Chapter 3:
Chapter 3 - Mom...?
When the Cherry Blossoms Bloomed
[Chapter 3- Mom…?]
I'm in the hospital to pick up my mom.She's sitting by the window looking outside.“Mom?” I say.She looks at me plainly then smiles.“Come here… The view is really pretty.”Suddenly I am transported to the riverside.Mom is gone? Shiraishi is there standing by the edge of the river?“What will you do from now on?” Shiraishi says.After she says that I hear an airplane as if it was right above me. The sound is almost deafening.
I wake up. There's… a tear running down my left eye. It was all a dream… Yet why am I crying? It felt like a nightmare. My heart is racing and emotions are flowing through me. Fear, sadness, and even regret. Slowly those emotions start to fade away as I wrap my head around the fact it was all a dream. I'll probably forget about it.
I look at my phone to check the time. It's 6:12, just a few minutes before my alarm rings. Might as well get up already.
🌸🌸🌸
The teacher is discussing something but I can't really understand it. Whatever the teacher is discussing just goes through my ear and out the other. I stare outside the classroom window. What will I say to Mom later…. I don’t know anymore.
I stare at my reflection through the window. Is that really what I look like? Huh… I look messed up. “Takahashi!”“Takahashi! It's your turn to read!” I realize I was spacing out.“Ah! Oh!” “Uhh…”I don't know what page we’re on. I have no choice, I guess.“What page are we on again?” I ask. “Were you even listening during class?”“We're on page 67. Read” The teacher demands sternly.Well that was embarrassing.
🌸🌸🌸
The loud chatters echo around the cafeteria.While I'm sitting down on a table alone. I don't even notice that there are 2 people behind me.“Kyosuke! What's the matter eating all alone?”It's Jin and Akira. I bet that they're gonna ask me for money in…3…2…1“The thing is… I don't have enough money to buy lunch… Hey, Kyosuke, can I have 200 Yen?”Jin says. I haven't even turned around to look at them yet. Then Akira follows“Apparently I'm 50 yen short. Can I also have Kyosuke?”I reach for my pocket and grab 250 yen from it and give it to the two just to get them to go away. “Thanks Kyosuke.”They both walk away.“Heh, let's go, we got some money out of that loser again.” I hear Akira whisper to Jin. “Yeah, he's really useful. I've gotten like 2500 yen from him already.” Jin says mischievously. Seriously, I need to stop giving them my money.
Due to the noise in the cafeteria I don't notice that someone approaches me.“Giving money to those two idiots again? You should really stop Kyosuke…” a person behind me says with an upset tone. That voice. I turn around.“Ah, Shota, where did you even come from… And I know I should stop giving them money. It's just the only way to get them away from me.”“Yeah yeah… You really don't know how to learn from your mistakes.” He says.“Says the one who's late for the first day almost every year.” I smirk.“Oh come on! I-I had to attend to my mother this time!” Shota says with the most unconvincing tone. Only an elementary student would believe something like that. “Yeah alright…”
🌸🌸🌸
Today should be one of the last days the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.She told me to come again. Maybe it's a good idea. I go to the place and see her standing in her usual spot.“Shiraishi.” I call out to her.“Oh, you came.” She says, looking at me.I walk to the edge of the river where she's standing. I think about mom. Unconsciously I let out a frustrated sigh.“What's bothering you?” Shiraishi asks, noticing my sigh.“Ah. Uh nothing.”“Ehh? Really? Come on, tell me.” She says “Really, it's nothing.”“Awhh…”She breathes in.“Well, whatever it is, if it’s a problem, no matter how hard and difficult it may be, it's for a reason.” Haruka says, her voice soft but steady. “Perhaps…. All the suffering we go through, will all be worth it… Someday… Surely it will all be worth it…”“That's why, we just have to endure. Eventually we will make it through the storm.”“So whatever you’re experiencing, just… Hold on.” She says in a calming tone. She smiles.Those words… They triggered something in me… “Ah… What am I even saying?” She says.Without realizing it, I tear up. “Th-thank you…”“Eh? Ah… Why? Uhh… “ Shiraishi looks confused on what to do.“It’s been a while since I’ve heard something like that.”“Thank you Shiraishi.” I say while wiping my tears.“It's nothing! I just said some stuff. That's all.” She says.“Those “stuff” helped me. That's why I want to thank you.”“Oh okay… Glad I helped lighten your spirits. By the way, calling me Haruka is fine.” Suddenly my phone rings“Ah. Sorry I have to answer this.”I pick up the phone.“Mr. Takahashi, are you going to pick up your mother today?” The voice over the phone asks. It's the hospital calling. I completely forgot about visiting mom.“Ah, yes. I'll be heading there shortly.”“Thank you.” I say.“I have to go.” Shiraishi nods.“See you, Kyosuke.” She says. She really called me by my first name.“Yeah, you too…”Hesitantly I say“Haruka.”I say my goodbye to Haruka and walk away.
