Arron X Haruka (P1-3)

Staring up at the night sky from the hotel she was staying at, she took a sip of water. Urgh, she thought. She had never liked drinking water. To her, it was too plain, too tasteless. She would have preferred drinking coke or any other carbonated drinks. Unfortunately, she was forced to make do with what she disliked the most, water. People may say she was silly to do what she didn’t want to, drinking water that is. She was in a hotel. Why not just call room service and order food? But she didn’t have another choice. She was ill. And other drinks, especially carbonated ones made her even worse.

Still, she yearned for it. What she wouldn’t give to have just a sip of it, not that she had much to give. Since birth, she had only drunk coke once at the age of twelve. She was only allowed then because she couldn’t stand looking at others doing so and the doctor telling her she was not able to as her body was weak. It was what made her asthma act up, causing her breathing difficulties. It had also made her stomach weaker, destroying a tiny part of it, making her digestive system not as efficient as before and her unable to digest as easily as she used to. She had then undergone an operation and managed to survive through it to learn the two outcomes. One, her stomach was all better and she could gorge herself with as much food as she wanted, as long as not to death. Two, her body system was weaker. She would not be able to do strenuous exercises especially rough games although she was allowed to throw a ball to and fro, so long as she’d walk to get it back if it rolled away, not run.

She would have gladly given up her life at that time. She loved sports and she was good at it. She was in the school netball and volleyball teams and also one of the finest runners in school. Her being banned from all that made her depressed. And as if that was not enough, another blow was struck on her. Instead of standing by her, giving her confidence and helping her to overcome that unfortunate phase of her life, her friends left her. Abandoning their friend who was in hope of every single help needed, if not offered. And all these while she had thought of them as true friends. How could they turn their backs on her when she needed them the most. How could they. Had they no conscience? Or maybe they had none to speak of.

From then on, she had never the guts to make new friends, for fear they might abandon her when they thought it was time to. She had from an outgoing girl, become a shy one, ever ready to cower like a little puppy afraid of what was coming. But she had slowly begun to open up slightly over the past year. She made new friends but was still wary of them. She made sure she didn’t get too close with them. She constantly reminded herself of her past and distant herself when she needed to.

Now, after another passed, she was soon to be fourteen. She’d had the opportunity to undergo another operation, which brought her to the hotel she was staying at. She was confined in it, unable to go out. She was trapped in it, unable to fly free. She was like a bird, but a helpless one. She needed freedom. It was so close, yet so far. She could just reach it if she stretched out her hand, but there was always obstacles in between, pulling her away from it. For that moment, she could just open the lock of the hotel door and run off, but what or who would be there to stop her? Her parents or maybe the lock had been tampered with that only from the outside it could be opened.

With a life that was overly protected, she’d rather jump off the window. But could she? For all she knew, it might be locked. So, instead of thinking too much on how to escape physically, she slept, escaping mentally.

~~~~~
“Wake up, my dear girl. It’s time to go for your checkup.”

She turned a little on the bed, feeling annoyed. What could be so important that she had to wake up so early, disturbing her escape world. She opened her eyes and looked at her watch on the table beside her. It was seven o’clock . She had only four hours of sleep and she felt groggy although she hadn’t stood up yet. Perhaps it was just her feeling of annoyance for the person who shouted as her wake up call.

The door opened and in came a woman with hands on her hips.

“Ruka-chan, look at the time now. You have to wake up. You’ll be going for your checkup soon. Come on up,” she said.

“It’s only seven. My checkup is not until eleven. Why the rush?” she said, her eyes closed once more.

“My dear girl,” she started, “We have to get ready and that alone takes an hour. After that we have to drive to some places to have breakfast. Imagine how much time that takes.”

“For me it only takes an hour. Or maybe even less. Why so picky over breakfast?”

“Look. We’re doing this for you. We just..”

“Enough! I’m up now. So get out of my room. I’m going to get ready.”

“Young lady, you’re grounded,” the woman said, before turning around and going out.

Yeah, like when am I not, Haruka thought.

~~~~~
“Breakfast was delicious, wasn’t it?”

Haruka now sat in the car beside her parents, looking out the window. Her father tried to start up a conversation, but only her mother obliged to continue it. “Yes, it was lovely. Much better than the one we had yesterday. Don’t you think so, Ruka-chan?”

