Seeking Answers

June's Birthday🎈

June awoke to the delicate scent of blossoms wafting through the air, his pulse quickening as he beheld the bouquet resting beside his bed. Nestled among the flowers, a small card bearing Sushi's handwriting greeted him, extending warm birthday wishes. With a flurry of feelings, he reached for the gift box, his hands trembling with excitement.

Behind the door, Sushi waited anxiously, her heart burdened with anticipation. She observed as June unwrapped the gift, her breath hitching in her throat, praying for his acceptance. Yet, June's determination stood firm.

Once June noticed Sushi's presence by the door, he ceased fidgeting and set the gift aside without a trace of emotion. It appeared he wasn't pleased with the carefully selected gift she had chosen for him, unaware of the disappointment it inflicted upon Sushi.

Despite feeling a twinge of sadness, she went ahead and prepared a lavish brunch, her determination unwavering to make his birthday special.

As June descended the stairs, his steps heavy with the weight of the morning, he paused at the sight of Sushi standing by a table adorned with an array of dishes. Despite the warmth of her gesture, he remained resolute in his intention to leave for work.

"June... Happy Birthday...." Her voice quivered with emotion as she spoke, her eyes scanning his face for any flicker of acknowledgment. However, June remained distant, offering no response to her heartfelt greeting, his attention fixed solely on his departure for work.

Desperation tinged Sushi's voice as she implored him to linger, to share this moment with her. "Please, just have breakfast today, I beg of you. At least on your birthday. I've put in so much effort..."

June hesitated, the gravity of her plea finally resonating with him. For the first time, he allowed himself to truly hear her, to witness the anguish etched on her face.

Reluctantly, he settled into a chair, the weight of his heart palpable in the heavy silence that enveloped them. Sushi served him quietly, her hands shaking as she battled back tears.

"What if he walks out if I speak up now? Let's wait until after breakfast," Sushi's fear clamped down on her words, uncertainty racing through her as her heart pounded in her chest.

As they completed their meal, Sushi's courage wavered. "June... Do you... dislike the gift?" Her voice barely audible, lost amidst the heavy silence encircling them.

June remained silent, his stare fixed on the vacant plate in front of him. With a weighted sigh, Sushi summoned the strength to make one last request.

"I have a small request," she started, her voice quivering with emotion. "I won't ask for anything else if you could grant me this one favor."

She halted, her heart racing in her chest as she allowed herself to hope. "Could you please come to the beach guesthouse tonight?"

But June remained silent, his quietness heavy with the weight of disappointment, crushing Sushi's spirit. With a resigned nod, he collected his keys and departed without a word, leaving Sushi alone amidst the fragments of her shattered hopes and dreams.

As June drove away, his mind was consumed with thoughts of the past, of the betrayal that had torn them apart. Despite the glimmer of hope that had briefly flickered to life, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within him.

"Why am I smiling? Have I lost my mind?" he wondered, his thoughts racing as he navigated the familiar streets. With a heavy heart, he pushed aside the memories of happier times, steeling himself for the day ahead.

In the office, Sushi's attempts to bring up the topic of the beach house were met with indifference, June seemingly impervious to her every attempt. As the day progressed, her anxiety mounted, her thoughts consumed by the uncertainty of whether he would agree to her invitation.

"It's almost time. Will he come or not? Should I just go and ask? Okay, let's give it a try," Sushi contemplated, summoning her resolve for one last effort.

With cautious steps, she made her way towards June's desk, a bundle of files tightly gripped in her trembling hands.

"Come in," June's voice pierced the silence as Sushi rapped gently on the door. She entered tentatively, her heart racing as she met June's scrutinizing stare.

"How can I help you, Ms. Sushi?" June's words dripped with sarcasm, his focus already returning to the glowing computer screen.

"June, I require your signature on this. It's the budget file for the project we will be doing," Sushi murmured, her voice barely audible as she laid the file on his desk.

Without uttering a single word, June swiftly signed the document and redirected his attention to his tasks, dismissing Sushi without a second glance.

But Sushi refused to be dissuaded. Gathering every ounce of courage she possessed, she drew in a deep breath and spoke up.

