Chapter 42 – When Truth Hurts“I am happy now, Calvin. I just hope that you would be happy for me as well...” Calvin looked at her sadly. “Kit...” he said in a low voice. Then, he looked at Jiro. “I can never accept that fact that it's you... That it was you all this time. I just hope you're happy now... now that you are with Kit.” he said to him. Then, he threw one last glance at Kit before turning his back to leave. As he walked away from them, he felt the tears began to fall from his eyes. He took a deep breath as he took another step. He never thought that meeting Jay would hurt this much, he never thought he could get mad like this. He once lost to Jiro, when he was able to win Joy's heart, and he lost to him again now that he is with his best friend. He hated Jay for always taking Kit away from him.
Kit could only watch as Calvin leaves. She was fighting the tears from falling as she watched him. “Calvin...” she said silently. “I'm sorry... I'm sorry if I have to hurt you and Joy... I just want to be happy. It was you that I love, but I have to accept the fact that you can only see me as your best friend. I hope one day you would forgive me for being selfish this time... for not considering Joy's and your feelings when I got together with Jay... I'm sorry...” she said to herself. Jiro looked at her, and saw the sadness in her face. He put his arm around her, and pulled her to embrace. “Tin...” he called. Kit looked up at him, her tears finall falling from her eyes. “I have lost him, have I? I have lost him because I wanted to be happy... and my happiness is hurting him?” she asked. Jiro shook his head. “Don't think that way, Kit. He needed time to accept things. In time, he would be able us.” he said. “And Joy... if she found out... Jay, I'm scared... Joy is my friend, and... and I don't want to think that I betrayed her. I have hurt her...” she said as she buried herself into his chest. Jiro hugged him, his hand rubbed her back. “Ssshh... it's going to be all right...” he whispered to her. “It wasn't your fault, Tin. It's not your fault... I am to blame because... because I loved you too much that I could not give my all to her...” Jiro said. He could feel the pain she is feeling right now. He know she is scared that she will lose Calvin again. He knows that he will always come first in her life, because he is his best friend... and if there's anything he could do so that the two would make up, he'll do it. Even if Calvin asks him to stay away from her.
--
Joy heard a soft knock on the door. She stood up from her seat, and then went to the door to open it. She was surprised to see Calvin standing by the door, wearing a sad face. “Calvin? What... what happened?” she asked. “Can I come in, Joy? I... I need someone to talk to.” he said in a low voice. Joy nodded her head, and let Calvin inside her pad. “Did something bad happened?” Joy asked as she watched Calvin sit on the couch. Calvin slowly nodded his head. “I... I just found out something very... very shocking...” he said. Joy looked up at him, confused at what he is saying. Then, he noticed his right hand. It was swollen. Joy took his hand and had a closer look. “What happened to your hand?” Joy asked. She did not wait for Calvin to answer. She stood up and took her first aid kid, and bandaged his hand. All throughout, Calvin was silent. He was thinking how he will say what happened a while ago to Joy. She deserves to know what he have learned as well, since it involved her ex-boyfriend, and the reason why they broke up. “But I couldn't bear to break her heart...” he thought. “Then again, I know that everything that happened between them... it's all in the past. Maybe it wouldn't hurt her anymore if she find out who Tin is...”
Calvin watched Joy as he finished bandaging his hand. “There.” she said. She looked up at him and smiled. “From what happened to your hand, it seems like you punched someone.” she said, making it a joke. Calvin's face remained serious, then he slowly nodded his head. “You're right, Joy... I punched someone.” he said. Joy was surprised at what her boyfriend said. “You punched someone? It's unlikely of you to hurt someone...”
“I did. I hurt him... because... because I was mad at him.”
“And, who did you punched?”
“Jiro.”
Joy was even more surprised at what he said. “Jiro? Why did you hurt Jiro? Did he do something to you that pissed you off?” she asked. Calvin nodded his head again. “God knows how much I hated him. I hated him ever since we were kids. I hated him... I hated him for hurting you...” he said in a firm tone. “Calvin... you don't have to hate him that much because of what he did to me...” Joy said in a low voice. Calvin looked at him and shook his head. “You don't understand...” he said. He paused, his eyes turning away from him. Joy waited for him to speak again. “Jiro is Jay... and he is the same Jay that Kit is seeing... he is the same Jay that became Kit's boyfriend.” he said. Joy could not believe what she heard from Calvin. “Y-you meant to say... you mean to say, Kit is Tin?” she asked. She could hear her voice cracking. Calvin looked at her again. She wished that Calvin would shake his head, but he paused. Closing his eyes, she heard him take a deep breath. “Yes. Kit is Tin, the girl Jiro have loved for so long...” he said.