Without replying, Haruka continued staring out the window. She realized her parents exchanged glances and her father sighed. She loved her father. But he was always occupied with work and could not spend more time with her. As for her mother, after grounding her for so many times, she grew more and more annoyed with her each day. She was not only on bad terms with her, she hated her. Somehow or another, her mother was too controlling that even her father sometimes did not have his own say. What could be worse for a family?

“Ruka-chan, are you feeling fine?” her father asked.

Haruka nodded, making her father smile. They had been drifting apart since the new company opened. Still, she felt a bond with him. They played together when she was little. That little bond grew although it had been on rocky edges before. But it was fine now, even though they were not as close as before.

“We’re here,” her mother said as the hospital came into view.

Suddenly, Haruka had the urge to run off. Maybe it was because of her mother. She had always been the one restricting her. No doing this, no doing that. Or else. She’d had enough. At that moment, all the feelings of hatred for her mother made her burn. And without thinking any further, she opened the car door and ran out, the second the car stopped.

She ran. She could hear people shouting for her. But she did not care. She wanted freedom. And she was going to get it. Slowly, she slowed down and looked back. From afar, she could see two men after her. She turned into a small lane. It led to a park where there was no one. She stopped to feel the breeze. She had not felt so free before. Although there was no one around, she felt like she had company. Maybe she felt one with nature. She loved the flowers, the trees and the wind. She had not run for so long, it was a wonder she felt only a little tired.

All of a sudden, she heard a rustle. She turned and spotted someone hiding in the bushes. “Who are you? Come out,” she said aloud.

That someone stayed still. Apparently, he or she thought that Haruka couldn’t see him or her. “I can see you. Just come out.”

The person came out from the not-so-good hiding place and Haruka saw it was a guy. Somehow he looked familiar. He seemed to try to hide his face. Even when he walked towards her, he walked weirdly sideways. “Who are you?” she said.

“No one,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Hang on, she thought. I think I heard that voice before. But where?

“Who are you?” she asked again.

“Someone,” he replied.

That’s it, she thought. She knew where she’d heard it before.

“Arron Yan?”

He stopped moving at looked straight at her. Without wasting another second, he lunged towards her.

She opened her mouth to scream but her voice was quickly muffled by his arm over her mouth. She struggled, trying to prise away from him. Was this person really Arron Yan, the singer-cum-actor? Or was he actually someone else disguised as Arron Yan? But why would anyone want to impersonate him? It was not like anyone else had his looks or voice. So, if the person was Arron Yan, why was he trying to quieten her and what was he doing there? She had not done anything to harm him. Or rather, she had not done anything yet. And wasn’t he supposed to be with his other members instead of being alone in the park?

A million questions flooded her mind but she wasn’t getting any answers for that person still had his hand over her mouth. “Mm..mm..mm..” was all that came out. “Shhh..” was his respond. He seemed to be listening and looking for something. He peered here and there, into the bushes and everywhere. “Mm..mm..mm..” she tried to speak again. This time he let go of her and sighed as he sat down on the grass. She rubbed her lips and stared at him. “Are you Arron Yan?” she asked again.

He gave another sigh and spoke, “Yeah. I guess you saw through my disguise. How did you anyway?”

“Voice.”

“Was it obvious? I thought I managed to disguise it well enough. Maybe I need more voice training. Sorry about just now. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Haruka nodded, without saying anything. She looked at him as he stared somewhere distant. She had never been his fan but she had admitted that he was cute and sang well. Even at that moment as she looked at him, she could see his cuteness although he was in a disguise. “Why so silent?” he suddenly asked as he looked at her.

Without replying again, she shook her head then hung it, blushing at the same time. She wondered why though. She had never met an artiste before. Maybe that was the reason? But she wasn’t his fan. How could she feel that way? Weird.

All of a sudden, he got up and pulled her into the nearest bush. He let go of her and she lost her balance. She pulled onto him and he fell on her, his lips on hers. She was surprised. It happened so fast, she hardly realized it. The feeling of his lips on hers felt nice. Without realizing it, she quite enjoyed it. But a second later, she heard a voice. “Suzuki Haruka! Where are you? Come out now. Where are you? You’re going to be late for your checkup.”

