CHAPTER 12 I ALWAYS LOVE HER

" Never like this I've held others before, but it was never like this.

Where my body inhales you and quivers with bliss

Where my senses are reeling from the strength of desire,

And if I can't have you soon, I'll be consumed by the fire." (Karl Fuchs)

He closed the book and sighed. This was the third day after Masaki Ichiro arrived in Osaka, Japan. He was relieved to have returned to his beloved homeland safely. For the time being he had to stay at a hotel. Because the apartment had to be cleaned first, after more than seven years he left. And he had already hired a house cleaning service for the job. During these three days he spent resting at the hotel. His body felt tired. He hadn't had time to shave at all. This afternoon he planned to go to the barber, eat and visit his best friend Hasigawa Takahiro. He also brought some gifts for his best friend from Alaska. And he also brought souvenirs for someone in Indonesia there. Someone he loved. Who knew when he will send it, he must asked the address of that woman to Takahiro. With a note if his bestfriend wanted to tell him. But he was so sure that his best friend will give the address.

For some reason, since seven he stayed in Alaska he had a slight feeling that Takahiro was giving him a little bit of trouble. Every time they chatted by phone, video call or text message, that man always sent the last text message like this:

" Sonata Andini is fine. She loves you. Don't forget her !! Or I'll kill you when you come back to Osaka. "

" What kind of message is that? What kind of friend who always sends regular messages like that at least once a month. Who is he to threaten me like that? After all, who could forget that woman? After I had such a good time that night? Even I never let it go for a second. As if, that woman lived in every breath I take. She is always everywhere. I can't avoid it. Even if it's just a shadow though. Ah, what is she doing now? I feel like I wanted to visited her there, immediately. Meet her and hug her like that night. Will it happen? That fussy Takahiro always made sure to me that this woman fell in love with me and still loves me until now. Is it true? " he thought.

But deep in his heart he hoped so.

Lot of things in Ichiro's head. For more than seven years he worked in Alaska with enthusiasm because of the text messages that Takahiro always gave him at the end of the conversation. But Takahiro has never said anything about Sonata Andini directly when they talk by phone or video call.

Today he would talk and asked his friend to provide Andini's phone number and address in Indonesia. He had to get it. Because he planned to meet that woman as soon as possible. To make sure what relationship they will have in the future.

" I am already 42 years old now. I have to start thinking about my future. I want her to be mine. Only mine. "

That afternoon he went to the barber shop and called Takahiro on his way to his apartment. His friend was not busy at the moment. More at home, he said. He had indeed cut back on his work since marrying Shiori san last year. Since they were going to be spending the night together, Takahiro asked to bring some cans of beer. It so happened that Shiori san was staying over at her parents' house and only came back tomorrow afternoon.

Ichiro pressed the apartment bell several times. Then his friend's face appeared. They embrace each other. Actually it was not a Japanese habit to hug each other when they meet, but because they both often go abroad and hang out with various nationalities from many countries, they were both used to it.

"Hisashiburi desu! How are you Takahiro ?!"

(Hisashiburi means long time no see)

"Hisashiburi desu, Ichiro! As you can see I'm fine. Come in."

They enjoyed the dinner that Shiori prepared this afternoon. After that they chatted about their respective jobs while drinking beer.

"Ichiro .. You're like my own brother. So don't ever lie to me. What I want to know right now is how you feel about Andini?" Hasigawa asked to the point.

"When you ask me like that I feel like I'm an criminal who has taken someone else's life, Takahiro!"

"You are a criminal, Ichiro, at least that's what I thought for the past seven years. Ah, almost eight years. " Hasigawa grinned.

" Listen, Takahiro. Like I said before I went to Alaska almost eight years ago. I was captivated by her. I was captivated by her charm. If you ask about my feelings, I can confirm that I fell in love with her. Yes I do love her. While I was in Alaska it was only her in my mind besides my job. I can't forget her at all. She's like following me wherever I am. As long as I was there no one but her in my heart. She's like haunting me. I really have no idea. I can't even slept with another woman more than seven years!! Can you imagine it, Takahiro? I never slept with anyone else after I slept with her!! It's horrible! It has never happened to me like this before, Takahiro. You know me, don't you. How is she? I want to see her, Takahiro. Please .. I miss her. I want to go to Indonesia to meet her. Please give me all the information about her. "

" Is it really true, Ichiro? " Hasigawa laughed out loud.

" Don't laugh! I'm warning you, Takahiro! It's true. For God sake. it's true!! " Masaki Ichiro said.

" Okay.. Okay. I quite shocked when you told me that you haven't done it for more than seven years. How come? " Hasigawa chuckled.

Hasigawa never imagined Masaki Ichiro without women. He watched and listened intently to his best friend. He had to confirm his friend's feelings. And he knew that Ichiro really loves Andini.

" Come to think of you both it's really strange. Falling in love just because of a meeting a few hours after that you split up but still keep each other in love. That means you both are destined. "

he said.

" I wish so, Takahiro. "

" And before you go to Indonesia and meet her. I'll show you something. "

Hasigawa stood up and headed for his room then returned with a box containing a photo album and gave it to Ichiro.

"Open it. And have a good look."

Ichiro opened it and he saw a photo of a very beautiful little girl. His heart was pounding, for some reason. But he don't know why.

" Who is this, Takahiro? "

" Take a good look at her little face. Doesn't she look a lot like you, Ichiro. Shiori was shocked to see her when this little girl came to our wedding last year. Because she looks so much like her father. And she is also very smart like her father. Everything she has is plagiarism of her father. "

Then Hasigawa took out a photo of Ichiro when he was a child and placed it near Sakura's photo.

" She looks like you, right? "

Ichiro took a deep breath. His hands were shaking. Seeing the little girl's photo she looks so much like him.

" Is she my daughter, Takahiro? Tell me if Andini was pregnant at that time? Because I had a feeling something would happening when I left Osaka. Is she really my daughter? Oh God if this is true .. I'm sorry .. I'm so sorry I left you both. " and he started to cry.

" This beautiful little girl is your child, Ichiro. Your child with Andini. As a result of your ignorance to do it without security. Now how do you feel? "

he asked him.

" I don't know, Takahiro. But I want to meet them as soon as possible. I want to hug my daughter. I have a child, Takahiro. Why did you hide it from me? Why? "

" It just because Andini asked me, Ichiro. I was so confused during this time. I really want to talk to you about Andini and your daughter. I'm sorry, my friend. I'm sorry.. "

" It's okay, Takahiro. It's all happened. Now tell me the whole story. Please.. "

Then Hasigawa told him everything that happened years ago after Ichiro left for Alaska. Andini didn't want to bother him. She planned to tell Ichiro in the right time. And the right time was when Ichiro finished his work and came back to Osaka. And Ichiro understood. He felt happiness overflowing.

" I will marry her and make them happy, Takahiro. I promise to make them happy. Thank you so much, Takahiro for taking care of them for me. Arigatou. "