I was walking through the park when I saw a couple of little children playing at the sand-box. They were happily piling up the sand and minding their own business. Looking at them, my mind took me elsewhere, back when I was 5 years old and played in a sand-box with a childhood friend.
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“Ohayou Aoi-chan, you’re early.” Tamaki-kun greeted me as he joined me in the sand. The playground at the park during a Saturday morning is usually empty. Since it’s just a block across my house it’s easy for me to get here as early as I want.
Wearing my powder blue dress I was sitting in the middle of the sand box and smiled at him.
”Hai! I wanted to reserve the sand-box for us Tamaki-kun,” I said while I collecting sand into my small pail.
Tamaki who was wearing a red and blue striped shirt and khaki shorts, sat beside me and grabbed a handful of sand then poured it into my pail.
”So what are we building today?” He asked me as he collected more sand.
”I want to make a monument.”
“Eh??? A monument? Is that something like the Taj Majal???”
“Yeah… How did you know I was thinking of that?”
“I just have a feeling you sneaked to watch the television last night again. Can’t we just make the pyramids? It’s much easier…”
I pouted at him and stopped piling up the sand.
“But I want to make a Taj Majal.”
“It’s hard Aoi-chan… let’s just make the pyramids.”
“You shouldn’t have asked me what I wanted to do if you were planning on making the pyramids.” I sat there scowling at him with my arms folded across my chest.
“Ok then, you make the Taj Majal and I’ll make the pyramids.”
Taking another small pail, he stood up then went to the other side of the sand box and prepared to make his pyramid. I was left alone contemplating with myself.
Making the Taj Majal is not fun if I’m alone.
Grudgingly I trudged towards Tamaki-kun’s place and helped him with the pyramids. I wasn’t happy with the idea but eventually I gave way and was soon enjoying it.
We were solemnly doing our work when we heard footsteps from behind. Both of us turned at the same time to see a man and woman holding hands. Tamaki-kun and I were curious enough to stare at them. The woman gave a box of chocolate to the man, I knew it was a box of chocolate because it’s the same box I had at home. The man gently took the box from the woman's hand and smiled. He stood there holding the box while he looked at her in a way I couldn’t understand. Suddenly my eyes went big as a frisbee when I saw him put his lips on hers.
My mom and dad kissed me every night before I went to sleep, but the kiss that I just saw was different from their kiss. It was long and both of their eyes were closed. I stared at them with my eyes wide open while Tamaki-kun was exactly like me, wide eyed and staring. After a couple of minutes they broke apart. The woman encircled her hands around the man’s arm and leaned at him as they walked away from the park.
When the two strangers were gone from our sight, Tamaki-kun and I turned to face each other. A long moment of silence passed between us. Suddenly I stood up and run back towards my house. After a couple of minutes I came back to the sand box where Tamaki-kun continued making the pyramids.
“Tamaki-kun, I want to give you something,” he turned his head to look at me while he was sitting on the sand.
“What’s that on your back?” he asked.
I showed the same box that the woman gave to the man. When Tamaki-kun saw the box of chocolates he stood up and walked towards me. He was smiling goofily then took the box from my hand. Right then and there he did what the man just did. He planted his lips into mine. I closed my eyes and smiled… that was my first kiss. But I never knew what it meant.
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Smiling at myself at the middle of the park, I felt crazy. I looked around if anyone noticed that I was smiling by myself. Thankfully no one was watching.
It has been so long since I last saw Tamaki-kun. A few weeks after that incident, his family moved away. We never got in touch after that since I didn’t know how to write or use the phone. Although I never saw him again, that memory remained engraved in my mind. Having several relationships in the past, I learned how to kiss well. I also learned that a girl’s time to give out chocolates was during Valentines Day and kissing… kissing was something intimate if it was with the right person.
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“Aoi-san, here are the drafts for the business meeting this afternoon. The interior is already decided by the project committee and the rest of the plans are already enclosed in this folder. The chairman for the show is already waiting for you in the conference room. I already prepared the LCD projector and your power point.” Inoue Mao my faithful secretary oriented me briefly while walking by my side towards the conference room.
Being a CEO of a fashion firm is hard but also fun. I love my job and the perks that come along with it. Meaning, I get a whole new wardrobe of signature clothes for free every time I host a fashion show.
Stopping right in front of the conference door, I looked at the folder to look at the name of the chairman. My eyes widened as I read it.
“Hiroshi Tamaki, Vogue Japan chairman.” I whispered to myself.
“Is there something wrong Aoi-san?” Mao asked while looking at me worriedly. I shook my head at her.
“No... nothing’s wrong Inoue. Everything’s absolutely fine.” Staring at the door and imagining the man sitting inside the room… I wonder what he looks like now. It has been years since I’ve last seen him.
Closing my eyes, I internalized my lines for the presentation and set aside my childhood memories. Letting my professionalism run through me, I relaxed. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and walked in.
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The meeting took longer than expected. I acted as professional as I could in front of Tamaki-kun.
I’m not yet sure if I’m still allowed to call him with a kun.