She became wide-eyed and not hesitating, she squealed and pushed Arron of her. She quickly got up and stared down at him. He seemed in a daze and had his eyes wide too. “Suzuki Haruka!” Her head turned and she saw the guys who were on her track earlier. They had found her and had come to bring her back to her hated world and checkup. One of them came up to her. “Suzuki Haruka. It’s time you go to the hospital. I will take care of the boy who harmed you. Take her and escort her back to the hospital,” the tall and muscular man gestured the other man who was about the same build as he.

“Let me go. I’ll walk by myself. Don’t you dare lay a hand on him. If you do, you’ll have my parents to reckon to,” Haruka said fiercely.

Arron had been staring at them since she pushed him away. He was still in shock and couldn’t seem to stand yet. Their eyes met right after she told the big build man not to touch him at all. She turned her head and blushed. He could see her cheeks go pink as she turned and headed towards the lane that brought them there. “Wait! Your name in Suzuki Haruka?” he asked as he stood up.

She nodded without turning and continued walking.

~~~~
She laid on the hospital bed, her mind full of one person. She had been thinking of him ever since she first met him. She had gotten obsessed with him. Recently, she had been watching his shows, buying magazines that consisted of his face and even buying accessories with him on them. She didn’t know why but each time she saw his face, she’d want to see more of it. Every night she would lie on the bed, her eyes closed, but her mind full of his images. Why was she that way? She couldn’t understand. She couldn’t explain it to herself. What had made her so into him?

Then she touched her lips. When his had came contact with hers, she had felt a mixture of feelings. Though vague, she could still remember the feeling. She shook her head. Her mind went blank for a moment but it was quickly filled with that day’s event although it was just a short while.

+++++
All of a sudden, he got up and pulled her into the nearest bush. He let go of her and she lost her balance. She pulled onto him and he fell on her, his lips on hers. She was surprised. It happened so fast, she hardly realized it. The feeling of his lips on hers felt nice. Without realizing it, she quite enjoyed it. But a second later, she heard a voice. “Suzuki Haruka! Where are you? Come out now. Where are you? You’re going to be late for your checkup.”

She became wide-eyed and not hesitating, she squealed and pushed Arron of her. She quickly got up and stared down at him. He seemed in a daze and had his eyes wide too. “Suzuki Haruka!” Her head turned and she saw the guys who were on her track earlier. They had found her and had come to bring her back to her hated world and checkup. One of them came up to her. “Suzuki Haruka. It’s time you go to the hospital. I will take care of the boy who harmed you. Take her and escort her back to the hospital,” the tall and muscular man gestured the other man who was about the same build as he.

“Let me go. I’ll walk by myself. Don’t you dare lay a hand on him. If you do, you’ll have my parents to reckon to,” Haruka said fiercely.

Arron had been staring at them since she pushed him away. He was still in shock and couldn’t seem to stand yet. Their eyes met right after she told the big build man not to touch him at all. She turned her head and blushed. He could see her cheeks go pink as she turned and headed towards the lane that brought them there. “Wait! Your name in Suzuki Haruka?” he asked as he stood up.

She nodded without turning and continued walking.

+++++
Once more she shook her. This time it didn’t go blank. Instead, the images and memory remained there. Unable to do anything else, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

~~~~~
Muffled voices could be heard. Who did they belong to? There was no one to be seen. It was pitch black. She was alone, or though she knew she was. If there had been anyone else, she would have felt their presence. But the only thing she could hear was the voices which were becoming louder. What was happening? It was like something interesting had occurred. But what was it? All she could see was darkness. If that was so, why would there be voices exclaiming? Suddenly she saw light. It got brighter. And brighter. And brighter. What was happening? In no time at all, the darkness was covered by the blinding brightness. She turned around. To the left, to the right. But all that could be seen was white bright light.

She felt something coming towards her. Was that someone that one of the voices belonged to? She could not be sure. Blinded by the brightness, her eyes were almost closed. Without seeing anything coming, her ankle was grabbed by something, someone. Who was it? What was it? Let me go, she thought. Wait, why couldn’t she voice out what she wanted? Why was her voice only in her head?

