Project: Karma

90 | A Whisper To Life

Time skip: 2 years
<Ichiro>
"Yes mom, I'll be coming home today. I'll take the 4:30 pm train." I said over the phone, "yes, yes, I bought the cakes you love. I'll be home soon, love you mom."

"See you later honey, love you too." She replied back.

I closed my phone and placed it into the pocket of my lab coat. After finishing up medical school and my hospital internship, there was no time for a breather when I was moving towards residency. And because of my busy schedule, I rarely came home to see my mom or anyone else. However, it wasn't that lonely when I needed someone to talk to other than my uni friends, Mari would text me occasionally with her new phone.

I found it cute of her when she said she wanted my cell number to be her first, rather than her parents, and even her older brother Naki.
Normally she would text me after school when she had the time, or at night before she went to sleep. I would fine myself waiting for a text message from her.

"Hey, Ichiro." My friend Sougo who was also a first year hospital resident slapped my back very harshly and laughed, "you keep checking your phone. What? Is it your girlfriend?"

"No, my mom just called me." I said, "and stop slapping my back to get my attention. It's kind of annoying."

He stuck out his tongue.
"Well, off your phone. You're supposed to be working." He crossed his arms.

"I'm on break." I stared at my wrist watch, "I have another 10 minuets." I added, "if anything, you're still on duty."

"So uptight Ichiro, so uptight. I wonder what kind of girl she is. The fact that she has to deal with you." He chuckled.

"My mom?" I questioned in confusion.

"No you idiot. Your girlfriend." He sighed.

"Again. I don't have one." I reminded him.

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say." He walked away, tucking his hands in his white coat pocket, "see you."

I scratched my head and loudly sighed. I accidentally caught the attention of everyone else in the lounge room and I bowed my head in apology.
A couple of nurses giggled and shyly looked away and some left with a wink here and there.

"Ah, I just want to go home." I said under my breath while laying my head on the table with my arms cushioning. "I miss my moms cooking and everyone in general.

Who could of thought that the older I got, the more lonely I became.

At least I'll be able to visit home for at least 2 days. It worked out perfectly that I could leave today because, it's my father's death anniversary.
I stared at the clock in the lounge and lost to my thoughts. I was 10 years old when he died and it's been 12 years since that day.

I sometimes I wonder to myself, if I ever changed. Generally speaking yes but in the case that I've grown used to this void in my heart.
•••••••
I made it to the train station at 4:15 and boarded with a small duffel bag. To my luck there was a couple of empty seats and I chose to sit in the middle across from this elderly couple. They both nodded their heads at me with a tender smile and I acknowledge them back.

I knew that the ride was going to take at least two hours. So I brought my notes with me from the residency to do some light studying on the tables.
By the time I settled and took out my laptop, the train had started to leave the station.

"Hello, are these seats taken?"

I glanced up from my computer to see a young lady with a boy as they seemed to be siblings. They both had light pink hair, but the boy had some brown roots that faded into pink.