The Little Girl
in A Cherry Blossom Room
Oleh : Rita Lim
 |
| Foto By : www.pixabay.com |
Summer’s lambency warmly irradiated my body which was still lying
on my pink bed.
“Uhmm,
hoams...What time is it?? Huh....No! It’s already 8 am, I
am late!” I said,
shocked.
With a rush, I tried to prepare
myself and grab everything I needed for the interview as fast as I could.
“How can I forget about today’s job interview?? Argghh I am
going to lose it again if I cannot be there by 9 am. Bad day as ever!” I sighed.
It has been 3 years since I graduated
from college as a Bachelor of English Literature
from a famous college in Japan. However, till date I am still struggling
to find a proper job; not because I can’t get a job but because none of them
suited my passion. That’s the main reason why I quit every single job I had. Before
graduating from college, I thought
that office work might be interesting and fun.
However, sometimes we
should understand that the reality is not as beautiful as what we’ve imagined.
I ended up working in an office all day and went home at midnight. I felt like
I was being trapped in a prison because of this routine of mine. I can’t take this
anymore. No more! And just like every other time, I quit my job.
So here I am now, a 26 years old woman struggling to find a
proper job for a brighter future. My watch showed 9 am now, I don’t think I
have a chance to make it to the interview
but I guess it’s worth a try. So I
took a deep breath and entered that small pet shop with a little hope in my
heart. From afar,
the owner threw a friendly smile and welcomed me and soon the interview began. A few
minutes passed since the interview and she informed me that I had passed my
interview and that I could start working tomorrow.
Just
like that my everyday life began in this pet shop. It would start by wiping the dust on the
goods in the store to taking care of animals. Days passed and without even realizing,
it’s been 5 months since I started working here…….until the biggest nightmare
happened.
I
was suddenly moved to the grooming section. At first, I thought it was quite
easy. However the reality was horrible; the scent
of the animals mixed with the scent of air freshener, it is far worse than what
you’re thinking. I wondered why the workers here are so happy with this smell
filling the entire place. Things become worse when I have to bathe cats or dogs
that hate water. Oh my God, I couldn’t stand it anymore.
That
morning as usual, I spent my day in the grooming section.
"Uhh finally, I done bathing this Chihuahua.
Hello sweetie, you know what? You are the best among all the animals I’ve ever
taken care of” I laughed bitterly which was rewarded by a confused stare from
the Chihuahua.
While
putting the Chihuahua back in its cage, I turned to the front desk where the
veterinarian was welcoming guests who came for a consultation. Suddenly the door
opened and in came a handsome man with a Persian cat in his arms. With his
proportional body wrapped in a black long sleeved shirt and navy blue pants with
the latest version of Nike limited edition shoes, he looked amazing.
"Oh
Lord, if only I was a veterinarians. Surely I would be the one in charge of
welcoming the guests who came including that handsome man". I stared at
him, hoping he would come in the grooming section too.
However a dream is just a dream. After the consultation, he left
his cat with the veterinarian and immediately left the pet shop. Shortly after
he stepped out, the veterinarian escorted his cat to me.
Doctor
Yuri explained about this cat’s sensitive behavior and mentioned everything I
should do whilst giving it to me and then got going. I carried it to bath tub
but as soon as its feet touched the water, the cat started moaning and tried to
escape. I tried my best to hold it but ended up getting several scratches on my
face.
“Ahhhh
my face!! Hey please help, that cat has escaped" Thankfully I was able to
get the attention of the staff and other people in present in the shop.
"Miss
Meguri, are you ok?" Asked Doctor Yuri with an anxious face.
"Urghh I’ve had enough with all this.
Sorry Yuri, but I quit". I took my stuff and walked away.
"Meguri,
wait!" Yuri shouted, about to stop me but it was useless, for everything that
have happened here for the past few days gave me enough reason to forsake
this place. Taking care of animals is simply not my passion so I quit.
So
here I am, ended up being
a cashier in a small shop that belongs to my family in Kyoto
Prefecture. From Tokyo I was forced to go back to Kyoto in order to save money,
because the rent of my apartment in Tokyo was quite expensive.
