Sweet Burden

by K L Ogden

  Hitomi’s heart sped up. “Obi?”

  “Yes?”

  “You don’t have x-ray vision too, do you?”

  “No, I don’t,” he replied with lightness in his voice. “I’ll let you finish getting dressed.”

  She listened to his footsteps trail away and she was able to breathe normally again. After getting dressed, she brushed out her hair and stared at herself in the mirror. She still couldn’t get past the plainness she saw reflecting back. Hitomi let out a huff and left the bathroom eager to see Obi again. Glancing around the main room, also lit with candles and a roaring fire, she didn’t see him. She noticed the table set up with two place settings as she rounded the corner to the kitchen where Obi was stirring something on the stove.

  He glanced up as she entered. “Dinner is just about ready. You can go sit down if you want.”

  She gave him a grin and nodded, and then went over to the table. Everything looked so beautiful and thought out. Her flowers from the morning were moved to the side in between two candles. There were actual placemats with arranged silverware and napkins. Within minutes, Obi came in and set down a plate in front of her. He moved around the table and sat down across from her. Picking up her fork, she was suddenly famished.

  “I hope everything tastes alright. I’m not much of a cook.”

  “It looks amazing. And it’s not soup, so that’s a nice change.” Hitomi poked into ravioli and took a bite. “This is really good.” Obi let out a relieved breath and started eating. “So, you said you had some help with everything.”

  “Yah. Rediisu gave me some ideas and Guri helped me pull it off. I’m just not good at this sort of thing, but I wanted you to have a nice day.”

  “Obi, everything has been perfect.” She smiled at him as he looked up. “I guess this is kind of like our first date.”

  “The greasy diner and TV movie didn’t count?”

  Hitomi let out a laugh. “Did you just make another joke?”

  “Possibly,” he shrugged. “I’m trying to get the hang of it.” She couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “Besides, I’d do anything to see that smile on your face.” She dropped her eyes feeling her cheeks warming with red. “Better eat before it gets cold.”

  After finishing dinner, Obi cleared the plates. He came back in from the kitchen carrying a chocolate cupcake with a candle. He sat down in the seat next to her as the butterflies started fluttering again.

  “I was reminded that birthdays involve cake,” Obi said holding it in his palm. “And a wish.”

  Her smile widened and she knew exactly what she wanted to wish for. All that she wanted for the rest of her life was to be with Obi. She closed her eyes and repeated it over and over in her head before opening her eyes again and blowing out the candle. She took the cupcake from him and peeled off the wrapper. After splitting it in half, she held out a portion for him. “Share with me?”

  Obi took the half as their eyes locked. “Happy Birthday Hitomi.”

  The flutters in her stomach began creeping up into her throat. She wanted to toss the cupcake aside and completely throw herself at him. Resisting the urge took more effort than anything and she peeled her gaze away from him. She ate her half and when she looked back up his half was also gone.

  “Would you come outside with me?” he asked quietly. Biting at her bottom lip, she moved her head up and down. They got up and walked outside. The air was starting to chill, but the rain had almost ceased. Hitomi walked over to the railing and looked up into the sky beyond the porch roof. It had become very dark extremely quickly. Clouds were parting and she could begin to see the light of the moon peeking out. Beyond the clouds, she was even able to view a few stars.

  Obi walked up behind her. “Are you cold?” She shook her head even though she had goose bumps on her arms. He placed his hands on her shoulders and then ran them down the length of her arms as he moved closer to her. “Do you want to go back inside?”

  “No. It’s turning into such a beautiful night.”

  His hands moved over hers and he intertwined their fingers. She rested back against him with her head against his shoulder. Obi leaned down putting his head against hers. “Tell me what you wished for,” he whispered.

  “I can’t or it won’t come true.” Hitomi could feel the thundering of his chest against her back.

  “Do you want to know what I wish for every night?”

  “If you want to tell me.”

  Obi swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “Every night I wish that I will get to fall asleep with you again the following night.” She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Resting her arms over his, Obi continued. “I don’t know what the future holds or how we’re going to be a part of it. All I know, or all I feel is that no matter what I want to be with you. I want to be with you for whatever span of an existence I have.”

  Hitomi’s breathing staggered as she was unsure of how to respond without sounding utterly cheesy or stupid.

  “Does that scare you?” he asked.

  Shaking her head, she managed to spit out, “No.” She moved around in his grip and faced him. Resting her hands on his chest, she moved her eyes up to his. “The only thing that scares me is us not being together. I mean, we are so different. Sometimes I wonder if it’s supposed to be.”

  “We’ll make our own way, no matter what.”

  “Do you believe that?” Hitomi questioned searching his eyes.

