Hanami

Tatarian Aster (flower of remembrance)

Its morning and the rays of the sun struck her with enthusiasm. Hana can be seen hugging her pillow fast asleep. Her beauty reminds me of a porcelain doll but with vivid rosy cheeks, plump lips and wave curly hair. Her double eyelids shows her stunning beauty of a princess carved in a painting with roses. She is wearing her white laced sleeveless nightgown that can be adjusted to fit her bust and its 2 inches above her knee.

In her dreams:

A man in robe is calling her and extending his arms towards her.

"Come back to me Himari. Come back to my side."

As the moonlight struck him, the robe turned out to be a kimono.

He looked stunning with the details of his cyan and dark blue embroidered kimono . The moon glowed so brightly that his figure appeared magnificent and warm. The flowers around him glows like crystal as the moon kisses them with its rays. When she extend her hands to fill his. Every inches closer felt like nostalgia and the longing which she never understands...

Her alarm wakes her right at the same moment. Hana groans and slightly opens her eyes. 6:30am in the clock. She runs to take her bath and hurriedly went downstairs to take her breakfast.

"Good morning mom." Hana said enthusiastically as she kisses her mom. She grabbed the chair and started eating her breakfast.

"Hana, pack your things once your done. We're going to Japan. We talked about this last week and your grandfather misses you so much. He wants to see you soon." She reminds her of their deal and their plans while washing the plates.

Hana was a bit disappointed. She wants to spend time with Rachel, her bestfriend but her Grandpa wants to see her every summer vacation. This time its a rush. He wants to celebrate her 16th birthday in their hometown.

"Okay mom. I'm on it."

11:00AM

"Are you sure you did not miss anything?" Mrs. Endo reminds her before they live.

"No Mom. I've checked it already." Hana replied.

They took a taxi and hurried to the airport. They should be there at least one hour before their flight.

1:00PM

Hana walked in the airport with her casual dress and suits draped in her arm. Its cold in Japan, Just to be ready.

He pull her turquoise luggage and put it in the baggage scanner. They've waited there for an hour until they are good for boarding. Just as she enters the plane. She felt a weird sensation. A feeling she never felt before. A feeling that she might not be able to see this place again. She seated at her designated seat and glanced at the window. She felt like she needs to see the scene one last time. A weird sensation. She is not used to look right through the window of a plane but this time its different.

Her dazed was interrupted by the pilot's voice telling them to switch there phone to airplane mode and the flight stewardess giving them instruction.

Few hours later they arrived in Tokyo Terminal 2. They already rented a shuttle to take them to Kameido Station. They live near the Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo and what marvels her is the Wisteria blooming every spring as she watch it at night by the bridge. The reflection of the moon gives her the nostalgic feeling of peace as she gazed at her reflection being cast in the water.

"Tomorrow is my birthday and according to the news, the moon will be at its brightest and its a supermoon." Its is rare to see such moon". She thought to himself.

She fell asleep. Tired from the longs hours of plane travel. She dream the same dream again.

"Come back to me Himari. Come back to my side."

The place became as vivid as possible but his face is still blurry. She can see the bright big moon at his back and the bridge where she spent her night every spring. The river and the flowers and they are not common to her but she was drawn into them ever since she was a child.

Hana was startled as she was awaken by her mother.

"Hana, we've arrived." Mrs. Endo calmly told her daughter.

She gazed the temple and hurriedly went inside. They went to his grandparents and greeted them with delight.

"Konnichiwa Ojīchan, O bāchan" she greeted them with politeness and enthusiasm as she bowed to them.

(Good afternoon, Grandpa, grandma)

"Shitsurei shimasu" she said politely. (Please excuse me)

Her grandfather was delighted to see them.

"Irasshai" (welcome)

"Douzo oagari kudasai" her grand father told them.

(Please come up)

They step left there shoes outside and wore their slippers prepared for them.

"Ojichan, gobusata shiteorimasu" She said in a more polite way.

(Grandpa, Long time no see)

"Hisashiburi" (its been a while) she told her granddaughter

"Don't worry, I learned English quiet a bit so you can freely speak English her. You can rest for a while. You had a long flight. I've prepared everything before you came. Just tell me if you want a warm bath. I'll get it ready. We have Mizu to take care of everything."

"Thanks for everything, gramps", Hana showed her gratitude and smiled to her gramps.

"Amy, can you visit us in our room. There is something I need to tell you."

"Yes father." Mrs. Endo replied.

"Hana would you like some tea or something. I know your hungry. You can come with me. I'll get you something to eat." Her grandma offered.

" Sure, O bachan. I would like to have one." Our Hana is as cheerful as ever.

8:00PM

After the warm bath and the sumptious meal. Hana stroll in the garden of the temple and watch the bright moon and was amazed of how beautiful the wisterias are. Draping its flowers like a purple curtain as it shines in the night. She is again in the same spot where here heart felt the peace and comfort. The same bridge in her dream and the same river where she saw her reflection. The wind blew her hair and that same dream appeared as though it was a memory.

"We will soon be together Himari. Come back to me."

He was stunned for a moment and thought it was just a dream or an hallucination. His voice was so clear that he looks as though he is in front of her. Suddenly, she felt the cold air and she decides to get inside.

Before she went inside, she glance the wisteria flowers and tuen her head and went inside.

After that faithful day, her life would change on her 16th birthday.

Just as the flowers foretell there meaning, she will have her own.