She fell. The something or someone was yanking at her ankle. It was pulling her towards somewhere but nowhere to her. Help, she thought. Help. She was afraid. What was going to happen to her? Help, she thought again. Let me go. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.........

~~~~~
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......................”

Haruka sat up straight on the bed. Sweat droplets on her forehead. She just had a nightmare. Her breathing was irregular. She breathed long and hard. Her breath could be heard loudly. It was the only sound she could hear. No, wait. There was something else. What was it? She bated her breath so she could hear better. Her eyes grew big and her heart almost stopped. There it was, like in her nightmare. The muffled voices. And not only that, they were coming nearer and becoming louder. No, no, no, she thought. It couldn’t be. Her nightmare couldn’t come true.

“Is he here?” a girl opened the hospital door without knocking, an ecstatic look on her face which fell the moment she saw Haruka, who started screaming.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......................” Haruka screamed.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!” the girl screamed.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....” Haruka continued screaming.

“Okay, okay. I’m not here for a screaming contest. Sorry I barged into your ward. I thought it was Arron’s. I’m going back out now. Bye,” she said and closed the door loudly.

Haruka’s face was so pale she looked as white as a sheet. Thank God, she thought. What a relief. Hang on. Did she say Arron?

Her eyes grew big and her heart started to beat wildly. Never had she felt for anyone that way. Why was she like that? Could it be she had fallen for him? It was quite impossible. She had never liked anyone and didn’t know the feeling of liking someone. Anyhow, even if she did like him, it was not possible that he would like her back. Was it?

She shook her head. She had been shaking her head so many times ever since they met. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t her mind be normal as before? Was she going crazy? Was she losing her senses and sanity? Or perhaps she was just lovesick? Why was she always thinking about love? Why was she always thinking about him? Why? Why? Why?

~~~~~
“Haruka-chan, here’s your medicine. Pop it into your mouth and you’ll feel better.”

Haruka took the medicine from the nurse’s hand into hers and stared at them. There were six tablets, she counted. All of different shapes. Why did she have to swallow so many? She looked at the nurse. “Nurse Ri? Do I really have to?”. The nurse nodded her head and gestured her to put them in her mouth. Haruka gave a sigh. “Before I do so, can you answer my question?”

“Swallow them first and then I’ll answer.”

Haruka gave another sigh and swallowed the tablets. “Can I ask now?”

“Sure. What do you want to ask?”

“Is it true that there is a patient here called Arron Yan?”

The nurse looked shocked.

“But, how did you know? His entry was a secret. No one was supposed to know. How did you find out?”

“I have my ways. Can you please tell me which room is he in?”

“Are you intending to visit him with caring intentions? Or are you going just for his autograph?”

“I have my reasons. Can you just tell me?”

“Okay. Since you already know that he is here, I guess there’s no harm. Just promise me you won’t leak this out. Otherwise his hoard of fans will start cramming up this hospital. He’s in ward 39. Just three wards away from you.”

