Sunday, August 15, 2010

So It's You - Part 6

The spring dance was held at the uni’s garden that evening. As we entered, I felt Hikaru held on to my hand tightly. I looked at her, and I could see the nervousness on her face. She looked at me, and I smiled. “Relax… you’re the most beautiful girl tonight.” I said. Her cheeks once again turned pink with what I said. “I feel like Cinderella already…” she whispered. “And I am your prince charming for tonight.” I said proudly.

All eyes were on us that night. I know most of them were surprised that I brought Hikaru to the dance. Just like before, some were talking behind our backs. “Ya Lun…” she called in a nervous tone. I looked down at her, and I could see how scared she is. “Why are they looking at us? Is there something wrong?” she asked. “They are looking at us because I’m with the most beautiful girl they have ever seen.” I said. She giggled at what I said.

I lead her to the dance floor, and a slow song began to fill the air. “Are we going to dance now?” she asked innocently. I nodded my head. “Didn’t the prince danced with Cinderella when he saw her for the first time?” I asked. She had that puzzled look on her face, which amused me the most. “But… this isn’t the first time you saw me.” She said. “It doesn’t matter. Cinderella is the prince’s first dance that night.” I said. “So, I’m going to be your first dance?” she asked again. I let out a laugh, and pinched her nose.

Then, she turned into a pout. “What’s wrong, Hikaru-chan?” I asked. “I…” she lowered her head. She fidget her fingers again, I know when she does that, there is something bothering her. “You don’t know how to dance?” I asked. She looked at me, and nodded my head. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you. It’s simple.” I assured her. “What do I do?” she asked. “Just follow my lead.” I said. I held her hand, and put it on my shoulder. Then, I took her other hand, and hold it. I put my hand on her waist, and as the music filled the air once more, I leaned forehead on hers. “Make a step to your side…” I instructed her. She followed what I was doing. “And then make another step on the other side…” I said.

Before we knew it, we were slow dancing. I was gazing into her eyes as we danced. Whenever I look at Hikaru, it felt like the time always stands still, like we were the only people in the world. I felt like wanting to get lost into those big black orbs. I felt like gazing into her eyes forever. I could look into her gentle face, and not get tired of staring at her.

I thought of my life before she came into my life. I knew it was a boring one. All I did was to study, and to study is all I do all my life. My life felt empty, and I feel that I didn’t have any purpose, whatsoever. There was nothing exciting to look forward to. When Hikaru came, my once dull world was suddenly filled with colors. I look forward to each day of seeing her. I look forward to each springtime that we will be together. I never cared about someone as much as I cared for her. I had the urge to protect her, to always make her smile. She was the one who brought the smile on my face, the one who made me realize that life is not all work. She brought out the kid in me. I don’t know where I’d be without this girl. When she’s not with me, I wish I could fast forward to the day she’ll be here with me. When she’s beside, I wish that time would be much longer.

“Ya Lun…” she called in her soft, sweet voice. “Hmmmm…” I said with a smile. “I… I like you… I like you a lot…” she whispered. “I like you too… I like you a lot…” I whispered to her. She rested her head on my shoulder as we continued to dance.

Just having her beside me feels so good. Just having her in my arms feels so right. If loving her is wrong, then I don’t want to be right for the rest of my life.

--

My only mistake that night was I let Hikaru out of my sight.

I left her for a while to get her something to drink. Then, Gui Gui came up to me. “Ya Lun…” she called. It took me one look to realize that she is drunk. “Gui Gui.” I said. She smiled at me, and held on to my arms. “Ya Lun… be with me tonight, please… leave her… stay with me…” she said. I let out a sigh as I looked at her again. “I can’t Gui Gui. I promised her grandpa –“
“Then take her home and be with me!”
“I can’t. She is my date. I can’t abandon her.”

She pushed at me, and glared at me angrily. “Why her?!” She shouted. “Why her?! Why does it have to be that crazy girl?! I am much better than her!” she shouted at me. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. Then, I looked at her. “I explained everything to you, Gui Gui. What part of it can’t you understand?” I asked. “I can’t accept that I’m going to lose to a crazy girl like her.” She told me.

