Sunday, September 27, 2009

99 Love Notes - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Something New



I guess I wanted something new in my life...
A new key to fit a new door...
Through where I can see a different view in life
The one that I've been waiting for...

--

Chun stepped out of the airport, clutching his luggage at one hand, and another bag at the other. “Tokyo...” he said to himself. He could not believe his luck. First, he got promoted, and now, he was sent to their branch in Tokyo. Since he was young, he have been fascinated with this city. And he couldn't believe that he was able to step into this foreign land. “It's going to be one hell of fun, Chunnie!” he said himself.

“Excuse me, but are you Wu Ji Chun?” he heard someone ask him. He looked back, and saw an old friend from high school – Ikuta Toma. He took off his shades, and looked at him with his eyes almost popping out. “Toma-chan?” he asked. Toma smiled, and nodded his head. “The one and only.” he said. “Man! It's so cool to see you again! Don't tell me you're the one who's going to pick me up?”
“You working for Tricks Inc. right?”
“Yeah, that's the name of my company.”
“And you're our newest head programmer, right?”
“Yeah...”
“Yeah, I think you're the right guy I'm going to pick up.”

Toma helped Chun with his bags, and led him inside the car. Along the way, the two long-lost friends talked. “So, how's it going, Chun? Still not married?” Toma asked. Chun smiled and shook his head. “Nah... still playing the field. How about you?” he asked. Toma nodded his head. “I got married two years ago, and you won't believe who I married.” he said. Chun gave him a confused look. “Who?” he asked. Toma only gave him a smile. “Who else, but Ella Chen.” Toma said. Chun was surprised at what he said. “That's great... seems everyone from high school are getting married...” he said. He looked away from him, as the smile in his face slowly faded.

Suddenly, he felt that familiar pain in his heart again. He felt the loneliness filling him up over again. Ella and Toma were his best friends back in high school. Back then, he had a crush on Ella, but he knew that Ella liked Toma. He even helped the two to get together, and he was glad that they finally got married. But with that fact, Chun could not deny the loneliness he is feeling because of being alone. “Why don't you settle down? Maybe you could find a cute Japanese girl here that you can marry.” Toma said. Chun just let out a laugh. “The girl who would make me settle down haven't been born yet.” he said. “Or maybe, you haven't met the girl whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. Who knows, maybe you'll meet her here in Japan.” Toma said. Chun laughed again. “No way, Toma... no way...” he said.

The car made it stop to a 4-storey building. Toma got out of the car, and Chun followed him. “Anyway, since you'll be here for long, the company rented you an apartment. You'll be staying right next to us.” Toma said. Chun looked at him with a surprised expression on his face. “S-stay right next to your apartment?!” he exclaimed. Toma simply smiled. “Isn't it great? You're our new neighbor.” he said. Chun sighed as he followed Toma inside the building. It seems that things are more complicated than he thought. Next thing he knew, they were standing in front of his new apartment. “Here's your key... anyway, take a rest for. Ella will be making dinner for us. Our apartment is right across yours, so don't hesitate to knock if you need anything.” Toma said before he left his apartment.

As soon as Toma left, Chun immediately grabbed his phone from his pocket, and made a long distance call to Calvin. “Hello?” he heard Calvin on the other line. “Cal... you wouldn't believe this.” he said. “What is it?”
“Remember that Japanese exchange student from high school? Toma-chan?”
“Yeah, I know him all right...”
“Well, he's working in the same company as I am...”
“Isn't that great? Aren't the two of you really close back then? Why the gloomy tone?”
Chun let out a sigh before he speaks again. “And remember Ella Chen?” he asked. “Yeah, she's one of your buddies right? What about her?”
“Turns out that she's Toma's wife...”

Calvin became silent for a while. “Wait,wait, wait... Ella Chen? Toma Ikuta? Are you kidding me?” he asked. He heard Chun sigh on the other line. “I wish I am...” Chun said. “Isn't it great? My two best friends in high school ended up together? Lucky me, I'm stuck with another couple!”

--

“Maki!”

Maki looked back, and saw her friend, Ella, coming up to her. “Oh, Ella-san. What's the rush?” she asked. “Are you going to the market?” Ella asked. Maki smiled and nodded her head. “I need to buy something for dinner tonight. It's my off, and I promised my imouto I would cook her favorite.” she said. Ella smiled at her. “Then, can I go with you? Maybe you can help me. An old friend came here today, and I wanted to serve a really good Japanese food for him.” she said. “No worries, Ella-san. You approached the right person.” she said. Then, the two girls headed to the grocery to buy food.