  “Yes.” His jaw clenched and he moved his hands up to her face. “You have brought meaning to my existence. You are the only reason I open my eyes in the morning. Hitomi, you have become everything to me. That is why I have to believe it.” His hands trembled against her cheeks. “And also because, I have completely fallen in love with you.”

  Hitomi stopped breathing. For a second she thought maybe she hadn’t heard him right, but she heard the words clearly. He loved her and the words came straight from his mouth. For a few seconds everything slowed down. She heard the thumping of her heart in her ears as her eyes widened. She scanned his face as he waited for a response. But how was she supposed to respond without sounding hokey or silly?

  “Hitomi?” His mouth moved and his voice sounded far away. “Hitomi?”

  She shook her head and took in a deep breath. Moving her arms around his neck, she squeezed him tightly. He secured her around her waist as she came out of her trance. Moving her face to the side, she pressed her lips against his ear. “I love you,” she whispered.

  Obi tightened his grip for a few seconds and then slightly pulled away. They looked at each other for a moment and then Obi leaned down crushing his lips against hers. He pressed her back against the railing as his hands moved down her waist to her hips. She tried to keep her mind focused on something else, but he was making it terribly difficult. In one swift motion, he grabbed her hips and lifted her up onto the railing. After being so careful all day, he was not being shy about anything now.

  He gave her a chance to catch her breath as he trailed kisses from her mouth along her jaw and down to her neck. His hands moved back up her hips and moved under her sweater settling on the bare skin of her waist. She kept her hands clasped around his neck feeling her body heating up. Obi’s lips kissed a path from her collarbone back up to her mouth, where he started to slow down.

  “I have something else I want to give you,” he mumbled during brief periods their lips were apart.

  “You’ve already given me enough,” she replied.

  “One last thing.” He kissed her one more time and then pulled away. She watched him as he dug in his pocket. He pulled out a little black velvet box and moved close to her again. Her heart raced as she stared at the box. “I had this made for you. And I want you to know that my life belongs to you.” He opened the box revealing a silver ring with what appeared to be a large ruby set in between two smaller rubies.

  “Obi, it’s beautiful. I don’t even know what to say.”

  “You can start by trying it on and making sure
it fits.” He took the ring out and slid it onto her ring finger on her right hand. It fit perfectly and Obi leaned down kissing her hand. “I was nervous it wouldn’t fit.”

  She smiled at him. “Is tonight the reason you have been a nervous wreck all day?”

  “You picked up on that? I just wanted everything to be perfect for you.”

  “Well, you succeeded. But all I really ever need is you.” She leaned forward resting her forehead against his and then kissed him.

  They stayed outside for awhile, but it eventually got too chilly and they moved inside. Obi lay down on the couch on his side and she curled up with him. He secured her in his arms as they were warmed by the fire. She looked up at him as he let out a deep breath. Hitomi watched as his lips curved into a smile. It wasn’t a smirk, but a completely full smile. She reached up and ran her finger along his lips.

  “You’re smiling.”

  Obi tilted his head down. “You give me a reason to. You’re my only reason for anything.” He tightened his grip around her as she buried her head against his chest.

  Chapter 20

  Obi pushed his hand to the other side of the bed. It was cold and empty. His eyes shot open and he blinked at the light coming through the windows. Hitomi was not next to him and he was immediately out of the bed. He pulled on his jeans and hurried out of the room.

  “Hitomi?” His eyes darted around the room. “Hitomi?”

  “I’m right here,” she answered as she walked out of the kitchen. She was dressed in her pajama shorts and one of his t-shirts. He couldn’t help but think how adorable she looked.

  He crossed his arms and peered at her. “What are you doing?”

  “I got up early to clean up since everyone is showing up here today. Hope you don’t mind I borrowed your t-shirt. It needed to be washed anyway.” She gave him a smirk and it was hard for him not to leap across the furniture to take her in his arms.

  He shook his head. “It looks better on you anyway.” Obi fought the urge and moved over to the couch plopping down. He dropped his feet onto the coffee table and eyed her.

  “Do you want some tea?”

  “No. I’m alright.”

  She moved next to him and sat down. “What’s with the long face?”

  He stared at her trying to hide his intentions, but a smirk crossed his face. Obi reached over and grabbed her side. She let out a laugh and he began tickling her. Hitomi giggled hysterically as she slouched down in the cushions. He moved over her and continued as she squirmed underneath him. Obi loved the expression on her face; the way her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and her lips swollen from last night’s kisses.

  “Obi, stop,” she laughed.

  “Um, are we interrupting something?” Rediisu’s voice said.

  Obi and Hitomi both froze and then they jumped up from the couch facing the front door. Rediisu and Guri stood in the doorway as Liam and Regina filed in behind them. Obi shifted his gaze from the four pairs of eyes staring at them to Hitomi. The situation did not look good with him shirtless and Hitomi dressed in barely-there shorts and his t-shirt. He turned back to the crowd in the doorway.

