It's a short story. The last part will be released soon. Welcome all comments. Thank you!
You love skyscrapers? Come to Manhattan. It’s a place for you. You don’t. Manhattan is a nightmare. Even you’re craving for the sky, what you get are small spaces with flying jets above.
On Tuesday morning, September 11th, 2011, no one thought flying jets above them would cause a disaster. At 8:45, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center complex. While people still didn’t know what was going on, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the other tower. The two towers collapsed just in two hours.
After more than ten years, anyone who was there, anyone who lost loved ones will never forget “9/11”. Sometimes words fail. People are fragile. They are wounded. Their wounds may not be recovered. Their memories may not be faded. The government has been trying to help victims’ families and those who survived to recover physically and mentally. Names of victims are written on the flag of honors. White roses are placed on names of victims on their birthday. Efforts are made and recognized. Tons of tourists visit the 9/11 Memorial each year.
However, that’s wound that we can see. Only people who have suffered from the attack understand hidden wounds. The empty seat in a dining table. Kids have to grow up without parents, and parents will never know how their kids feel. People lose wife/girlfriend or husband/boyfriend. They have to get used to having dinner without the other. Things look simple, but they do hurt. Wounds stay there with them. Forever.
Politics and religion find themselves hard to compromise. While religion tries to educate people good things and how to live better, there are people who “are on the behalf” of it build terrorism. Whatever, only innocent and irrelevant citizens suffer. Kumi and Tsukina are ones.
After years, Kumi has moved house a few times, but she sticks with Cooper square. She never moves to anywhere that is farther than 20 minute walk from Cooper square. Memories do hurt, but she never wants to leave them go.
Yuria has watching Kumi for more than two hours. Kumi is still busy with her design project. It’s almost 10:30 and Yuria runs out of her patience.
“Kuuchan. It’s late. Let’s go home.”
“Yuria, why are you still here? I thought you’d gone home already. But what time is it now?”
“10:30.”
“Oh, 10:30. Alright…”
10:30 isn’t late for an architecture student. Working, eating and sleeping in studio are daily and very ordinary. However, things change a little bit when people start working. Kumi collects her draft, puts her tool knits in a box, and goes to wash her hands. Yuria is waiting outside. Patiently. Everyone already went home by 8.
“Yuria, let’s go.”
They walk to a subway station.
“You don’t have to wait for me. Honestly.” Kumi says when she swipes her monthly pass.
Yuria follows Kumi and says nothing. They stay quiet on the train and get out after five stops.
“Hungry? Want me to cook something?” Yuria asks.
Yuria reminds Kumi of her starving stomach. Kumi remembers that she only had lunch which is ten hours before.
“It’s late. Let’s just get something together.”
They stop by a coffee shop nearby Cooper square. This is where they usually gathered when they were students. The shop has changed from menu, exterior and interior decoration, and waiters/waitresses, but they still know how to attract college students. Kumi and Yuria always find a table which has more than three seats though they’re only two people. Kumi has two serves. She’s starving.
“Yuria.”
“Yes?”
“I appreciate what you have done for me since Tsukina passed away. But I’m ok now. I’m really ok. Skip me and leave your life.”
“I’m living my life.” Yuria replies, peacefully.
“Don’t be stubborn. You’re always my little sister, but I can’t love you.”
“You can be in love with Tsukina. Why don’t I have a chance?”
“If you are trying to talk about sexual orientation, you’re wrong. I love Tsukina just because I love her. Even if Tsukina were a boy, I’d still love her.”
Yuria stays quiet. She finishes her meal. They always choose a table with more than three seats because they’re used to going with three people. Kumi, Yuria and Tsukina. They were close and always together. Yuria especially liked to see Kumi and Tsukina together. She usually walked more slowly and was intentionally left behind Kumi and Tsukina. Her seniors always turned back and scolded at her for that habit. However, Yuria couldn’t change it.
Tsukina passed away. Yuria didn’t know what death was. A policeman came and told Kumi and her that Tsukina wouldn’t come back. And actually Tsukina never goes home again. So, is it death? Until now no one can find Tsukina’ body. Tsukina is not the only victim who was missing in 9/11.
Kumi didn’t cry. She kept living. Nothing changed. She just lived a life without Tsukina. Yuria cried a lot. Yuria missed Tsukina a lot. Yuria knew if Tsukina’s death hurted her that much, it would hurt Kumi even more.
“You don’t have to forget Tsukina. I can’t either. Tsukina will be with us forever.”
“It’s not fair for you.”
“I don’t care.”
“No, Yuria. It’s not fair for you. I don’t want to make you hurt.”
“Kuuchan, you don’t have to love me now. Love Tsukina if you want. I’ll love you and Tsukina.”
Kumi’s turn. She stays quiet. Yuria isn’t kidding. No one is kidding in more than ten years. It must be the longest joke ever. They’re still sitting. Tomorrow they still have to work. Well, time doesn’t exist in this coffee shop. And Tsukina just goes to the restroom. She will come back and join Kumi and Yuria soon.
It’s been ten years. Sometimes Kumi wonders if she should give her an opportunity and Yuria as well. She always tries to be strong, but she knows herself better than anyone else. She’s scared of the past. Since Tsukina died, Kumi has never looked up the sky anymore. Planes are still flying above. Who knows one of them may crash to a building?
Fairly say, Kumi and Yuria have a close relationship. They have been together for more than ten years. They even know where salt/sugar is in each’s apartment. They’re close as sisters and best friends. Letting the relationship go further, however, is a matter. Kumi doesn’t know how to do that. She can’t remember how she did that with Tsukina either. Her relationship with Tsukina was built naturally. They met and felt each other. They didn’t need a word. It was very simple, very easy, and very natural. That’s it. Love is it.
In the next two weeks, Kumi lets Yuria kiss her. Well, Kumi thinks she should make some efforts to let the past go. Kumi closes her eyes and feels uneasy. It’s both similar and different from the first time Tsukina kissed her. And Yuria kisses her. Tears are coming up. At the second her lips touch Yuria’s, Kumi understands how much she still loves Tsukina.
Yuria steps back and smiles sadly yet peacefully as usual.
“I’m sorry, Yuria.”
“No, it’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’m sorry, Kuuchan. Sorry for pushing you too much.”
Kumi shakes her head and cries.
“My bad. I’m sorry.”
“I can wait.”
“No, don’t wait…”
“It’s ok. Honestly.”
(to be continued)