Another Time, Another Kiss - Chapter 14

Lying in the warm waters of the hot tub, Reiko marked the guide post of the dark night sky - something she had learned from her mother as a child.

“Mama, teach me please. I want to see the North Star!" Little Reiko would start pestering her mother whenever they were in some hot spring during starry nights.

Soon, Reiko located Ursa Major, the "Big Dipper'. Then, extending her right arm to full length, Reiko formed a loose fist with the thumb and little finger pointed out, like a telephone receiver. Using this to sight, she spanned twenty-eight degrees from the tip of the thumb to the top of the little finger, the distance from Debhe, the last star on the lip of the Big Dipper, and found Polaris, the North Star.

“Ha! Found you!" Reiko let out a satisfied smile that didn't last too long. Very soon, her mood was back to square-one -- Frustration.

“Mama, I miss you." Reiko mumbled sadly while letting out a short sigh. Her mother had been away for 3 years and Reiko had lost her only friend who would share her happiness and woes during all these years.

It had been a while since Reiko had used the Jacuzzi that was built in their re-modified backyard. In fact, she had enjoyed this facility with Naoki only once, during their first wedding anniversary. For the rest of the anniversaries, she was always alone, just like today, their 15th year of this mistaken marriage that shouldn't have taken place.

****

“Naoki…" It was a rare sight to spot Irie Naoki in a bustling pub during the middle of any nights. However, Reiko was definitely sure that the person who had just made his way to the exit was her prince charming.

“Got to go…" Reiko informed her friends before making her way through the crowded dance floor, the only shortcut to the exit. “Naoki!” Reiko shouted, but received no response from him, he just continued walking and to be precise, he was actually staggering.

Is he drunk? Reiko thought with disbelief, she had never seen Naoki getting drunk before. Reiko quickened her pace and soon, she caught up with Naoki. "Doushite?" Reiko questioned herself when she finally managed to grab hold of a totally drunk Naoki.

“Nan de…" Naoki tried to shake Reiko’s hand away, but he was so drunk that he couldn't even recognize Reiko. As a matter of fact, Naoki had completely changed since Kotoko had left for Osaka without a valid reason. Nobody noticed the change in Naoki during the past two year.

Nobody but Reiko.

If Naoki had lost a pound or two, Reiko would be the first one to notice. When she learnt that Kotoko had chosen a transfer to a hospital in Osaka, she thought Naoki would stop Kotoko from doing so, but much to her surprise, he did nothing.

****

Naoki finally managed to shake off Reiko's hand and continued with his staggers. " Naoki! Wait up!" Reiko didn't have to chase too far as like most drunkards would do, Naoki started vomiting. Reiko hurried over and offered him a pack of tissue.

" Leave me alone! Just go! Go with your Uchiyama…" Naoki slapped Reiko's hand away and fell to his kneels. Finally, he burst into tears.

" Huh?" Reiko couldn't comprehend what Naoki was referring to. At the same time, a piece of paper dropped out from Naoki's back pocket and Reiko quickly picked it up.

And he thought she would never give him up eh? Reiko sighed, shaking her head while she stared hard at the wedding pictures of two happily married people.

To be continued...