Serious News
2023 Words
The sound of the net echoes in the whole gym. The ball went in!!! Irene jumps up standing as well as other people. She pulls me to stand and I couldn't help but roar my amazement. That was insane!! The green team has lost hope and just shot the ball from half-court, it didn't go in. The time went out with the score of 61:62—the blue team's win! I gotta tell this to John!
The sports fest that happened for a whole week is so memorable. I watched almost every game with Irene. My friends are winning here and there. Their popularity begins to grow even more. Whereas I, just spent the time with her and sometimes with her friends. Eli also comes with us if she can. She said that she's busy preparing for the opening of her new cafe—the cafe with the name I dare not to speak. And what's worse is that I'm gonna work on it. I can't refuse because she has done me a great deal in just one week. I want to return the favor if this is the only thing I can do.
Our team wins overall. We have a lot of wins especially in the sports which my friends played on. It's unbelievable to think that these four aces ended up in the same section. We're lucky to have them. To celebrate it, we spent time, only us boys. We had shots then played basketball while drunk. We ended up lying on the ground of the street basketball court until someone told us to go home. I can't remember that much but now that I'm sober, I remember some funny parts where John thinks he shot the ball through the basket and started to celebrate. It was hilarious!
It's Saturday now, and I'm here lazing on my bed, playing my game when suddenly Eli calls me. It's so early in the morning...
“What?” I answer.
“You gotta come here.” Her voice is quite troubled.
“Why?”
“My parents are calling.”
“This early?”
“Japan's timezone is earlier than us, you dummy.”
“Oh, right... I'll go there right away. Give me half an hour.”
“Hurry.” She ends the call.
I close my game and stare at the ceiling. How long will we be able to keep this a secret from her family and Irene? Eli and I walk on a tightrope. One mistake would end up in a catastrophe.
Well, let's get on with it. I change into my casual clothes. I didn't bother to look good- Wait... I must look good or her parents will think badly of me. Okay, I'll dress up a little nicer today even though it will add up to my delicate laundry. After taking a bath, I put on my grey t-shirt and brown shorts then a simple pair of leather topsiders. When I look at my long, tall mirror, I can say that I look fine—I guess.
Straight to Eli's place, I go. It only took me less than half a minute to commute. Although, it takes a while to ride the elevator. There are so many people even in this hour. I know where her room is so it only took a few minutes before I found it. I knock twice and the door opens.
I can tell that she just finished taking a bath because of her damp hair. She wears a sleeveless white shirt and very short shorts. And hmm... the smell of her shampoo...
“Good morning,” I greet her.
She looks at me from the eyes then down to my feet. “What's with the getup?” she asks looking disgusted.
“I don't wanna look bad in front of your parents. Plus, we'll be going to the movies with Irene.”
“But that'll be hours from now,” she facepalms. “You're gonna end up taking a bath and change again. Well, anyway, come in.”
Sora comes to greet me when I came in so I gave him a rub on the head. Eli closes the door and heads straight to her bedroom. She comes out with a silver MacBook this time. So fancy. I take a seat on the sofa while Sora goes somewhere else. Eli sits at my right then puts the laptop on her *ahem* smooth lap.
Then she speaks, “Okay, let me inform you about the whole situation.”
“Inform?” I ask. “What did you tell them this time?” I'm feeling that it's something bad.
“Father has been diagnosed with cancer.”
I close my eyes and grit my teeth. How could she say it with a straight tone and face? “I'm sorry,” I mutter.
“It's okay. I still believe that he'll get through this.” Her face is sure nor it's doubting. Just plain expression like she's hiding what she truly feels.
“I don't want to touch this topic but can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” she nods, looking at the laptop.
“Is this why you don't want to disappoint them? To consider their health?”
“Well, at first, it's for mother. She always had a weak heart. If she feels sad, I'm afraid that her heart couldn't take it. So, I must hide who I am for her sake.”
So that's why... Now, I understand. “I'll help you... if you need it.”
“Thank you,” she smiles but I can somehow sense a lingering pain behind it.
She clears her throat and sighs. After opening the laptop and making a call, she puts it on the table right in front of us. It took a few minutes until they answer it. Her father is on the hospital bed, looking fine and her mother is sitting on the bed, holding her phone.
“Hello, children!” she greets as lively as ever.
“Hello, Mom,” she greets with a normal smile. “Hello, Dad. How are you?”
