Discovering Infinity

Moving Ahead

Akira:

No, I should not think about turning back. What is the point, anyway? It’s not like Okan will cancel the tickets if I suddenly say that I don’t want to go.

Life is about moving forward. Move forward, Akira.

I try my best to stop myself from thinking about returning to Misaki. Well, I had never thought I would be so upset about leaving this town in the first place. For a moment, I couldn’t believe this was me. I never complained. So, I should not complain.

I should not complain.

What about Okan?

She seemed to be a bit dull today. It was rather unexpected, since, she was very excited about moving to Aberdeen. It was like beginning a new life for her. She was happy about the fact that she could finally get rid of our annoying, judgmental neighbours and Oton.

Oton and she had a nasty divorce about 7 months prior to my birth. Neither of them had cheated on each other or anything like that. Oton was aggressive about not letting mother to go to work and that’s how everything crumbled to dust just after my older brother, Isao’s sixth birthday. Isao is under the custody of our father and his new wife while, I was handed over to my mother. That’s how it goes. According to me, this is the best situation I could have asked for. I do not want a bossy father.

‘Akira,’ Okan called out, ‘Can I have some water?’

‘Hai,’ I quickly removed the bottle from my backpack and handed it to her. She looked drained out. Her eyes looked dull and her cheekbones looked unusually prominent.

‘Okan, wi-we could… sit s-s-omewhere f-f-or a while. Aft-ter all, we have given away the… baggage.’

‘No, it’s fine. We are close to the boarding gate. Do you want to grab a snack from here?’

‘No, it… f-fine.’

I saw a few heads turn and stare at me. They looked at me like they were seeing an alien from Area 51. Idiots.

Immediately, I felt stupid and sunk my hands into the pockets of my hoodie.

Why can’t I just disappear into my hoodie?

The cons of being the disabled, annoying 1% of the global population that cannot talk; a frustrating life.

That was an understatement.

I quickly attached my earplugs to my mobile and listened to Ludovico Einaudi’s Alexandria.

Yes, I was a tad different when compared to most teenagers and believe me, I am bloody proud of it. Like most of you, I do love manga, but, there are many sides of me that are different. I guess it is because I do not want to be a follower of the mainstream.

I am a pretty extreme believer of the saying;

Don’t follow the masses, because, sometimes, the ‘m’ is silent.

No offense. I just find it cool.

We quickly grabbed our seats in the waiting area. It wasn’t that crowded, but, a group of older women kept chattering constantly. Don't they realise it is only half past six in the morning? People want to sleep!

Okan opened her bag and pulled out a Meiji chocolate bar. Before opening the packet, she brought it towards me. What was she thinking?

I shook my head. No, I did not like chocolate. What was she trying to prove? Was she trying to entice me into eating it?