• ~~

    ‘Yumi what can possibly be more important than dessert’ He said pouting.

    Why had I waited so long? Why hadn’t I told him earlier? I was afraid… Afraid to see his disappointment, letting out all that pain he had held all this time. I was leaving first thing in the morning, it was now or never.

    ‘Takashi…’

    I tried to spit out the words, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to face this; I didn’t want to lose him. My lips started to tremble as well as my hands. I felt the warm liquid brushing down my face. I hadn’t cried since that one Christmas when I was six. I was twelve now and thought I was stronger; I kept telling myself during hurtful situations that they weren’t worth my tears, but this was. Takashi was worth it.

    ‘Hmm… you’re crying? I think it’s because you haven’t had dessert’ He laughed mockingly. He grabbed my hand firmly, like that same night six years ago.

    ‘Come on lets go get some ice cream’ He grinned and I pulled away.

    It broke my heart to see his lively expression wash away. His eyes turned blank, his mouth folded into a single line. I was the cause of this expression. Me acting uncharacteristic had done this...How will he react when I tell him?
    I smiled.

    ‘I’m going to miss you…Takashi…I’m going to miss you…’ I managed to get out in between breaths and tears.

    He grabbed my hand once more and pulled me into the embrace of his arms.

    ‘It took you long enough to tell me…I thought we were friends…crybaby’

    Complete shock went through my body. He had known…he had known all along.

    ‘I…I…’

    ‘What is there more to say Yumi?’ He faced me.

    ‘There’s nothing we can do, and stop crying!’ He smiled gently and rubbed his hands on my cheeks making my face once again dry.

    ‘This is not the end! It’s just the beginning! You’re going somewhere brand new; you’re going to see new places, meet new people, have…new friends…’

    His expression changed on that last line.

    ‘Takashi? Will you promise me something?’

    ‘Hm’

    ‘Promise me you’ll never forget me; promise me that we’ll be always friends’

    On that single instant it began to snow and unwillingly we both looked up to the white droplets of ice falling from the sky. Takashi’s face once again lit up.

    ‘I think even the town it’s sad that you’re leaving’     He held out his hand, caught a snowflake and it quickly melted.

    ‘You see the sky is crying…guess I’m not the only one that’s going to miss you…’

    Aware that he hadn’t responded to my request I said.

    ‘Takashi you didn’t-‘

    ‘Yumi…nothing…absolutely nothing could stop me from being your friend. This town used to be just buildings and random people; it wasn’t until I met you that I thought of it as home’

    I had never heard Takashi speak like this. We were still only children, but the feeling of his superiority from that first night I had met him had not changed. Even if he was one year older than I, sometimes his words made him seem way older, much more wiser. He always knew what to say, but his words had never been so direct and deep.

    ‘Yumi, I will always be here on this same spot every Christmas like I’ve always been…don’t hesitate in coming if you need, I won’t say goodbye forever…I will see you again…so goodbye…for now’

    He kissed me warmly on the cheek and ran away. Even if he didn’t show much sadness I thought I’ve seen a small hint of water on his eyes and breakage on his voice. I held my hand up to my cheek, it was still warm. His words stuck to me through the whole ride to my new home and I wouldn’t be surprised if they roamed my head for the rest of my life.

    ‘I’ll see you soon…Takashi’

    ~~


    I let my head hang and stared at the sink in front of me. The water dripped down my face; I rubbed one hand gently through my face and stared at my reflection. Even if he had made that promise…even if I wanted to believe that he would be there….chances were that he wouldn’t be. What was he now? Eighteen? He would have better things to do on Christmas other than wait for me on that stupid bench. I was completely demented. I smiled at my stupidity and whipped my face with a paper towel. Well I was already here might as well go, he might not be there but remembering the memories we held there would definitely help me. I ran out of the stations bathroom and into the town where I’ve been born to. I ran as fast as I could. My legs were stronger now, longer and had a much more important reason to run to their full potential this time. I ran and ran and ran. I was almost there I could see the bench from the distance. Avoiding every walking couple on the side walk I ran faster. My eyes began to water, I grew impatient; the water wouldn’t allow me to see if someone was there or not. I closed my eyes and ran and like that same night my body was brought to a stop…on the ground. I stayed on the ground afraid to look up, or was I waiting? Waiting for him to come and comfort me once more.

    “Are you ok?”

    My face quickly lit up and I held my head straight up, but only disappointment was brought from my sight. It was an elder man and woman with what appeared to be their young granddaughter. I hesitantly smiled.

    “Yes sir, thank you for asking, I’ll…I’ll be fine”

    “Alright, you be careful there my dear any man could take this situation to sweep you off your feet I mean it is Christmas after all” The elder woman said with a bright smile.

    “I’ll be sure to be careful ma’m” I said with my head down to the ground.

    Even her small joke wouldn’t help lighten my heart. I was broken, even if in the back of my head I knew he wouldn’t be there the hurt still stung greatly. I tried telling myself that this situation wasn’t worth my tears, but I had always made an exception. Takashi was worth it and I knew it. I held myself up to the bench as I had done eleven years ago that first night I had met him and once more I put my heart out letting all the sadness I felt hang out of me. This time I wouldn’t be rescued, this time I would be alone. My parents had truly gone away forever; they now rested underneath the ground. I needed him more than ever, but he wasn’t here. He didn’t keep his promise, he lied.

    ‘…I wouldn’t be surprised if they just ran away from home leaving only you! The trash!’

    I smile.

    ‘The trash hu?’

    I guess she was right. I was always meant to be left alone.
    ~~