[Fanfiction] TELL ME HOW YOU LOST ME- Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The drive to the hot springs was quieter since Jaja fell asleep beside the new guy who unwillingly sat beside her. Aiba was reading his comics… manga rather. Kazu was playing with his DS, Jun was reading a fashion magazine. Shinichi and his dad were doodling. I watched the two as they criticized each other’s doodles, then I heard a familiar sound.
GRRRRIIIINNNNNNDDDDDDDDD…..
It was getting louder.
Then I realized what it was and suddenly turned around to see the new guy, his brows furrowed and trying to move away from the sleeping Jaja who’s head was now resting on his shoulder.
“Wake her up.” The new guy mouthed at me looking really disgusted.
“You’re beside her. You wake her up.” I replied.
“Does she make that sound every time she sleeps?” he asked.
“You mean does she grind her teeth every time she sleeps?’ I returned the question.
He nodded.
“Yes she does. All the time. She also drools.” I said trying to hold back my laugh as I saw something wet forming on his shoulder.
“Eeeeeehhhhhh?” He screamed as he pushed Jaja to the side.
“Wha.. What… what?” Jaja asked.
“What did you do? Yuck!!! Your saliva’s all over my shoulder.” The new guy said in abhorrence.
“Oh… sorry.” Jaja replied before going back to sleep.
“I can’t stand this anymore. Aiba-chan, change seats with me.” He said
“No way. I’m happy here.” Aiba replied.
“Don’t look at me.” Jun said.
“I’m near the end of the level so don’t disturb me.” Kazu said without taking his eyes off his DS.
“AARRRRGGGGHHHHH” the new guy screamed in resignation.
When we arrived at the ryokan, Jun immediately ordered dinner.
During dinner, Aiba could not help but ask Jaja some questions. Although his English was not that good they still understood each other.
“Jaja-chan… why you say Riya-chan like Arashi before?” he said as he took a sushi and popped it in his mouth.
“Well… she did. She was too crazy over you guys. Especially you.” She said pointing at Shinichi’s dad.
“But why she don’t know us now?” Aiba asked again.
“I don’t know. I didn’t even know that she knew you guys.” She replied.
“You live in Chicago also?” Jun asked.
“Yup. Riya and I both went there together three years ago.”
“Before that what you and Riya-chan do?” Aiba asked.
“Five years ago we were working in Manila. Then she left, returning only after two years.” Jaja replied as she sliced the piece of meat in front of her.
“She left?” It was Kazu.
“Yup.”
“Where did she go?” Jun asked.
“No one knew. Not even her family. She just left. That reminds me, where did you go during that time?” Jaja asked this time facing me.
“What do you mean? I never left Manila. We went to Chicago together didn’t we?” I replied as I wiped Shinichi’s mouth.
“Come on… You left when you found out Gerald was cheating on you with his secretary remember? Then the next time I saw you was two years after. You arrived at my house one afternoon. All you said when I opened the door was ‘Jaja, let’s get drunk!’” she said.
“I don’t remember that. When I found out Gerald’s affair, I called my mom and told her I wanted to go to Chicago.” I replied.
“You called your mom after you got out of the hospital.” Jaja corrected.
“HOSPITAL?” we all chorused.
“Yes. Don’t you remember?” She asked.
I shook my head.
“The day you arrived out of nowhere, we went to a bar and you drank your guts out. You kept saying the name Shinichi. Now that’s where I heard that name. Anyway, I had to literally drag you out of the bar. We were already in the parking lot across the street when you suddenly ran back towards the bar. I tried to run after you but …” Jaja stopped.
“But what?” I asked her.
“But the car got you first.” She said silently.
“ What do you mean?” I asked her.
“You got hit by a car while crossing the street. You were comatose for almost 3 weeks. We thought you were not going to make it. But then you woke up and acted as if nothing happened. You called your mom two days after you got out telling her you wanted to go to Chicago.” Jaja said finishing her story.
“What are you saying? I don’t understand you.” I asked.
“Well that’s the truth. We went to Chicago and your mom was so happy that we did not even bother to ask you what made you decide to go there since you never wanted to leave Manila.” Jaja replied.
“If that happened three years ago, then you really ARE Shinichi’s mom.” Jun said.
“What do you mean?” Jaja asked.
“Riya-chan left Japan three years ago.” Jun replied.
“You mean those two years we had no contact with her she was here in Japan? ” Jaja asked.
“Yes. We met her in Yokohama five years ago.” Jun replied.
“Hey! What are you talking about. This is my first time in Japan. I haven’t been here before.” I exclaimed.
“No Riya-chan. You’ve been here before.” Kazu said.
“What do you mean? This is my first time in Japan. I’ve always wanted to go here though. I’ve always wanted to…”
“Sit and watch the cherry blossoms fall.” Shinichi’s dad finished my sentence.
“How did you know that?” I asked.
“That’s how I met you. I saw you sitting in a park in Yokohama you were amusingly watching the cherry blossoms fall. Then when we got married, you would always go to Yokohama every spring to watch them fall.” He replied.
“I’m getting confused.” I said.
“Riya-chan… you are Shinichi’s mom. I’m not sure what has happened to you but please believe us.” Jun said.
“ If I am really his mom and your wife, why did I leave?” I asked Shinichi’s dad.
“Riya…”
“Why did she leave? Did you do something to make her leave?” Jaja asked Shinichi’s dad.
He did not answer he just looked down.
“What did you do to hurt her? The only reason that would make Riya run away from something is when she gets hurt.” Jaja added.
“I...” Shinichi’s dad began.
“What did you do?” I asked him.
“It’s something I really want to forget. I don’t want to lose you again.” He said.
“ Tell me... I think I deserve to know if you believe that I am your wife.” I asked him again.
“Riya… I…”
“Tell me… Tell me how you lost me… Satoshi.”