Cont..
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Officer Hiro quietly stares at a picture.
Grandma- Here is your order young man.
Grandma notices the picture he was staring at and exclaims,
Grandma-What a lovely picture!
Officer Hiro- Oh yes, it is a picture of my wife. Have things been going on good around here?
Grandma- Oh you know, just the same old, he's sick, so I have to look after the store again today.
Officer Hiro wonders why grandma is still talking about him. But quickly changes the topic.
Officer Hiro- Has my father-in-law been coming around lately?
Grandma- Ah, yes. Still the same old. Grieving.
Officer Hiro clutches the picture tightly in his hands and lowers his head.
Grandma quickly notices that and asks.
Grandma- So, tell me about that picture.
Officer Hiro- Oh yes, my wife asked me to take this picture of her on our trip to Hakone.
She gave me a twig of a nearby blossoming sakura tree and asked me to think of her whenever I see this.
Grandma- What a beautiful place it is.
Officer Hiro- I almost forgot about this picture until I stumbled upon it this morning.
Officer Hiro holds back his tears.
Officer Hiro- I am a police officer, we're supposed to keep everyone safe, but I couldn't even save my wife,..... my Sakura.
What good am I?
He bitterly sobs as his voice echoed in the lonely, old diner.
Grandma- Now, now.
Officer Hiro- But I'm also scared. I'm scared that I'll forget about her like I forgot about the photograph. That I just won't care about her anymore.
Grandma- You know that won't happen..
Officer Hiro-Time is such a cruel thing. It makes you forget what was most precious to you.
Grandma- Oh that's not true, without time to help us forget, we wouldn't be able to move on with our lives. So, instead, cherish her good memory.
Officer Hiro calmly regains his composure.
Officer Hiro- You're right. You know, looking back, I miss it.
My Sakura would pack a thermos for me with my favorite soup in it. Heh, the boys would tease me for it. Saying I'd die without her thermos.
Grandma- That was nice of her..
Officer Hiro- Come to think of it, I've come here to tell you something actually.
Grandma- Yes? What is it?
Officer Hiro- I will be getting remarried...
Grandma- That's great. I'm happy for you. I hope you find your happiness again.
But, do tell your father-in-law.
Officer Hiro- Yes, I've been meaning to talk to him for a while now.
I have gathered enough courage to talk to him.
Grandma- Yes, you do that.
Officer Hiro- Thank you so much for the meal grandma, your diner will always be the best.
And thank you for being there with my last moments of remembering Sakura and starting a new life.
Grandma- I'm glad I could be of help.
Officer Hiro pays and leaves thankfully.
After he leaves, grandma sees a note that he left and opens to read it.
It read,
"I hope you forgive me Sakura for moving on."
29/11/20
Credits: Hungry hearts.
