I am afraid.

WAKE YOUR DREAMS

I am afraid.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The school was closed for the summer vacation.

'It's finally….summer.'

Kiyoko was waiting for this very moment since a long time.

Moreover it's her birthday today.

Kiyoko was sitting by the window. The train ran through the vast meadows. There was a slight glimmer of the sun which had just set towards the western sky.

"Hello." A man who was sitting opposite her greeted her.

He was wearing blue t-shirt and white pants. The spectacles which rested upon his head reflected the white lights which were decorated on the ceiling of the compartment.

"You are reading that book which made me interested."

"Oh." Kiyoko was reading a book on human heart.

"Are you going to be a cardiologist in the future?"

"I am not…I have not decided yet."

"Huh? Are you not interested in studying this subject? It's very interesting and challenging."

"I enjoy reading these books in my free time. But I am not sure if I will be able to cope up if I take this subject."

"You can if you become confident enough. See I am a doctor myself. When I graduated I wanted to become a journalist. Then I saw a young doctor who saved a pregnant woman in the street. I was fascinated and yeah… I wanted to help people by becoming someone who can cure them."

Kiyoko remembered when she saved the boss of Giosek. She felt warmth. That day she was confident that she can save the old lady.

'Can I really try to become a doctor?'

'Can I do it?'

"You can do it." The doctor said.

"Huh…! How did you know what I was thinking?"

"I am a psychologist."

"Wow!"

The doctor chuckled and asked," Did you graduate yet?"

"No I will graduate this year."

"You have a lot of time to think over, child!"

"How old are you, doctor?" Kiyoko could not help but ask as the doctor called her a child. 'He looks young.'

"Oh I am 24 years old. Why do you ask…?"

"You are calling me a child but you are so young."

"You look like a seventeen year old girl."

"No! I am eighteen. Oh! And yes I turned nineteen today." Kiyoko did not like someone calling her a child moreover by such a young person.

The doctor smiled.

"Happy Birthday…"

"Oh…Thank you" Kiyoko blushed.

For some reason, Kiyoko was comfortable talking with this complete stranger.

They did not know each other's name but they merrily talked about their likes and dislikes.

"Just follow your heart. Try to do that work which you have confidence that you will enjoy working. That's more important."

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Kiyoko bowed and gestured a goodbye to the doctor.

The doctor smiled, he turned back and dragged his suitcase.

He felt an unexplainable tinge in his heart.

The doctor halted in his steps, and turned back to look at the short figure standing by the counter. She was on her phone, talking. She had a gleeful smile on her face.

'I am afraid.' The doctor thought. This was first time he had these feelings.

He turned his face back and continued walking.

The smile on the girl's face was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. The girl he would never get to meet again.

...............................................................

"Kiyoko…" Zehan picked up Kiyoko and lifted her up in the air.

"Hey…Zehan" Kiyoko yelped.

Zehan put a light kiss upon her nose.

"What are you doing…!…we are outside. Put me down."

Zehan put Kiyoko down and hugged her instead.

"I missed you, babe"

"Let's go..." Kiyoko could feel so many stares around her.

"Happy Birthday"

"Thank you."

Zehan took the bag from Kiyoko and held her hands, and started walking towards the entrance of the station.

"Did you not miss me?"

"Yeah yeah I did. Let's go."

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Aunty Fanny's house was in the suburb area. It was close to the central yet filled with lots of green.

The house was surrounded by a huge garden from all sides. Aunty Fanny was a great fan of orchids which she often brought from China.

Aunty Fanny grew up in China and she came to Japan to study in college.

The restaurant she runs is actually her maternal grandfather. It was passed to her after his death.

"Kiyoko is here! Come inside."

Aunt Fanny almost pulled her inside the house.

"See what I have made for you."

Kiyoko glanced with shock. The dining table was filled with different with dishes and in the middle of it there was a big cake.

"Happy Birthday to you"

Zehan and Aunty Fanny started singing her happy birthday.

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It was the Toro Nagashi lantern festival.

Kiyoko was standing in her room, combing her hair.

She was wearing a white kimono, with red flowery pattern. It was Aunty Fanny's idea that she should wear a kimono to visit the Sumida river park.

