The Journalist

Part 73: The One Who is Happy

There is a lot of love in our hearts. Some come and stay long with a little wound, some stop for a while but leave the wound to the deepest crust of the heart.

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It's been almost a month. Since my breakup with Ameena, bright spots seemed to say hello. Like a blind spot in a crowd. Sliced soul. Crying eyes. I mourn my tragic farewell to her. What power, my heart was not prepared that mature to welcome the wound. Giving up is the option that is waiting for me right now.

At this time the sun began to obliterate its existence from the sky. I sat on the motorbike parked on the bank of the Sumida river with eyes staring blankly ahead. A cigarette is stuck on the lips without being lit. My head looked up, staring at the twilight shade that was enveloping the earth.

Credit: wikipedia

I got off the bike, then brought my hands closer to the corners of my lips to form a funnel. "Mina-chan, how are you?" my yelling.

"Are you okay?" I screamed loudly in front of the river that empties into Tokyo Bay.

"How are you doing there?" I kept shouting until my voice sounded hoarse.

I took a picture of twilight this afternoon and uploaded it on my Instagram account which has twenty-six followers. This post is side by side with a photo of the Syrian sky that I also uploaded there. After all my failed efforts, the hope for his salvation now I can only hold through prayer.

One thing I just realized, Ameena just wanted me to return to Japan safely, get together with my family and continue my career. He has done everything for my safety.

Mina-chan, wait patiently! One day, I'll be back there looking for you. No matter how many years it takes, I will definitely come to fulfill my promise to you.

I decided to move out of my parents' house even though my mother asked me to stay in their house. Riding my flagship big motorbike, I also drove towards my apartment. I live in a middle-class apartment adjacent to my job location. That place is more suitable to be said as a flats house. The cost of renting an apartment in Tokyo is very expensive, with a salary as a beginner journalist is certainly not enough to rent a better apartment.

"Ayano-san!" The voice of the woman called out to me as soon as I got off the bike.

I opened my helmet and turned to him while frowning.

"It's true you!" He came up to me quickly, "Do you not know me?"

I tried to remember, but hesitated to guess.

"We're classmates. I was Yuna's best friend in High School. You must be hard on me because I just had plastic surgery to beautify my face."

"Ah, I remember! You're Imada, right? Why are you here? Do you live around here?"

"No. I came specially to see you. Our classmates are the only ones who know your address."

He took out an invitation paper from inside his bag, then handed it to me.

"I came to take this!"

I took the invitation and turned the paper over. I was stunned when I saw the names of Yuna and Yoshizawa written there as the bride-to-be. It turns out that they are only going to have a wedding, after a year more than the accident that approached Yuna.

"I ... don't know the cause of your separation, but I already know what Yuna went through. He lost some of his memories and doesn't even remember that you guys were dating. Yuna's parents also asked us not to mention her about it" the woman said in a condolent tone.

I'm stunned. Pretty long. My last meeting with Yuna at the hospital came back to my mind.

"Ah, it doesn't matter if you don't want to come to the party. I only fulfilled Yuna's request to give you this invitation directly. He heard you were back from the Middle East" he said.

Yuna found out about my return?

"I'll consider. If there was time, I would be present" I told him with a smile.

After chatting with my classmates first, I entered the apartment I had left for over a year. This apartment is very attached to the memories between me and Yuna. Collage photos showing our togetherness are still plastered on every wall of the room. Couple glasses engraved with our names are still lying on the front desk of the television. Even our bath towels are still hanging in the same place. Yes, this apartment used to be not only lived in myself alone.

My brain was rewinding the memory that had stalled, of the journey I had with her that we spent eight years. It turns out we never really forget someone who once filled our hearts. Some people have their own places and portions in our hearts.

From what Imada told me just now, Yuna stopped working after recovering from an accident. He lost the confidence of holding the patient because he still did not believe he was a doctor. After hearing this, I felt guilty for him again. Being a doctor who can help many people is an ideal that he succeeded in realizing. If he hadn't come to Syria to pursue me, it wouldn't have happened.

I spent an hour packing Yuna's things and keeping them in a big box. Including our photos that stick to the wall. I looked back at the wedding invitation. Do I have to attend?

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I'm heading to a five-star hotel in the Shinjuku area. Step into the ballroom decorated with all-white decorations. It turned out that there had been many guests, especially from among the officials, generals and businessmen present there. Obviously, this is a fancy wedding party.

"Ayano-san! Ayano-san!"

My head turned left and right when I heard many voices calling me. The sound came from my school friends. I also approached the largest round table. My arrival was greeted by them.

"Long time no see you!" reprove my friend.

"You look so skinny now!" the other sahut.

"I thought you were going to be the groom" added another.

"Do you have a replacement?" askthem.

I can only smile thinly. At the same time, the ballroom lights suddenly darkened. Floodlights hit the entrance followed by melodious music. The entrance slowly opened revealing a pair of brides.

Just like the other guests, I stood up to greet the bride who walked slowly. My eyes could not be seen the bride showing off her smile. A happy aura emanated clearly on his face. To be honest, I've dreamed of walking hand in hand like this with him. Who would have thought, life is a mystery that is hard to guess. Now, I still stopped at the same place as my solitude, while Yuna had walked hand in hand with another man.

The show was over, but my friends were still at home lingering as they reminisced about school days. They make Yuna's wedding a reunion. Although uncomfortable and bored, I could not go home first. In the end, I could only hear that boring chatter while gulping down wine.

One man picked up an empty bottle of wine, then exclaimed, "How about we play a bottle-turn game! I've prepared the kind of challenge you guys have to do!" He wiggled the scrolls of paper stored in the jar.

All agreed except for me who could only grumble inwardly. They started the game. Simply, simply turn the bottle that is laid in the middle of the table, then see who the mouth of the bottle is directed to. The person designated the bottle, must choose whether he wants to reveal honesty or do the challenge given. If you have chosen, it must be done immediately and must not change the choice.

The first round was directed at our female friend whose name I did not remember.

"Pick honest or challenge?" askthem.

"You may, I choose honestly. I want to reveal the secrets I kept at school" she said shyly.

"Whatis that? Just tell us!" push them with enthusiasm.

I held my chin while pouring the wine back into my glass.

"Actually, I .. liked Ayano-san since first grade. I'm sure that my feelings are there first compared to Sakurai-san. I even had a prolonged heartbreak when I found out she had been dating Sakurai-san. Sometimes, I wonder if Ayano-san would accept me if only I dared to reveal my feelings" he said while looking shyly at me.

I sipped the wine and frowned as all my friends focused their eyes on me.

The male friend sitting next to me, nudged my arm while saying, "Ayano-san, let's answer!"

"You mean?" my many.

"Didn't you hear? He has liked you for a long time. Even before you were dating Yuna. Come on, give her a little response!"

I looked at the woman. He looked at me like he was expecting an answer.

"Let's go out!" my spoken.

My friends were surprised, but also happy to hear it.

"Are you serious?" askthem.

"Yes, that would be my answer if he dared to say it back then. If it is now, I can only say thank you," I said, bowing my head.

They were suddenly disappointed to hear my words. The bottle turns back. Unfortunately, this time it was facing me. My friends cheered and asked me to choose.

"Honesty or challenge?" circulate them.

Since I didn't want to talk, I chose to take on the challenge. One of them took a roll of paper in a glass jar. Impatiently, he unfolded the scroll to read out the challenge I had to do. However, his face suddenly changed when he saw the contents of the paper.

While looking at me, she said, "Take the bride dance!"

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