Sunday, November 1, 2009

99 Love Notes - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 – The First Love Note





“I'm Aaron Yan. I hope we can all be friends.” he said. Hannah finally looked away from him. She couldn't believe that there is someone else who could have the same face, the same voice and the same name as Arron. It's like fate was playing a trick on her. She knew Arron died a long time ago. She could still remember the last day they were together. He died in his arms, that she know. But upon seeing this man before her, she began to doubt that memory. She was only able to see Arron's face after the eye transplant. Each day since she got her eyesight back, all she did is stare at his picture, and there's no way that her eyes could be tricking her. This Aaron, who stands before her, had the same face as his first love.

“Hey, you looked like as if you've seen a ghost.” Daphne told her. Hannah looked at her as if she's still in a daze. “I'm s-sorry...” she said. “Aaron will join the string group. He will play the violin.” Professor Bruegmann said. Hannah was even more surprised at what he said. It means that she will be in the same group at Aaron, since both of them will be playing the violin. Fate is really playing a trick on her. “Hannah, are you OK?” Daphne asked. She noticed the expression on her face, as if she couldn't believe that Aaron will be joining their group. Hannah just nodded her head, but this did not convince her. Then, as Hannah looked up, she saw Aaron standing close to her. He smiled at her, and extended his hand to her. “Hi, I'm Aaron... and you are?” he asked. Hannah took his hand, and shook it. “I... I'm Hannah...” she said. She stared into his face for a long time, and Arron never took his eyes on her. As she held his hand, she felt that familiar warmth that she only felt from Arron. “How could this be? It's as if Arron became alive in him... even his touch seems so familiar... what is this? Why am I feeling this way?” she thought.

Aaron couldn't help but gaze into her lovely face. He could not contain his happiness now that he finally know her name, and now that he have touched her hand. It seems to him that the love he felt for her have gone stronger, much stronger than the time he first saw her. “Hannah... such a lovely name for a lovely lady...” he thought. He wished he could stare at her for a long time, and hold her. He wished the time would stop at that instant, so that he could gaze at her forever. Then, Hannah took her hand from him, and looked away from him. “I... I'm sorry...” she said. Aaron realized that he was holding her hand for a long time, and he knew it was a bad thing to do on their first meeting. “No, I'm sorry...” he said. Then, he looked at Daphne, and smiled at her. “Welcome to the orchestra, Aaron.” she said. “Thanks, Daphne.” Aaron replied. Hannah was surprised that he knew Daphne's name. “I know Aaron, Hannah. He is my childhood friend.” Daphne explained to her as soon as she saw the confusion in her face. “Oh...” she said. Then, she looked up at Aaron again. “Why is this happening to me? It felt like Arron became alive again... or maybe I'm just imagining things... maybe I'm just thinking too much of Arron that's why I'm seeing him in this guy...” she thought again.

Then, she heard Professor Bruegmann dismiss them. “Don't be late tomorrow guys... and good day.” he said before he left the stage. “Hannah, would you like to join me and Aaron for dinner tonight?” Daphne asked. Hannah shook her head. “I... I can't... I have to call back Danson...” she said. Aaron became sad when she turned them down. He was hoping he could get to know more about her, and be close to her, but it seems that she doesn't want to since she already have a boyfriend. “Daph... will you excuse me for a while?” Hannah told Daphne. Daphne just nodded her head. Then, she walked as fast as she could away from them, away from Aaron.

She went inside the music room, and as she closed the door behind her, she leaned on it. She closed her eyes, and a tear fell from her eye. “Why? Why is this happening to me? Why am I feeling this way? Why do I feel confused now that I met him?” she said to herself softly. At that instant, all the love she have kept inside her heart for Arron came back to her. And she felt it the moment she saw Aaron's face. She felt bad about it. She felt bad because she felt as if she was betraying Danson. She knew she will always be in love with him, but she became confused.

“I can't do this... I can't break Danson's heart because of him... I can't fall in love with him this instant... we just met and...” She closed her eyes, and let another tear fall from her eyes. That moment, she decided to keep her distance from him. She have to. Because she knows that if she got more closer to Aaron, she would eventually fall in love with him.

