Sayaka's number by heart. A couple of rings in before it was answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello Saya..." she was cut off by her frantic girlfriend.
"Yuu! Where the hell are you? Why did you give me your bag? Why didn't you have your phone with you?"
"Please calm down. Can we meet first before I answer all your questions? I am back here in Piazza San Marco. I will wait for you in the two columns. Or do you want me to meet you somewhere?"
"I will be there; please don't go anywhere. I will be there as fast as I can."
"Thanks. I will wait for you."
"Can you not hang up? How did you call me anyway?"
"I don't know if I can. I am with a couple right now who were good enough to let me use their phone." She peeked at the couple, who smiled sympathetically at her. She bowed at them again.
"Okay, just please don't move from there until you see me."
"I am not planning on it."
"You are in so much trouble, you know that, right?"
Yuu rolled her eyes. "Now is not the time to talk about that. How soon can you go here, anyway?"
"Maybe fifteen minutes; this place is crowded. I couldn't run fast enough."
"I will be here, cara mia. I will wait for you. Please don't fall."
"You are in so much trouble." The lost girl would have reacted badly if it weren't for how anxious Sayaka's voice is.
"I know you are worried. I am sorry. But I might need to hang up now."
"No, you don't need to do that. We can wait until your friend is here. You must have been terrified of getting lost in a place like this." Said the helpful woman. "Please drink some water. You look so pale."
"Thanks so much." She lifted her shoulder to trap the phone as she opened the water bottle. She drank a few mouthfuls. "Sayaka, we can speak till you arrive here."
"Thanks. Get their names. I want to thank them."
'Crap, where were my manners?' "Hello, my name is Koito Yuu. If you don't mind, can you please tell me your names?"
"I am Natsume Izumi, and this is my boyfriend, Yoshida Hinata. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well. Thank you so much. This means the world to me."
"Oh, come on. We can hardly ignore a fellow Japanese in need. How are you feeling, by the way? You regain a little color, but you still look pale."
"Thanks. I will be fine. You had done a great deal already."
They bowed at each other, and the redhead continued to talk to her lover.
"I am almost there. How are you?"
"A bit traumatized, but otherwise, I am fantastic." She quips. But her joke wasn't received well. "Come on, at some point we have to laugh about this, right?"
"I fail to see that now."
"Do I dare ask you the same question?"
"I am fuming."
"Ah, as expected."
After a few more minutes, Sayaka entered Piazza San Marco by the side of the basilica. She hurried through the mass of people, still careful not to bump into anyone. When she turned to the left of the museum, she craned her neck up above the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of the colossal columns of San Todaro and San Marco. Most of the people are posing for pictures and standing near the church, blocking her way. When she was less than fifty meters away, her heart jumped into her throat. It's as if the crowd parted for her for just a few seconds in synchronicity so that she could see Yuu standing by the base of the column with the couple to whom she now owes a great debt. The crowd merged again, and the steps she took felt unreal. The love of her life saw her, ended the call, and gave the phone back to the woman beside her with a deep bow. When she faced her again, her grin was wide with relief and pure joy. 'How can I get mad at her now?' Yuu began to walk slowly towards her at first, then she sprinted. Sayaka thought that she would pounce on her, but she didn't. The force of the embrace she received made her step backward.
"I am sorry. I am so sorry."
"You brat! What happened?"
The petite girl tried to explain in a hurry. "There is this boy; he tripped, and I tried to save him from falling on his face. He has an orange soda on his hand, and it splashed on my skirt." She pulls away to show the stain. "And then I went to the fountain and got lost on the way back. I am sorry, Sayaka."
"It is easy to get lost here. Always have your phone with you."
"Yeah, I am so embarrassed."
The brunette glances at the couple who saved the day. "Let's say thank you to Izumi and Hinata."
"Oh, yeah." Yuu got her hands wrapped around Sayaka's arm as they walked towards them.
They bowed deeply. "Thank you very much. You saved us today. I am in your debt. Please let us keep your number and repay you somehow. Anything you need."
"No, no, no, lift up your faces. We would have done it for anyone in need. You don't need to repay us." Izumi said with a big smile.
"My name is Saeki Sayaka. My father's assistant will be in touch with you. Please let me treat you to something. Anything."
