Tree, Leaf, Wind
99 Paper Cranes (Completed)--
Have you heard of the story of the tree, the leaf and the wind? I have heard it several time. The tree, who have taken for granted the leaf. The leaf, who was tired of holding on the tree, and the soft wind took the leaf away from the tree. I have six friends. Theirs was a really complicated story. Thank God I am not involved in their story, but you see, when I see one of them being hurt, I could also feel their pain.
Calvin, Kit, Danson, Hannah, Joy and Jiro... I definitely know who the tree and the leaf is in the story... as for the wind...
--
Calvin is the tree. Definitely.
--
As they sat on the blanket, Calvin had his arm around Joy. Both of them were gazing up the starry sky. “Do you think there will be a shooting star tonight?” he heard his girlfriend say. Calvin looked at her, confused at what she said. “Why would you like to see a shooting star?” he asked. Joy just smiled at him. “I want to wish something...” she said. “And what is it” he asked. Joy simply smiled at her. “It's a secret...” she said. Calvin smiled at her, and the pulled her closer to him, and planted a kiss on her forehead. Then, he looked up at the sky again. “Before you, Joy, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars—points of light and reason… And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black. Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn’t see the stars anymore. And there was no more reason for anything.” he said. After hearing what he said. Joy looked up at Calvin, wrinkling her eyebrows. “I've read that in a book! Can't you be more original?” she said to him. Calvin laughed as he looked at her, then he looked up at the night sky again. “Every night I go to bed dreaming of the moment I get to see you again; the moment when months without you are erased by a single kiss,the moment when all my tears are dried by a single smile, the moment when hearing the sound of your voice means seeing you at the same time. Knowing that the moment I dream of will eventually become a reality is what keeps me going...” Then, he looked at Joy and lovingly smiled at her. “I love you with all of my heart, body, and soul. You complete me. You make my life worth living. To have known you and to have loved you
has been the most beautiful dream. I can only hope that I never wake up.” he whispered to her ears.
Joy looked up at him and smiled warmly at him. 'That's the sweetest thing anyone could ever tell me...” she said. Then, Calvin leaned to her, and planted another kiss on her forehead. “I love you so much Joy... I don't think I could ever live without you beside me...” he said. “I love you too, Calvin...” Joy said. Then she sat up and then faced Calvin. “And because of what you said, I'm going to tell you why I want to see a shooting star...” she said. Then, she leaned over her and whispered her wish to her ear. “I want to wish that our love will las forever...” she whispered. Calvin smiled at her again. “I would love to spend the rest of my life with you, Joy...” he said. And then gave her a long kiss on the lips. And as their kissed, a shooting star brightened up the night sky.
--
I cannot blame Calvin for hurting Kit, for he have not known how his best friend feel for him. But there are times that he would take her for granted. I feel sorry for Kit for the times that Calvin leaves her hanging in the air. Maybe it's about time that he analyze himself thoroughly, because who knows, maybe one day, the leaf will decide to depart from the tree
--
Danson is the leaf, hanging on the tree, which is Kit.
--
rockerdt0902 says: ((nudge))
lullabyangel says: ((nudge))
rockerdt0902 says: you still up?
lullabyangel says: it's 5 in the afternoon here in Vienna, of course, I am still up...
lullabyangel says: what's up?
lullabyangel says: how's everybody?
rockerdt0902 says: everyone's ok... I guess...
rockerdt0902 says: i've already told you that jiro and joy already broke up... calvin's courting joy...
lullabyangel says: and kit?
rockerdt0902 says: she's trying to be ok
rockerdt0902 says: but I know she is heartbroken because of it
rockerdt0902 says: i'm trying my best to cheer her up
rockerdt0902 says: but it seems that whatever I do to make her smile, she just couldn't...
lullabyangel says: and you're not happy because she is not happy?
rockerdt0902 says: right...
lullabyangel says: just do your best
lullabyangel says: she'll come around...
lullabyangel says: I understand her...
lullabyangel says: she loves calvin too much...
lullabyangel says: and knowing that he is in love with one of her closest friends would really hurt...
lullabyangel says: please take care of kit for me...
rockerdt0902 says: I sure will
rockerdt0902 says: but somehow, I wish she would realize that I am just here
rockerdt0902 says: I wish she could see me the way that she sees him
rockerdt0902 says: she only have her eyes on him, that she doesn't realize that i'm already hurting because she ignores me...