--

Hey you (whoever you are...),

I'm writing this letter for you. I'm writing to let you know what I am thinking right now. Right at this moment. I know you won't care at all. I know you wouldn't want to know what the heck the great Wu Ji Chun is thinking as of this very minute.

But I don't care.

I am writing this letter, and you have no other choice but to read what I've got to say.

First of all, I want you to know that this is the very first love letter I am writing you. I don't know who you are, I don't know how you look like. And hell, I don't care at all. All I care about is the feeling you'll give me that moment we'll meet. And all I care about is how I feel about you now. I've never written a love letter in my entire life, because if I did, I would have been married right at this instant. Married to a girl who have received my first love letter, and since I am still single, well, figure it out.

Next, I want you to know that I am waiting for you. I am patiently waiting till the day we'll meet. I even imagine where we are going to meet. Is it through a common friend? Will I meet you online? Will I meet you in a bar? In a hotel? In a train station? In a bus stop? I wonder HOW will we meet. Will it be like an accident waiting to happen? Or maybe I've known you all my life, that I fail to notice you... yeah, that seems to cliché'. If you know my friends, Kit and Calvin, you know their love story is like that.

Third. I want you to know that though I haven't met you yet, you know that my heart will always belong to you. Yeah, you can laugh at me. Laugh real hard. I know this line is too cheesy, and it's a line from the song, but I want you to know that I knew I loved you before I met you. I have been dreaming of you all my life. I don't even know your name, and yet I want to call you mine. So, for now I will call you Mine. Hey, Mine! Hahahaha... just kidding.

On a serious note, just always remember, I am here, always waiting for you. I am, really. OK, so I keep on dating random girls, but honestly, what I feel for them is lust. And I'm tired of this game I'm playing. When I meet you, I swear to God, I'll be a faithful man. I swear to love you and you alone. I promise to take care of you. I don't care about your past, or your present... all I care about is our future together.

If you are able to read this, then it means I have found you. It means you're laughing your ass out because of this stupid letter I wrote you. Really, I don't mind at all. At least I have let you know that long before I knew you, you have already this place in my heart.

I love you. I mean it.

Chun

--

It was midnight, and he couldn't sleep.

Chun looked at his side, and saw a girl sleeping peacefully beside her. He could only sigh as she watched her sleep. Then, he stood up from the bed, and walked towards the window. “God, until when will I be living this kind of life?” he thought. He have been in Tokyo for 6 months now, and all he did was work, party, and sleep with random women each night. It was exciting at first. He have enjoyed sleeping the Japanese girls each night, but now he felt like he's getting tired of all of it. He doesn't want to have a serious relationship and commit himself with the next girl, because he's not ready. He's scared that it won't work out. He's scared that the next girl might be the wrong one. “God... when will I meet her? When will you let me see the girl you have prepared for me? I don't want to break your commandments anymore... and I want to have my own happy ending like my friends...” he thought.

He looked back at the girl on his bed, and shook his head. “I need space....” he thought. He grabbed his shirt and pants, and dressed up, then went out of his pad. As he went down the apartment building, he noticed a teenage girl sitting by the stairs. It was Nana, his neighbor from upstair. “Hey, Nana!” he called. Nana looked at him, and smiled. “Oh, hi Chun-san!” she said smiling at him. He walked towards her, and sat beside her. “What are you doing here? It's already late?” he asked. “I'm waiting for my onee-chan...”
“Did she do some overtime or something?”
“I think she did. There's an event at the hotel where she's working, and she have to be there the whole day.”
“It's not safe for you to linger outside. Why don't you wait for your onee-chan upstairs?”
“I don't want to. It's boring in our pad.”

