Wishes do come true

by Chopin

Part 5

Note: Joining elements from the comic <Ranma ½>, the movie <City of Angles> and Pier Anthony’s serial <The Incarnations>.

"What the!" Sendoh exclaimed.

Two police cars were parked outside the building. A curly haired elderly lady, dressed in a kimono like outfit, stood beside a police officer. She ever so often dabbed her mascara stained eyes with a handkerchief. The officer busily took down notes, asking questions.

"Mum!" Sendoh rushed forward.

"Akira, where were you? I was so worried." The lady cried, hugged Sendoh affectionately. Pushing him away, she inspected him worriedly. Satisfied that her little darling baby did not come into any harm, she smiled. "You've slim down. Never mind, I've learnt many nutritious dishes in America. Excellent for growing boys like you."

Sendoh just returned her smile, used to his Mother and her over pampering. "I'm sure you did."

His mother grabbed hold of Sendoh's arm and half led, half dragged him to his apartment. She had totally forgotten about the officer who was standing outside, dejected.

~*~

"Mum? What was the police doing here? Aren't you suppose to be in USA accompanying Dad?" Sendoh asked.

"You did not answer my message. I was so worried to death that something bad had happened to you. I got Jeffery to fly me over straight away. Don't do it again. I can't afford to lose you..." Mrs Sendoh trailed off, her eyes glazed over.

"Sorry Mum. " Sendoh bit his lip, silently cursing himself. Hoping to lift up her spirits, he changed the subject. "So what was the important thing you mentioned over the phone?"

Mrs Sendoh's lips broadened into a motherly smile, her face lit up in excitement. She gently lead her son towards the coach. Sitting down demurely, she patted the sofa indicating Sendoh to sit. She clicked open her Gucci handbag and took out a pastel purple file.

"Akira dear. You are no longer young. Twenty years old and you haven't dated once since Her. Mum wants you to settle down soon and hopefully bear some adorable grandchildren for me to play with. In this folder contains some available girls that Dad and I had gone through and highly approved of. They are all sweet Japanese cultured ladies of excellent status and background. They ..."

"Mother, I don't want to get involved yet." Sendoh interrupted.

"Akira, I understand. But, for Mum's sake and for your own, wouldn't you at least get to know them? It wouldn't hurt to mix around and make new friends right? Maybe you will meet your 'Mrs. Right'. I had spend a lot of effort in getting this list. " Mrs. Sendoh reprimanded lightly.

"Alright..." Sendoh agreed. Knowing well from past experiences that it's a lose-lose battle to change his Mother's mind.

She flipped the file open, pleased by her son's obedience. "Now this is Noriko Aya. A very homely girl. The matchmaker strongly introduced her. Age..."

‘This is going to be a Very Very Very long night. ‘Sendoh moaned.

~*~

The powerful antiseptic smell overwhelmed him. The aged white walls stretched eternally. The luminescent lights gave a surreal feel. One of peace, quiet, isolated from the noisy boisterous world outside. He padded silently along the corridor, never turning his head, striding with a purpose. A black hood covered his face in the shadows. The long robe swished at his feet. Suddenly, he stopped at room number 117 and went through the wall.

"Her heart beat is decreasing. Get the electric shots ready."

"54 50 47 42. Not good. Voltage 60 (1)"

"Everyone stand back. Ready."

"1 2 3. "

"Not responding. Raise voltage to 120."

"Damn it. Still not working."

Inside, the medical staff were in a flurry of activities, as they tried to retrieved the patient's life. Yelling, shouting, cursing as each method failed, unable to control their frustration at preventing the young girl's life from slipping away.

A young girl, around the age of 6, laid spread out on the surgical table. Her limbs were twisted at unnatural angles, blood still dripping from the exposed tissues and muscles. Her skin scarred with cuts and bruises. The once flowery clean dress was muddied brown. An oxygen mask covered her face. IV Tubes ran all over her body in all directions and places. The robed man just stood at one corner of the room, observing it emotionless like an ordinary everyday event. His face set in a stoic mask
as he waited.