Again,
my mom’s flat-face greeted my return. She wasn’t surprised or anything for she has seen
me quit so many jobs before. She simply didn’t understand why working based on my
passion was so important to me. Currently, I spend my time sitting lazily at the
cashier in our peculiar Kyoto bread store which was fairly deserted on weekdays
but crowded on weekends. I got tired of this yet I had no choice since I have no money to
return to Tokyo.
"Excuse
me, how much does it cost? Ehh, Satomi-chan? Is that you?" Said a shrill voice of a girl who
began approaching me out of nowhere.
"I'm
sorry but could you..." I was just about to get angry with this girl who
surprised me. Nevertheless, when I looked up, her familiar face was much more
shocking than her voice.
"Momoka?
You really are Momoka! When did you arrive in Kyoto? Aren't you working as a surgeon
in Sapporo?" I asked cheerfully to my old Senior High friend. She began
to tell me about her transfer to Kyoto due to the lack of surgeons here. While
telling her story, she stopped abruptly and asked me about my job. I told her about my problems, hoping
that she would understand and help come up with a solution. However it turned
out even Momoka couldn’t understand about my passion.
"Satomi,
I understand you are the type of person who will take pains in terms of doing
what you like, but the problem is you're not really at that age to talk about
passion anymore”
Well,
honestly her answer was a little disappointing to me. Apparently even she couldn’t understand what I felt, indeed it was just meaningless to
continue.
"Haha Momoka you're right. We’re getting
older, aren’t
we? Hahah calm down. I will definitely get a job again. I was just taking a
break while waiting for my next job interview " I lied.
"You
are the one who is getting old hahah. Why don’t you join me at the shelter homes
for cancer patients around here tomorrow? You've got some free time right?
"
Initially
that did not interest me at all. For me there was no point in visiting places where
people with a deadly disease stayed because surely it would be sad and
disappointing. It won't help me in any way instead it will only make things worse. I better not go right? I
thought. However, when I was about to open my mouth, Momoka continued her words
with a sincere smile. Her expression was indescribable.
"There
is a child I would like to introduce to you. She was a stage 4 brain cancer patient
but she's different and special. You have to see her for yourself" She then gave me a mysterious gaze. It
enhanced my curiosity, and then I thought that there is no harm if I just paid
a visit.
"Well
Momo, I will go with you. Meet me tomorrow at 4 p.m. Ok?”
"Ok,
I will see you tomorrow" she said smiling.
Under
the rosy evening sky, I scoured all the way on to the edge of the river which
was a place where I often visited during senior high school with Momoka. "Is
the place still far from here?" I asked curiously.
"Be
patient, it is only a few blocks from here" Momoka’s utterance was responded with a
nod from me and
so we went on with our trip. Shortly we arrived at the shelter for the cancer
patients. The building was white in color which made it look way too boring
deservedly a hospital in general but I was given a huge shock after seeing the
interior of the building.
It was very vibrant with toys in every room.
Each room was designed so beautifully so that the
children here can be happy and not get stressed. Some of the healthier children
were playing together with dolls while some were still lying in their bed
reading a couple of books accompanied by a nurse. Shortly after that, we
finally arrived in a pink cherry blossom themed room. There was a little girl who was lying
on her bed while reading a travel book.
"Good
afternoon Yue-chan, how are you today? Wow what kind of book you are reading
now? It looks interesting" Momoka greeted with a bright smile.
"Ahhh Momo-san, I'm as good as ever, I
am reading a book about Paris. It is
truly such a magnificent city. It makes me want to go there so badly and also travel to
other countries as soon as I recover" She said enthusiastically.
Momentarily, I was touched by her enthusiasm. How can a little girl who’s
convicted of stage 4 brain cancer look so care-free, with such a big dream that she has carried
up until now, her face shone without any sadness or desperation. I have to
admit that her spirit stunned me and it gave her a little space in my heart.
"Hi
Yue-chan, my name is Satomi. Glad to meet you".