Chun smiled at her, and shook his head. He still wonders what Nana's sister looks like. He have been living in this apartment building for so long, but they still haven't met. “When will I get to meet your sister, Nana?” he asked. “Seems like the two of you are always busy... don't worry, one day I'll introduce you to my sister. But I must warn you, Makino doesn't like guys that much...” Nana said. “Why? Is it because she got dumped before?” Chun asked. Nana shook her head. “I can't tell you the reason, Chun-san...” she said. “OK... I really think your sister got dumped before.” he said. Nana could only laugh at him. Then, he stood up. “Nana, you really have to go upstairs now. You might catch a cold...” Chun said. Nana nodded her head, and stood Chun. For her, he is the most handsome man she met. Not only that, he protects her like his sister. If she could only have a brother like Chun, she would feel secure. “I'll go ahead, Chun-san.” she said to him as soon as they reached his floor. “OK, you better get some shut eye or you won't be kawaii anymore.” he teased her. Nana giggle at him, then she ran up to their pad.

--

He had another dream.

He found himself in a house filled with mirrors. He looked around, hoping he could find the exit. “Hello? Anybody here?” Chun asked. He looked around, but all he could see is his reflection. Then, he heard a soft voice. It was a muffled cry, calling his name. “Chun...” he heard a girl say. He looked around as he walked, trying t find where that voice is. “Hello? Where are you?” he asked. “Chun... help me.. find me, please...” the voice said. As he looked back, he saw an image in the mirror. It was an image of a girl wearing a white dress. “Miss?” he called again. He walked fast, still searching for that girl. “Where are you?” he shouted. Then he paused. He felt someone is walking up to him. “Chun... help me...” the girl said. He looked at the mirror, and saw the image of the girl in white dress. She was crying as she looked at him through the mirror. “Help me, Chun... help me...” she said.

Chun walked towards that mirror, and reached for the girl. But as the tip of his finger touched the glass, her image slowly faded. “No... don't go!” he shouted. He looked around, but all he can see through those mirrors are his reflection. “Where are you? Don't leave me!” he shouted. As he eyes another mirror, She saw the girl coming out of it. He smiled upon seeing her image again. “There you are...” he said as he walked up to him. As he got closer to her, she paused. He looked at her closely, and saw the crystal tear in her cheek. “Why are you crying?” he asked. He reached for her, but before he could, the girl turned away from him. “Don't... please...” he said. He gazed at her, and by the way she looked, he noticed how broken she is. He had this urge to hold her in his arms, and tell her everything's going to be all right. He wanted to assure her that he's here now, and nobody can hurt her again. Then, he noticed a wound on her neck. And from that wound, a blood flowed out. He immediately reached for his pocket, and took out his handkerchief. He walked up to her, and placed the handkerchief on her wounded neck. The girl looked up at him, and as he gazed into her eyes, he could see pain and sadness in it. His free hand cupped her cheek. “Don't cry now, I am here... I won't leave you ever again...” he said. Then, his face moved closer to hers, and then their lips met into a loving kiss.

“Chun! Wake up!”

He felt someone shaking him. He looked up, and saw Hiro shaking him. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked groggily. “Hey, you told me to come over so that we could go together at the Shinkansen station.” Hiro said. Chun sat up, and gave him a confused look. “We're going to Osaka for a vacation, remember?” Hiro said. It finally sinked in to him – he was supposed to go with Hiro to Osaka that weekend to have a break. “Oh, yeah... I forgot...” he said as he stood up from his bed. “You've already packed, right?” Hiro asked him as he eyed on him. “Yeah, I did...” Chun said. Then, he went inside the bathroom. “Give me 5 minutes to prepare... then we're going.” Chun shouted at Hiro.

--

“Are you sure you're going to be OK being alone?” Maki asked Nana as she stepped out of their pad. “I'll be OK, onee-chan. Besides, Ella-kun and Toma-chan would be looking after me, remember?” Nana said. Maki could only sigh as she looked at her sister. She was always scared of leaving Nana alone, especially when she have to go to their hotel branch in Osaka. “I'm staying with Ella-kun and Toma-kun, remember? Don't worry about me, onee-chan. Besides, I'm a big girl now.” she said. Maki smiled at her sister, and then hugged her. “I promise to be back by Sunday afternoon.” Maki said. “Onee-chan... you don't have to worry about me. I'll be OK, I assure you that.” she said.