Maki have known Ella since college, and they were room mates back then. They were inseparable, even until now. When Ella got married, she and her sister also moved into to the same apartment building where they live. Her younger sister, Nana, would usually baby sit for their daughter, Yukiko. “So, what are you planning to cook for your guest?” Maki asked as they walked through the aisle of the supermarket. “I'm not sure, Maki-san. Jacky is really not that picky when it comes to food, but I want to impress the guy with my cooking skills.” Ella said. Maki just smiled at Ella. She handed her a cabbage, and Ella put it inside her cart. “He really is a good friend, huh?” she asked. Ella nodded her head. “He is my classmate back in Taiwan. He is also Toma's good friend. It's been a long time since I last saw him, saw I want this dinner to be very memorable to him.”
“Is he here for vacation?”
“No, he's here for work. Actually, he's going to live on the apartment next to ours.”
“I hope I could meet your friend sometime, Ella...”
“I would love you to meet him. But I must warn you... Jacky has a reputation for being a playboy. He was a heartthrob in our school back then... so you might fall for his charms.”

Maki just let out a laugh at what Ella said. “Me? Fall for his charms? No way! You know that I've already swore off guys. There's no way I could fall in love.” she said. Ella smiled and just shook her head. “Easy for you to say. Once you get to meet Jacky, you might fall in love with him.” she said. Maki shook her head again. “No way, Ella-san. No way. I promised myself I will never ever fall in love again.” she said. Ella looked sadly at her friend. She knew exactly why she was being like this. Her friend had a bad experience before, that's why she promised herself not to fall in love again. “I know, Maki-chan. And I also know that you will not fall in love until Nana graduates from college, right?” she said. Maki smiled at her, and nodded her head. “You bet!” she said.

--

“This is just great...” Chun said to himself as he plopped on his bed. “And I thought I could get away from those love-dovey couples... and what do you know, I would bump into Mr. And Mrs. Ikuta here...” he said. He let out a sigh, and closed his eyes. When he found out that Toma and Ella are married, he was happy. But then, he couldn't help but feel envy. Not that he still have feelings for Ella, but because his friend have finally found the love of his life. Most of his friends have found the one they love, but as for him, he haven't. All the while, they all thought he's enjoying his life as a bachelor. All the while, they all thought he's enjoying playing the field, and dating a lot of girls. The truth is, he's getting tired of the kind of life he's living.

He's only 24. He's still too young, he knows that. Yes, he dated a lot of girls, but he did that hoping he could find “the one”. He have been searching for so long, but it seems that he couldn't find the right girl for him. It seems that those girls that comes into his life are all the wrong ones. He always gives the excuse that he's not ready for a long-term commitment, but the truth behind is, he just couldn't see himself being with the wrong girl for a long time. He only wanted to have his own happy ending, just like how his friends found theirs. He only wanted someone whom he could give his love to. Someone whom he could share his inner thoughts, someone who would understand him, and who would accept him for who he really is. He wanted someone who could see him through his facade.

He sat up from his bed, and looked outside the window. “Would I be able to find that girl here in Tokyo?” he thought. He smiled to himself, then he shook his head. “I'll be staying here for a long time... who knows? I might finally meet the girl of my dreams.” he thought to himself. He laid down on his bed again, and stared up on the ceiling. He was in his deep thoughts, that he didn't realize that he have already fallen asleep.

--

Chun found himself standing before a grassy field. He looked from afar, and saw a carousel spinning around. He smiled to himself, and walked towards it. His eyes glimmered as he watched the porcelain horse go round and round. Then, at one of the horses, his eyes caught a petite, short-haired girl in a long white dress. She was leaning to the pole that holds the porcelain horse in it's place. He paused, and took a glimpse of her again. As the horse came into his view, he saw her, and was able to see a closer look at her. She have a pretty pair of big black eyes, and her skin was as smooth as silk. She was smiling sadly, and as he caught a glimpse of his eyes, he could see the loneliness in it. He felt his heart ache upon seeing her sad eyes. He wanted to take her sadness away. He wanted to make her smile.

