@lollipopgirl: i still love you even if you lurk around and not comment... but i love you more when you comment
@takagakifan: bu~~ it ain't sayu... she's the owner of a modeling agency now (model-turned-entrepreneur)... yossui had a meeting with her a few updates back... nice try, though... but yeah, i agree she has a devilish side...
@sweeety: Kaori is an OB-gyne here... it was in her clinic that "Mrs. Yoshizawa" got a pregnancy test... ... ... you're taking on a machine-gun strategy!!!! DUCK FOR COVER, EVERYONE!!!!
@lurkers who prefer to not comment: enjoy...
short one... shorter than the ones before... hmm... not as explosive as i thought it would be...
UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rika was uneasy as she stepped out of the car. She still wasn't sure if she wanted to do this. For all she knew, Mayumi could be waiting for her to arrive. She didn't want to see her stepmother. She didn't want to be reminded of what had happened to them. The bruises have healed, the trauma has been repressed, but the wounds that were inflicted on her heart would never reach full recovery. Being accused of seducing her "stepfather" and getting beaten up by a person she respected like her real mother, it was all too much to bear.
Rika tried her best to keep her tears from falling. Tears would cause worry to Hitomi and Rika didn't want that. She has bothered Hitomi enough. She forced on a smile that didn't turn out right. She kept her gaze on the floor, not wanting to look ahead, afraid of what she might see.
Despite Rika's best efforts, Hitomi felt the uneasiness. She was frustrated that she could do nothing except offer temporary comfort and distraction to Rika. Even with all her love, she can't fully heal Rika's broken heart. All she could do was watch Rika in her sorrow. Even if she offers to carry at least some of the burden, she knew Rika would decline. Rika was too good. Maybe because she has seen so much. She has suffered so much.
Rika leaned against the car, hesitant to proceed from the parking lot to the hospital. The ground has almost melted at the intensity of her gaze. It was only broken when Hitomi leaned down to meet her gaze.
"Don't worry..." Hitomi said with a comforting smile. "I'm here... I told you I'll protect you, didn't I?"
The smile was infectious. It gave Rika the comfort and security she needed right now.
Hitomi stood up straight and reached out her hand. "Let's go?"
Rika took the hand and with a nod, they walked together to the hospital entrance. At the lobby, Rika went straight to the receptionist's desk. "Miss, Saan po yung kwarto ni Jr Dimaano?" (Miss, Where is the room of Jr Dimaano?)
"Room 361. Palit bantay po ba kayo?" (Are you here to replace the room companion?)
"Hindi po, dadalaw lang po." (No, we're just here to visit.)
"Isuot po ninyo itong visitor's pass... Sige po." (Just wear this visitor's pass... Okay.) The woman on the desk handed each of them a visitor's pass numbered 14 and 15 respectively. Rika took the one numbered 15 while Hitomi took the other. After pinning the passes on their shirts, they proceeded to the elevator.
Rika looked around cautiously, making sure that the person she didn't want to see was nowhere in sight. Hitomi kept her hand on Rika's shoulder, guiding Rika so that they won't be bumping into anybody while Rika wasn't paying attention to the people walking along with and against them.
The lift ride was brief but very uncomfortable. It was jam packed and the ventilation was broken. The quickness of the ride was a blessing. If they stayed in there for 30 more seconds, Hitomi was sure Rika would come out of there hyperventilating again.
After managing to get out of the lift, Rika pulled at Hitomi's arm towards the room. 341, 342... at 345, they had to turn a corner.
Lo and behold, sitting on a plastic chair in the hall was the very person Rika didn't want to see.
Mayumi immediately caught sight of the very person she was waiting for. "Rika, anak!"
Rika wanted to run away but there was really nowhere else to go. Mayumi was heading at her very quickly. It was as if her feet got cemented to the floor. Right there, she just wanted to die on the spot to avoid this confrontation. Rika looked down, closed her eyes and prayed to all the gods for protection.
Suddenly, Hitomi stood infront of Rika, blocking Mayumi from coming in contact with her.
Mayumi was surprised at the act of this stranger. "Ano ba? Umalis ka nga dyan!" (What?! Get out of my way!)
Hitomi didn't understand a word. Whatever Mayumi said, Hitomi was determined to keep Rika away from this woman as much as possible.
"Auntie, kung pwede po, umalis po muna kayo... ayoko po muna kayong makita..." (Auntie, if it's alright with you, please leave... I don't want to see you for a while...) Rika weakly said to her stepmother from behind Hitomi.
May's reaction to what she said came out a surprise to the young Ishikawa. "Naiintindihan ko, anak... Sige... uuwi na muna ako para makadalaw ka sa pinsan mo..." (I understand, dear... Okay... I'll go home for now so that you can visit your cousin...)
Mayumi slowly walked passed them, looking back at Rika, she gave a nod of acknowledgement and walked away.
A grin formed on her lips as she entered the elevator.
Topic: Runaway from the Past (Read 316825 times)