Maki smiled at her sister, and gave her a hug. “I'm sorry, it's just that onee-chan is worried about you...” she said. “I understand, onee-chan. Just enjoy your stay in Osaka. I'll be fine here.” she said. Maki looked at her, and smiled. “You are a big girl now, Nana... I guess you'll be all right without me for a while. Don't stay out on the streets late OK?” she said. Nana smiled at her sister, and nodded her head. “I sure will.” Nana said. Maki kissed her sister on the cheek, and went on her way.

--

“What's with you?” Hiro asked Chun as they walked inside the train station. Chun let out a yawn, and looked at him. “What's with me? Man, you woke me up in the middle of my dream.” he complained. “You slept late last night, didn't you?” Hiro asked. Chun just sighed at him. Hiro let out a laugh, and shook his head. Even though he have known Chun for a short period of time, he could easily read through him. “You got it on with Miaka last night, didn't you?” Hiro teased. Chun stopped walking, and gave him a death glare. “What?” Hiro asked in a confused look. “Do I look like someone who got laid last night? And if I did, you should've seen me in bed with Miaka when you barged in to my apartment. Did you see any girl sleeping on my bed? None, right?” he said in an annoyed tone. Hiro stepped back at him, and raised his hands at him. “Easy man... I'm just teasing. Don't take it seriously...” Hiro said. Chun looked at him, then shook his head. Then, he handed hiro his black overnight bag. “Take this. Get our tickets. I'll go and find a rest room for a while.” he said. Before Hiro could further react, Chun have already left him.

Meanwhile, Maki went to the ticket booth to get her ticket. She put her black overnight bag on the floor as she speaks with the lady on the booth. She didn't realize that the man behind her was a thief. In a swift, the man took her bag, and walked away. “Let me just get my wallet...” Maki said. As she looked down on the floor, she realized that her bag was gone. “Oh. My. God.” she exclaimed. Then she looked at the lady with her eyes widened. “My... my bag just got stolen...” she said. She looked back, and saw a man in black jacket with her bag. She immediately ran after that man. “Stop! Thief!” she shouted as she ran after the man.

Chun got out of the rest room, to find Hiro waiting for him. “Take this.” Hiro said, shoving his bag on his chest. “Can you do it more harder, Hiro?” Chun said. Hiro just laughed as he went inside the rest room. As began to make a step, someone bumped into him. He looked angrily at the man, and before he could reprimand him, the man was dashing away from him. “Don't you even know the word sorry?!” he shouted at him. Then, he looked back, and saw a petite girl running towards his direction. Probably running after that man. She was too fast, and didn't notice him, that she bumped into him, making the two of them fall on the floor.

Maki bumped into a man, and she was on top of him. The man was wearing a dark jacket, just like the one she was running after. Then, she noticed the bag lying on the floor, which looked exactly like her bag. “Whoa! Do all Japanese love bumping onto other people and not saying sorry?” Chun said sarcastically. Maki immediately stood up, and so did Chun. Chun took his bag, and as he turned to the girl, Maki hit him in the face. He looked at him with shock. “What the -”

“Thief! Thief!” Maki shouted as she pointed at him. Chun gave him a confused look. “What thief? What are you talking about?” he asked. Instead of answering him, Maki stomped onto his feet, making him flinch in pain. Then, she took his bag on the floor. “You stupid thief! Don't you know that I know karate?!” Maki shouted at him. “What are you talking about? And can you give me back my bag?!” he shouted angrily at her. He tried to take his bag from her, but she took his arm and bended it to his back. “Awww! Cut it out! Let me go!” Chun shouted in pain. “That'll teach you a lesson not to mess with me, thief!” Maki said. “What thief? I am not a thief! Ouch! Let me go!” he said. But Maki didn't listen to him. Then they heard a loud whistle. Chun looked back, and saw a pack of guards running towards their direction. “Oh, man...” he said as he shook his head. He is in trouble. Really big trouble.

--

“She bumped into me!”
“He stole my bag!”
“Instead of saying sorry, she hit me!”
“I was trying to get my bag back!”
“It's my bag! Believe me!”
“I was paying for my ticket, and this man took my bag!”
“I just got out of the rest room, and she's accusing me of stealing her bag.