🌸🌸🌸
Room 501….. My mom's room in the hospital. I'm standing in front of the door. I breathe in deeply. She's behind this door. For the first time in 2 years… I will see mom.
I stand in front of the door desperately trying to get the courage to open it. The door clicks as I open it. It creaks open. The sounds of the nurses' voices from the other rooms echo outside. I hear my breathing getting heavier. She's sitting by the window, her figure bathed in the pale orange light of the setting sun. The air in the room is tight and cold.She looks at me plainly. “M-mom…” The doctors said that she doesn't talk to anyone, but they normally hear her mumble to herself. So I'm not really expecting a response to what I just said.“Ryouta-kun?”Suddenly her eyes widen. “Ryouta-kun!” She says. My Dads name? “I have not seen you in so long!”Hearing those, my heart aches. She doesn't recognize me? She thinks I'm Dad… Right now it feels as if I was given a blow to the chest. “Mom-”“Is there a reason you're visiting, Ryouta-kun my dear?”“We're gonna go home. I'm taking you home Mo- I mean Akane…” I say in an upset tone. I mean… I was kind of expecting something like this. It's just that… It hurts… Being called another person by your own mother…“Oh then let's get going.” Mom says.“Yes, let's go Akane.” I'm desperately trying to imitate how Dad talked based on how I remember. I swear calling my mom by her name feels wrong.
I push the wheelchair of my Mom outside of the room. Deep inside, I want to cry. I just want to let it all out. But, I can’t…. Not in front of her.
The quiet atmosphere of the empty hallways and the plain white walls add up to the feeling of emptiness in my heart. Faintly, the voices of the people inside the rooms are echoing throughout the hallway. I reach the elevator with my mom and press the down button. “Ryouta-kun, what is the matter? You look down.” My Mom looks at me with a concerned look.“It’s nothing, Akane.” I shake my head.“If you say so… I won’t ask further.” she says.The elevator arrives. I push her into the elevator. I stare at the empty hallway as the elevator doors slowly shut. Mom is quiet the entire time in the elevator. After a few seconds, the elevator doors open. “Lets go Mo-Akane.” I really can’t get used to calling Mom by her name….Mom just nods in reply.I greet the receptionist and I head towards the exit with Mom.
🌸🌸🌸
The sky is getting darker as the sun continues to set below the horizon. Light posts are lined up on the side of the path and a few stars shining in the dark night sky. The sound of the wheelchair Mom is on rattling as its wheels roll on the grey concrete sidewalk. The cool night breeze and the feeling of tiredness is felt throughout my body. Why is this happening now…? The new school year just started and now it's full of problems and struggles. I let out a deep sigh. ‘What a way to start the school year.’ I mutter to myself. I remember Haruka’s words.
“Well, whatever it is, if it’s a problem, no matter how hard and difficult it may be, it's for a reason. Perhaps…. All the suffering we go through, will all be worth it… Someday… Surely it will all be worth it… That's why, we just have to endure. Eventually we will make it through the storm. So whatever you’re experiencing, just… Hold on.”
I hope she's right. But… Even if there is a light of hope…. It's still too far to reach.
“Sighing again Ryouta-kun? You need rest.” Mom says.“You're right. I'm tired. But we need to get home first.” I smile softly to avoid worrying her.
🌸🌸🌸
Finally, after a walk that felt excruciatingly long, Mom and I arrive home. My gaze is directed to Mom and I see her asleep. I can't help but smile upon seeing her. “Let's get you home.” I say softly.
We arrive at the apartment at last. I take off my shoes and bring Mom to her room which I tidied up beforehand a day ago and lay her on her bed. At this point I don't have the appetite to eat dinner anymore. All my mind is focused on getting some rest so I go to my room and lie down without changing my clothes. I don't know if I'll be able to attend school tomorrow.
🌸🌸🌸
Time passed. Spring was coming to an end and the Cherry Blossom trees were beginning to lose their distinct pink hue. I still struggled to get used to living with Mom calling me Ryouta everyday. After classes, Haruka and I continue to meet in the usual spot to chat about some stuff. Whenever we're together, it just seems like time moves in fast forward.
