Snowflakes
by:
Anthony
It was mid January in the small outskirt of town named Sapporo, which is seemingly isolated from the main capital Tokyo. During the peak of winter season when most the blizzard occur the town is proven to be inaccessible. The winter had just began the rail leading to the town of Sapporo is slowly being covered by the soft bits of snow. Surroundings seems to be very gloomy, the sky is ominous. There is no sign of the sun. I saw a girl sitting beneath the cherry blossom tree while staring at a vanilla sky.
The bell rang, the students came rushing down to the stairway, can wait to go out. For them it’s not just an ordinary school day. As the bell rang, it signifies the end of the school year. For others it is consider being the most memorable moment that they have to cherished, especially for those student who is about to graduate. A few weeks from now, the graduation is going to be held, it is the time where most of the students say their final goodbye to their friends. For Sakura it’s a different story, for her this is the time for separation. The last time that he ever going to see the boy that changes her life. Sakura is a beautiful young lady with ebony silky hair. Her eyes are blue as the sky. No wonder why many boys in school adore her. Sakura is a bit reserve, probably based from her humble background that doesn’t please her admirer except for the boy who named Akira. Akira is a transfer student from Tokyo. His family lives and works there. Akira is staying in his grandmother traditional house. His mother decided to transfer him from the big city because his a bit rebellious and obstinate. Her mother always keeps on telling him to grow up. They believe that a simple life in a small town could somehow have a positive impact on his life.
Sakura was in third year when the first time he saw Akira. It was first day of school as the students began to sit on their sailor inspired ensemble. While the teacher introduces himself when they hear a loud bang from the door as it slowly creep open. He saw a boy with a confusing look to his eyes. Some of the girls began to shriek, realizing that a handsome boy could be their classmate. Akira rebellious look doesn’t seem to thrill Sakura except for some of the girls. Sakura simply look at him with contempt as he saw him with double ear piercing and a small dragon tattoo at the back of his neck. Akira always doesn’t adhere to the norm. His look made him belong to the popular group often entitled them the cool guys. When the girls saw them they always getting a cold feet, no wonder Akira could easily hook up with so many girls at school.
Weeks had passed Sakura remains unnoticed, while Akira instantly became more popular in the school as he gained so many friends. Probably most of the students truly admired him for he posses such a good looks but also he exceel in many ways like sports except academic. Every afternoon while most of the students began to leave for home, I saw a boy who was left behind alone sitting benneath the willow tree while playing his favorite classic string guitar.
Sakura is about to leave home after spending hours at the library doing research about her homework. She is strolling along the hallway as she passes the main door, when she hear this melodic song coming outside. Sakura was fascinated that she felt being lured throught the source of this song. As she came closer she was struct knowing that it was Akira singing under the willow tree clinching his guitar along his lap while striking the string. Sakura never saw this side of Akira before, how can a person whom she depise has a softer side onto him. She was captivated by Akira sweet voice that she never realize that Akira began to notice her litsening. Akira suddenly stop singing. Sakura was back to her sensen as she realize that Akira began to notice her listening in the foreground. This is the first time thier destiny collided as they stare blanky at each other. Sakura began to fell this tingly feeling that she never felt before with Akira and she never expected to. Sakura chicks began to glow pinkish, not knowing what to do she simply nod his head away from Akira and she simply walk away.
It was a windy afternoon, the students began to go home as the clock turns to 5 o clock. They use the small scooter as the basic mode of transportation. Sakura prepare to say goodbye to her friend heading on the different direction. She humps in to her scooter and starts the motor. The road leading to her house is a bit winding and steep inclined. Sakura hit the accelerator pedal knowing that she needs to get home before it gets dark. Halfway through the engine began to clunk knowing that their something wrong she instantly pulls over and stop the scooter. She tried to check the scooter and ignite the engine but it would no longer start all over again. Sakura was so worried she is way too far to go back and knowing that she is already late for home. She ran over to nearby hill hoping she could find someone. She saw above and it was a vanilla sky. As she ran closer to the hill, she saw into the horizon lurking a silhouette of a boy. Sakura ran faster hoping he could seek some help. As she came closer she realizes a familiar face. Of all those people she is less expecting to find is a boy named Akira. They stare at each other puzzled. Sakura has no choice but to ask Akira if he could help her. Akira simply smiled and told her to wait and sit with him because he is waiting for something. Sakura is a bit confused but at her situation right now she really does need some help.