"Please, it's nothing. Go ahead and enjoy the rest of your visit. And be careful." Hinata replied.
"Yes, go on. Don't worry about it anymore. Eat something, though." Izumi said to Yuu.
"I will. Thank you again. You really saved me." Yuu bowed deeply again.
"We will be in touch. You have done me a great service. I am very grateful. Please do me the honor of returning the favor." Sayaka promised.
After much more convincing, the couple finally conceded, as the heiress wouldn't take no for an answer. The couple then said goodbye as they continued to explore St. Mark's Square.
"I am so sorry, cara mia." She is getting ready to be scolded. The green eyes are thick with concern at the moment, but she knows that when the adrenaline levels go down, the wrath and the promised trouble will arrive.
"Let's go to the hotel for now."
"Hotel?"
"Yes, I planned for us to stay the night and explore more in the morning. I asked Sebastien to deposit our luggage at the hotel after dropping us off at the city's entrance."
"Okay, is it far from here?"
"No, you choose the nearest place possible. It's over there." She pointed at the street along the lagoon, where rows of gondolas covered in royal blue blankets were stationed. Motor-powered small boats and luxury yachts adored the edge as well. "Not even two hundred meters from here. Let's go. I want you to eat something too."
Yuu took her bag. "Thank you. I am alright now, actually." She was held by the waist. It seems Sayaka wanted to walk while drawing her close, afraid that she would stray far again. She reciprocated and placed her arm over the small of her back, her fingers grasping her hip.
They arrived at Hotel Danieli, a five-star hotel in a 14th-century building founded in 1822. The four-story structure has a pink façade with marble sills, white turrets, and balconies with pointed arches.
"Let's eat first."
If Yuu had imagined what the inside of a castle should look like, she knows it would be like the inside of the hotel. The ceiling is high, and it was sculpted intricately with layered crystal chandeliers hanging by brass chains every few feet. Marble columns separated the lobby from the lounging area. Plush armchairs and tables that exude extravagance, a glimmering marble floor, and walls adorned by gigantic century-old paintings. Her eyes were caught by the immense marble fireplace. It has glorious sculptures of two princely male figures carrying the pillar that carries twin cherubs with the hotel's seal in the middle. Everything seems to be lined with gold; the windows, walls, and ceiling, even the candelabras, are golden.
'I am sure staying here even for a night cost a fortune.' "We can eat at a normal restaurant, you know."
"Yes, but I don't want you to walk outside in that sun again without getting something to eat."
They climbed the carpeted stairs to enter the opulent Terrazza Danieli restaurant. The bookstore clerk shook her head at the marvelous interior. Carpets and walls are in dark gothic patterns. White cloth-covered tables are surrounded by red velvety chairs, orange wall fixtures, and wide mahogany doors. She felt underdressed and embarrassed at her soda-stained skirt, though it was covered by her girlfriend hugging her from the side.
It may have been the emerald pendant on a simple silver necklace that mirrored her eyes, her designer sleeveless shirt, flowy ankle-length skirt, expensive shoes, or just the aristocratic vibe she's radiating. But one look at Sayaka, and the Maitre d' didn't hesitate to assign them a waiter who led them to their table. She let her very rich girlfriend order for them. 'It's her birthday. I already gave her a fright. I should not object to treating herself, but I am sure it would take me working a few years to afford to stay here for even a night.' Her gaze was drawn outside; they were seated near the glass doors that open to the rooftop dining area that overlooks the impossibly blue Venetian Lagoon. After her lover ordered and the waiter went away, her hand was taken.
"Are you sure you are okay?" A thumb ran across the back of her hand. The verdant eyes search her face.
"I am now. I promise. But I am out of my mind embarrassed. Can we not tell your parents about this?"
"Yeah, or they won't let us go on our own again. They will not trust that I can take care of you."
"It's not your fault. I didn't know I could be that forgetful with which street I entered."
"No, darling. Venice is a maze. It is notoriously hard to navigate. It was designed like that. So, it's my fault; I was not attentive enough."
"You were on a call with your grandparents."
"Believe me, I hope I didn't receive that call at all."
They were served chilled water. Yuu emptied her glass immediately, thankful for the cold sensation that comes with it.