She felt the world crush on her upon hearing what Calvin said. She never thought that the friend she have trusted too much, would be the same girl that cause her heartache. What hurts her the most is the fact that Jiro have finally found what he was looking for, and knowing that, she knows that Jiro will not let go of Tin this time. “So... he found Tin finally...” she said in a low voice. “And all this time, it was Kit...” The tears couldn't help but fall from her eyes. She immediately wiped it, so that Calvin won't suspect a thing. A part of her is still loving Jiro, and there is still small hope in her heart that one day, Jiro will come back for her. That hope have finally waned, as he have let her go, and e have found Tin. There's nothing left for her to do but give all of her love to the man who mended her heart. She turned to face Calvin and gave her her sweetest smile. “We should be happy for them.” Joy said. “We should be glad that they finally found each other. I know Jiro. I know he would take good care of Kit...” she continued. Calvin shook his head in frustration. “How can I trust him when he have hurt Kit before. Joy, she waited for him for four summers. Four years... until she finally gave up! I was there for her whenever she cries... whenever she realized that he isn't coming back. I can't stand seeing her being hurt because of Jiro again...” he said in frustration. Joy sighed and shook her head. “You don't understand... you don't know what happened... the reason why he wasn't able to come back for Kit.” she said. “I don't care about his reasons! All I care about is the pain he gave her... the long wait... the time she have wasted just waiting for his return!” he shouted in anger. “Calvin!” Joy shouted in anger. She took another deep breath to calm herself down. “If Jiro had the chance, he would have came back for Tin that next summer. He badly wanted to fulfill his promise to your best friend... but that summer... that summer... he couldn't go back, because he was dying that time!”
Calvin fell silent at what she said. “It's true. He went to Singapore because his dad got promoted, and it was a last minute decision by his dad. Calvin... he was supposed to go back to Taiwan that summer after they settled there. He was supposed to come back to meet Tin... but... but he had an accident on their way to the airport. A car accident that almost caused his life. For months, Jiro was struggling for his life. and when he woke up, he found himself unable to move. He couldn't walk. Calvin, Jiro was paralyzed from his waist, and by some miracle... he was able to get through it. He didn't came back because he didn't want Tin to see her that way, he thought if Tin sees him, she would not befriend him anymore... so for four years, he struggled to move. Once he was able to walk again, he went back here in Taiwan, but he was too late. Kit gave up on waiting for him, but he... he did not. Every summer, he would still go to that beach, hoping to see her once again.” Joy explained. Calvin fell suddenly weak, that he fell on the couch. “You can hate Jiro, Calvin. You can... but please forgive him if he was not able to come back for Kit. Because Kit is the reason why he did his best to walk again.”
--
The next day, Calvin waited for Kit outside the classrom. He wanted to talk to her, and apologize for all the things he have done and said the night before. After a while, he saw Kit getting out of the room. She paused upon seeing him. “Kit...” he said. Kit was surprised to see Calvin by the gate. “C-calvin... what are you doing here?” she asked. “Aren't you going to meet Jiro today?” he asked. Kit shook her head. “He have a class right now. I asked him to meet me after school, I don't want you to see us together, because you too might have a conflict again.” she said in a low voice. She lowered her head, and turn her eyes away from him. Calvin sighed, and the put his hands on his pocket. “I'm sorry for being a jerk...” he began. “You're right. I should be happy for you. You deserve to be happy and to feel loved by someone. I admit I am being selfish... because all this time, you cared for me and did your best to make me happy, while I couldn't even do the same for you... I'm sorry if you feel that I have neglected you, that I took you for granted. I'm sorry if you feel that I'm only around you when I needed something, if I'm sad, or if I had problems. I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you during the times that you needed me...” he said.
Kit listened to him, and then turned into a smile. She reached up to his cheek, and gently caressed it. With her warm touch, Calvin felt like he is quivering. “I forgive you, Calvin...” she said. “I... I'm sorry that I was being too inconsiderate of your feelings. You're right, I should be blamed with what happened between Jiro and Joy before.” she said in a low voice. Calvin looked at her, and then gave her a faint smile. “I don't blame you for that. I understand now, Kit. You have waited for Jay for a long time. He searched for you... waited for you... he loved you although he lost hope in finding you.” he said. Kit just nodded her head. “A lot of things have happened in the past that's why he wasn't able to come back for me. He explained to me why. He didn't hide anything from me, Calvin.” Kit said.. “I know, Kit. I now know why... Why didn't you tell me about it? If... if I only knew what happened to him, then.. then I wouldn't hate him that much.” he said. Kit paused and looked at him. “Because you never gave me the chance to tell you so.” she said. “When I talk about him, you cut me off, like you don't want to hear what I am about to say about him. I wanted to tell you so that you could understand, but you didn't want to listen to me. But I understand why... I know you don't like Jay...” she said in a low voice. “I'm sorry... I was blinded by my anger and my jealousy that's why... that's why I acted that way...” he said. Kit smiled and nodded her head. “It's OK, Calvin. I understand.” she said. “Please tell sorry to Jiro for me. I... I feel ashamed of myself because of what I have done. I... I'll catch you later.” Then, Calvin turned his back to leave.