—------- END —-------
I'm in the hospital to pick up my mom.She's sitting by the window looking outside.“Mom?” I say.She looks at me plainly then smiles.“Come here… The view is really pretty.”Suddenly I am transported to the riverside.Mom is gone? Shiraishi is there standing by the edge of the river?“What will you do from now on?” Shiraishi says.After she says that I hear an airplane as if it was right above me. The sound is almost deafening.
I wake up. There's… a tear running down my left eye. It was all a dream… Yet why am I crying? It felt like a nightmare. My heart is racing and emotions are flowing through me. Fear, sadness, and even regret. Slowly those emotions start to fade away as I wrap my head around the fact it was all a dream. I'll probably forget about it.
I look at my phone to check the time. It's 6:12, just a few minutes before my alarm rings. Might as well get up already.
🌸🌸🌸
The teacher is discussing something but I can't really understand it. Whatever the teacher is discussing just goes through my ear and out the other. I stare outside the classroom window. What will I say to Mom later…. I don’t know anymore.
I stare at my reflection through the window. Is that really what I look like? Huh… I look messed up. “Takahashi!”“Takahashi! It's your turn to read!” I realize I was spacing out.“Ah! Oh!” “Uhh…”I don't know what page we’re on. I have no choice, I guess.“What page are we on again?” I ask. “Were you even listening during class?”“We're on page 67. Read” The teacher demands sternly.Well that was embarrassing.
🌸🌸🌸
The loud chatters echo around the cafeteria.While I'm sitting down on a table alone. I don't even notice that there are 2 people behind me.“Kyosuke! What's the matter eating all alone?”It's Jin and Akira. I bet that they're gonna ask me for money in…3…2…1“The thing is… I don't have enough money to buy lunch… Hey, Kyosuke, can I have 200 Yen?”Jin says. I haven't even turned around to look at them yet. Then Akira follows“Apparently I'm 50 yen short. Can I also have Kyosuke?”I reach for my pocket and grab 250 yen from it and give it to the two just to get them to go away. “Thanks Kyosuke.”They both walk away.“Heh, let's go, we got some money out of that loser again.” I hear Akira whisper to Jin. “Yeah, he's really useful. I've gotten like 2500 yen from him already.” Jin says mischievously. Seriously, I need to stop giving them my money.
Due to the noise in the cafeteria I don't notice that someone approaches me.“Giving money to those two idiots again? You should really stop Kyosuke…” a person behind me says with an upset tone. That voice. I turn around.“Ah, Shota, where did you even come from… And I know I should stop giving them money. It's just the only way to get them away from me.”“Yeah yeah… You really don't know how to learn from your mistakes.” He says.“Says the one who's late for the first day almost every year.” I smirk.“Oh come on! I-I had to attend to my mother this time!” Shota says with the most unconvincing tone. Only an elementary student would believe something like that. “Yeah alright…”
🌸🌸🌸
Today should be one of the last days the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.She told me to come again. Maybe it's a good idea. I go to the place and see her standing in her usual spot.“Shiraishi.” I call out to her.“Oh, you came.” She says, looking at me.I walk to the edge of the river where she's standing. I think about mom. Unconsciously I let out a frustrated sigh.“What's bothering you?” Shiraishi asks, noticing my sigh.“Ah. Uh nothing.”“Ehh? Really? Come on, tell me.” She says “Really, it's nothing.”“Awhh…”She breathes in.“Well, whatever it is, if it’s a problem, no matter how hard and difficult it may be, it's for a reason.” Haruka says, her voice soft but steady. “Perhaps…. All the suffering we go through, will all be worth it… Someday… Surely it will all be worth it…”“That's why, we just have to endure. Eventually we will make it through the storm.”“So whatever you’re experiencing, just… Hold on.” She says in a calming tone. She smiles.Those words… They triggered something in me… “Ah… What am I even saying?” She says.Without realizing it, I tear up. “Th-thank you…”“Eh? Ah… Why? Uhh… “ Shiraishi looks confused on what to do.“It’s been a while since I’ve heard something like that.”“Thank you Shiraishi.” I say while wiping my tears.“It's nothing! I just said some stuff. That's all.” She says.“Those “stuff” helped me. That's why I want to thank you.”“Oh okay… Glad I helped lighten your spirits. By the way, calling me Haruka is fine.” Suddenly my phone rings“Ah. Sorry I have to answer this.”I pick up the phone.“Mr. Takahashi, are you going to pick up your mother today?” The voice over the phone asks. It's the hospital calling. I completely forgot about visiting mom.“Ah, yes. I'll be heading there shortly.”“Thank you.” I say.“I have to go.” Shiraishi nods.“See you, Kyosuke.” She says. She really called me by my first name.“Yeah, you too…”Hesitantly I say“Haruka.”I say my goodbye to Haruka and walk away.