Although I tried to keep my cool, I can’t help feeling giddy inside. Finally I was able to see him again after all these time. These past couple of years he has morphed into a handsome image. Wearing a Calvin Klein business suit with a pair of Dr. Marten loafers, he could as well pass being a model for the up coming runway.
All my illusions of catching up with Tamaki-kun faded away throughout my time with him. During the whole presentation he never gave an ounce of recognition to me. He was giving out suggestions or agreeing to me every now and then, but he never even acknowledged me as Aoi-chan his former childhood friend. I was deeply disappointed. My ego was bruised. Clearly, I would never get to call him with a kun ever again.
Sitting in my office I stared blankly at my computer screen. My heart was aching for some apparent reason that involves Hiroshi Tamaki. It also occurred to me that three weeks ago was Valentines Day. The day I had my first kiss with Tamaki-kun… I shook my head as if to erase the memory. I scratched my head unintentionally messing up my perfect hair.
“Aaargh!!! Why am I even beating myself up for someone who obviously doesn’t remember me?” I muttered loudly when the door suddenly opened and my secretary walked in carrying a stack of portfolio. Stopping in mid-step, she looked at me nervously as if I was a psychiatric patient on the loose.
“Ano… Aoi-san are you alright? Is this a good time or a bad time?” Mao glanced towards the door then back at me.
She’s probably wondering if she should just go out. I ran my hand through my hair to fix the mess and straight it out. When I motioned for her to give the reports to me, she reluctantly walked towards my table then handed them out while briefing them one by one. Suddenly, the day seemed too long and tiring as I continued on listening to Mao’s report.
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The following day as I entered my office another stack of portfolio was already on my table, what caught my attention though was a plant that was beside the portfolios. I looked outside and saw the cubicles where the employees were busy doing their jobs.
“Inoue, from whom did the plant come from?”
“There’s no return address Aoi-san.” I nodded at her and went in.
I curiously looked at the plant. It was a bonsai. My favourite potted plant. I wonder who actually gave it. Probably from an employee who’s shy to be identified.
Gently lifting the potted plant, I transferred it near the window where the sun could shine on it. Then I gingerly sat on my chair and went to work.
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The next day, I found a bouquet of flowers on my table as I entered my room coming back from a conference. This time I asked the circulation who gives deliveries if they knew who sent the flowers since there was no return address. They just shook their head.
“We have no idea Miyazaki-san. We just make the deliveries… gome ne.”
“Souka. Thanks anyway.”
Back in my office I stared at the flowers. It was daisies. My favourite flower… who the heck in this building would know my favourite flower? A knock brought me back to my senses. Swiftly placing the flowers at the shelf, I spoke out.
“Come in.” My back was at the door. I could hear heels clacking, assuming it was Mao, I asked what she needed.
“Aoi-san, Chairman Hiroshi came to see you.”
I suddenly turned around, surprised to see that he personally came to see me. Mao, turned to leave the room while I motioned for him to take a sit at the coffee table in my office, which was actually meant for visitors like Tamaki to be accommodated. I hated talking to clients behind my table, it gives me the image of superiority and smugness. I wanted my clients to feel comfortable and important that I specifically asked for the coffee table to be set up in my office.
“How can I help you Hiroshi-san?” I smoothly asked him.
“There were a few changes for the runway. Here are the drafts and lay-outs for the program. Your presentation the other day was quite astounding, but it was lacking something,” he was saying this while looking directly at me with no emotion registered on his face whatsoever.
Suddenly my ears perked up. Who does this man think he is?!? I wanted to run my finger nails at his face and dig his eyes out. I spent so many sleepless nights with that presentation and he informs me a day after that it was LACKING something??? Is he kidding me? Informing me this late was so unprofessional. I was burning with rage inside but I kept my cool in the surface.
“Is that so? I’ll see what I can do to change the details then. Is that all Hiroshi-san?”
“Yes that would be all. I’ll see you again in four days to get the final lay-out,” he stood up and nodded at me. With clenched hands, I was left alone in my office looking at the drafts blankly.
I looked at the closed door were Tamaki just came out a couple of seconds ago. What happened to the Tamaki-kun I knew way back then? I wanted to scream, shout, rant, swear and throw tantrums. But I can’t. This isn’t what a grown professional woman like me would do in cases like this. Slowly, I stood up, scooped the drafts and lay-outs from the coffee table. Walking towards my own table, the daisies in the shelf caught my attention. At least someone cares enough to remember me. Smiling wryly at myself I sat down and proceeded to work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Four more days passed, it was the deadline day and astonishingly the gifts kept coming in each day. I received a pair of rose pink Prada shoes, a powder blue scarf, a Starbucks coffee tumbler and an orchid crystal brooch. All of these were my favourite things. My curiosity raised more and more on each passing day. Never mind that I was working late nights just because of that stupid lay-out, never mind that Hiroshi Tamaki has completely forgotten me and never mind that today was White Day. The day when men were supposed to give back chocolates to the girls who gave them something during Valentines Day. I was so busy during Valentines Day that it never occurred to be to give out chocolates to male colleagues and friends. Today I’ll probably be as empty handed as a spinster could be, but I didn’t care. Someone was giving me gifts anyway, and this mystery was enough to keep me in a good mood for the rest of the day.