--
“Jiro...” he heard someone call him. Jiro paused, and looked back. He saw Joy walking towards him. He gave her a faint smile. “Hey...” he said. Joy just smiled at her. Joy noticed the bruise at the corner of his lip, and she know that Calvin was the reason behind that bruise. “Are you OK? I heard about what happened between you and Calvin last night...” she asked. Jiro nodded his head. “Yeah... I'm OK now. Tin helped me...” he said. Joy swallowed hard upon hearing Tin's name. She felt her heart breaking again. “Oh...” she said in a low voice. “I... I'm glad to hear that...” Jiro walked towards her, and looked into her eyes. “Maybe by now you know... maybe Calvin have already told you who Tin is...” he said. Joy slowly nodded her head. “I know... I know that it's Kit. And I know that... that she is your girlfriend now...” she said in a low voice. Jiro nodded his head. Then, Joy turned her back on him. “I... I'm happy for you.” she said, her voice is cracking. “I... I'm happy that you were able to find her. She... she's so lucky to be loved by someone like you...” she said. She took a deep breath and wiped the tear from her eyes. Jiro looked at her sadly. “Joy...” he said. “I asked you to wait for me... to wait until I could forget all about her... but you couldn't. You chose the love of another guy... to be happy in his arm...” he wanted to say. Joy looked back at him and forced a smile. “I wish you and Kit all the happiness in the world. I just hope... I just hope... she could love you in the same way that I have loved you...” she said in a low voice. She felt her lips quivering as she speaks. She turned her back on him again, and began to walk away. “Joy...” she heard him call again. “I... I'm sorry for... for the heartache I have given you...” she heard him say. Joy just nodded her head. “I... I forgive you...” she said. All Jiro could do is watch the girl he once loved walk away from him.
--
As Kit was walking through the empty hallway, she saw Joy at the opposite direction. Joy gave her a faint smile, and Kit nodded at her. “Hi...” Joy said. “Hi...” Kit answered. Then, there was a awkward silence between them. “C-can... can we talk?” Joy finally managed to ask. Kit just nodded her head. “I've been wanting to talk to you as well... about...”
“About Jiro.”
Kit looked away from her. “I'm sorry, Joy...” she began. “I know I am the reason why Jiro could not love you before... and I know I am the reason why he broke up with you.” Then, Kit looked at her. “I... I don't want you to think that I have betrayed you. The last thing I want to do is hurt you... because you are my friend...” Kit said. Joy just looked at Kit. “I was hurt, Kit. I could not deny that to you. I was hurt when Jiro chose you over me. I was hurt with the truth that he have always loved you. What hurts the most is that of all people, you have to be Tin, his first love...” Joy said to her. Kit lowered her head, feeling guilty. She felt that she have hurt a lot of people around her, so that she could be happy. “But I understand, Kit. Right from the start, I know that Jiro have loved you. I have accepted that fact long ago... All I'm asking of you is to take care of Jiro... to love him in the same way that he loved you. Because if you hurt him... you'll be hurting me too.” Joy said as she smiled faintly at her. Kit could not believe what she have heard. “Joy...” she said in a low voice. “Our love story have ended. You have this chance to continue where you left off 10 years ago... before his accident. Please don't break his heart...” she said. Kit smiled at her and nodded her head. “I promise to love him with all my heart, Joy... I promise you that...” she said. Then, she walked towards Joy, and gave her a hug.
--
It was evening when Jiro and Kit reached the latter's house. As the two got out of the car, they were surprised to see Calvin waiting by the gate. “Cal... what are you doing here?” Kit asked him. Calvin smiled at the two. “I was waiting for you...” he said to Kit. Then, he looked at Jiro. “I know Jiro would be driving you home, so I decided to wait for you guys so that I could talk to him.” he continued. Kit looked at Jiro, and smiled at him. Jiro held Kit's hand and squeezed it. Then, Kit turned to Calvin again. “So, does this mean you'll be giving your blessing to us?” she asked. Calvin let out a faint laugh. “We have to talk first, then let's see. Remember, he must come to me first before I could approve of your boyfriend.” Calvin said. Kit laughed at what he said. Then, she let go of Jiro's hand, and then gave Calvin a hug. “Thank you, Calvin. You don't know how much this means to me.” she said. Then, she reached up at him, and kissed him on the cheek. Calvin was stunned when Kit kissed her. Then, he saw Kit looked at Jiro and smiled at him. “Don't worry, it's just a friendly kiss.” she said. Jiro just laughed at what she said. Then, Kit turned to him and smiled. “Get inside now. Jiro and I have to talk. Man to man.” he said. Kit smiled and nodded her head. The two guys watched as she got inside the house.