For a long time, Danson waited for Hannah to reply to his message.
lullabyangel says: you really love her too much...
lullabyangel says: but if kit could not love you back,
lullabyangel says: maybe it's time for you to let go...
rockerdt0902 says: I want to...
rockerdt0902 says: my minds tells me to let go...
rockerdt0902 says: but my heart tells me otherwise
rockerdt0902 says: a part of me is still hoping that she will turn around and see me...
rockerdt0902 says: that she will learn to love me the way that she loved calvin...
rockerdt0902 says: but seeing her now,
rockerdt0902 says: I know that she love him more now than before...
Hannah sighed as she read Danson's message. She doesn't know what to say to him to make him feel all right. She could feel the pain he is feeling right now, but there's nothing she could do to console him. If only she's in Taiwan right now, she would be giving him a hug.
lullabyangel says: dannie...
lullabyangel says: I really don't know what to do to make you feel all right...
Danson's lips formed into a smile as he read her message.
rockerdt0902 says: can you find me a hot austrian girlfriend?
Upon reading his message, Hannah suddenly became jealous.
lullabyangel says: wei? Why should I find you a hot austrian girlfriend?
rockerdt0902 says: and I thought you promised me
rockerdt0902 says: that if kit rejects me
rockerdt0902 says: you'll find me a girlfriend there?
Hannah raised her eyebrow as she read his last message. “Stupid Danson... what am I, a match maker?” she thought.
lullabyangel says: well, I haven't found any hot austrian girl for you
lullabyangel says: and even there is
lullabyangel says: they are like trixie
rockerdt0902 says: are you jealous?
lullabyangel says: why should I be jealous?
rockerdt0902 says: because you have a crush on me... ;-)
Danson began to type on the chat box again.
rockerdt0902 says: don't worry, I have a crush on you too...
After he pressed on the send button, he realized what he have typed. “, what did I say to her?” he thought. He was typing in an apology when Hannah's sent another message.
lullabyangel says: maybe I do like you
Danson paused, and then he turned into a smile again. He doesn't know why, but after reading what Hannah said, he suddenly felt giddy like a school boy.
rockerdt0902 says: you like me?
rockerdt0902 says: as in like me... as in more than a friend?
Hannah was surprised at his question. “Wait, what did I tell him?” she thought. She scrolled up and then saw the last message she sent to him.
lullabyangel says: I mean I like you as a friend.
lullabyangel says: I still like calvin, ok?
lullabyangel says: and you started it!!!! :@
He suddenly felt sad at what she said, and he doesn't know why.
rockerdt0902 says: if you don't like me, I guess I now know why kit can't even give me a chance...
lullabyangel says: don't be sad, dannie...
lullabyangel says: one day, kit will learn to love you...
lullabyangel says: just give it your bet shot
lullabyangel says: remember that I will always be here for you...
Danson smiled as he read her message, and then began to type again.
rockerdt0902 says: will you be there to catch me when I fall for you?
But before he hesitated to send that message. In the end, he pressed on the backspace button and just sent a smiley face.
--
I'm thinking Hannah is the soft wind that's trying to blow the leaf away from the tree. Danson may not have known it, but slowly, with her gentle gust, the leaf is slowly letting go of himself to the tree. And just like the leaf, Danson will have to realize that he is falling... no... he have already fallen for the wind... no matter how gentle her blow is, Danson have already fallen in love with Hannah...
--
Jiro... he is both the tree and the leaf.