"There's something I'd like to discuss..." Her words lingered in the air.

"If it pertains to work, I'm all ears." June responded, his tone reluctantly courteous.

"It's not work-related, but June, could you please come to the beach house today?" Sushi's words spilled out in a hurried rush, her eyes tightly shut, afraid of his reaction. Before June could respond, she swiftly grabbed the file from his desk and bolted from the room, leaving him to contemplate her plea.

June couldn't suppress a smile at Sushi's persistence. "Seems like she's not taking no for an answer. I wonder what she's up to," he mused, intrigued by her unwavering determination. 

 🍽️🥂🎂🧁🍨

Upon arriving at the beach house later that evening, June was startled to find Sushi not only in the company of his parents but also his in-laws. Confusion gripped his thoughts as he tried to make sense of the unexpected gathering.

"I thought she wanted to have a conversation, to clarify why she betrayed me. I was prepared to listen. But why are my parents and even our in-laws here?" June murmured to himself, his mind filled with confusion and uncertainty.

"Mother and Father, you are also here..." June greeted their parents warmly, his arm naturally encircling Sushi's waist as they approached her. Sushi was left momentarily speechless by the unexpected touch, her heart fluttering with joy despite the surprising turn of events.

"Sushi didn't mention that you were joining us too, Dad... I suppose she wanted to spring a surprise," June chuckled, affectionately tousling her hair as he pulled out a chair for her to sit.

As they shared their meal, the playful banter and tender gestures exchanged between June and Sushi warmed the hearts of their elders, who observed with approving smiles.

As the evening neared its end and elders bid their farewells, Sushi observed with a mix of emotions as their parents and in-laws left, contented.

With a weighty heart, Sushi retraced her steps to the beach, each footfall echoing her apprehension. There, she discovered June seated alone on the sand, a solitary silhouette outlined against the moonlit waves.

Quietly, she settled beside him, feeling the cool sand yield beneath her. For a brief interlude, they shared the quiet, interrupted only by the soft rhythm of waves caressing the shore.

"Thank you for being here today, and for everything," Sushi eventually murmured, her voice barely audible in the tranquility of the night.

But June's reply was tinged with anger, his words slicing through the quiet like a knife.

"I didn't do it for you," he snapped bitterly, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "I did it for your parents. No parent wants to witness their child's pain. Luckily, they're oblivious to your actions. If they knew, it would devastate them."

Sushi flinched at his words, wounded by the bitterness in his tone. She had dared to believe that their shared laughter and warmth during dinner hinted at a reconciliation, but now she understood that their rift was far from healed.

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she grappled for words, weighed down by regret for the hurt she had inflicted.

Aware of the burden of their shared anguish and yearning, Sushi realized that mere words could not bridge the chasm between them. With a heart heavy but resolute, she stood from her spot next to June and vanished into the night's embrace.

Moments later, she reappeared, cradling a small cake in her hands, its flickering candles illuminating the darkness with a gentle glow. With each measured step, her determination solidified, her heart pulsing with a renewed sense of determination.

June observed in silent amazement as Sushi drew near, the gentle glow of the candles casting a soft radiance upon her face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Without uttering a word, she placed the cake before him, the sweet aroma of vanilla and cream enveloping the air. For a fleeting moment, they remained still, the only sound the soft crackle of the candles as they swayed in the breeze.

Bathed in the gentle illumination of the candles, Sushi spoke, "I understand words alone can't erase the hurt I've inflicted, but please, let this serve as a beacon of hope. A testament that amidst our struggles, love still resides within us."

Tears pooled in June's eyes as he gazed at her, his heart throbbing with an ache he could no longer ignore.

Sushi gently clasped June's hand, and together they began to slice the cake. A bittersweet melody floated through the air as she softly sang the familiar strains of "Happy Birthday." The candles swayed in time with her voice, casting playful shadows upon the sand.

Before she could even complete the song, June's intoxicated voice shattered the fragile tranquility enveloping them.

"Why did you deceive me?" he bellowed, his words echoing into the night. "Don't I deserve an explanation?"