"Next time, please don't leave my side. Wait for me, okay?"
"I promise."
Sayaka ordered steak with roasted potatoes for her and carbonara for herself, then chocolate cake with chestnuts as their dessert. After that very late lunch, they checked in at the hotel and went to their room. Once inside, they took off their footwear and other accessories, and then the heiress lay down on the couch.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"I am trying to keep it together for you. But it seems I am drained now."
Yuu was prepared for the wrath to begin once the adrenaline was depleted, but she didn't expect Sayaka to be so worried that she would feel so weak to scold her.
"I am so sorry."
"Please lay down on me."
"Okay." She crawled over her in all fours, then slowly laid herself over her lover's body. Her head rested on her chest. "Like this?"
"Yes, thanks." Her arms enveloped her. Rubbing her back "I just need to feel your weight on me. To make sure that you exist. That you are in my arms and not lost in this complicated city. Many things could have happened to you. I could have lost you forever."
"Hey, don't think that. We found each other again." She tried to hug Sayaka's side and drag her hands to places she could reach to comfort the worry-stricken birthday girl.
"You don't know the horrors that could have befallen you. Oh, my love." The embrace got tighter. "What would I do without you? And how could I face your parents again? I would gladly let them kill me."
"Cara mia, I am here with you. The worst is over. Don't dwell on negative thoughts. It's your birthday. We should celebrate that. Why don't we take a nap? Maybe after we sleep you will feel better."
"Maybe."
"Come, let's go to bed."
Sayaka waited for her as she drew the blackout curtains together. When she joined her and lay on her side, she was gathered in another possessive hug.
"Sayaka." She whispered with her face buried in the brunette's neck.
"Yes?"
"I can't help but notice that you haven't kissed me since we met again." She leaned away. "Is it part of my punishment for getting lost?"
"No, don't be silly. I just feel so weak."
"Is it okay if I kiss you now?"
"You can kiss me, of course, but I might not be able to kiss you the way you want me to."
"That's fine; I just want to kiss you." She lifted a hand to touch the cheek with her thumb. The slender arms shifted to her waist, but the hands didn't move to go underneath her shirt. Not losing eye contact until their faces are very close. She grazed her lips softly. She pressed against her. Giving little pecks. There was some pushback, but not much. 'I broke Sayaka. I broke my girlfriend!' She claimed her lips for a few more moments, trying to convey that even if the worst had happened, they were still together. She kissed her lightly on the lips one last time. "I love you. Please try to sleep. I will be here when you wake up. Okay?"
The green-eyed girl only nodded and snuggled closer. She drew circles on her back and inhaled that heavenly scent. It comforted her to no end. Being held so close by the woman, she thought she might not see again. Being lost in a foreign land is horrible, but the thought of not ever seeing Sayaka again brings chills down her spine. Now she understands where her lover is coming from. 'It is so damn painful. It hurts like hell. There is no way I could survive. Losing someone so genuine. Someone so wonderful and kind.' Her heart physically hurts. It contracted painfully, like something was pricking it from all sides. She hugged her tighter to know that she exists in this realm where Sayaka is holding her in her arms.
"Are you okay, my love?"
"My mind is racing. My heart hurts. I don't ever want to be without you."
"I am here." She kissed her forehead. "I know, my brain is now trying its best to block out those horrible three hours that you were lost. My love, it drains me. I am trying so hard to stay together. I think that experience traumatized me. A world without you is not somewhere I want to live in. I will not endure being in it. There is no chance. After meeting you, after living in a world where you love me, where your touch exists, your loving eyes, your dazzling smile, your charming voice, your warmth, your kiss, the sound of your laugh, your moans, your relaxing scent, and your incredible taste, I might as well not exist if you don't."
"I am really sorry."
"I am too. Can you ever forgive me? For losing sight of you?"
"It's not your fault. At that moment, fate had been cruel. But that's it; it was just three gut-retching hours. I remember being so afraid that you would kill me when we finally saw each other again. But I was so happy at the thought of seeing you again, even if you would kill me." She chuckled. "If your face is the last thing I see, then all is worth it. I can die a happy girl."
Sayaka knocks on the bedside table. "What did I tell you about talking about death?"
Yuu continued to laugh softly. "I am sorry, but it's true."
