The four sat around, awaiting the youngest men's arrival. The sun was beginning to go down, grey clouds forming in the air as they all sat in front of a cafe, waiting for everyone to meet back together. A breeze traveled through the air as the area gradually became cooler. Katsumi sat, watching Minh as she messed around with Jasmine. Madiha and Michael sat in faint tension, the taller woman tapping the table as she gazed at him.
"So...Michael." Madiha smiled awkwardly to him, "We never really got to talk much, huh?"
"Oh...yeah..." He looked to her, recalling their past interactions with her. "So...um..."
"I...Well. Let's get this out of the way. I'm sorry for how I treated you in the past- I was just jealous, I never got to see my brother. I shouldn't have held that anger towards you."
"Madiha, it's okay. Please, don't sweat it. If it means anything to you, he would mention you often. He really did care about you."
"Really?"
"Yes, he spoke highly of you! I tried to get him to visit you more, too, but he could never find the time... Any time he found was for Hiroshi."
"Oh..." She looked to him, a bit touched. "I see..."
"At least we have the opportunity to get to know each other now?"
"Yes..." The two were interrupted by faint laughter in the background. The two turned looked back and waved with a welcoming smile. Katsumi looked up, letting out a brief sigh. She forced a small smile as a joyous Hiroshi approached the group, arms wrapped around Billy's.
"So, did ya have fun?" Katsumi rested her hand on her propped arm as she looked up to Billy, who held a wide grin. The two men quickly lost their joyous facade upon her question. Billy placed his hand to his neck as Hiroshi twirled his hair.
"Well... I had a bit of fun! It didn't go as planned though, but, it's okay!" Hiroshi answered, suppressing an awkward laugh.
"What did- What Happened?" She caught herself, trying to suffocate her hostility. Yet, her fist still stay in a gentle clench.
"I-it was nothing, just a faulty arcade game, that's all!" Hiroshi waved his hands around in nervous assurance.
"Yea... it kind of short-circuited, but we're fine. It did ruin the experience for us though, so we left early..ish" Billy nodded, patting Hiroshi's back.
"Hmm...Ok then...well, it's getting pretty late, but we did meet here for a reason." Katsumi stood up, looking at the table behind her. "I know what the other three want, what about you two?"
"Oh, man, I don't know- Lemme go in with you to see what they got... Wanna come with, Hirosh?"
"I'm fine, just surprise me... I need a moment to sit down." Hiroshi took the seat across from Katsumi's, gazing ahead in thought.
"I want to come!" Minh perked up, walking to Billy. "I wanna see what they have! Can I, dad?'
"Oh, yeah! Of course, sweetheart!" Hiroshi nodded with a smile. The trio walked in, Katsumi trying to hide her discomfort. He turned back around, sighing.
"What's wrong, dear?" Madiha sat in front of him, placing her hand on his.
"It's just that...We've been searching and hardly finding anything on Aladdin. I mean it's been almost a month now!" He puffed his cheeks out, hopelessness on his face. "I just don't know if we'll ever find him..."
"Oh, don't say that...I'm sure we'll find him!"
"But what if we don't? It'll be all for nothing... He could be dead! Is this even worth it anymore?"
YOU ARE READING
Fallen Rose
Fantasy2001, a famed musician under stress due to a multitude of unfortunate events; A loss of two lives dear to him, a jailed fiance, a crumbling mind as he cares for his daughter alone. He's been brought under a new pressure as soon as everything settles...