Just then, I heard a loud cry. I looked back, and I saw a group of boys making fun of Hikaru. They were circling her, while Hikaru was crying. I rushed to her to save her. “What do you think you’re doing?!” I shouted at the boys while pushing them. “Oooh, prince charming have some to save her little princess!” one of them said mockingly. I took Hikaru into my arms, as I protect her from the others. Everyone’s eyes are on us once again. Some were laughing. Some were making remarks. Some were worried. I looked at them, angrily. “You have no right to make fun of someone just because of their condition!” I shouted at them. “Who do you think you are, our father? And it’s your fault! Why did you have to bring that cuckoo here at the dance?” one of them said. “For a scholar like you, you sure are dumb.” Another said. “Cuckoo! Cuckoo!” another one teased.

I couldn’t control my anger anymore. I clenched my fist, and began to hit them. I swear I could almost kill one of them, if only Osamu and Da Dong did not come to pull me away from them. “Ya Lun! Stop it!” Osamu said. “Why are you acting this way just because of that girl?” Da Dong asked. I looked at him, then I looked back at Hikaru. Her head hangs low as she cries. She bit her lips as she looked up at me. “Hikaru…” I whispered. Just then, she turned and ran away from me. “Hikaru!” I called.

I looked at everyone who witnessed that scene. I was angry because of what happened. I was angry because they let her be hurt by their word. I was angry because they were making fun of her. I was angry because they could not accept her.

I was angry because I am hurting the most because of what they did.

“Why do you people have to judge someone because of the way they act?!” I shouted angrily at them. Everyone fell silent. “Are you all happy because you have hurt someone?! Huh?! Are you all happy that she ran away from me?! You don’t know her, all right?! You don’t know Hikaru the way that I do! You only proved to me that you guys are the worst… and that she is much better than all of you!” I could feel my tears in my eyes as I lash it out on all of them.

I took a deep breath, and walked away from them. I don’t need them, those kind of people. All I need is Hikaru.

--
I looked for Hikaru all over the place. Finally, I found her sitting by the stoop of a building. She curled into a ball, and as I got nearer to her, I could hear her muffled cry. I heart was aching to see her this way. “Hikaru…” I called in a low voice. She looked up at me. I could clearly see the crystal tears from her eyes. “Ya Lun… I… I’m sorry…” she said. I sat next to her, and then wiped the tear from her eye. “No, I’m sorry… I’m sorry that I left you alone. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there when they made fun of you.” I said.

I cupped her cheek with my palm, and gazed into her eyes. Why is the society so cruel to someone as gentle as her? It wasn’t her fault that she became this way. It wasn’t her choice at all. I could feel her pain. I could feel my heart being stabbed into a million pieces seeing her crying. I pulled her to my chest, and hugged her tight. I was wishing that by my hug, all the pain she is feeling would finally disappear. I hushed to her as she cried. “Ssssshhhh… don’t worry, Hikaru… I am here now… they can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let them hurt you… you’re safe here with me…” I whispered to her.

We stayed that way for a long time. When I looked down at her, she was already sleeping peacefully in my arms. I smiled to myself as I looked at her. If only I could see her this at peace, then I would be happy. “I love you…. And I will protect you with all my life, Hikaru…” I whispered to her. I wish she could hear what I was saying. I wish she could understand what I feel for her. But she is still a child. I don’t know if she would be able to comprehend my feeling if I tell her about it.

I leaned down on her, and kissed her on her forehead. I felt her stir after I kissed her. She slowly opened her eyes, and smiled at me. I leaned down at her once again. I was ready to kiss her lips, but then we were interrupted by a loud sound and the light from the sky.

Fireworks.

“Wow…” she said in awe. I saw that smile on her face again. It was as if she has forgotten her humiliation a moment ago. It was like everything is all right now, and that nothing ever happened. “It’s beautiful…” she said to me. As she looked at me, I smiled at her. “Yes, it is.” I said. I put my arms around her, and she leaned on my shoulder as we watched the fireworks together. As we watched the fireworks, I felt her hand reach my hand. She looked up at me, and smile.

Maybe… even without words… she understood how much I love her.



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Labels: fan fic, So It's You