Destiny's Dilemma

Ch. 6

Another week had passed, and she hadn't seen him.

Disappointment settled in her chest, although deep down, she had prepared herself for this. What was peculiar, however, was the way he lingered in her thoughts, refusing to fade. Sure, she had only met him twice, fleeting moments that barely scratched the surface of who he was, but something about him had ignited a spark she couldn't quite extinguish.

Even though her friends told her about his disappointing reputation. A major red flag to stay away from.

Hana placed the pencil on her small desk, stretching her arms above her head after finishing her reading assignment for history. As she looked out the window, the sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. She couldn't help but smile at the breathtaking sight.

I wonder if Megumi like sunset? her mind drifting back to his lovely features, his kindness and his warm energy he was radiating.

She finds it impossible for Megumi to be the complete opposite of kindness.

With a soft sigh, she stood up to grab a snack, the quiet of the house echoing around her. Angel had to work late, and wouldn't be home for another hour. The weekend, although promising some freedom, was becoming monotonous. Today was Saturday, and her friends were all tangled up in assignments and projects, leaving her free yet strangely unfulfilled. Hana had managed to keep busy with her school work, extracurriculars, and volunteer activities at church, but even that didn't seem to satisfy the longing she felt.

Deciding to make dinner to take a little responsibility off her aunt's shoulders when she returned home, Hana wandered into the kitchen with the excitement of cooking. She pulled out a package of meat from the fridge, the coolness of it sending a shiver up her arm. As she started to prepare the meal, her mind involuntarily wandered back to the last time she had seen him—the restaurant where he had escorted her back to her friends after they had skipped class.

That decision to skip was one she would never make again, especially after their coach had expressed concerns about their sudden absences. Just the thought of that memory of her panic attack, a wave of anxiety flooding in. She recalled how Mai had tried to soothe her, urging her to breathe as she felt the walls closing in.

"Hana, it's going to be okay!" Mai had said, her voice a steady anchor in the chaos. "We're just two minutes away! I'm so sorry for making you ditch! I promise we won't do it again." Mai's worried gaze had flicked to Miwa, who was driving like a woman possessed. "Right, Miwa? We're almost at the school?"

Hana looked out of Miwa's car window every ten seconds, counting down the moments until they would reach safety. Each glance caused her heartbeat to race faster, the sense of dread coating her thoughts. "I knew I shouldn't skip! I knew I shouldn't skip! This is the consequence Megumi warned me about..." Hana murmured, tears spilling over as she wept quietly in her seat.

They made it to school and the nurse's office on time before the coach could check. But right before she saw their coach, Hana had passed out. The three girls felt guilty for putting her in such a state of panic, their laughter turning into silent support as they tried to calm her down. They had assured her, time and again, that they would plan better next time; that class was more important than fleeting moments of freedom.

As Hana stirred the beef in the pan, the rich aroma of the simmering curry filled the kitchen and brought her thoughts back to the present. She couldn't help but smile, remembering they had all vowed to never skip a moment of fun again. Even amidst her reflections, she was enjoying the process of creating something delicious.

Yet, a part of her couldn't shake the lingering curiosity about her encounter with Megumi for the second time—wondering if he would ever return to school to take his future seriously, despite his reputation. She truly believed he could change, even if she knew he was the type of man she should stay away from.