Winter Sonata Of My Heart

Chapter 3

Listening to the continuous heart-wrenching sobbing and hugging the crying young man in his own arms definitely something new in his life history so far. He could not fathom a sudden ache building in his own heart now. Enduring the upside down chaos emotion which was alien to his own soul was quite frightening to Akaike. Ignoring the turmoil in his heart and to lend his shoulder for Takumi to cry on and at the same time holding him close trying to sooth his emotion is indeed unforeseen. He never expected Takumi could give such privilege. He also could not comprehend those tender feeling which able to slither inside his own heart.

"Haish! This feeling is annoying! Ahh! Takumi is important right now," Akaike spoke in his own head. Shaking his mind, he gave his attention to the one in his embrace now.

While waiting for Takumi's weeping subsided, his memory flashing the short conversation with one of the waiter earlier, Takumi was really at a complete loss and as if under a spell holding out his hand phone to the waiter who was on the line answering his call. He knew, this was indeed a massive blow to Takumi's fragile heart. A sudden stir jolted Akaike into reality. Maybe the way he was calling Takumi by his name not his surname as always had changed Takumi's reaction towards him. So, he addressed Takumi as Hayama instead, "Hayama...are you alright?"

As if aware of his awkward position in Akaike's arms, Takumi hastily pushed himself away from Akaike and sat erect on his chair. He was clumsily wiping away the tears which still visible on his cheeks and the corner of his swollen red eyes. Afterward he was repeatedly apologising to Akaike, " Gomen...Akaike-kun...Gomen...Gomen..."

Unconsciously, Takumi was nodding his head countless times while putting his hand together just as the Buddhist praying. Akaike was deeply touched by Takumi's gesture and stopped him immediately. "Hayama! Hayama! Stop it!" his voice rose a bit and shook Takumi. Takumi froze in action. "Enough Hayama...Let's go home," he softly drew Takumi's attention.

Takumi nodded weakly in accordance as he slowly stood up. Akaike was once again lending his shoulder for support. He accompanied Takumi to his apartment after paying the bill. On the way, they could not stop people around from glancing towards them. Ignoring the curious stares, they both unhurriedly walked away and endured the whole journey to Takumi's residence.

As they both reached at the front door, Akaike took the key from Takumi's trembled fingers and quickly opened the door. Hurriedly, Akaike assisted Takumi to Takumi's bedroom and helped him lie down on the bed.

"Take a rest Hayama. You really need it," he softly persuaded.

Maybe he was really tired and surrendered to slumber. Akaike stayed for a while watching Takumi doze off and his breath became even. Later, he crept silently to the living room and sat on the sofa exhaling a deep sigh. His left hand was busy massaging his temple as if able to squeeze out rotten memory off his mind. Still, the person who was sleeping very soundly in the bedroom not far away from him able to wreck havoc to his heart which he well guarded so far. Even surrounded by fascinating pairs of "love birds" since Shido Gakuen, his perspective never swayed to "that" direction. He did not hate them, but not in the slightest he ever expected that he could be like them.

"I am straight!" he screamed inside his head. "Haish! Pull yourself together," another monologue. With a long heavy sigh, he stood up and finally he realised something quite different compared to the time he left Takumi yesterday.

The whole apartment was amazingly too bright and shiny. Almost impossibly and unusually super clean under his scrutinising eyes. When he walked into Gii's room, he noticed that the room was the only spot untouched. A lump formed in his throat. He perfectly understood the reason Takumi has behaved exactly that way. He is their best friend. He was well aware and have a handle on the whole scenario. He remembered when Gii suddenly pushed Takumi away from his life in order to protect his lover from the onslaught of the first year throngs. The miscalculation on Gii's behalf had caused Takumi's phobia to relapse even less frightening than before.