He waited again until she came into his view, but a few rounds have been made, but she was no longer there. “Where are you?” he thought. His eyes frantically searched for that girl. “Don't leave... where are you?” he thought. He was about to make his move to find her, but then he heard a girl calling his name. “Chun...” he heard a soft voice calling him. He looked back, and saw the girl at the carousel standing before him. Her white dress was almost torn into pieces and disheveled. Her face was smudged with black mascara. There was also a fresh wound in her arm. “Chun...” she called again. As she looked at him, tears began to fall from her eyes. He made a step towards her, but the girl began to step backward. “Don't...” she said. “Don't come near to me... you... you will only get hurt...” she said. Chun shook his head. “I... I don't care. I love you.” he said. Then, he ran towards her, and as he got close to her, he pulled her to his embrace. “I love you...” he whispered to her. He felt a tear fall down from her eyes again. “Chun...” she whispered. Then, he felt her hands lift up as she hugged him tight.

Chun woke up from the constant ringing on his phone. He slowly opened his eyes, and then sighed. “What a dream... and someone just interrupted it!” he thought. He sat up on his bed, and took his phone to answer it. “Whoever you are, this must be good. You've just interrupted my beautiful dream.” he said. He heard Danson snickering at the other line. “Wow! Someone just woke up at the wrong side of the bed...” Danson said. “Wow, and you just called me to tell me that?” Chun said sarcastically. “Of course not! I'm checking on my buddy. How are you doing there in Japan?” Danson asked. “Doing fine, thank you very much. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a dream to catch.” he said. Then, he ended the call, and turned his phone off. He went back to sleep, but he was interrupted by a knock on the door. He dragged himself up of the bed to open the door. It was Toma.

“Hey, dinner's ready!” Toma said as soon as he opened the door. Chun let out a yawn, and then nodded his head. “I'll be there. Give me time to fix myself.” he said. Toma nodded his head, and went back to their apartment. Chun headed back to his room to freshen up, and change his clothes.

Meanwhile, at Toma's apartment, Maki was busy helping Ella make a desert for Chun. “Done!” Maki said as she placed the tiramisu on the tabkle. She took off her apron, and then turned to Ella. “Ella-chan, I have to go. I promised Nana I'll help her with her assignments.” Maki said. “Don't you want to stay, Maki? I would love you to meet our friend...” she said. Maki smiled and shook her head. “Maybe next time, Ella. I promise that.” she said. “That's too bad...” Ella said, frowning at her. Then, tomo got inside the kitchen. “Ella, dear... you're not trying to set up Maki with our friend, right?” he asked. Ella turned to her husband as he kissed her on the cheek. “Of course not! I just want Maki to meet our good friend.” she said. “I promise you, Ella. Next time.” Maki said. Ella just smiled and nodded her head. “Well, can't wait for you to meet him.” she said. Maki said goodbye to the couple, and then went out of their apartment.

Just as Chun opened the door of his apartment, Maki just made her turn to the stairs to head back to her apartment. Chun walked to Toma's apartment, and then knocked. After a while, Ella opened the door. “Hi, Mrs. Ikuta!” he greeted. “Jacky!” Ella said. She gave him a big hug. “Wow! You're more handsome than before. I bet you made a lot of ladies cried back in Taiwan, huh?” she teased him. Chun just laughed, and shook his head. “Of course not. And please, stop calling me Jacky. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Chun, mushroom face!” he said. Ella just laughed at him. “You know I like teasing you with your English name. Anyway, welcome to our humble abode, Chun.” she said.

Chun entered their apartment, and Ella let him sit on the couch. “Wait here a while. I'm preparing our dinner. I'll call Toma to entertain you for a while.” Ella said before she headed to the kitchen. Chun's eyes roamed around the place. He saw Toma and Ella's wedding picture at the table. He took it, and looked at it closely. “They look good together...” he thought. Then, he sighed. He wondered, when would he see himself in a wedding picture, with the right girl beside him? “Aki Chu?” he heard someone say. He looked down, and saw a cute little girl, around 2, smiling at him. “Oh, hello there, princess.” he said, smiling at him. “Aki Chu?” the girl asked again.