Calvin looked at Jiro, and saw him smiling lovingly at Kit. “You really love her, huh?” he asked. Jiro looked at Calvin and nodded his head. “You don't know how important she is to me.” Jiro said. “And you don't know how important she is to me, Jiro... or Jay...” he said. Jiro smiled and shook his head. “I know how important she is for you. I also know how much you mean to her. I've seen her cry before because you almost ended your friendship with her. Last night, when you left, she was sad. I know she's thinking that because of what she did, she'll be losing you again. I even considered... to beg you and not to be mad at her or avoid her... I just don't want to see her sad...” he said. Calvin smiled. He looked down, and put his hand on his pocket. “I only wanted the best for Kit. She deserves only the best...” he said. Then, Calvin looked up at him. “I know I have no right to be mad at you. You should even be mad at me because... because of Joy. But... but when I found out that you are Jay...”
“You have the right to be mad at me, Calvin. I stood her up. I never came back...”
“But you had your reasons...”
Jiro looked away at him, and smiled. “I was suppose to come back, but I had an accident. When the doctor told me that the chances of me not being able to walk is slim, I became sad. I became sad because it means I wouldn't be able to come back to Taiwan and see Tin again. The only chance I have is an operation... and I took the risk, even if it means that there's a chance I will die because of that operation. I was able to walk again after that... and the first thing I did is go back home and look for Tin. I was already too late. She never came back... I know I am to blame because she waited for me for four years. I blamed myself... thinking I have hurt her so much....” Jiro said. Then, he looked at Calvin and smiled. “I almost gave up on her. I chose to let her go... let go of her memories, our past, and my love for her. But on that day that I have let go, she came. I thought she would be mad at me... I thought she would hate me... it's beyond my imagination that she would give me that chance to love her.”
“Jiro... you couldn't blame me if I hated you. I was there all throughout. I've seen her cry because of you. She loved you even though you never came back. The last thing I want is to see my best friend being hurt by another guy.”
“I know that, Calvin. You're just protecting her, that's why. I hope you could give me a chance to prove to you and to the world that I love her, and that I'm worthy of her...”
Calvin paused, and then slowly nodded his head. “I'm giving you that chance.” he said. Then, he looked at him, and smiled faintly. It's about time for him to give way to Jiro. “Take good care of her. Love her with all your heart. Always make her smile. She love little surprises, so you have to surprise her once in a while. She's scared of thunder, so if you're together and there's a thunderstorm, just put an earphone on her ear and then play her favorite song in the loudest volume so that she won't get scared by it. If she's sad, or scared, or frustrated, give her a hug. If she gets mad at you, let her calm down before she talks to you... because if you didn't, she will only ignore you or say things that you don't want to hear.” he said. Then, he paused and looked away from Jiro. “She liked peach roses. She likes giving chocolates, so always accept it even if it tastes terrible. If something's bothering her, ask her until she tells you what's on her mind. You can watch her as she sleeps. If she got drunk, make sure to be ready when she vomits on you. She hated to be called Katherine, so don't say her full name when you're mad. She loves Annie very much, so you should learn to love Annie as well, even though she is a brat. Anyway, I see that you and any are in good terms, so that's my least worry. Sunday is our time together, so give us that few hours to catch up on each other.”
Calvin walked towards him, and put his hand on his shoulder. “She's in your hands now, Jiro. I expect that you will take care of her the way that I do. If you make her cry, I can't promise you that I won't hurt you.” he said. Jiro smiled at him and nodded his head. “Don't worry, Calvin. I have no plans of making her cry.” he said. Calvin smiled and nodded his head. “Good. I wish you and Kit all the happiness in the world, You are one lucky guy to have her as your girlfriend.” he said. “Calvin, thank you for giving me this chance. I won't disappoint you, I assure you that.” Jiro said. Calvin nodded his head again. “You better get inside now. Kit might be waiting for you.” he said. He watched Jiro as he went inside the house. He saw Kit standing by the door, smiling at him. Calvin smiled back at Kit. Then, he saw Jiro give Kit a big hug, and as Kit hug him back, she mouthed her thanks to him. Calvin just nodded his head and then turned to leave. As he walked away, he felt his heart become heavy. Now, he could understand how Kit is feeling each time he tells her about his new girlfriend. It's does hurt to give your best friend to the one who loves her, but he have to do this for her happiness. He took a deep breath and smiled to himself. “Just always remember that I am just here, Kit...” he thought. “You can always run to me when you need me...”
Labels: 99 Paper Cranes, fan fic
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