Under a Cherry Blossom tree…

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Under a Cherry Blossom tree…

            I threw myself on the bed, frustrated. There was not even half a day left for me to finish my work – three hours and ten minutes to be exact. The story was almost complete except for the re-union of the two main characters which was supposed to be touching. But I was nowhere near that! How can I write a touching ending if I do not understand the feeling myself!!

            I led out a big sigh, looking up to see the clock. It was half past four. I had just lost another valuable ten minutes, complaining to myself. It might be better if I would take a walk in the park, I decided. Getting some flesh air sure would help me to settle my mind.

            It seemed I was right. Flesh air actually helped a lot…

            …The park was quiet as expected. Even though it was located in the middle of the town, it was peaceful yet refreshing. The weather was calm and the breeze blew. The birds of different kinds sang their songs, giving the place live. With grass so green and cherry blossoms blooming, it was as if it was somewhere far away from this modern town and its people…as if someone had stopped its time just before the modern era has started. The only thing that seemed modern was the people who came here, seeking their peace of minds.

            I am one of them, I told myself. I allowed my eyes to wander, taking my time enjoying this wonderful scenery. My brain started to work efficiently again. I made a mental note to add this scenery in my unfinished story. Then I spotted something quite a distance away…

            A couple – I assumed they were lovers – stood under a cherry blossom tree, facing each other. Sunlight beamed through wide-spread branches of the tree and fell on the ground. The breeze blew softly and the pink petals scattered in the air. With such a romantic atmosphere, the man brushed the lady’s hair back and touched her cheek. He said something - which I could not make out since I was too far away – and smiled. The lady looked into his eyes then suddenly threw herself into his embrace. I could tell that she was crying from the way her shoulder shivered.He caressed her brown hair, whispering into her ears. She tightened her arms around him…

            The scene had inspired me. I understood now how should a re-union be. I rushed to get back to my room as fast as I could. I started to write and I could end my story within an hour. It was impressive and touching, I thought to myself.

            A week later I had received good feedback from my recently-published story. It was because of that couple who gave me inspiration otherwise it would not have such a perfect ending. I looked up at the sky from my window and whispered a word of thanks, hoping that the wind would carry it to them. I made a wish for them so that they would be happy ever after…

            … Sunlight beamed through wide-spread branches of the cherry blossom and fell on the ground. The breeze blew softly and the pink petals scattered in the air. Her brown hair flew due to the breeze and he brushed it back. She watched his action silently. The man gave a weak smile and touched her cheek, calling her name. Her gaze fell on the ground. She just could not make herself to meet his eyes.

            “…I’m sorry…Sorry for…” he started but she interrupted him.

            “There’s no need for you to say sorry…”

She could not recognize her own voice. It was so weak, so soft and trembling. She tried to smile but it was hard to do so because she knew…She knew what he was going to say. Tears filled her eyes as she looked into his eyes, blurring his face.

“There’s no need for you to say sorry…” she repeated. “I know what you are trying to say and I understand…I do understand so don’t make that sad face.”

He smiled at her words. She threw herself at him felt his arms wrapped around her, comforting her like he always did. His warmth was something that she was always yearning for.

“Everything has its end and its beginning. Our time is over, I realize that. We are not meant to be together…” she sobbed. He whispered her name again. “So let’s end it here.”

He smiled but she did not see it. She was so understanding and caring. “Thank you…for everything.” said he. He would never forget her.“I was lucky to have you…”

She wiped her tears and took a step back. “So…good-bye. I wish you luck.” She smiled. They both smiled.

“See you again.”

“No. Let’s not meet again…“ His heart sank with her words. Did she hate him? , he asked himself. “…so soon.” She finished her sentence with a bright smile.

They talked for a little while and he bid her goodbye.

As he disappeared from her sight, the lady collapsed on the ground. She was crying so hard that her whole body was trembling. She did not lie to him. She understood that it was the end but it was just too hard for her to accept it. She forced herself to be strong and smile for him so he would not feel guilty.

…In the midst of the cherry blossoms with the sunlight beaming through its branches and the soft breeze blowing, the lady sat there under a tree and cried…as if her heart was broken…

Everything is not as it is seen.

The narrator sees the couple as a romantic re-union but in reality, they are breaking apart. The man thanks his former-lover for being understanding and letting him go with a smile on her face. He believes that she really understands and happy to stop their relationship so that each can take a different path of their own. While the lady understands but cannot accept it as she pretends to be.

We just cannot judge from what it appears to be…