As they sat on the top hill, cold wind rattles the grass. The green meadows slowly disappearing as the moon illuminates them. The sky was not that clear yet the moon light penetrate right through it. Silence engulfs them as they watch the gleaming light of the town in the distance. Sakura notice an elaborate tattoo on Akira hands. She asks him what is the meaning of his tattoo. Akira simply replied and told her that the reason that he place a snowflakes pattern tattoo on his hands because it always remind him of something and aside from that, winter is his favorite season. Although Sakura is not satisfied with Akira she never dares to ask for more about his tattoo. As night grew deeper they shared so many things about their life. The first time that Sakura see Akira smile. Even she herself could not believe that she is talking to this boy. Sakura felt compared to the other boys that she meet, their something about Akira that make him different. For the first time in his life she felt this tingly feeling of sadness and longing from Akira eyes. What she saw is something different from the rebellious image on what Akira is known for. The need to comfort Akira from his despair made her grew closer to him. How two strangers can gain so much connection for a little time they spent all together? They talk as if they don’t care about the world. As the conversation become intense. They suddenly shared some intimate moments when their lips softly touch each other. At that moment they saw a strict of light bursting from the ground racing towards the heaven. That is the rocket lunching that Akira is waiting. It is truly a spectacle event.
Days turn to weeks, weeks turn to months and months turn to years. Sakura believe its one of the best chapter of her life. Sometimes faith really does behave in mysterious ways for turning two people with different personalities becoming great lovers.
The day of the graduation grew nearer. Sakura felt that she has a bee on her bonnet. She could not realize that the best chapter of her life will finally come to end. How can such a beautiful story doesn’t have a happy ending. Akira will transfer back Tokyo leaving Sakura behind. Sakura’s parents could not afford on sending her to private school across Tokyo. Sakura will simply going to pursue her high school years in a nearby town of Osaka. Sakura is weeping knowing that he could no longer be with the boy that she love so much same thing with Akira. Akira desperately makes certain adjustment in order for Sakura to get a scholarship among the private school in Tokyo but yet it is seemingly impossible. Akira felt that he is between a rock and a hard place.
The day of the graduation draws in, by the end of the ceremony the student say their farewell to each other. The atmosphere of the entire hall is a combination between joy and sorrow.
Akira saw Sakura weeping as he simply pulls her away and bring her back to the top of the hill where the first time they meet. They saw a cherry blossom clinging on the top of the hill as it shredding its pink petals signifies the beginning of the winter season. The ground is litter with cherry blossom petals, as they sat beneath the tree. They lean on each other. Sakura lightly ask Akira while tears drooling over her chin of what is going to happen now to them. Akira simply smiles back at her without even saying a single word, knowing that everything is going to be ok. Sakura look at him with a blank face. Time passes bye Sakura anxiety grew bigger knowing that this is the last time they are going to spend on the top of the hill. She suddenly broke down. Its time! Akira said while trying to comfort her. The only promise that Akira left out in the open is when the springs arrive he will come back. Akira slowly gives her a cold kiss in the lips and began distancing himself leaving Sakura behind weeping. Sakura could not believe that the nightmare that she fears is now happening. The figure of Akira in the foreground is slowly disappearing. Sakura remains standing their controlling the feeling of chasing Akira to comeback but it didn’t happen. Sakura suddenly felt cold bits of snowflakes touches her nose as it slowly began to snow.
Years had passed, the remnants of Akira slowly fading away from Sakura’s memory. She waited for so long that her heart simply dies along of longing and waiting.
It was spring break, Sakura return back to her beloved town Sapporo. Spring break signifies the end of the semester; students were excited to take their vacation. Others who are privilege enough can afford to have their vacation outside the country. Sakura felt weary all year long and desperately needed a break. She just wanted to go back home and lay low.
Sakura entered their front porch. She saw her mother waving at her cant wait to welcome her back. By the end of their supper her mother modestly handed out a letter that is place inside a pink envelope. She was unaware that the letter that she was about to read came from Akira that was sent a year ago. Her mother did not hesitate to forward the message to Sakura because it is written the envelope “when the spring came”. All of the memories, the laughter they share, the sweet intimate moments they have slowly gained reminiscence to Sakura mind. She simply broke down weeping while reading the letter. It wrote this way
My Dearest Sakura,
I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to say my final goodbye. It hurts seeing you in pain at the moment I left you out in the cold. I never intended to say my final goodbye because I really thought I have the courage to return back after the first winter but I was wrong.
Remember the snowflakes, the reason that I engrave it in my hands is for me not to forget the most special person in my life Hayumi. It has been four years now since I lost her. She passed away from the accident while we are driving during the blizzard. Winter has always been significant to me because it always made me feel that she is still around every time the snowflakes fall down. I knew it’s her way of reaching me out. I thought I could no longer recover from this torment that I felt rotting me inside me until the day that I found you. Your blue eyes always reminded me Hayumi. Every time she looks at me I knew everything is going to be ok. Please forgive me I thought I’m ready to set my heart open again but I was wrong. I need to find the way on my own now hoping that someday this wound will simply heal itself. I’m grateful that I met you somehow you help me relieve from my misery and realize that there is still hope. When you felt lonely just remember the snowflakes and I will come to comfort you.
Akira
The winter season came I saw a girl sitting on top of the hill beneath the cherry blossom tree while staring at the blank sky. It was Sakura. The cold wind brushes gently brushes against her body. Suddenly snow began to fall as the small droplets of snowflake hit her face she simply smiles.
