A Reunion of Sorts

We met once again. I am elated to find her alive, somehow in Aomori she escaped and unscathed it seems. I smile remembering that night I left.
“You said you’ll wait.” I grin once again. Teasing. My disposition too light… Jubilant… Relieved… So many things that I cannot put to words and yet want to say. But the most important thing was that she was alive.
“Gome ne?” She turns her face and I, I can see the light in her eyes. It has been a year perhaps?
Moving closer, wanting to close the distance between us. Unaware of the beautiful sunset I was missing and the chirping of the birds upon the trees. I draw closer wanting to hold her in my arms. To hold her against my chest and let her know, that I had chosen to live in the slightest hope of finding her once again. I cannot wait to tell her… What I had planned all along, after that night in Aomori. I wanted for us to marry. That I can no longer be alone.
Then I notice…
She did not move…
Keeping to her place and slightly…
Just slightly stepping back.
I am puzzled at her gesture. Why is she? Is she not happy we saw each other once again? I stop mid way. Watching and waiting. Realizing that the air is quite cold without my jacket. That she is -cold- towards my presence.
“Yaso?” I ask, stammering as I did so.
“Hai Inouehe-san?”
Straightening my back. I place my hand on the bridge for support.
What has happened? Are you not glad to see me?
“How are things with you?” I ask placing a cigarette upon my lips.
“Very well.”
“Sou ka.”
“And you?”
“I can’t complain.” I turn and leaned on the bridge, staring at the blue waters and a pile of rocks from the distance.
“How did you escape Inouehe-san. I was certain you had died…”
“I didn’t escape and as you can see I am perfectly alive and well.”
“Oh…”
Just.. OH? What the hell?
“And you?” I ask while taking a -long- drag.
“I was taken back here.”
“Did anything happen?” Rather take advantage of you? Harmed or dishonor you in anyway? Is this why you are -aloof-?
“No… Not at all. The soldier who captured me, knew who I was.”
“Is that so?” I glance back.
“Hai.”
“Who is this person that I should thank?”
“No.. No.. He is a subordinate of… my husband.”
Slowly I let the smoke out. The ashes falling from my cigarette that can’t seem to find it’s way back to my lips, -even- if I needed it quite badly.
“Sou ka. So why did you stay in Aomori?”
Silence.
I hate silence. Did I ever tell anyone that I hate it?
“I had thought they had all died. My husband was also fighting in the war. But he had received a reprieve and is now with the new government army.”
I turn to face her. She is looking down as if, she was embarassed or maybe she’s just afraid to face me. Unfortunately I am not clairvoyant.
“Omedetto Yaso…”
Then a small girl, probably no more than five runs up to us. Tugging at her kimono asking her to go back inside. She lifts her up onto her arms. No doubt, she is the striking resemblance of her mother. Tilting my head to the side, I watch them as another man from behind calls out to Yaso.
“Your husband?”
“Yes.”
“Yare yare… I should go.”
“Inouehe-san. Please come by once in a while.”
Her words sting like the wasp.
Women, sometimes they do not think. No I am -certain- that they do not think.
Flicking the cigarette towards the water, I watch the ember die.
“Sayonara Yaso… Extend my greetings to your husband.”
“Alright.”
She leaves with the child. I stand there to watch. Watching as they enter the house. Slightly frustrated and yet… Even perhaps fascinated. Life does go on. It does not wait for anyone. Maybe it would’ve been better had I not spoken to Matsudaira.