Page 33: The Most Important Women Of His Life.

Location: The Cherry Blossom Festival

Point Of View: Lawrence Lee.

(NOT A DIARY ENTRY)

Lawrence and Sarah walked together out of the fair still hand in hand while joking about the random facts, when Lawrence suddenly noticed a strange person watching him from the shadows.

Lawrence asked Sarah to wait for him for a while and approached the stranger underneath the tree.

"Lawrence.. Is everything okay..?" Sarah felt a bit anxious.

"Y-Yes.. I-It's just that.. There was this person who looks like.. Ah.. Y-You are.." Lawrence's voice silenced down.

The man underneath the tree smirked. He soon walked out from the shadows with his arms inside his pocket.

The man had a bright red hair that looked like Lawrence's. His sleak eyes were blue like the ocean that made him seem more mythical. He had the similar facial features like Lawrence. But, he looked older than him. Five or seven so.

His attitude however wasn't like him at all.

He had this cocky look on his face that made him look confident and arrogant. There was a tint of mischief on his eyes and when they loomed over Sarah who held Lawrence by his arm, they looked down on the latter.

"B-Brother..."

Lawrence muttered.

The man in blue black hood smirked.

"Ah.. Little brother. Long time no see. I see you have grown up. How are you..?"

Sarah's eyes widened.

Lawrence's..elder brother..?

She quickly went forward and greeted him with a slight bow.

It is good to make proper first impressions to my future brother-in-law..

Sarah thought.

"N-Noona.." Lawrence thought that wasn't necessary. Given, his brother's nasty was like that.

"A petty stutterer who is the embarassment of his entire family spending the festival with a really hot..noona..? I thought you had become a good for nothing. But, it seems have still not lost your touch in being good with the girls, Larry..?"

The older gentle man mocked.

Lawrence bit his lips and looked away.

While Sarah was really mad at what he has just said.

"What do you mean by that..? Lawrence may be a stutterer. But, he is still talented and a really nice person.."

She barked like a mad dog.

"N-Noona.."

"You might be his brother. But, that doesn't mean you can sprout nonsense..!"

"Noona.."

"What..!?!" Sarah snapped at the interrupting Lawrence.

"Y-You must go. N-Noona.. I-I'll take care o-of him.."

Lawrence did not want to involve Sarah into his own family matters.

"B-But..!"

Sarah looked back at him. Lawrence seemed pretty serious and a bit angry.

She sighed and walked towards him.

"Fine. I-I really hope.. W-We get to do this again.. Okay..?"

She said averting her eyes with a red flush of her cheeks.

Lawrence cocked his head.

"Do what..?" He felt confused.

Lawrence's brother suddenly spurted few gaggles of laughter arousing Lawrence and Sarah's tempers. He quickly controlled himself as Sarah walked through the crowds.

'I hope Lawrence doesn't get into trouble..'

Sarah thought to herself.

After, Sarah left Lawrence sighed and looked straight into his brother's eyes.

"What is your problem, hyung..? I thought you weren't supposed to be back from China for a year now. Since..you were working 'your blood, sweat and tears' there?" Lawrence said sarcastically.

"Plans changed and I am back for a little while little bro." The gentleman said casually then smirked.

"But, it's funny. I have never expected you would get yourself a cute girlfriend here.. A really hot and pretty one that too.. You must be living on the cloud now, Larry.."

"D-Don't associate noona with me, hyung... We are n-not dating and we would n-never do that. I don't deserve her. She deserves a much greater guy t-than me.."

The gentleman's smirk immediately faded at Lawrence's unexpected response.

"Then.. Why did she ask you out.. On the night of the Cherry Blossom festival..? I-Isn't that because..she might have thought you are someone special ...to her..?"

He asked trying to pretend he doesn't really care much about Lawrence's reply.

"Hah.. Ha.. Don't misunderstand the situation. That's because noona likes messing around with me, hyung. She might not seem like that but, noona's very bright, mischievous and full of life that she likes pulling me along with her pranks. And, Today is also one of those times, I got caught in one too.. I guess.."

Lawrence said slowly pulling his mask and glasses from his pocket that he had taken out on Sarah's compulsion.