  “This is not what it looks like,” Obi blurted out. Rediisu’s mouth turned into a smirk.

  “Hitomi,” her mother warned. She walked over and grabbed Hitomi’s arm. “We’re going to have a talk, young lady.” She pulled Hitomi into the bedroom. Hitomi gave him a desperate look and then the door swiftly shut.

  “You’re going to be in trouble,” Rediisu mumbled as they came into the room and dropped their bags on the floor. Guri let out a laugh as Liam moved over to the chair.

  “It’s not what it looked like,” Obi stated again.

  “Right,” Rediisu replied sarcastically as he knelt down digging through his bag. He pulled out a shirt and tossed it at him. Obi looked to Liam, who rolled his eyes as he plopped down. Guri let out another snicker as Obi yanked the shirt on.

  “It wasn’t…” Obi began his protest again. “We haven’t even done anything.”

  “Then why’d I leave?” Guri grumbled as he sat down on the couch.

  Obi sighed frustrated. “Think whatever you want. I don’t care.” He marched out to the porch slamming the door behind him. Walking over to the railing, he swung his hand and knocked off two candles. They went flying into the grass as Guri came out behind him.

  “Are you alright?” he asked.

  “I was until you all showed up. Aren’t you a little early?” Obi mumbled as he gripped the railing. His knuckles went white as his fingernails dug into the wood.

  “Well, there wasn’t really a specified time. Regina was eager to get out here.” Guri stepped up beside him. “I can sense some happiness still inside you though.”

  Obi looked up as it started drizzling. He hoped that Hitomi’s mother wasn’t being too hard on her, but nothing could change the words they exchanged last night. “She loves me,” Obi sighed.

  “I know,” Guri responded.

  “And I love her.”

  “Um hm.”

  “And I won’t let anyone get in the way of that.”

  Guri reached up and rested his hand on Obi’s shoulder. “You know you were never meant to love her. You were only meant to protect her.”

  A shiver rushed through Obi’s body. “You’re wrong about that.” He turned and peered at Guri. “The only thing I was ever meant to do was love her.” He lowered his head and stared down at his feet. He replayed the events of last night in his head and couldn’t help but let a smile spread across his face. Guri stood there quietly for a few minutes until both of their heads lifted as someone cleared their throat behind them. Obi turned and faced Hitomi’s mother as she walked out onto the porch.

  “Guri, can you give Obsidian and I a moment to talk?” she asked as she crossed her arms.

  Guri gave a nod and then glanced at Obi. He gave him a half grin and went inside. Regina moved up beside Obi as he turned back towards the woods. He suddenly felt incredibly nervous. Although he said that he wouldn’t let anyone stand in his and Hitomi’s way, he was craving the approval from her mother.

  “I think we need to get a few things clear Obsidian,” she stated.

  He glanced sideways at her trying to keep his demeanor calm. “What you walked into this morning was not what you’re thinking it was.”

  “And what was I thinking?”

  Obi turned his eyes back up to the sky. He wasn’t sure what to say.

  “If Hitomi was any normal girl and you any normal boy, it looked like you were fooling around on the couch. But neither one of you is normal. So, what were you doing? Or were you fooling around?”

  His jaw clenched knowing that had they not walked in things would have progressed at least some. Besides, he had no idea what Hitomi had told her. He decided to continue to be quiet.

  Regina continued, “I hate to burst this little wonderful world you and Hitomi have created here at the cabin, but there is more going on beyond your pseudo-relationship. What you think you have created is not reality.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” Obi snapped. “I can’t help what happened. Do you think I wanted any of this? I’m sorry Ms. Beaumann, but I didn’t ask to be made what I am. And I didn’t choose to be her protector. And I didn’t choose to fall in love with her.”

  “Love? You only think you love her.”

  “No. I do love her.”

  “You don’t know the meaning of the word. None of your kind does,” Regina shot back.

  “Hitomi has taught me the meaning.”

  “Obsidian, it will never work and she’s going to end up hurt. She’s my daughter. I want what is best for her.”

  Obi crossed his arms and turned facing her. “I would die before it came to Hitomi getting hurt.”

  “Because that is your role,” Regina nodded. Her chocolate eyes pierced his as they narrowed. She was trying to make his feelings waiver or put doubt in his head.

  “No.” He shook his head. “You asked me
that night behind the waterfall why I protected her and I lied to you. I protect her because I care about her, not because that’s what I am supposed to do. I protect her because her smile means the world to me.”

  Regina sighed and lowered her eyes. She moved around him and walked over to the swing. She sat down as Obi slowly followed her over. “It will never work.”

  “Why?” he demanded.

  “It just won’t,” she sighed.