Friday, September 22, 2006
HeartSong: Prologue
Tayuki Takahashi stirred in her bed upon hearing the ring of her alarm clock. She opened her eyes and stared at the clock face. Dimly, she registered that it was already 7.30am.
In a flash, she was out of bed and washing up fast. She was working part-time at an Old Folks’ Home nearby her university until noon, then she would rush to have her lunch and by one, she must have reported to her university. She did not want to be late. While showering, she thought, “That’s it. No more late nights with Kai’er.”
Kai’er was her boyfriend, she and him have been childhood friends since they were six. As the years and time they spent together go by, they liked each other’s company more and more until one day, Kai’er confessed that he liked her more than just a friend. Tayuki had been both delighted and amused at that time. Both were nineteen years old now and studying in the same university.
When she reached the Home, she realized that she was five minutes late. Her boss, Uotani Hakiri looked surprised as Tayuki crashed in. On seeing Uotani looking at her, she flushed.
“I apologise Miss Hakiri! I assure you this won’t happen again!” she apologized profusely. Uotani waved her hand airily.
“It’s ok, Miss Takahashi. Rumour has it that you have a boyfriend to spend your time with now?” Uotani asked, smiling.
Tayuki blushed to the roots of her hair.
“I take that as a yes, but anyway, just don’t be late again. Oh, wait a moment!” Uotani said. Tayuki raised her head. “The lady you care take of, the Chinese Lao Ma?”
Tayuki felt a chill ran up her spine and she nodded slowly.
Uotani sighed and said sadly, “I’m sorry, but she went on. The only consolation is that she went peacefully in her sleep yesterday night.”
“She led a tough and difficult life. She ought to seek her rightful place in heaven now.” Tayuki murmured. “Rest in peace, Lao Ma, in my heart, you stay.”
Uotani waited her a while longer, before proceeding, “There is another old lady who you have to care for, she’s an American lady by the name of Hana.” She handed Tayuki the file containing the documents of Hana.
Tayuki took it silently and left, filled with thoughts about Lao Ma.
She had a hard life, from young, she was discriminated by her parents as she was the youngest girl-child. They sent her away to marry at a young age of eighteen to rid of her. She had eight children, but had to raise them single-handedly as her husband left her for a mistress. Spring to winter, Winter to autumn, she grew old as the seasons flew by. All the youth in her died, as well as her children’s love for her. All eight refused to take her in to take care of her, therefore from China, her children heartlessly sent her to Japan and was left in this home for twenty years. None of her children bothered to visit her, and that broke her heart.
I was nothing to them. They tossed me around them but not for long, only for a day or two before they threw me here, a totally foreign place I am not familiar with. My heart aches and yearns for their love again. It breaks my heart to see that none of my darlings cares for me anymore. Whatever love they once had for me in their childish hearts perished with the winter wind. I once thought that my poor heart is broken and can never be mended forever. I was a broken shell of a useless rambling old woman, until you Tayuki. You sealed my broken heart with your shower of love and care, you were like my child, I was like your mother. I loved you and I trust that you loved me. Your voice was like a melody to my ears, as you comforted me when I am distressed. You are my heart’s song, which kept my lost soul afloat and live on even in the face of darkness. You are my saviour Tayuki.
Tayuki wiped a stray tear away from her eyes and bit her lip. She found herself outside the ward already. She took in a deep breath, smiled and pushed the door open, ready to face a brand new challenge.
A frail, blonde lady sat by the window, looking out to the streets of Japan. Hearing the door open, she spun around, looking surprised. On seeing Tayuki, she leapt from her chair, her eyes bright, and said, “Akari!”
She scuttled across the room towards Tayuki, her hands reaching out. Tayuki spun around to see if “Akari” was behind her but they were the only ones in the room. Hana extended her wrinkled hands and stroked Tayuki’s face tenderly, eyes filled with love.
“You came back…”
Tayuki felt a pang of sadness in her heart for the old lady. She took Hana’s hand gently and said, “I’m sorry, but I am not Akari. I am Tayuki Takahashi, your caretaker.”
Instantly, as quickly as before, her eyes dimmed down, and disappointment shone obviously in her eyes. She removed her hands, looking uncomfortable.
“I’m…I’m sorry…you look just like my Akari…perhaps it is my old eyes playing mean tricks on me….I…forgive me please.” Hana stuttered. Tayuki smiled and shook her head.
“It’s ok.”
A sudden flashback happened in her head.
Tayuki winded her way through the crowds, impatiently pushing people lightly away to run forward. The carnival was in full blast, music blared the grounds and people were chatting, laughing, and having the time of their lives.
The seven year old was searching high and low for her friend, a boy called Kai’er. She jumped as high as she could, and saw a boy very much like Kai’er walking ahead, looking lost. She instantly became excited and darted forward, only to smack into someone. She looked up, about to apologise when she saw the person.
He looked young and was wearing an ancient costume of armour and kimono. The handsome face he possessed was blank and expressionless; two purple lines were obvious on his pale face, which drew right into his silver hair, which was down to his waist, or even longer. She saw pointy ears protruding out of the silky mane. His eyes were amber it hurt to look. He was staring at her emotionlessly. She felt herself reddening and she bowed her head and uttered a word of apology. She looked up to find the man gone. He had left, like the whisper of the wind.
She scratched her head, puzzled. That man certainly looked weird and does not seem to be human. His clothes seemed old-fashioned but nevertheless, it was beautiful. She had never seen a man of breathtaking beauty and feminine looks. She shook her head. It must be her eyes playing tricks on her.
Tayuki was wrenched back into reality when she heard Hana sniffle loudly. She turned, alarmed, to see her sobbing on her bed. She rushed over and put her arms around Hana to comfort her.
“Calm down, Miss Hana, it cannot be that bad…” she tried to comfort her, only to make Hana cry harder.
“It is that bad!” Hana said. “If only…if only…Akari did not go into that wretched, cursed Takahashi Shack, she’ll still be here with me…”
Tayuki flinched. Takahashi Shack was a tiny hut which was unoccupied and it was her family’s property. It was said to possess magical powers of some kind and nobody went in there before.
“It was a Saturday evening when it happened.” Hana said. “ Akari was playing with a boy, I can’t remember his name, when the ball happened to bounce into the shack. She wanted to abandon the thought of taking the ball back from the mysterious shack, which I forbade her to enter, but the boy cried. It hurt her to see the boy in pain, therefore she went in to take it.” She stared into space as the whole scene replayed before her again…
Tayuki looked on as Hana drifted off to dreamland. Quietly, she stood up and exited, troubled with thoughts of the mysterious girl named Akari.
Signing
off, [Shoujin] the [Cabbage].
...