I just bow and smile.
“We're fine,” her father answers.
“Are you sure?” Eli asks. “I can go home if you guys want to.”
“No,” he says, shaking his head then talks to her in Japanese. Her mother talks to her too. I can tell it's a mellow conversation judging by their tone and expressions.
“Kevin,” Mrs. Tokunaga talks to me and I'm startled. “How are you doing in school?”
“I'm doing fine, Mrs. Tokunaga,” I answer. “I wish I could top the class but there are so many smart people in my class.” Wow, I lied... I feel even more guilty now.
“It's fine, Kevin. The important thing is that you have good enough grades. Life is not about grades, after all. And work is about how well you do it. This is what people often miss out on. Well, except here in Japan. Kids need good grades to have a spot on applications.”
Woah... wise words.
Then Mr. Tokunaga says, “Did you use protection when you two had s*x?”
What?!!
“We did,” Eli answers with a smile but I can tell she's hiding her irritation.
“We did?” I whisper at her without breaking my stare at the camera.
“We did,” she answers with a little anger in her voice.
She stomps on my foot! “Argh!!” I grunt in pain then yawn to hide it. I'm gonna make her pay later!
“Good,” her father nods, and her mother smiles. “Both of you can do it often. It's good for the health.”
What is with this weird family?!!
It went on—the call and I couldn't see the light of tomorrow. I wish this call would just end! But that would be horrible of me because they need their only daughter's affection.
“Always remember,” says Mrs. Tokunaga. “Happiness is found in the people around you. Especially your family. We just want both of you to be happy,”
“Although life is not all about being happy,” her husband adds. “it's not bad if we keep seeking it. See you again, children.”
I nod and smile a few times while the three of them talk in Japanese, probably saying goodbye. Then she ends the call while we wave our hands. We sigh at the same time after it's over.
“It's over,” I sigh.
“Yeah...,” she agrees, leaning backward and looking at the ceiling.
“And by the way, what was that ‘protection’ about earlier?”
“Ugh... just shut up!”
“Okay, but to be honest, I'm glad that I'm able to help you even just for a little such as this. I like your parents because they're so kind. I also uh...” She's looking at me without blinking. I swallow looking away while finishing my sentence. “ I find it wholesome that you're doing your best to keep them happy.”
To the side, she looks then narrows her eyes. “I don't even know if what I'm doing is right.”
“Why?”
“Well...”
She lies down on the sofa, facing upwards, her hands behind the back of her head, and her knees over my lap. This is so tempting... This'll be hard to keep something from getting hard. I just bend forward a little so she could feel my... (you know what). I just rest my left arm on her knees and my right elbow on top of it so that I could rest my chin on my palm. I look at the screen saver of the laptop on the table.
She continues, “I'm thinking if I had just told them who I really am, they would accept me. But- Uh, never mind! Just get out of here.” she bends her knees and kicks my side.
“Ow!” I cry in pain, I felt that! “You don't have to kick me!”
“Hmph!” she scoffs, lying sideways.
“You're acting like a girl,” I tease her.
“I'm not,” she denies.
“Girls have that kind of mood swing.”
“So what if I am, huh?!” She's angry. “I'm not in the mood for jokes. Get out or I will beat you up!”
Gosh, I'm so insensitive. I should've considered being serious a little because both her parents have illnesses. This is hard for anyone to be in this position.
“I'm sorry,” I apologize before standing up. Just when I pass by in front of her, I caught a glimpse of her tears running from her eyes. “Are you okay?” I couldn't help but ask.
“I'm f... fine!” she sobbingly yells.
“No, you're not,” I argue. “Look at your tears.”
“What? I don't have tears,” she still denies, covering her face with a pillow.
“Do you want me to-”
“No! Just get out! Leave me!”
I guess further pestering her wouldn't help. Everyone needs time to be alone, after all. I know that better than anyone. Sora is like a butler, walking beside me on my way to the door. He looks adorable, panting and wagging his tail. I open the door and close it as soon as I leave. I can hear Eli sniffling. Sora goes to tend to her.
Then my every step feels heavy as it takes me further away from the door of my crying friend. I'm beginning to wonder if what I'm doing now is right. Giving her space is a way to help her. What if I'm wrong? What if she wanted someone to support her right now but was just ashamed showing her sadness?
That's right! I made a mistake!
- Writer