Since, he was the one who always watched from the sideline made him more sensitive and observant. He also managed to convince Takumi and made him got the picture of the whole situation regarding Gii's sudden change of attitude that year. Together, with the brilliant Misu in their league, Gii and Takumi were able to reconcile their confusion. In fact, their love life became stronger afterward.

"I definitely will not leave Takumi alone this time," he whispered. With utter determination he put a pledge to help Takumi fought to face this terrible ordeal and will return Takumi to Gii safe and sound when he come back. "I must persuade Takumi soon. Hope he will not too stubborn to listen to my suggestion," nodding his head agreeing to his conscience.

"Gii! Come back! Gii! Don't leave me!" Takumi's cry brought Akaike back to reality; jolting up straight and sprint to the adjoining room.

"Hayama! Hayama!...Oii Hayama!" Akaike tried his best to shake Takumi from the wild trashing.

Takumi abruptly woke up and was being consoled by Akaike. "Akaike-kun...Gii is dying... He's going to leave me forever... Akaike-kun...what should I do?" Takumi was wailing and Akaike was really in trouble to calm him down.

"Hayama...calm down, we don't know yet. It is still under investigation. Let's pray for his safety," Akaike tried to comfort Takumi.

Luckily, Takumi was at ease even though his sob still visible but both were silent to give prayers for Gii's safety. Akaike was eyeing and examining Takumi's mood at the moment to voice out his attention earlier. Sensing Takumi's fragile demeanour right now, he was almost afraid to utter even a single word. He did not want to disrupt the serenity of current atmosphere. Takumi was sitting on the bed and his back leaning against the headboard. His chest was heaving naturally as he was breathing. His swollen eyes still wet and tears mark was clearly visible.

"Hayama..." softly he whispered to grab Takumi's attention.

"Emmm..." that was all Takumi's response and slowly he turned his head facing Akaike showing his inquiring eyes.

Akaike gathered his courage and opened his mouth to speak. "I think it is better for you to stay with me for awhile," he carefully chose his word.

Noting the movement of Takumi's lips, he quickly pulled up both his palms in front of Takumi as a gesture to make Takumi listen to him and let him finished his speech. Akaike felt relieved, Takumi was simply obeying his order. Gulping another fresh air into his lung, he continued explaining in a most calming and soothing manner.

"I know you did your best to be strong but I don't want anything bad befall upon you. You are not just my best friend's lover but you are my best friend too," he tried his best to win Takumi's trust. "We will face this together as always. If you stay with me, at least I can watch over you and return you back to Gii safely when he came back," he stared into Takumi's eyes and watched closely for any physical response.

Takumi did not argue but his action was showing something really wrenching for Akaike to fathom. As he spoke, tears trickled down from the corner of Takumi's left eye. From time to time, he wiped them off his cheek. Akaike was panic for awhile but kept his form steady.

"Hayama?" Akaike was trying to get Takumi's response.

"I do understand your intention Akaike-kun but there are lots of our memories together here. I want to be close to him. I cannot totally part with him yet. Not now. Please...Akaike-kun...," Takumi solemnly replied.

"That is the ultimate reason why I want you to stay with me. He is always in our heart Hayama. I did not forbid you to come here once in a while but of course with my consent. This is for your own safety Hayama...I know you are really in love with him and your love for him know no boundary...I sincerely acknowledge your relationship...I know ," Akaike reasoned with Takumi's persistence while putting his hand on his heart.

They both looked into each other's eyes for quite sometimes and the answer was resolute. Takumi's nod put a genuine smile on Akaike's face. At least half of the battle won. He got the upper hand when Takumi was in his supervision. While waiting for Takumi overcome his fatigue, Akaike took a duffel bag and started packing Takumi's clothes. Later, Takumi woke up and took a quick shower to freshen up his body and got dressed. Soon, he realised he has been absent from his class in Tokyo University since he was hospitalised. Five days!!! He did not notify the Student's Affair Department upon his absence. After packing all the necessary things; locked the door, they both took the elevator to the ground floor and exited the building.