Both of them were speaking at the same time, that the officer could only shake his head in confusion. Maki looked angrily at him. “You did not steal my bag? You did not steal my bag?! It was with you when I bumped into you!” she shouted. “Look, missy... it's not my fault that you are so stupid that you let some random men take your precious little bag!” Chun said. “Who are you calling stupid?!”
“You are stupid!”
“Ha! Really? I'm not stupid, for your information. Who do you think you are, the smartest guy on earth?!”
“At least I always look after my personal belongings!”

The officer stood up from his seat, as he could not take their argument anymore. “Can the two of you please shut up for a minute?” he shouted. The two of them stopped talking in an instant, and looked at the officer. “Take your seats. We'll settle this in a very logical and peaceful way...” the officer said. Chun and Maki took their seats. Both of them were giving each other death glares. “Horikita-san, you said this is your bag?” the officer said. Maki nodded her head. “Can you tell me what's inside the bag?” the officer asked. “My clothes. I've got my uniform there, a cookbook, two notebooks, three pens, a small pink bag, and my red Gucci wallet.” she answered. Then, the officer turned to Chun. “Wu-san, can you tell me what's inside your bag?” he asked. “My clothes are there. My wallet is inside my bag as well. I also got my laptop inside, and a notebook with a picture of my friends inside it.” he said confidently. The officer stood up from his seat, and went to the bag in question. “Well then, let's see who's telling the truth.” he said.

The police officer opened the bag, and the two watched as he unzipped the bag. “Oh looky there...” the officer said, smiling at the two. He took out Chun's laptop. Chun looked at Maki, and smirked at him. “So, who's the thief now?” he said to her sarcastically. He let out a triumphant, yet vicious smile as he leaned on his chair. “B-but... how could that be? I'm positive he stole my bag!” Maki said. “Horikita-san, do you remember how the thief looked like?” the police officer asked. “He's wearing a black jacket... that's all I can remember...” she said. Then, she looked at Chun. “Oh, please... there are a lot of guys wearing black jacket at the shinksansen station. I am not the only one OK? The guy who bumped into me before you was also wearing a black jacket.” Chun told her.

Just then, two police officers came in. “Sir, we have arrested the man who stole Horikita-san's bag.” one of them said. Maki and Chun looked back, and saw the man being carried by the police. “That's the guy who bumped into me outside the rest room!” he said. “So, it means... this guy...” Maki asked. The police nodded his head. “Apparently, after he bumped into Wu-san, and as soon as the coast is clear, he went back to the rest room and tried to steal Mizushima-san's bag as well. Good thing Mizushima-san caught him, so he beat him up and called us.” he said. Chun stood up from his seat, and faced the thief. “So, you're the man who got me into trouble, huh?” he said. The thief just nodded his head. “Thank you, sir...” he said, smiling at him. Chun smiled and shook his head. “No... thank you...” he said. He clenched his fist, and then punched him in the stomach.

--

“Good thing I caught the thief our you will spend the night in jail.” Hiro said as they got out of the police station. “Let's just get out of here, Hiro. I want to go to Osaka badly and rest. This is so stressful...” he said. “You can say that again, Chun.” Hiro said. Chun paused, and looked at Maki, who was walking beside him. “Aren't you even going to say something, missy?” he asked. Maki glared at him. “What should I say?” she asked. “Didn't your parents taught you to say sorry, especially when you're at fault?” he asked. Maki folded her arms, and glared at him. “I don't apologize to jerks like you.” she said. Then, she walked away from Chun. “What the...” Chun said furiously. Then, he looked at Hiro. “What kind of a girl is that? Did you see that? He didn't even apologized to me! I wouldn't be a jerk if she hadn't been a bitch!” Chun said. “Relax man, it's just a girl. Don't waste your energy on her, you won't see her ever again.” Hiro said. “Well I really hope not to see her again! Our paths won't cross again, I swear!” Chun shouted.

And that's what he thought.

Labels: 99 Love Notes, fan fic