Myne

Fourteen

Yuki couldn’t concentrate at work. It was as if something was tugging at her head, not allowing her even a minute of quiet. How could she work in such a state? Still, she tried her hardest until after lunch. Then, she gave up. She signed off. Grabbed her things. Said goodbye to her friends. And headed home. She was expecting to find Rain, reading another book she had borrowed from the town library. It was great to have a daughter who loved reading and books so much. And then, it became troubling, because books seemed to be all of Rain’s life. There was space for Emi, and them, but everything else was books. Would Rain be okay like this? 

She didn’t ring the bell, or knock on the door. She had a set of keys. She unlocked the door. Pushed it open quietly. Walked in. The smile was on. The hello was ready. The moment she saw her daughter, however, she froze. Rain was asleep in her room, on the bed. But something was off. 

*

It wasn’t just that it was their first date night. Since they found out they were pregnant, this was the first date. Period. The idea itself had come from a movie they watched last weekend. The couple in the movie made sure they had a date night every month. The movie wasn’t about the date night, of course. But the date night was the start of the central conflict of the movie, it was during the dinner that the wife revealed the secret she had been wanting to tell for a while now. Yuki and Anon didn’t want a date night as exciting. But they were excited at the prospect. 

Yuki and Anon were in school together. In the same class. They weren’t even friends then. Just acquaintances who knew each other from class. And then, they graduated school. Went to the same college. The same department. The same class too. The first day, they saw each other in class. Smiled, like a pair who shared a great secret. The first day was mostly introductions, be it the students introducing themselves to each other, or the professors and students introducing themselves to all of the class. And there were short discussions about the course syllabus and the study plan. After class, the two said byes to the new friends they made, and decided to share a meal. Just the two of them. They were caught, of course, by their new friends and classmates. They were teased. Boyfriend and girlfriend from school getting into the same college, the love still running strong. It was the teasing that planted the seed in their hearts. Sure enough, to no one’s surprise, they were a couple by the end of the first semester. On the final day of college, he proposed. She accepted. They were engaged before graduation. Exactly two months later, they were married. 

They were together, everyday, every night, always. They worked in the same office for two years. They started their company together. And that was how they planned to be the rest of their life. Together. 

“Do you think we should do it too?” Anon asked after the movie. 

The three were in front of the movie. Rain was between them, asleep. She had fallen asleep at the end of the movie. Before the credits rolled by, Rain was deep asleep. And the couple were looking into each other, with the song from the movie’s soundtrack playing as background to them. 

“What?” Yuki asked. 

“Date night,” Anon said, grinning leerily. 

Unfortunately, it came out as sheepish. And only served to amuse Yuki, who knew him much too well. 

“Sure,” Yuki agreed. “How long has it been? Since the last date?” 

“Five years? No, six. Rain is five. The last time we had a date, we realised you were late. Skipped on wine. Came home, with the test. And realised we were pregnant. Haven’t had a date since.” 

“Do I hear blame?” 

“Blame? No. Sorrow, yes. Don’t you agree that it’s sad? We are still very much in love. We should be celebrating that. Not reminiscing about dates from so long ago.” 

Yuki laughed. Nodded. And that was ignition. 

They didn’t need a babysitter. The Raisons, their neighbours, Emi Raison Rain’s best friend, would be more than happy looking after Rain for a night. The biggest thing covered, they moved on. Made reservations. Went shopping. Yuki for a dress. Anon was a shirt and pants. They were putting in the effort to show they were serious. 

Before leaving, they showed off to Rain, who applauded them, and cheered for them. They dropped Rain off at the neighbours. And went off to dinner. It was a beautiful night. They affirmed their love once more. Came home late. Drunk. High. Excited. It was like they were back in college. The night was aglow in a pink hue. 

Next morning, blushing and embarrassed, the couple went over to the neighbours’. They were prepared for a round of teasing. They were instead met with silence. And worry. Something was wrong with Rain. 

*

Yuki went over. Kneeled by the bedside. Her hands resting on Rain’s. She shook Rain gently. Called out. 

“Rain. Darling, wake up. Are you not feeling well? Are you sick anywhere? Wake up darling, and tell me.” 

All the worry that had tormented her all day was realised, as she kept shaking Rain to no avail. The memories she wished were forgotten, returned, stronger than ever. Her face fell. Her eyes filled up. Tears spilled. Flowed down her face. Ruining her face. Sobs broke her voice. Though she was losing strength fast, she shook harder. At least, that was her intent. She couldn’t know if she succeeded. In the end, inevitably, she gave up. 

Then, she reached for her phone. Called Anon. The moment she heard his voice from the other end, she broke down. 

“Annie, Rain’s not waking up. I’m shaking her. I’m calling her. She’s not waking up.” 

“Yuyu, I’m coming home,” he said. “Don’t you worry. I’m coming now.” 

Letting the phone fall, Yuki remained kneeling by Rain’s side. Her eyes rooted on Rain’s sleeping face. Not feeling the tears. Not feeling anything. 

Anon arrived the fastest he could. Not much had changed since the phone call. Less than a minute later, Jordan arrived too. And the two men, the two fathers, took charge immediately.