--
As he walked the wall, Jiro's eyes caught the sight of Calvin and Joy walking together. He stopped as he watched them. He saw Joy smiling at Calvin as he put his arm around her. Then, he gently kissed her on the cheek. He sighed as he feel his heart breaking once again, but he have to get used to this pain. “It's about time that you know...” he heard someone say. He looked to his side and saw Kit standing beside him, also watching the two. “They got together. Calvin is not Joy's boyfriend...” she said. “S-since when?” he asked. Kit looked at him. “Last Saturday... that night that we bumped into each other...” she replied. Jiro sighed, and then he turned to her and smile. “I can see that Calvin makes her happy, and I'm glad that she ended up with him. Joy deserves someone like Cal...” he said. Then, he turned his back to leave, and as he made a step, Kit began to speak up to him. “You still have a chance with her, you know.” he heard her say. “It's obvious that you love Joy. Why did you let her go?” she asked again. Jiro paused, and then faced her again. “Even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand...” he said. “You're wrong...” Kit said. Slowly, she walked towards him. “I am your friend, Jiro. Why would you think that I wouldn't understand?” she said.
Jiro looked away from her. “All this time, we tried to reach out for you. We tried to get your side, Jiro... but since you broke up with Joy, I felt that you cut us out of your life. We know you are suffering too, just like the way Joy did before, and I know that you are still suffering. She was able to move on, and you still haven't. The difference between the two of you is that she chose to tell everything to us, while you... you chose to keep it to yourself.” Kit said. Jiro put his hand on his pocket, and then looked down at the ground. “It's better this way... it's better that you all think that everything is my fault...” he said in a low voice. Then, he looked up at Kit. “Because everything is my fault. I am the reason why she suffered. I chased her away, thinking it would be for the best. I have been selfish before, Kit. I can't continue being selfish just to be happy, because you know why? It would hurt me as much as it would hurt Joy.” he said to her. Kit turned her gaze away from him. “Kit, you have to open your eyes and see the reality. Calvin and Joy are happy now. Would you want to take that happiness away from them? I know I wouldn't. If her happiness means that I will not be part of her life anymore, then I am willing to make the sacrifice...” he said. Kit could only watch as he turned to leave again. “You know what the problem with you is, Jiro...” she said to him. “You would rather run away from everything rather than face them. You would rather give up than hold on.” Jiro paused and then faced her again. “You're wrong...” he said. “I've held on for something for a very long time... that I didn't notice that the most important thing have lost grip in my hand...”
--
Kit... like Jiro, she is the tree that Danson have held on for a long time. She is also the leaf that continued to hold on for her love for Calvin. Sometimes, I wonder who could be the strong wind that would take her away from the tree.
--
“Kit!” she heard someone call her. Kit looked back, and saw Calvin and Joy walking towards her. She forced a smile at them. “Hey...” she said. She looked at Calvin, and then she down, and saw him holding Joy's hand. Once again, she felt jealous at that sight. “We're going out for lunch. Want to join us?” Joy asked. She looked up at Joy and smiled. “Thanks, Joy... but I don't think that's a good idea...” she said. The two lovers gave her a confused look. “But why? We always do this...” Joy said. Kit smiled and then shook her head. “I don't want to be the third wheel. Besides, the two of you need more time together.” she said. “Are you sure you really don't want to have lunch with us?” Calvin asked. Kit shook her head. “Anyways, I'm not that hungry yet. And if I got hungry, I can pull Chun to the cafe later. Just go and enjoy your time alone together.” she sad. “Well, if we really can't force you to come...” Calvin said. He looked at Joy and then put his arm around her. They said goodbye to Kit, and then headed on their way.
Kit watched the two as they leave, and the she felt someone put an arm around her. “It's good to see that you are slowly accepting things as they are.” she looked to her side, and saw Chun. Kit smiled at him, and then looked at Calvin and Joy as they walked away. “As long as he is happy, I'll be happy as well.” she said. “And the paper crane girl?” Chun asked. Kit looked at him, and paused. “She... she will continue to do what she's doing... until she's able to move on. Until the day she gives up on Calvin...” she said in a low voice. “And until when is that day?” Chun asked her. Kit just shrugged her shoulder. “I don't know. But one thing's for sure... I have no plans of telling him that I am the paper crane girl.” she said. “I'm just a little worried about you, Kit... I'm scared of what will happen if he finds out that it's you...”
“You don't have to worry about me. Besides, I don't think he have plans of searching for me again.”