Suddenly she felt a pair of hands hugging her from behind. She could see the person through the mirror before her.

"You look so cute. What will happen if others see you wearing this…?"

Zehan leaned towards her and kissed on her neck.

"Don't…" Kiyoko tried to brush off Zehan. 'Aunty Fanny might see them?'

Of course! Aunty Fanny saw them. She stood by the doorway glancing at them.

"Alright you two don't fool around. It's already time we should leave now."

Aunty Fanny said and then went away.

Kiyoko blankly stood there. She was actually shouting internally.

But the reaction of Aunty Fanny was not close to what she had thought.

Zehan chuckled as he played with her hair.

"Mom knows about us."

"Huh? How…?"

"She actually caught me talking to you on the phone…And yeah… I had to tell her everything. She was rather excited when I told her."

"Really…?"

"She even bragged about me in front of Hiroshi."

"What even brother Hiroshi knows?"

Kiyoko wanted to dig a hole and hide there.

And here that Zehan was playing with her hair!

Kiyoko pinched Zehan's arm away.

"I have to fix my hair again. Go away!"

Hiroshi Watanabe was Zehan's elder brother. He was 28 years old. He was working as a teacher. The profession really suited his appearance. He looks strict and disciplined. Moreover he was a clean freak.

Aunty Fanny attacked this son of hers with words whenever she had the opportunity. Mostly the reason was he was still single.

Hiroshi was waiting in the living room when Kiyoko and Zehan came down.

"How are you, Kiyoko? It has been too long since we last meet." Hiroshi asked.

"I am okay." Kiyoko bowed.

"See this is how you should give respect to your elder brother." Hiroshi looked at Zehan and said. "Kiyoko is such a good girl."

Kiyoko sat down on the sofa.

"Why should I respect you four-eyed?" Zehan scoffed and sat down beside Kiyoko.

"Brat…!"

Aunty Fanny came out from her room with two kimonos.

"Which one should I wear? Kiyoko tell me. I can't decide on my own."

"Mom you are not ready yet!" Zehan said. "You were the one who told us to get ready quickly and here you are…"

"Shut up!" Aunty Fanny snapped. "You are getting angry with me because I disturbed you being lovey-dovey with Kiyoko."

Kiyoko coughed. Her face flushed brightly.

"Huh…? Oh my little brat is all grown up." Hiroshi chuckled.

"You don't even talk. You are close to thirty and still single! Kiyoko see, I brought these three kimonos. One for me and other's for my daughter-in-laws. And this brat…"

Hiroshi yawned.

"This brat…"

"Aunty you will look great in that purple one." Kiyoko replied quickly to cool down the tense atmosphere.

"Oh my youngest daughter-in-law has got good eye for clothes. Just like me?"

Aunty Fanny skipped inside the house once again.

"Daughter-in-law…?" Kiyoko mumbled.

"That kimono you are wearing is one of the kimonos that mom brought for her daughter-in-laws." Zehan smirked.

"Why are you smiling?" Kiyoko threw the cushion towards Zehan.

Hiroshi glanced at them for a moment and again closed his eyes.

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At Sumida River bank, Asakusa, Tokyo

Kiyoko released the paper lantern in the water and made a quick wish.

Any one's mind could be soothed by the beauty of the paper lanterns floating along the tranquil water of Sumida.

'Will my dreams be fulfilled?'

"Kiyoko…" Aunty Fanny called for her. Hiroshi was standing with Aunty Fanny.

Kiyoko walked towards her.

"Are you done, Aunty Fanny?"

"Yes I am done."

Meanwhile Zehan came back. He went to buy some food.

"Bought the Taiyakis?" Hiroshi asked.

"Yup…there was a quite a long line."

"I guess little brat is useful at times."

"Huh!" Zehan rubbed his sweaty hands on Hiroshi's yukata.

"Oe…!" The clean freak Hiroshi snarled.

Zehan chuckled.

Aunty Fanny and Kiyoko burst out in laughter.

The reflection of the lantern's soft light on the river left a magical atmosphere in the air.

The giant Tokyo sky-tower in the background complemented the scenery.

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END OF CHAPTER 19

(P/N: Taiyaki are fresh fish-shaped pancakes. They are stuffed with chocolate, cream, or red bean paste.)