Eriko

11. The shooting star

Eriko was new in the city and she did not know much about the city, also she did not know how to communicate in English, the old man kept busy the whole day working in his restaurant and because of that he could not take his daughter to show the city, which was really hurting him. Eriko understood the situation of her father, that's why she never complained about it, she had no choice but stay at home and help her father.

Kade started visiting an old man's restaurant oftenly, sometimes they all three sit together and have meals like a family. The old man started to have trust in Kade, he liked Kade's presence in their restaurant as they all could sit together and have a lot of fun. One day an old man asked Kade if he could take Eriko to show nearby places as he doesn't get free time from the restaurant business. Kade happily accepted the old man's request

Kade and Eriko started visiting nearby places in the city during weekends. Eriko liked Kade's company and she enjoyed the places they visited. She was seeing all the new places like amusement parks, museums, the beaches and sometimes they shop together in shopping malls. Kade kept taking pictures of Eriko whenever he got a chance. These all felt like living in a dream for Eriko.

Kade and Eriko had also shared their numbers. It wouldn't make sense as they both spoke in indicative language as they both couldn't understand what they were saying, but when there is a strong emotional bond created between people words don't require understanding the feelings. On Phone Eriko kept talking in Japanese language and Kade listened to her carefully, even though Kade couldn't understand a single word she said but he was so in love with her that he did not need any translation. Eriko shared about how her day was and funny moments happened in the restaurants etc, and when Eriko stops talking for a few seconds Kade understands it's his turn to speak, he shares what he did in college, the subject they learnt etc. They did not need to understand the meaning of the words they spoke, all they cared about was that they were both speaking to each other and they loved the rhythmic tone of each other's voices. The emotional feelings behind those words were enough for them to understand what they were talking

Eriko was already dreaming about her future with Kade but one night she dreamed something which brought her back to a reality and reminded her about her condition. That night she couldn't sleep for a minute, she kept thinking about her condition and about Kade. She had decided and all she was waiting for a weekend to come.

On Sunday evening Kade came to take Eriko to the famous Zoo. He was sitting in a restaurant speaking to Eriko's father. That day Eriko dressed in Cheongsam attire and styled her hair differently, she looked beautiful and prettier. Kade and the old man kept talking when suddenly Eriko stepped in, Kade and the old man looked at Eriko, Kade's eyes became larger than ever by seeing her in the new look. Kade asked slowly to the old mad "is that her birthday today?" queried Kade, "not that I remember" replied the old man slowly. Eriko came to Kade "Shuppatsu suru junbi wa dekimashita ka? (ready to leave?)" said Eriko. Kade looked at the old man to know what she said but the old man smiled, "I told you to learn Japanese," and he laughed. They both said bye to the old man left for the Zoo

In the Zoo they saw many different animals, birds and also played adventurous games and had a lot of fun together. All this time Kade never missed a chance to look at Eriko but he moved his attention whenever she looked back at him. Eriko was waiting for the right moment to share her feelings with Kade. In the Zoo they spent a few hours. Now it was dark and the sky was filled with the stars. They took a little walk and saw people sitting on the beaches. Eriko indicated to Kade that she wants to sit there. They both went and sat near the beach listening to the sound of waves in that calm evening. The air was chilled as the ocean was throwing drops of water towards them. After sitting for few minutes Eriko spoke

"Kade, nani ka iitai .." Said Eriko, Kade didn't understand what she said but he realized she was sharing something important, he gave his attention to her and listened to her carefully. Eriko continued "Anata wa totemo ī-jindesu. Soshite.., anata wa watashinojinsei de okotta saikō no kotodesu.. Watashi wa itsumo anata no koto o hiru mo yoru mo omoimasu.. " Eriko took Kade's hands in her hands and looked down "Kade.. Naosenai byōki ga arimasu.. Soshite watashi wa nagaiki shinai kamo shiremasen.. dakara watashi wa kono himitsu de shinitakunai nodesu.." Eriko looked at Kade in his eyes and said "Kade, Watashi wa anata no koto ga suki..." Eriko said this with her trembling voice which brought tears in her eyes. She kept looking at Kade to get some response in back but she understood he did not know the Japanese language. Kade did not know what to say as he didn't understand the words but he understood whatever she spoke was very important. The tears in Eriko's eyes were telling many stories, this was the first time Kade regretted wishing he had known the Japanese language. Even though Kade couldn't understand a single word she said but every word she spoke had a huge emotion he could feel. He looked at Eriko, pressed her hands with care as he was promising to Eriko "no matter what condition or situation would be but I will always be with you"

After sharing her feelings with Kade now Eriko was feeling relieved and happy as a huge burden had been taken off from her heart. They both kept looking at each other speaking with their eyes, as their eyes were now speaking behalf of them, after a few minutes Eriko noticed a shooting star in the sky, she suddenly closed her eyes and wished Eriko in her heart. "Kare no jinsei no ai de Kade o shukufuku shi, sorera o issho ni tamochimasu (Bless Kade with the love of his life and keep them together)

Half an hour later they both left for home. Kade dropped Eriko to her house and said good night to Eriko and the old man. While walking home Kade kept thinking and imagining all the words she said that evening, he wished he had known the Japanese language, and then he decided he was going to learn Japanese language so that at least he could understand Eriko. On the other side Eriko kept smiling as it was her best day of her life. Her father could clearly notice that change in Eriko, the old man sat on the counter and put his head down, thinking about Eriko, the drop of tears fell on the counter through his eyes because he also knew the dark side of Eriko.