I came early to work to see if something came in for me. My desk was deserted. Except for a couple of papers I left last night, it was empty. My shoulders slumped a bit, but I didn’t let it get to me. The day was not over yet.
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By the end of the day, nothing came in. No chocolates, no gifts… nothing. I was relatively depressed. Adding the fact that early in the afternoon Tamaki went by my office and took the program files.
After checking the final lay-out, he nodded in approval.
“This is exactly what I was looking for. You should have done this earlier so as not to have caused a fuss to the committee in my account.”
What the…? The nerve of this man…! After all of my efforts he tells me this?!?
My hand started to shake in anger after hearing his statement, I couldn’t help but to defend myself. Keeping my voice levelled I looked him directly in the eye.
“Hiroshi-san, it was really good making business with you but next time, I want you to respect my work. I am a woman who takes pride in my job. I know I am good at what I do, so please if YOU are going to criticize me do it in an early notice as for me to work on it as soon as possible. You have given me a great deal of inconvenience because of your late notice. It was your responsibility to point it out in the first place. Do not push your mistakes on me. It was your wrong doing in the first place that made a disruption for your committees program. I will not accept your insolent words again Hiroshi-san. So if you may please…” I said this while looking hard at him with blazing eyes, I stood up and raised my hand towards the door.
“You are free to leave my office and come back when all is settled. Thank you for your time Hiroshi-san,” then I cordially bowed at him.
When I looked up, he was smiling at an odd way. It felt like he was mocking me. I didn’t care what he thought anymore. I wanted him out of my face as soon as possible.
Basically I was miserable the whole day. Before I left the office I asked Mao, one last time if anything came in for me. She shook her head to say no. I just nodded at her and walked out of the building.
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The pent up frustration I had, brought me driving to the old park with the sandbox in my childhood days. I decided to stop and vent out for a while. Parking my car near the side walk, I went out and walked towards the park. I saw my old house that was just across it and a sense of nostalgia went rushing through me. Smiling wearily at my self I went to the edge of the sandbox and sat down. Unexpectedly the park was empty. The sun was coming down and everything seemed so quiet. I played with the sand, drawing swirling lines when I heard heavy footsteps behind me.
I turned around, and in surprise I saw Hiroshi Tamaki looking down at me.
“What are you doing here?” Scowling at him, I stood up and brushed my hands and pants clean.
“I followed you,” he said nonchalantly.
“Why are you following me?” This time I looked at him suspiciously.
“Because I wanted to… is it wrong for a man to follow a woman?” He asked while raising an eyebrow.
“Yes it is. That's called stalking and now that you're speaking to me, I could add up harrassment.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“Well, what exactly are you doing following me around Hiroshi-san. Are you planning on apologizing or just to criticize me again?”
“First of all stop calling me Hiroshi-san, second I noticed there are some things that still haven’t changed in you. Just like the way you are scowling at me right now and the way you always fold your arms across your chest when you’re annoyed. Also when you try to keep your cool when you’re angry or giddy is still the same. Lastly what really amazes me is the way you smile, it is exactly the same as I could remember it. This is so you Aoi-chan,” he reached out for my hand and softly said my name.
Hearing all this made my heart palpitate rapidly. My mouth was hanging open with amazement. I was caught off guard. I thought he forgot everything about me. This… this was all so unexpected.
I looked from his hand which was gently holding mine towards his face that was smiling.
“Aoi-chan,” he said my name with a chan in the sweetest way.
“I’m sorry I did those things to you. I wanted to find out if you have changed your indecisive character, and I’m happy to confirm you did. I’m glad that changed. At least I would be sure that you would always be set on all your decisions.”
“I’m not indecisive.” I pouted at him.
“Yes you are.”
“No way… I was never indecisive.”
“Yes you were. Remember the Taj Majal? The pyramid?” My pout was gone, and a questioning look replaced my expression.
“How did you reme…” I wasn’t able to finish my question because he cut in.
“Here’s my exchange for that chocolate… I’ve been waiting for years to give this to you Aoi-chan… and,” he handed me a box of chocolates similar to the chocolates I gave him in our childhood days.
“...this.”
Bending towards me and gently lifting my chin with his hand. He slowly brought his face closer to mine. I closed my eyes before our lips met, just like years ago, but this time I didn’t smile, instead I was kissing him back responding to the probing kisses he was giving me. I encircled my arms around his neck and run my hand through his hair while he placed a hand at the small of my back, and supported my head with the other. Lips locked, hands caressing… hearts beating faster, we were both in a trance.
When the kiss ended, I was out of breath and he was making ragged breathing sounds.
“Wow…” it was all I could say.
“Did you get to have a lot of practice?” he asked teasingly with his eyelids half closed.
“Why? Did you?” I asked while raising an eyebrow.
He smiled slyly then hugged me.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said softly in my ear.
“Tamaki-kun…”
Finally being able to say this again felt so nice.
“Yes Aoi-chan?”
“Thanks for the gifts…”
I hugged him tightly while he simply smiled and whispered.
“I knew you’d love them.”
~~~End of Fan-Fic~~~