“But still, you should stop.”
Kit looked up at him and smiled. Then, she nodded her head. “OK, I will stop. I will stop once I have given him the hundredth paper crane.” she said. Then, Chun gave her a curious look. “How many paper cranes have you given him already?” he asked. “I still have a long way to go until the hundredth paper crane.”
Then, she took Chun's arm away from her shoulder. “Anyway... I have to get going...” she said. “Where are you going?” Chun asked. Kit looked back at him. “I need find out something.” she said. Chun gave her another curious look. “Find out what?” he asked again. “It's a secret.” she said. Then, she walked away from him, but Chun followed her. “Wei... can you tell me? Where are you going, Kit?” he asked. Kit stopped and then looked at him again. “Aiyo, Chun... I told you it's a secret. Why do you keep on asking?” she asked. Chun sighed and then put his hands on his waist. “Because, everyone seems to be going someone. Calvin and Kit went on a date... Danson is not around... and Jiro cut classes again to go the beach.” he said, shaking his head. “Jiro cut classes to go to the beach?” she asked in disbelief. Chun nodded his head. “Weird... why would he go to the beach?” she asked again. Chun just shrugged his shoulder. “I don't know about him. He's been like that since he and Joy broke up. He's been going to that beach to talk to... wait... I forgot his name... I think he is the namesake of Ariel's grandpa...” Chun said as he scratched his chin to recall the name of the man whom Jiro usually visits at the beach. “Uncle Sam?” Kit said. Chun nodded his head. “Yeah, Sam. That's it. Weird though... how many Uncle Sams do live on a beach?” he said as he shook his head.
Kit laughed at what he said, and then it hit her. Beach. Uncle Sam. And the pink shell necklace that she saw on his car. The truth had finally dawned onto her. “Jiro is really Jay...” she mumbled under her breath. Then, she looked up at Chun. “Chun... I... I really have to go.” she said. Then she walked as fast as she could, leaving the confused Chun behind,
--
“Are you sure you really want to do this, Jiro?” Uncle Sam told the young man beside him. Jiro looked up at him and smiled. “I have to, Uncle Sam. It's about time for me to let go of the past so that I could start anew. I have hurt a lot of people because I kept on holding on to the past...” The old man patted him at the back, and smiled at him. “But somehow, fate usually have its tricks. Just when you have decided to give up, life will give you a reason to hold on.” he said to him. “Maybe one day, Tin and I will meet again... but for now... it's time to let her go...” he said. He knelt down, and then put the shell necklace on the water. He watched it as it was slowly taken away by the wave. “I only kept her waiting, ans I know that she got tired of waiting for me. I hope one day, she will forgive me for not keeping my promise.” he said. He stood up, and then sighed. Then, he looked at Uncle Sam and smiled. “Uncle Sam, thank you for listening to me. Thank you for lending me your ear, especially during the times that I needed it the most.” he said. Uncle Sam just nodded his head. “So what are you going to do now? You have lost the girl you love, and you have let go of the past. Do you have any plans of going after your girlfriend?” Uncle Sam asked. Jiro just shook his head. “I know that she is happy now. I have no plans of going after her. Maybe I'll enjoy my life first as a single guy.” he said. “Hao lah, hao lah... whatever it is that you will be doing next, I wish you the best, Jay. Would you like to come inside to have some coffee?” he offered. Jiro just smiled and shook his head. “I guess I'll linger here for a while then I'll go back to school.” he said. Uncle Sam smiled and nodded his head. “Hao lah, but if you changed my mind, just come inside my shop.” Jiro watched Uncle Sam as he walked towards his shop.
He was thankful that he was able to find him again. If it wouldn't be for Uncle Sam, he would have gone crazy. The past two months have been hard for him as well. He couldn't talk to his friends about the reason why he and Joy broke up, because he always thought that they would not understand him. He chose to let Joy go because he knew that he have hurt her enough. He broke up with Joy that night because he couldn't bear to see her cry because of him. He needed the space and time to forget his feelings for Tin, and as long as he is with Joy, it would be much harder for him. During those times, it was Uncle Sam who have listened to him and gave him advices. He was the one who made him realie his fault, and through him, he found the courage to let go of his past.