He wore them again and stared back at his brother. The image of the depressed scrawny teenager Lawrence's brother had seen before two years returned to him just like that.

'No girl would ever ask out a guy on the Cherry Blossom festival unless she is interested in him.

I can't believe how dark the usually sensitive Lawrence is on this matter.

Olivia was right.

Lawrence does look like he is in love with that young girl. But, that has not given him any cure for his mental sickness..'

Lawrence's brother pondered to himself.

"Lawrence.." His brother said seriously.

"Pack your things soon. We are leaving to China."

Lawrence's eyes widened.

"W-What..??! C-China.. T-To the place you live with sister in law..??! No-Way! W-Why..!??"..

Lawrence was shocked out of his senses.

"Your dysthymia.. Or in other words.. Depression seem to show no sign of a sunshine, Larry.. even after taking much tablets, changing towns, schools and attending weekly appointments with your personal psychotherapist.."

Lawrence's brother reported the facts Lawrence could not retort.

"Appa and Omma are very worried about you. And, besides I've heard the doctors in China are pretty good there. So, I am taking you there with me."

Lawrence felt speechless now.

T-Then what about his school..!?

What about his art club..?

What about Olivia..?

And.. What about ...Sarah..noona..?

Lawrence bit his lips and then asked.

"I will return after a few months right..?"

His brother's brows narrowed.

"No..? Then.. Years..?? Can I come back after I turn eighteen..?"

Lawrence asked pleadingly.

His brother frowned again and with a sigh he took Lawrence's wrist forcefully.

"Come on brother. I think, you must learn the details from our family. I hope, mother explains the seriousness of your condition more properly.."

"No.. Way.." Lawrence protested. "I don't want to go to China! I am fine here.. This is my home and I will recover soon..I promise.. Brother.. Hyung..!?! Please.. At least listen to me..!"

In such a manner, Lawrence soon disappeared into the trees on the opposite side.

As he was scooted to his house.. There was only one lasting thought on his mind..

How will he covey this to Sarah..? I-If he knew, he would have had to come under such a revolting situation like this...

He would have never made that first attempt of returning his crush's lost necklace back to her..in order to make Sarah notice his existence..

H-His relationship.. His entire relationship he had built with Sarah seemed meaningless now..

__________

Location: The Hospital, Tuesday.

Point Of View: Derrick

(NOT A DIARY ENTRY.. YET.)

Beep.

Beep.

The sound of the ventilator echoed inside a certain ICU ward.

"Mother, today I was first in class for my grades. The teacher praised me so much in front of my classmates. It was so much fun. You know Little tommy, the rabbit from our school shed didn't eat the carrots I feed him often. I think he is sick. Tina and Rose made sand castles at the playground. I wish I coul-"

Cough. Cough.

I faked coughed leaning on the wall.

My eight year old sister who was now kneeling before our unconscious mother's hospital bed with crossed fingers while uttering today's report, glared back at me.

"And, Brother, is so annoying mamma. Do you know he came twenty minutes late to pick me up!? His food is so boring. Please recover soon, mamma. I am done."

My sister finally finished her over night ritual to our mom and got up.

"Let's go, Orabeoni. (Formal version of Oppa/older brother) "

She said dusting her skirt her elegantly.

I rolled my eyes and walked forward.

"What are you muttering to a sleeping corpse..? It's not like mother is gonna hear anything you say. You are just wasting your time, Dakota."

"It's just the statistics, Orabeoni.. Few reports says, there are cases where few patients actually have chances of recovering their concious if they hear the voice of their loved one. And, since I am the one who is more loved than you. There are more chance for mamma to wake up if I do this..!"

Dakota pulled her nerdy glasses to her nose rim and brimmed a bright smile revealing her braced teeth.

I flicked her forehead playfully as we climb down the stairs and exit the hospital. Something I do if I feel my little sister was being silly.

Dakota Han was some one who had the appearance of ideal nerd unlike me. But, with her sleak thin platinum blonde hair that was now pulled up by high twin pig plaits, she looked like me and with her pit black eyes that were deep enough to rival a black hole she resembled my mom. She had this sort of crazy charm with her that made her look exceptionally cute for a little eight year old.