“That's my daughter, Yukiko.” he heard Toma said. He carried Yukiko up, and then he sat beside Chun. “She's turning two this October. Which reminds me... she have the same birthday as you.” Toma said. Chun smiled at the girl, and then pinched her button nose. “Such a cute kid.” he said. Yukiko giggled at what Chun said. “Hmmm... since my little hime is fond of uncle Chun. Don't we, baby?” Toma said as he face his daughter towards him. Chun watched as Toma rubbed his nose against Yukiko's nose, which made the little girl giggle. “Pa... pa... pa... pa...” the little girl mumbled. Then, Toma turned to Chun. “She's my little angel. You know, you should have one, Chun. I tell you, your life will really change when you got yourself a child.” he said. Chun just laughed, and shook his head. “I'm not really good with kids, Toma. Maybe I am, but with other people's kids. Besides, having a kid is a huge responsibility. I'm trying to avoid long-term commitments, then I'll get myself a child? No way.” he said. Toma just shook his head. “You know, Chun... once you get to find the girl you will love for the rest of your life, your views will change, I tell you. Maybe the one who's going to tie you down is here in Japan. Who knows...” Toma said. “Please, Toma-chan. I told you, there's no way I'll settle down.” he said. “Let's just wait and see.” Toma said.

Just then, Ella emerged from the kitchen, and called them for dinner. Toma and Yukiko stood up, and followed Ella at the dining room. Chun stood up, and watched the happy family before him. The truth is, he badly wanted to have the life that Toma have know. He seems so contented with his life. He have a beautiful wife, and a beautiful daughter who looked exactly like Ella. The smile on his face slowly faded at that thought.

He is lonely.

And all he wanted is a family as warm as this one.

--

Dreams like everyone
I've have a few in my life
Who knew that time
Would come true in my life
I knew the moment that you touched me...
You touched me...

--

Aaron Yan Ya Lun.

He walked outside the airport, and smiled to himself. “Vienna... finally...” he thought. He looked up at the blue sky, and let out a sigh of content. “Guess this is a start of a new life for me...” he thought. Just then, a black Mercedes Benz stopped before him. A man in his late thirties came out, and gave him a warm smile. “Welcome back to Vienna, young master.” he said. Aaron smiled, and nodded his head at him. “Thank you, Robert.” he said. Robert opened the door for him, and Aaron got inside the car. Robert got inside the car as well, and sat beside him. “So, shall we head to the mansion first, young master?” he asked. Aaron shook his head. “I don't want to stay at the mansion, Robert.” he said. The elder man looked at him with confusion. “But young master...”
“I didn't specifically asked for the mansion, Robert. Besides, I came back here, not as the great Aaron Yan. I came back here in Vienna to live a new life.”

Then, he faced Robert, and smiled at him. “I want to live an ordinary life, Robert. Do you understand that?” he asked. Robert smiled and nodded his head. “I understand that, young master. But you see, the mistress have arranged the mansion for you. You know how worried she is about you always... after what happened to your twin brother...” he said. “I know that, Robert. I know that. But since I'll be living here on my own, I want to plan y life according to how I want it. I don't want to be pampered, or let anyone treat me like an important person. I am a new person now...” he said. Then, he turned to his butler. “And one more thing, Robert...” Aaron said. Robert looked at him again. “Stop calling me young master. Call me Aaron, or Ya Lun... whatever makes you comfortable.” he said. The elder man just smiled, and nodded his head. “As you wish, Aaron.” he said.

As the car roams the street of Vienna, Arron looked outside the window, enjoying the view before him. Then, something caught his attention – it's a petite girl walking the opposite direction. The car stopped, and he was able to gaze at the girl for a long time. She had a short hair, and her almond eyes were hidden beyond those eye glasses. He looked at her closely, and smiled to himself. “Chinese... she's definitely Chinese...” he thought to himself. As he looked at her, he found himself being drawn to this girl. She may look plain, but the more he looked at her, the more that she's becoming pretty in his eyes. Then, the girl made her move, and crossed the street. His car made a move, and his eyes were on her until she is no longer out of sight.

“Someone caught your attention, Aaron?” he heard Robert asked. Aaron looked at him, and smiled. “Someone interesting.” he said. He looked outside the window. He wasn't paying attention to the view of the street. Rather, his mind was drifting to that girl he just saw. “Will I see her again? I have to see her again... I have to...” he thought to himself.

Labels: 99 Love Notes, fan fic