Jiro gazed into the ocean once again, and smiled. He took a deep breath, and as he exhaled. He felt that his heart was unburdened when he let go of the shell necklace. He doesn't know what the future holds for him, but he's sure that by the time he found a new love, he know he could love that girl whole-heartedly. Even though he have let go of the past, there is still a wish in his heart to see her once again.
--
Kit immediately got out of her car as soon as she reached the beach. She ran towards the shore., but she found it empty. “Jiro... where are you?” she thought. She walked towards the water, and then looked around again. She is just the only person around, and maybe she was too late. Maybe Jiro have already left. She began to walk. She doesn't want to lose hope. She just have to see Jiro now. “Jiro!” she called. She called his name several times, but no one seemed to have heard her. Kit sighed, as she is beginning to lose hope. As she looked down the ground. She saw the pink shell necklace. He knelt down, and then took it. “Jiro was here... Jay was here...” she thought. Why would Jay throw her necklace? She stood up, and then began to call him again. “Jay! Jay! Where are you?” she shouted. “Jay! Did you know how long I have waited for you? Why did you throw my necklace? Jay! Did you really forget our promise?” she shouted again.
At the other side of the beach, Jiro heard someone calling his name. He stood up from where he is seated, and began to look around. “Jay! Where are you? Are you going to make me wait for you again?” he heard someone shout. The voice seemed to familiar to him. He felt his heart beating fast as he listened to her call. “Tin...” he said to himself. Finally, after a long time, Tin came back into his life. Uncle Sam is right, just as he was about to give up, something or someone will come to give him a reason to hold on. He just hope that he is not yet too late, because Tin is not yet too late for him. She came just in time when he was about to let go of her. “Tin!” he shouted. “Tin! Where are you? I have waited for this day to see you again!” he shouted. Then, he heard her shout again. He ran, and followed where her voice is coming from.
Kit ran through the shore, following where Jiro's voice is. “Jay!” she called again. As she paused, he saw Jiro running towards him. As soon as Jiro saw Kit, he paused. He could not believe that Kit is Tin, the one that he was looking for all this time. “Tin...” he said in disbelief. How could he not know that Kit is Tin all this time? Kit looked at him, and then showed him the pink shell necklace in her hand. Jiro gasped as he saw the necklace with her. “Tin?” he said, walking towards her. “You... you have always kept this necklace...” she said as soon as he is in front of her. “But... but I don't understand why... why you still have this, and why you threw this necklace away...” she said. “I... I thought this is the only way I could let go of the past, but I was wrong...” he said to her. As he held her hands, he stared into her eyes. “I... I'm too late, am I?” she asked. Jiro smiled and shook her head. “No... you're just in time. Just in time before I let go...” he said. He gently caressed her cheeks, and she could see the tears in his eyes. “God knows I wanted to come back for you. God knows how guilty I am that I couldn't come back to keep my promise to you, Tin. It hurts me more.. because I've missed you too much. There are a lot of things I wanted to tell you... that I wanted to make you feel... but I couldn't...” he said to her. Kit just looked up at him, and she could also feel her tears. She have been waiting a long time for Jay, for him to come back. She never thought that he was with her all this time. He maybe too late, but he came back. He came back just in time when she's about to move on and forget her feelings for Calvin. “Now that I'm back.. will you give me that chance to make it up to you?” Jiro asked. Kit smiled and nodded her head. She reached for him and then touched his cheeks. Jiro smiled lovingly at her, and then held her hand that was touching him. Then, he leaned towards her, their eyes closed as their lips began to touch.
And the prince finally came back to the princess...
--
I never thought that the strong wind would be Jiro. He came back into Kit's life when she was about to let go, and he blew her away from her comfort zone, which is Calvin. The battered leaf have finally let go of the tree, and let the wind took her to a safe landing. Or so I thought...
Still, I wonder... who should be blamed when a leaf fell from a tree? Is it the wind that blew it away? Or the tree that let her go? Or is it the leaf who grew tired of holding on?
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