"Ohh
are you a friend of Momo-san who often caught dragonflies during Senior High? Ahah I have heard a lot about
you from Momo-san. My name is Himeka Yue. I am glad to meet you too Satomi-san" She replied with a
cheerful smile full of life.
Now
I realize that everything Momoka had told me about this girl was right.
At that moment, I looked at Momoka and she gave me a meaningful smile and I understood her point. Since
then, whenever my shop was closed, I took time to visit Yue and accompany her.
There
was a lot of things that she told me about, including about her family who had died in a plane
crash 5 years ago, and how she survived from that horrifying incident and how
she finally ended up in this place. This girl’s life remarkably was a miracle
for me. She was able to stand up so sturdily until now although her life is so
messed up.
Shortly
after the accident, precisely 3 years ago she was convicted with cancer. After
listening to her life story, I immensely hoped that she would recover soon. After that, for the first time in my
life, I went to the temple near my house praying that Yue would be cured one
day. However, it looked like the heavens loved her more than me.
2
months later her illness conquered her body and she wasn’t able to fight it anymore.
The chemotherapy and treatment couldn’t fight against the virus in her body.
She finally dropped a cue in the silence in the room she was being treated. Before
she was gone, I settled beside her while looking at her long hair which has
completely fallen out on the floor. Nonetheless, she was still able to laugh and
said something that wrenched my heart even when she found it hard to breathe.
"Satomi-san,
last night I had a dream that mother came up to me and we were traveling to many countries. I was so glad to see my mother and
my brother looking healthy. I am longing to see their faces once again. I wish
I could take them to Paris and meet many new people. I'd love to see you once
again mom" She said in such a weak sincere smile; a smile so bright even
when she was in her worst condition. It was extremely painful to me.
How
can this be possible? A little girl who was at death’s door yet still smiling
and had big dreams while I was still engaged in desperation and was about to
give up on life. Himeka Yue's death changed my way of viewing life. For the
first time in life there is a figure that has inspired me to do something I
really love.
I
have touched by Yue’s life experience which was full of hopes and dreams. Therefore,
I want to embody her ideals bringing everyone under blissfulness while
visiting beautiful places in the world.
"Mom!!
I'm leaving now, see you later Dad" I said while carrying a suitcase to Momoka’s
car.
"Be
careful on your trip Satomi. Come back to Kyoto when you have free time"
said my mother while waving at me.
"Yes
Mom I promise. Bye" And I hit the road with Momoka to Kyoto airport.
Currently
I have been accepted to work in an international tour agency in Tokyo that
provides services for those who want to travel across the country and this is part of my life purpose
now. For some reason I was so happy and I couldn't wait to start working
immediately. Indeed this is the first time I have ever felt so excited about
something in my life.
That
night I finally arrived at Tokyo and the next day was the first day I worked as
a tour guide at that international tour agency.
"Good
morning Miss Meguri. In 3 more days you will accompany one family who will
travel to France. So make sure you have collected all the tourist information
and culinary as well as additional information that are required for this tour. Do you understand?"
Asked the manager of my division. Go
to France? Was this the answer from heaven to me? I smiled seeing that this
fact was so coincidental.
"Ok
ma’am, I understand".
Then came the day when I had to travel with that family to
France. Early morning I waited for them at Tokyo International Airport. Their car arrived in front of the
departure gates shortly after.
Suddenly
an elegant woman stepped out from that luxurious car along with her parents and a gentleman. When I looked closer, I realized that he was the handsome man at the pet shop I worked
a year ago. Jeez, how cruel this is to me. I was so startled until I was
unable to speak but the warm greeting from that pretty girl woke me up from my
delusion.
"I'm
sorry Miss, are you our tour guide?" She asked with a gentle smile
sculpted on her face.
"Ah,
yes right, I'm your tour guide for this trip. My name is Meguri Satomi. I hope all of you
will enjoy this trip" I said politely. I took a glimpse at that man and
his expression while hearing my name was a bit shocked. I had no intention to stare at him
longer than this as his face was remarkably bizarre, it drove me crazy for I
really couldn’t understand him even a bit.