“Thank you.”

~~~~~
“.... miss you. When can you be discharged?”

“I’ve no idea. Why? So worried till you can’t sleep?”

“You wish. Just wondering how long I can have the house to myself. So when is it?”

“I’ve just told you. I’ve no idea. Why don’t you ask the doctor?”

“The doctor is a very busy man. He is not as free as you. But I will get to him when he is.”

“Good.”

“You know, you seem a little weird.”

“How so?”

“You don’t seem to talk as much as you did. And you always seem to look like you’re thinking too much. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on. I’m your sister. And I can tell when you have something troubling you.”

“(sigh) It’s just that, I met this girl and I can’t stop thinking of her. I don’t know why but she kind of takes my breath away. She’s cute and she’s kind of shy. At least, she appears that way to me. Her face is sweet and I miss looking at it. I....”

“Now you’re talking. I’ve been trying to strike up a conversation that will keep you talking. At last....”

“Whatever.”

“So, let me get this straight. You’ve fallen for a girl and you’ve fallen hard on her. So tell me, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I....”

-----
Haruka was outside Arron’s ward. She was listening to his and his sister’s conversation. So, he was in love with someone. And that someone was his perfect girl. Who was she? Haruka felt her heart breaking little by little. Piece by piece. She could practically feel her heart bleeding. Was this love? I guess it is, she thought. And my first love is a disaster. Haruka felt tears whelming up in her eyes. She felt hot droplets on her delicate skin as they came down like rain. Why? Her life was a terrible mess. Everything she wanted was not within her reach.

Her perfect body, her friends, her family, her happiness. And most importantly, her love. They have all been snatched away. Taken away by force not by will. What was her life for then? Sadness? Hopelessness? Or just a mere existence that need not anything. Not things, not health, not emotions. Why was she living then?

She could not hold her feelings of sadness. She could not stand humiliating and lying to herself. All this time she had always told herself that everything was fine and it will be back to normal. But they were all bogus. All lies and deceptions. Why did she have to deceive herself like that? Why make her life more meaningful when it was at an end? Wouldn’t it be better to end it all for once and for all? Yes. That was what she had to do. End her misery of living. Her next destination was the rooftop.

She turned and walked, tears streaming down her face. In less than five steps, she bumped into someone. “What are you doing here? This ward is out of bounds for people like you,” a man spoke.

The next instance, the ward door opened. Haruka turned to see the girl who had barged into her ward standing with her hand on the knob. “Aren’t you the girl whom I saw in the ward?” she asked.

Haruka nodded. She spied Arron lying on the bed with his leg all bandaged up. “Suzuki Haruka? Is that you?” he spoke.

She turned her head away. She couldn’t stand looking at him right before she was about to end her life. “You know her?” his sister asked him, her face full of surprise.

Arron gave her a look that somehow made her understand something. She nodded her head and went outside, pushing Haruka into the ward and closing the door right after. Haruka was surprised. She even forgot to cry. “Come here,” Arron said, gesturing her to come beside him.

Haruka walked slowly to his side. “Hi.”

“Why are you crying? Did anyone make you cry?”

Haruka’s tears immediately threatened to spill out once more. She wanted so much to say “You” but was held back by something she could not put her finger on. Instead, she remained silent.

“Never mind. You don’t have to tell. I guess everyone has their own secrets.”

Still silent, Haruka stared at the bed.

“Speaking of secrets, I have one. Have you ever been in love?” Arron suddenly asked her.

Without meaning to, her tears just forced their way out of her tear glands, coming down like a waterfall. Arron did not appear to look surprised. Instead, he had a strange look on his face.

“I see you have. You know, I like this girl. And...”

“I know. I know. I heard you talking. You like that girl so much that you’re in love with her. And by the sound of it, she seems nice. I give you my blessings,” Haruka said between her tears, feeling angry at herself. Right after her last word, she turned to walk off.

But she felt his hand around hers, stopping her. Arron spoke, “In that case.”

He pulled her as hard as he could. It was so hard that she fell on top of him on the bed. “What... ah...”

He smiled and kissed her on the lips. She was stunned. Shocked. Didn’t he like someone else? If so, what was he doing? He was being unfaithful. Haruka broke the kiss and got off him. “What are you doing? You said you were in love. How could....”

“It’s you.”

“What?”

“It’s you. Ever since that little event took place, you have always been on my mind. No matter how I try to shut my mind, you are always there. Although I had only met you once, I knew you were the one. The one whom I’ve been looking for. The one my heart belongs to.”

Haruka couldn’t believe her ears. Was she going insane? Did he say he loved her? But that was impossible. “But you’re an artiste. A singer who was so famous you have many girls wishing to just get a glimpse of you. Whereas I am just a normal girl. A normal girl who needs to go for an operation.”

“I don’t care. I don’t care whether you go for the operation or not. I just want you by my side. Always. I will take care of you. If you fall, I’ll be there to help you stand. If you’re alone, I’ll be there to keep you company. If you cry, I’ll be there to dry your tears.”

“But you don’t know anything about me....”

“Yes, I do. I’ve inquired about you on my first day here. I knew you were here. I found out about your school records, what happened to you, your relationship with your parents, everything. And why did I do all this? It was all because I love you and to know more about you.”

Haruka was silent. She was not able to absorb so much at a time. Yes, she did love him. She knew. But how could he do all that? If he wanted to know, he could have gone to her ward to talk to her. Why did he enter her life without her knowing it and dug out all her secrets?

She went to him and gave him a sharp slap, saying, “You’re so selfish,” and opening the door then running out.