🌸🌸🌸
Room 501….. My mom's room in the hospital. I'm standing in front of the door. I breathe in deeply. She's behind this door. For the first time in 2 years… I will see mom.
I stand in front of the door desperately trying to get the courage to open it. The door clicks as I open it. It creaks open. The sounds of the nurses' voices from the other rooms echo outside. I hear my breathing getting heavier. She's sitting by the window, her figure bathed in the pale orange light of the setting sun. The air in the room is tight and cold.She looks at me plainly. “M-mom…” The doctors said that she doesn't talk to anyone, but they normally hear her mumble to herself. So I'm not really expecting a response to what I just said.“Ryouta-kun?”Suddenly her eyes widen. “Ryouta-kun!” She says. My Dads name? “I have not seen you in so long!”Hearing those, my heart aches. She doesn't recognize me? She thinks I'm Dad… Right now it feels as if I was given a blow to the chest. “Mom-”“Is there a reason you're visiting, Ryouta-kun my dear?”“We're gonna go home. I'm taking you home Mo- I mean Akane…” I say in an upset tone. I mean… I was kind of expecting something like this. It's just that… It hurts… Being called another person by your own mother…“Oh then let's get going.” Mom says.“Yes, let's go Akane.” I'm desperately trying to imitate how Dad talked based on how I remember. I swear calling my mom by her name feels wrong.
I push the wheelchair of my Mom outside of the room. Deep inside, I want to cry. I just want to let it all out. But, I can’t…. Not in front of her.
The quiet atmosphere of the empty hallways and the plain white walls add up to the feeling of emptiness in my heart. Faintly, the voices of the people inside the rooms are echoing throughout the hallway. I reach the elevator with my mom and press the down button. “Ryouta-kun, what is the matter? You look down.” My Mom looks at me with a concerned look.“It’s nothing, Akane.” I shake my head.“If you say so… I won’t ask further.” she says.The elevator arrives. I push her into the elevator. I stare at the empty hallway as the elevator doors slowly shut. Mom is quiet the entire time in the elevator. After a few seconds, the elevator doors open. “Lets go Mo-Akane.” I really can’t get used to calling Mom by her name….Mom just nods in reply.I greet the receptionist and I head towards the exit with Mom.
🌸🌸🌸
The sky is getting darker as the sun continues to set below the horizon. Light posts are lined up on the side of the path and a few stars shining in the dark night sky. The sound of the wheelchair Mom is on rattling as its wheels roll on the grey concrete sidewalk. The cool night breeze and the feeling of tiredness is felt throughout my body. Why is this happening now…? The new school year just started and now it's full of problems and struggles. I let out a deep sigh. ‘What a way to start the school year.’ I mutter to myself. I remember Haruka’s words.
“Well, whatever it is, if it’s a problem, no matter how hard and difficult it may be, it's for a reason. Perhaps…. All the suffering we go through, will all be worth it… Someday… Surely it will all be worth it… That's why, we just have to endure. Eventually we will make it through the storm. So whatever you’re experiencing, just… Hold on.”
I hope she's right. But… Even if there is a light of hope…. It's still too far to reach.
“Sighing again Ryouta-kun? You need rest.” Mom says.“You're right. I'm tired. But we need to get home first.” I smile softly to avoid worrying her.
🌸🌸🌸
Finally, after a walk that felt excruciatingly long, Mom and I arrive home. My gaze is directed to Mom and I see her asleep. I can't help but smile upon seeing her. “Let's get you home.” I say softly.
We arrive at the apartment at last. I take off my shoes and bring Mom to her room which I tidied up beforehand a day ago and lay her on her bed. At this point I don't have the appetite to eat dinner anymore. All my mind is focused on getting some rest so I go to my room and lie down without changing my clothes. I don't know if I'll be able to attend school tomorrow.
🌸🌸🌸
Time passed. Spring was coming to an end and the Cherry Blossom trees were beginning to lose their distinct pink hue. I still struggled to get used to living with Mom calling me Ryouta everyday. After classes, Haruka and I continue to meet in the usual spot to chat about some stuff. Whenever we're together, it just seems like time moves in fast forward.
—------- END —-------
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