The One Request

CH.12

*Many many years later* Harada's POV
  "Dad, we are here." Saki tells me arriving to the grave. "Why are we here mommie?" Saki looks her daughter and smiles. "We came to see my mom sweetie." Her daughter looks at me with a surprised look.

  "We come every year during this time. Usually you are at school but since you missed school today that's why you get to come with us." We get off the car and make our way to Sayuri's grave."
 
  "Grandfather, do you miss grandmother?" I smiled and look at her. "Every day." Saki puts her hand over my shoulder and hugs me. "And am sure she misses you too dad."

  "My steps aren't like they used to. I'm much slower." Saki smiles. "Its ok dad. Take your time. Here let me carry that. I will go get water. Come sweetie." I see both of them walk away.

  When I arrive to Sayuri's grave. There are flowers already on the vase. "I guess Souji already came." I sit beside her tombstone. With my fingers I trace her name. The pain of losing her is still there after all these years.

  "You know, she might not like seeing cry." My thoughts are interrupted by my daughter's voice. I wipe the tears off my face. "I know you still miss her. You've always missed her. And to be honest, even though i didn't know her I miss her too."

  "You didn't know your mom, mommie?" "No she passed when I was very very small." It was the first time I ever heard Saki talk about Sayuri as her mother. I looked up to see her and she winked at me.

   After a couple of hours we were on our way back home. It was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and it wasn't to cold. "Dad, are you ok?" I nodded. "I was just admiring how beautiful the day is." She nodded and continued to drive.

  On our way home we passed a park I knew very well. Memories of the last days I saw Sayuri. I can still see her sitting in the bench waiting for me. Her smile that always had an effect on me.

  Every year during this time I would remember her more and more. My heart stops when I see a woman sitting on the bench. She turns around and looks at the car and it's like am looking at her. The same image. "Sayuri?"

  My daughter looks at me and looks back at where am looking. She stops the car. "Dad, what is it?" I can't take my eyes of that bench. "It's her! It's her!" Saki looks back at the same bench am looking and looks at me.

  "Dad, there is no one there. She grabs my hand and I look at her. Then I look back at the bench and no one is there. I can feel my eyes with tears.  Saki parks the car on the side of the street and grabs her purse.

  "Sweetie go buy some snacks for you and your brother. I'll wait for you right here. Her daughter nodded and heads to the store that is in front of where we are parked. "It was her." Tears fall from my face. Saki smiles and wipes my tears.

  "Maybe it was dad. And she only wanted you to see her. It's been very hard on you. You've never told me what really happen between you too. Why you blame your self so much about her passing. But am sure she has already forgiven you."

  I close my eyes and tears still fall. How could I ever tell her the truth. It would only hurt her so much. Even about her mother would hurt even more. "Daddy, please try to forgive your self. It is the only way you will stop this suffering."

  I opened my eyes and look into her amber eyes. She puts an hand on my cheek and with her thumb wipes the tears falling. "She's been at your side for so many years, and she has probably seen how you suffer. The pain in your eyes. And the tears you have shed for her."

  I nod and place a hand on her hand. "Thank you." She smiles and a tear falls from her eyes. "What's wrong?" She shakes her head. "Nothing. It's just your love for her...it's so big. That even after death you haven't stop loving her. And it breaks my heart to know that it had a very sad ending."