~~~~~
Haruka walked around the hospital, unable to go anywhere else. She was confined to it. It had become like her new home. She’d been staying there for so long, she was used to it. She knew every corner of it. She knew many of the patients there. They were very like her. Very. Except the fact that they arrived after she did and left before she did. It was like she was watching everyone becoming happy while she had to bear with her agony. When will it end? Or perhaps it was not meant to end?

She continued to roam the hospital like a lost soul. She may have appeared listless to others but in fact, her mind was packed. Packed with memories, flashbacks and everything a mind could be filled with, mainly about... him.

+++++
“We’re here,” her mother said as the hospital came into view.

Suddenly, Haruka had the urge to run off. Maybe it was because of her mother. She had always been the one restricting her. No doing this, no doing that. Or else. She’d had enough. At that moment, all the feelings of hatred for her mother made her burn. And without thinking any further, she opened the car door and ran out, the second the car stopped.

She ran. She could hear people shouting for her. But she did not care. She wanted freedom. And she was going to get it. Slowly, she slowed down and looked back. From afar, she could see two men after her. She turned into a small lane. It led to a park where there was no one. She stopped to feel the breeze. She had not felt so free before. Although there was no one around, she felt like she had company. Maybe she felt one with nature. She loved the flowers, the trees and the wind. She had not run for so long, it was a wonder she felt only a little tired.

All of a sudden, she heard a rustle. She turned and spotted someone hiding in the bushes. “Who are you? Come out,” she said aloud.

That someone stayed still. Apparently, he or she thought that Haruka couldn’t see him or her. “I can see you. Just come out.”

The person came out from the not-so-good hiding place and Haruka saw it was a guy. Somehow he looked familiar. He seemed to try to hide his face. Even when he walked towards her, he walked weirdly sideways. “Who are you?” she said.

“No one,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Hang on, she thought. I think I heard that voice before. But where?

“Who are you?” she asked again.

“Someone,” he replied.

That’s it, she thought. She knew where she’d heard it before.

“Arron Yan?”

+++++
He gave another sigh and spoke, “Yeah. I guess you saw through my disguise. How did you anyway?”

“Voice.”

“Was it obvious? I thought I managed to disguise it well enough. Maybe I need more voice training. Sorry about just now. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Haruka nodded, without saying anything. She looked at him as he stared somewhere distant. She had never been his fan but she had admitted that he was cute and sang well. Even at that moment as she looked at him, she could see his cuteness although he was in a disguise. “Why so silent?” he suddenly asked as he looked at her.

Without replying again, she shook her head then hung it, blushing at the same time. She wondered why though. She had never met an artiste before. Maybe that was the reason? But she wasn’t his fan. How could she feel that way? Weird.

All of a sudden, he got up and pulled her into the nearest bush. He let go of her and she lost her balance. She pulled onto him and he fell on her, his lips on hers. She was surprised. It happened so fast, she hardly realized it. The feeling of his lips on hers felt nice. Without realizing it, she quite enjoyed it. But a second later, she heard a voice. “Suzuki Haruka! Where are you? Come out now. Where are you? You’re going to be late for your checkup.”

She became wide-eyed and not hesitating, she squealed and pushed Arron of her. She quickly got up and stared down at him. He seemed in a daze and had his eyes wide too. “Suzuki Haruka!” Her head turned and she saw the guys who were on her track earlier. They had found her and had come to bring her back to her hated world and checkup. One of them came up to her. “Suzuki Haruka. It’s time you go to the hospital. I will take care of the boy who harmed you. Take her and escort her back to the hospital,” the tall and muscular man gestured the other man who was about the same build as he.

“Let me go. I’ll walk by myself. Don’t you dare lay a hand on him. If you do, you’ll have my parents to reckon to,” Haruka said fiercely.

Arron had been staring at them since she pushed him away. He was still in shock and couldn’t seem to stand yet. Their eyes met right after she told the big build man not to touch him at all. She turned her head and blushed. He could see her cheeks go pink as she turned and headed towards the lane that brought them there. “Wait! Your name in Suzuki Haruka?” he asked as he stood up.

She nodded without turning and continued walking.

