A Letter Away From You

Chapter 19

Marrying under the succulent savor of ramen and sushi was one of the first things that came to mind when Mom pronounced where we were headed. 

However, one little detail is still jumping around in my retinas after hearing about Japan: the cherry blossoms. 

Many were inspired by these trees that blossomed flower petals. 

It gave them a choice to name their stores after the variant, while some decided to cook treats with a new flavor they call "sakura." 

It may be a wonder in their eyes, but it speaks a whole lot more for me. 

Perhaps joyride of memories, I can say. 

Because that place is a destination for a long-written promise is going to be held. 

"Under the trees with pink leaves." At first, I tickled myself off due to what you wrote me. Impossible, right? 

You weren't the type to spew nonsense out of a sudden. 

Right after, days passed by, and you left me hanging. 

Clinging to an untrustworthy seal of letters, I had no idea where it came from. But things do really have their way of getting back to you. 

First, the email. Just six days before your vow, you send me a message—something I had to decode before I could understand. You missed me, I thought. 

Because why in the world would you save our past conversations, or you've been already doing that from the start. 

Then, this unplanned trip. 

I hated to be the particular person sitting right in the corner of the car seats on a road trip. Traveling the world is still unchecked in my life bucket list, one I'd like to do with the best people in life. 

But destiny sure likes us both. That is if you still remember your promise. I

 hope to see you, on the sixth. 

"The due date is already next week Faye." Jasmine reminded me as we walked the busy streets of this mall. 

Yes Jas, we'll be going to Japan, and not long his eyes will I see. 

"Yes, I'll be seeing him there." I belted at her with a smile displayed on my face. 

Jasmine paused for a second before giving her reply, "Oh, I meant your book publish date." She lowered the sunglasses latching on her nose even though the fiery sun was not touching us.

The little girl in me thought we were on the same page.

"Oh of course, my book signing." I took a sip of her "cocktail". A simple concoction of orange soda with squeezes of lemon lime. Minus the alcohol, this hits a sweet spot in my throat.

Jasmine swiped the drink away from my clutches, defending her claim. "They're just the same thing."

My feeble debating skills wouldn't even leave a scratch on Jasmine's perseverance. A lone duck against a pack of wolves, not a chance right?

"But what do you mean you'll be seeing him?" Jasmine butted in my zone. 

Just the thought of what I'd be doing in Japan and what I'm expecting in that faraway place hurts the back of my mouth. Even up to this date, your letters are still as promising as I first heard about them back then. A soulless ghost was what I was clinging to. A plain canvas with no real value. Just downright flat. 

"Nothing, I just meant our family friends in Japan." My lips chuckled in an attempt to cover up my real intentions.

"Japan?" The woman sitting right across me had a question mark drawn all over her face and body. "So you're having a vacation after your book publishing?"

Wait a minute. Something's not right here.

"Wait a second Jas." II halted our conversation in a rush to check the contents of my cellphone. Clicking the calendar, I just realized the big reds in the dates. The color that symbolizes a conflict in my schedule. 

Placing both my palms above my head was all I could do, as both events could not be moved. My book signing on the fifth is the day we'll fly out of this city.

In the spur of the moment, my voice became bamboozled as panic gushed through my nerves.

"What do I do Jas? What do I do?" I keep repeating the same question to my expectedly thunderstruck friend. 

Calming me down, Jasmine tucked her hands toward my shoulders, "What do you mean?"

In a mere span of ten seconds, I uttered the following sentences, "I am signing my book next week, during the same day we're leaving for Japan because of Uncle Dan, I expect to see Uriah there but at the same time I don't, I don't know what's more important and I am doomed."

From left to right, heads flocked together as the whisper I imagined in my mind turned out to be a loud cry. 

"Shh, you're being crazy." Jasmine pushed his hands into my mouth, stopping my tiny tantrum. 

"Take a deep breath and talk it out slowly so I can understand." The look in Jasmine's eyes hurled me back into my seat.

After a couple of nods and a mouthful of bites, I finally explained the whole situation to Jasmine. Not that I'm sure if she truly understands.

"Do you understand?" I raised a question for my obviously genius partner.

"I'm not a five-year-old, of course I understand." She launched back at me with her usual nagging tone. 

Okay, I'm convinced. They say one word is enough for a wise man, but this lady in front of me seems like she may need another. 

"Uhm, when was it again?" Jasmine in a smiling face nudged me into telling her again.

"The fifth of June Jas." I let out a sigh. "I've already told you a thousand times, now what do I do." My eyes started to water, as I didn't know which needed to come first: career or family? And maybe, a little bit of hope. 

A lightbulb shone above Jasmine's head, as if an idea engulfed her.

"What is it?" I asked.

Jasmine smirked at me,

"I just have the perfect solution."