I don't even know if my sister is smart or just a books nerd. But, her interests were just like Alex. Which is one of the reasons why I adore Alex as my friend.

"Yeah yeah. Dream on, Dakota. Like that's true. This is why people call you a walking book. You can't be more boring this."

I teased her.

"Ouch..It hurts..Orabeoni!" Dakota rubbed her forehead desperately. "You always do this and make my forehead get flat. Do you know, it's miracle Jason Park talks to me these days..? Do you want him to avoid me for having a big forehead..?"

Dakota's words immediately alarmed me.

"A guy keeps speaking to you..? How dare he get close to you..?? Dakota do you want me to enter your classroom and report this to your teacher..??"

"N-No.. Brother.." Dakota panicked waving her arms. "That's not needed."

"How many times should I tell you Dakota..? Boys are like wolves. Do not trust them. They are extremely selfish. They only exist to use you for your selfish desires and throw you away when you aren't.."

"N-No.. Orabeoni..!"

"Didn't I tell you to write these words on your heart..???!"

"Orabeoni..!! Please stop it! You are being too over protective..!!?!"

I finally stopped speaking and sighed.

"Don't scare me like this, Dakota. I am worried about you.."

Dakota folded her arms and pouted.

"I do not know how you will respond if I actually get married.."

"You are too young for that, Dakota..!!"

I was shocked to pieces.

"Jesus Christ. I know! I was just saying..!"

Dakota screamed back.

This girl.. Phew.. She really is a scare..

"You are really over reacting brother. You have always said you don't believe in love and I think I know the answer now.."

I slowed my steps.

"It's because you date too many girls and is a trash like that. Isn't it? I have caught you numerous times with number of girls. They even change many times in one month.."

She frowned. There was little pain in Dakota's voice. But, I didn't care much because she has never seen the real world.

"You are still young, Dakota." I rubbed her straight blonde hair. "It's for my job. I need to practice if I could serve people well at the bar. Besides, didn't you always enjoy the sweet delicacies I often bring them home..? They were all given by them. My former girlfriends I mean."

Dakota's accidently slipped down on the pavement when she heard this and her face darkened in pain caused by her sprain and my words.

"You really are the worst, brother. I cannot imagine how your precious woman might feel about this after you get married.."

She said trying to get up.

She didn't have to try hard however since I already lifted her up on my shoulders and carried her like it was normal.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that since I already have them my precious women around me."

"You mean.. You have finally found someone like that..?"

Dakota asked curiously.

"No. I meant, you and mom, Dakota. You two, are the real precious women of my life.."

I said bouncing my little sister like a little ball from my shoulders.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!!"

My sister screamed in delight.

"Brother! Don't do that anymore..! I am not a kid and it's scary..!"

Dakota yelled but she does laugh anyway.

"Besides, girls my age are not really nice like that Dakota. People treat you well and look extremely alluring when you hardly know them. But, they change immediately after you start dating them. I have seen many girls who abandon their boyfriends to flirt with me just because, they aren't handsome enough. And, if you show tiny signs of not being interested in them even for a few minutes they start doubting you and leave you for another person. And.. Also.. Remember we do have a tricky family background that girls do not like to have a future with us..

Being a pro at playing I have almost never seen a girl that sincere in loving someone.."

I confessed to my sister seriously.

Dakota was my little sister. My one and only family and the reason I need to keep on living after my mom was hospitalized. She is that precious to me and I do not want to continue misunderstanding that her protective caring big brother was someone she can look up to. I never planned in lying to her in the first place. So I came clean about my views to her.

Dakota nodded.

"Brother is probably right, like always. And, I trust you. But, are you really sure, Orabeoni..? That you have never seen a girl who likes a guy so sincerely before..?"

She tilted her neck and looked down at me with a cute upside down position. Her blonde pig plaits fell forward. Dakota resembled a spider on my line of vision.

I chuckled and smiled.

"Well.. Yeah.. I am sure, I-I've.."

The image of a stubborn yet beautiful black haired young girl, who scared of heights but, was still daring enough to go on a rollercoaster ride simply because her crush loved it, suddenly slipped to my memory.