+++++
“Haruka-chan, here’s your medicine. Pop it into your mouth and you’ll feel better.”

Haruka took the medicine from the nurse’s hand into hers and stared at them. There were six tablets, she counted. All of different shapes. Why did she have to swallow so many? She looked at the nurse. “Nurse Ri? Do I really have to?”. The nurse nodded her head and gestured her to put them in her mouth. Haruka gave a sigh. “Before I do so, can you answer my question?”

“Swallow them first and then I’ll answer.”

Haruka gave another sigh and swallowed the tablets. “Can I ask now?”

“Sure. What do you want to ask?”

“Is it true that there is a patient here called Arron Yan?”

The nurse looked shocked.

“But, how did you know? His entry was a secret. No one was supposed to know. How did you find out?”

“I have my ways. Can you please tell me which room is he in?”

“Are you intending to visit him with caring intentions? Or are you going just for his autograph?”

“I have my reasons. Can you just tell me?”

“Okay. Since you already know that he is here, I guess there’s no harm. Just promise me you won’t leak this out. Otherwise his hoard of fans will start cramming up this hospital. He’s in ward 39. Just three wards away from you.”

“Thank you.”

+++++
“.... miss you. When can you be discharged?”

“I’ve no idea. Why? So worried till you can’t sleep?”

“You wish. Just wondering how long I can have the house to myself. So when is it?”

“I’ve just told you. I’ve no idea. Why don’t you ask the doctor?”

“The doctor is a very busy man. He is not as free as you. But I will get to him when he is.”

“Good.”

“You know, you seem a little weird.”

“How so?”

“You don’t seem to talk as much as you did. And you always seem to look like you’re thinking too much. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on. I’m your sister. And I can tell when you have something troubling you.”

“(sigh) It’s just that, I met this girl and I can’t stop thinking of her. I don’t know why but she kind of takes my breath away. She’s cute and she’s kind of shy. At least, she appears that way to me. Her face is sweet and I miss looking at it. I....”

“Now you’re talking. I’ve been trying to strike up a conversation that will keep you talking. At last....”

“Whatever.”

“So, let me get this straight. You’ve fallen for a girl and you’ve fallen hard on her. So tell me, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I....”

+++++
“Why are you crying? Did anyone make you cry?”

Haruka’s tears immediately threatened to spill out once more. She wanted so much to say “You” but was held back by something she could not put her finger on. Instead, she remained silent.

“Never mind. You don’t have to tell. I guess everyone has their own secrets.”

Still silent, Haruka stared at the bed.

“Speaking of secrets, I have one. Have you ever been in love?” Arron suddenly asked her.

Without meaning to, her tears just forced their way out of her tear glands, coming down like a waterfall. Arron did not appear to look surprised. Instead, he had a strange look on his face.

“I see you have. You know, I like this girl. And...”

“I know. I know. I heard you talking. You like that girl so much that you’re in love with her. And by the sound of it, she seems nice. I give you my blessings,” Haruka said between her tears, feeling angry at herself. Right after her last word, she turned to walk off.

But she felt his hand around hers, stopping her. Arron spoke, “In that case.”

He pulled her as hard as he could. It was so hard that she fell on top of him on the bed. “What... ah...”

He smiled and kissed her on the lips. She was stunned. Shocked. Didn’t he like someone else? If so, what was he doing? He was being unfaithful. Haruka broke the kiss and got off him. “What are you doing? You said you were in love. How could....”

“It’s you.”

“What?”

“It’s you. Ever since that little event took place, you have always been on my mind. No matter how I try to shut my mind, you are always there. Although I had only met you once, I knew you were the one. The one whom I’ve been looking for. The one my heart belongs to.”

Haruka couldn’t believe her ears. Was she going insane? Did he say he loved her? But that was impossible. “But you’re an artiste. A singer who was so famous you have many girls wishing to just get a glimpse of you. Whereas I am just a normal girl. A normal girl who needs to go for an operation.”

“I don’t care. I don’t care whether you go for the operation or not. I just want you by my side. Always. I will take care of you. If you fall, I’ll be there to help you stand. If you’re alone, I’ll be there to keep you company. If you cry, I’ll be there to dry your tears.”

“But you don’t know anything about me....”

