Come back

Chapter 2

Hiroki's P.O.V.

I held the flowers in my hand and let out a deep sigh. I had been coming to her grave every day ever since.... ever since the funeral.

"I am really sorry, I never meant for this to happen."

Of course he hadn't meant it. He had never meant to have her kill herself. And yet that's what had happened. That's what had happened.... Why did it have to though? Why couldn't she be happy, and us too? Why did she have to fucking go and kill herself? Why? Tears started streaming down my face and I was, like each time, unable to stop them.

"Here again?"

A man's voice brought me out of my thoughts. I stood up, I hadn't even realized that I had fallen to my knees, and looked at him. He was quite old and was dressed in all yellow, even his hat was yellow. It didn't quite fit the setting, but if that was what he wanted to wear, I wouldn't complain. I had never seen him before, but I guessed that he worked here, or else he wouldn't have said "again".

I nodded. "Yes sir. Do I know you? I don't recognize you...." I trailed off, not knowing how to finish my sentence.

"No, we don't know each other. I work here and I've seen you come everyday. Was that girl," he pointed to the grave, "close to you?"

I looked at the grave and took a deep breath, trying not to start crying once again.

"She was my best friend." I looked down and stifled a sob.

Noticing this, the man put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me along to a small building on the side of the cemetery. I followed him inside and sat down on the chair he pointed out to me.

"Tea? Coffee?"

"No thank you, I don't want anything."

"Alright then son."

He sat down in front of me and squeezed my knee reassuringly.

"Tell me about her. What's her name?"

I looked at him surprised, not wanting to answer, but, when he just stayed there watching me silently, I sighed and answered.

"Leonora. She was a wonderful person but that had to go through too much pain. That's why she's dead...."

"She committed suicide?" The man's voice was gentle.

I nodded.

"I am sorry for that. You know, I lost my son to suicide as well. That's why I work here now. He's buried here, and like this I can feel close to him. It was partly because of my actions, and those of my wife, that he died, and I would like to be able to accept his passing one day. But, you know, people that commit suicide, they have their reasons, they don't just do it like that. Their deaths have some kind of meaning. I don't know why your friend died, but it wasn't for nothing. And while she may not be here physically anymore, she's still there in your heart and feelings and thoughts. She will never be fully gone. As long as you remember her, she'll always be there. Isn't that a nice and reassuring thought?"

I nodded, not completely convinced by what the man had said.

"What's your name, son?"

I hesitated before answering. "Hiroki sir. A-and yours?"

"Christopher," he answered, smiling. "Alright, I'll make you some tea, you obviously need it."

I watched in shock as he stood up and went to one of the cupboards. Wasn't he going to let me decline it? Also....

"Uhm Christopher?" He hummed in answer so I continued speaking. "I apologize if it's too personal, but you said your son committed suicide.... is that why you work here?"

Once I had uttered those words, he froze before slowly finishing the tea and handing me the cup. He sat down again in front of me and silently looked at me. I had almost forgotten my question, when he answered.

"I had to somehow redeem myself for my actions."

After that I quickly finished my cup of tea and, thanking him for it, left the small building. I was closing the door when I heard Christopher say one last thing.

"His name was Arthur."

🥢🥢

Hi there lovelies!

This chapter is a bit longer than the last one and I just decided to introduce a new character. What do you guys think of Christopher? I couldn't resist dressing him in yellow😂😂 but let's be honest, yellow's an underrated colour and should be more present in our lives💛

Anyway, I hope you're liking this book for now! I'm sorry if these two chapters were completely unrelated, but I'm trying to do something here, and yep. So please bear with me😊

Oh and also, from the next chapter, I'll do the dedicated chapters of the cover contest of 'Mommy! (2)'. Just so you know.

Have a good day/night/evening!💖