12 12. Echoing Encounters
Akio now had nowhere to go.He decided to spend the night outside the house sitting upon the doormat.He checked for the softness of the bag.It was hopelessly hard,as it was plastic.He sat upon the prickly doormat,which brushed against his skin and rested his head by the door.Initially,he was uncomfortable,but managed to fall asleep.
The night passed smoothly.It was dawn.The sun rose yet again and its soft rays illuminated Mark's face,causing him to wake up.He got up and folded his bed,which lay beside the balcony,got dressed up and checked Wang Xiu.
She seemed better than a day before,when she could not even move.He placed a note by her bed which said:
"Porridge and medicines are placed by the bed.Please have them.Take care."
He placed a tray which contained the mentioned things upon the side-table,Checked everything,and opened the door.Suddenly,something tumbled upon his feet.He looked down in astonishment.It was Akio,sleeping soundly.
"Get up,you stupid person!"He snapped,pushing Akio with his feet. Akio woke up in surprise.
"Who is it?"Akio mumbled,rubbing his eyes.
"This is Mark.I would like to inform you that you were successfully ejected out of this house.You may go speak to the landlady."Mark cautioned,closing the door behind him.
"See you not-so soon!"Mark gushed as he exited the building.
Akio was fed-up.He made up his mind to meet the landlady.However,that was not required.The landlady was going out for a morning jog when she noticed the strange scenario.
"What happened to you?"she queried in confusion.
"Nothing,its just a normal fight."Akio averred.
"You can come to my house if you want to."She suggested.
"Can I?!"Akio gave an immediate reply.
"Yeah...If you want to ."She offered.
Akio was led by the landlady to her house.It was same size as Mark's but the placement of certain things made it seem bigger.She hung her black velvet jacket behind the door and sat down for a chat.
"May I ask what happened yesterday?"She asked,setting the thermostat to heat mode.
"I don't know."Akio shrugged.
"How do you not know?"The landlady inquired.
"It was a simple fight between classmates.I just supported one of them and due to this,I knocked out the other one by punching him.Then when I came back,he was all fussy."Akio explained.
"Well,I think it might be a minor mistake on your side.To simply put it together,you took him for granted."She mused.
"In what way have I taken him for granted?"He inquired.
"Maybe,you thought that the misunderstanding could be cleared later,but that just worsened it.You need to confront him."She suggested.
The landlady's words hit home. Akio could have never imagine that she could be so good at advising people.This means that there was always a consoling person hiding behind the commercial one.He resolved to apologize to Mark,this time for real.He thanked her for the advice.
Akio went back to his temporary "home".He sat down to wait for Mark until sunset,when he returned.
Mark returned back.He was smiling up until he saw Akio. His smile immediately turned into a frown.The last person he wanted to see today was Akio.
"Mark....I..am very sorry.Please forgive me."Akio apologized.
"I told you I don't want to see your face.Then why are you here?"Mark rebuked.
Akio knew this wasn't going to be easy.It is rightly said,"good friends come with a price to pay." He had to pay the price.If not now,then never. Akio's desperation could be seen on his face.Beads of sweat trickled down his face as he constantly pleaded.Mark could sense that.He could feel the aura changing. Akio now could not hold it back.He grabbed Mark's collar and pulled him closer.
Both were exchanging glances.Mark's normal breathing was greeted by Akio's abnormal one.His pulse was getting stronger by the minute.His face was sweating,his lips turned purple and were trembling in fear..Mark could feel the sincerity through Akio's face.Deep inside,he knew he had already forgiven him.
Suddenly,they heard a loud crashing sound.They both snapped.
What could be the source of the sound?Did Mark accept Akio's Apology?