~*~

" AKANE !" A hysterical scream reverberated down the hospital corridors.

All the light indicators went red. The nurses methodically removed the tubes and life support system. The doctor wore regret on his face as he drew the white sheet over the little girl's face. The Mother peering through the glass panel outside, shrieked her
daughter's name. Unable to accept the fact that her child was gone, beyond her reach. She violently pounded on the glass, hoping beyond all hopes, miracle amongst miracles that her child would wake up and call her "Mummy."

Behind, stood the robed man and the little girl.

"She's never going to understand is she?" Akane asked sadly.

The robed man shook his head.

"Good-bye Mummy. I'll miss you." Akane whispered, valiantly rubbing away her tears.

"We have to go."

"I know. What's your name Big Brother? Mine's Akane Hibiki."

"Rukawa Kaeda." The man smiled, the freezing coldness in his eyes melted. He warmed up to the cute little girl. admiring her bravery and maturity in facing death alone. Scooping her up, he piggy-bagged her.

"You should smile more often, Kaeda Ge Ge (2)." Akane tugged at Rukawa's soft silken hair.

" ? "

" You look more friendly and much happier." Akane explained bluntly.

Rukawa smiled again, "Really?"

"Yup!" Akane giggled and swung both her arms, wrapping them around Rukawa's neck. "Will we see elves in heaven? Those pretty little fairies? Mummy told me that there are lots and lots ..."

~*~

"Akchan? We're here." Rukawa called to the little kid on his back, gently prying off the her fingers off his hair.

"Hmm?" Akane rubbed her eyes, trying to chase away the heavy blanket of sleepiness. "Why is Heaven so dark?"

Rukawa wordlessly set her down, avoiding her question. Kneeling, he looked straight into her eyes. "Know that Ge Ge will always be here for you ok? Uncle here will take care of you, listen to him." Musing up her hair, he drew her close for a hug.

"Time to go." The gatekeeper approached them, impatience evident in the voice.

Reluctantly, he let the gatekeeper lead her away. Akane kept turning back, waving not willing to part with her newly made friend. Rukawa smiled, waving back. Slowly, the two figures disappeared into the seemingly never ending darkness ahead.

Ensured that they were gone, he dropped the façade. His face twisted with emotions. A solitary tear ran down his cheek. Filled with anguish, he punched his fist onto the concrete wall. Blood steadily dripped from his hand, mixing with the dirt on the floor into a dirty crimson.

“Bastard. ”

She did not deserve it. She had not sinned. She was only 6 years old, for god's sake. All she did was to run across the road to retrieve her ball. And she had to go to Hell to serve out her punishment. All because her death would cause her Mother to commit suicide later. For that, she sinned, a grievous sin.

Her voice rang once again in his mind. Her angelic face beamed with joy, as she question Rukawa relentlessly about Heaven. The uncontrollable, bottomless pits of curiosity. Her narration of the fantasy books she read. Her description of what she imagined Heaven is like. Her bubbly character. Her. The sister he never had.

“Bastard.” He clenched his fist. He did not know whether he was directing the curse to the Judgement System or himself for bring her here. If he was not Death…if he was not restricted...if the system was different…

Black spots started dancing in front of him. Hurriedly, Rukawa dug out the ever present crystal bottle from his pocket. Ripping out the protective plastic away from the syringe, he clumsily drew out the liquid from the bottle. Stabbing the needle into his arm, he shot the fluid in. With a sigh, he slid down the wall and sat on the floor, waiting for the room to stop spinning around.

“Bastard.”

 

End Part 5

N.B.:

(1) I don’t know the correct voltage doctors use. This number is just fictionary.The amount seems reasonable to me.

(2) Ge Ge means big brother in Chinese. I had wanted to use Big bro, but it sounded too boy-like, not suitable for Akane. I tried Brother Rukawa, Kaeda bro, they sounded strange and looked strange. In the end, I settled for Ge Ge.

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