“Yes, I do. I’ve inquired about you on my first day here. I knew you were here. I found out about your school records, what happened to you, your relationship with your parents, everything. And why did I do all this? It was all because I love you and to know more about you.”

Haruka was silent. She was not able to absorb so much at a time. Yes, she did love him. She knew. But how could he do all that? If he wanted to know, he could have gone to her ward to talk to her. Why did he enter her life without her knowing it and dug out all her secrets?

She went to him and gave him a sharp slap, saying, “You’re so selfish,” and opening the door then running out.

+++++
Had she been too harsh? Had she acted without thinking? Yes. Yes, she did. How was she supposed to face him now? He could be hating her ever since for all she knew. What had come over her to slap him, telling him off that he was selfish? She was mad, she knew she was. What was wrong with her?

For no apparent reason, Haruka quickened her pace. Without realizing it as she turned the corner, she bumped into someone so hard that she fell over.

“Ouch!”

“Are you alright?”

Haruka froze. It was that voice. The voice which she missed badly but did not want to admit. Without uttering a single word, she stood up. But something made her feel dizzy and she fell forwards.

-----
She opened her eyes, eyelid by eyelid. She could not open her eyes fully, making her squint out of her will. What was happening? She tried to open them bigger, but light blinded her. She felt something prick her and she didn’t know what happened next.

-----
“Is she going to be alright?”

“Yes, she is. All we have to do is wait for her to regain consciousness. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

The sound of the door closing could be heard. Sniffs followed.

“Let’s leave them alone.”

Once more, the sound of the door was heard.

Them? She thought. Who were they?

She opened her eyes and looked around. The room was strangely familiar. Where was she? Oh, right. The hospital. Her ward. So, wasn’t she supposed to be alone? Why ‘they’?

“You’re awake.”

She turned her head. Of course. Who else could be with her. “Arron,” she said.

“Haru, how are you feeling?” he asked.

“Since when did you call me Haru?”

“Since now. So how are you feeling?”

“What are you doing here?” she ignored his question.

“To see you. Tell me how you’re feeling,” he said, his voice stern.

“Why should you?” she ignored him once more.

“Because,” he said, bent down and kissed her cheek. “Of that.”

She blushed then wiped her cheek.

“Stop ignoring my questions. I’m asking them out of concern.”

“I never asked for your concern. Since you found out my identity through your sources, find out my feelings now from them,” she shouted at him.

“Haru, I really didn’t mean to do that. Its just, I wanted to know more about you. I mean, I’m sure you know quite a bit about me since I appeared on the television for so many times and the hosts will ask tons of questions. I just thought that if I found out some information about you it would mean that I cared much about you to go through all that trouble.”

“Well, you thought wrong. It shows you just don’t know me well. Give up and get out of my life. I never want to see you again.”

“Haru..”

“Get out!” she screamed and got out of bed, with the intention of throwing him out. Unable to stop her tears, they rolled down her cheeks. She felt stupid.

“Get out!” she shouted at him once more. She tried pushing him but had not the energy. She had just gone through an operation and all her joints were not working as proper as before at that moment.

Arron merely stood where he was without moving an inch. “Pushing me won’t work,” he said and hugged her.

“Let me go,” she said but her voice was weary.

“Haru, I love you. I don’t want to let you go. I’m sorry that I made you think badly of me. I’m not really. I’m not. If you would just give me a chance, Haru, you’ll find out I’m a total different person from who you see on magazines and the television. I promise you I’ll take care of you. I won’t let you get hurt. I won’t let anyone make you sad and cry. I’ll make you the happiest person on earth. I’ll always be there for you when you need me. I’ll always love you. Haru, forgive me? Please..”

Haruka was confused. She didn’t know what to do. Does she accept him? Or does she reject him like she had always done? She felt tired. Tired of all the thinking she had been doing. She knew what she had to do. Her mind was all clear all of a sudden. All she had to do was listen to her own feelings.

Arron continued hugging her. After quite a while, he felt no reaction from her. He knew she did not want to accept him. With sadness, he let go of her.

Haruka put her arms around Arron the moment he let go and buried her head in his chest.

Arron was stunned for a moment before he realized what the hug meant. He smiled. “Haru,” he whispered.

-brenda-