"You don't need to die; stay with me and be happy."
"Yes, I will stay with you till you don't want me anymore."
"Not possible. Infinite, remember?"
"Infinite."
"I wish I had never answered that call; this would not have happened."
"I think it was destined to happen. You know, you won't appreciate what happiness is if you don't know what sadness feels like."
"I said something similar to my senpai when we met her before, near the parking lot."
"Ah, yeah, I remember that day."
"I told her I am thankful to her since she was the reason I know what it feels like to be warm because she showed me what it feels like to be cold."
"Hmmmn."
"What?"
"Nothing," she said, lying on her back.
"Hey," Sayaka followed her movement and lay gently to the side to face her. "What is it?"
"Am I the warm part in that scenario?"
"Are you jealous?" She smiled from ear to ear.
"Maybe." She pouted since she knew her lover liked it when she pouted.
"Of course, you are the warm part of that sentence. You are my sun, remember?" She fetched her left hand and touched the yellow gemmed ring.
"I learned what and how to love because of you. I don't think I will ever learn how to stop."
"And you said you were not good with words."
"I can't take the credit. I think I read something akin to that somewhere." She chuckled again.
"That laugh. That is my favorite sound in the world. Please tell me I won't ever lose you. Literally and figuratively."
"I will do my best, cara mia. I will always have my phone with me. But I won't go anywhere unfamiliar without you again. Especially where I don't know the language."
"Yes, please. Stay with me always."
"Now, can you kiss me? Do you have the energy to do that now?"
"I have energy to do other things too." She winks.
"Aw, my heart."
"That is my line."
They made love. Trying to express all the anxieties, all the fears, all the what-ifs and try to move on from them, try to forget, try to process that they may have no control over some things, but they are in each other's arms now, and that is all that matters.
After a while, they ordered room service and spent the night in bed looking at the spectacular Venetian Lagoon through the wide glass doors to the balcony. The calm waves, city lights, stars trying to peek through the clouds, and the moon, though not full, is still majestic. They made love over and over again till it's another day, and Sayaka's birthday ended like it began.
"Is that the birthday you envision? Except for my unfortunate incident?"
"Oh, it could be better. I actually planned to have dinner with you on the rooftop instead of lunch. You would have loved it. The view is to die for, and the ambiance is titillating."
"I believe that," she said, pulling away and gazing at her at arm's length. "That view right here is much better," she said, motioning to her very naked girlfriend, "and the ambiance is just the way I like it." She leaned in and kissed her on the lips. "I told you I didn't need to go to Venice to have a romantic setting with you."
"Yeah, I should remember that. But can't a girl try to be romantic on her birthday with the one she loves?"
"You can, cara mia. You can do whatever you want with me. I am in the palm of your hands."
She grabs her shoulders and envelops her in a warm embrace. "Both literally and figuratively."
They laughed, and they could almost forget what happened that afternoon.
Yuu woke up first, needing to do number 1 so badly. She tried to extricate herself from Sayaka's whole body possessive clutches as slowly as possible so as not to wake her up. But she failed.
"Where are you going?" she muttered sleepily.
"I need to pee, cara mia."
"Hmmmn"
"Don't worry, I won't be lost in there, I think. The door is right next to the bed."
"Come back to me immediately."
"I will."
After taking care of nature's call, Yuu washed her face quickly, then went back to the bedroom. The shutter of the glass door wasn't closed properly, and a few rays of sunshine creeped into the bed. The thin golden lines tangled up and down the brunette's body. This sight is new to the redhead, and she finds herself sitting down on one of those red velvet chairs. 'Wow, I could sit here forever and still find something to be in awe of. She really is breathtaking.' The daylight seems to devour the skin on her arms, chest, and neck, making her skin glow. 'Now I am getting jealous of the sun. Brilliant!' She cracked the shutter close, a little blinded for a moment, then went back to her sleeping girlfriend.
When the bed dipped, "What took you so long?" Sayaka mumbled.
"I am here."
She was engulfed again, but this time she was facing her lover. "I am so happy you are the one I fell for, cara mia. You're all that I want. It's gotta be you that I latch on even in my dreams. I want to spend all the Sunday mornings with you."
"Cheeky rascal."
"You love this cheeky rascal."
"Infinitely."