"Let's
go to the waiting room for our plane will take off in less than an hour" I
said while escorting them to the waiting room. To be honest, I was so happy as
I had a chance to meet the man who I have dreamed about.
However,
I still couldn’t believe that this would lead me to meet him again. I'm truly
grateful. I gave them a smile before heading to the toilet for a bit. While sitting
on the waiting room, that dashing man named Kenzo looked like was watching over
Satomi carefully. Inside his mind he was reminded of the incident that had
happened a few years ago.
That
time Kenzo had met a girl who always worked overtime in his office yet always arrived on time the
next day. The girl always seemed so lively and cheerful which made Kenzo
bewitched.
One
day, the girl suddenly walked into his room which was the Director of the
company. Unexpectedly she wanted to resign which of course had made Kenzo
shocked and indeed she didn’t recognized Kenzo as he deliberately covered his
face so that Satomi wouldn’t know that he is the Director of that company.
Curious
and nervous, he then asked the reason behind her resignation. However her
answer back then had successfully amazed his heart. She said that it is not
important how high the level of her job is yet it will be useless if she is not
happy. Even though Kenzo had offered the position of manager to her, she still
remained sturdy that her passion for work isn’t just about money.
On
top of that, she just wanted to work at something that would make her happy. It
is something meaningful that couldn’t be measured based on the material she got.
Kenzo was extremely stunned by the confidence she possessed until she moved to work in a pet shop, Kenzo deliberately visited that pet
shop bringing his beloved Persian cat just for the sake of seeing her.
Unfortunately
at that moment he could only caught a glimpse of someone similar to Satomi
instead of meeting her immediately. However, when he decided to come back again
the next day, Satomi had quit from there. Even so Kenzo was still trying hard to
find her through every work place in Tokyo but he found nothing.
Right when Kenzo was about to forget her and had almost forgotten her, destiny brought them to meet each
other again
at the Airport. Kenzo was so surprised to
see Satomi happy as a tour guide. Of course this time Kenzo won’t miss the opportunity. He was determined that he would introduce himself properly to Satomi this time.
"Zo,
Kenzo Hey! What the heck were you doing earlier? Stop daydreaming, you haven’t introduce
yourself to Miss Meguri yet so quickly introduce yourself" The voice of that pretty girl who
seemed like Kenzo’s elder sister successfully woke him up.
"Ahh
Yes I'm sorry, hay Meguri-san my name is Kenzo" He said politely while bowing to me.
"Hi
Kenzo-san nice to meet you, I hope all of you will enjoy this trip, please ask
me if you need help" I said politely which was replied by a smile from Kenzo’s
elder sister as well as himself. Finally
we were able to become closer with each other and always kept in touch.
I
have never imagined my accidental encounters with Yue could change my life like
this. She is not
only inspired me through her life story, but also gave me a valuable life
experience. Through the encounter of the girl in that cherry blossoms room, her
beauty and her strength has given me so many life lessons about how important it
is to be grateful of what we have, and that the happiness of life is as simple
as being thankful with everything that has happened.
Thank
you Yue, because of you my life has turned into such a beautiful and meaningful
one. Many things happened in my life and I have learned to be grateful in
everything.
***
TENTANG PENULIS
Rita adalah seorang
mahasiswa S1 jurusan Public Relations di STIKOM LSPR Jakarta yang sejak SMP
telah memiliki ketertarikan dalam dunia penulisan cerita baik itu cerpen maupun
novel. Ia juga sempat menjadi juara 2 diperlombaan karya cerpen di SMP nya dulu
serta baru-baru ini, pada tahun 2016 ia kembali mengikuti lomba menulis cerpen
dalam bahasa inggris tingkat Nasional di UNTAR dan kembali menyabet gelar juara
2. Ia sangat senang
menulis dikala ada waktu luang, bahkan laptopnya pun penuh dengan kumpulan
cerita yang masih belum di terbitkan. Ia berencana akan mencoba mengirim
beberapa karya nya kepada penerbit tahun ini. Silahkan berkunjung ke BLOG miliknya www.huiqinstory.blogspot.com untuk mengenalnya lebih jauh.
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