Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Soundtrack: Switchfoot – You
Toma said something, but Yamapi tried to get away fast.
He wanted to get as far away from Toma as he could, even if it broke his heart.
But then Toma told him to wait, and he couldn't but do as he was told. Pi wasn't sure if he should look at him, but he had to. How else would Toma believe his words?
He saw Toma rip the ring off his neck.
And it felt like Toma had ripped Pi's heart out. He wanted to cry, but he wasn't allowed to.
Toma talked to him, furious, but Pi didn't get a word.
Toma came closer and Pi watched him still. He wanted to hug him, wanted to tell him that he didn't want to leave but it was already to late.
When Toma punched his fist into Pi's face, Pi didn't even try to defend himself and sagged to the ground.
Toma continued to scream out what he had in mind, while Pi didn't even feel his back. He could hardly keep his eyes open, so that he was able to absorb Toma's hurt expression and his whole face.
But then it started to rain and Toma threw the ring at Pi. He wanted to get up, to feel the cold metal between his fingers, but before he was able to move, Toma turned around and ran as fast as he could.
Pi slowly lifted his hand, groping for the ring, but he didn't find it. He fought to get up and saw the ring and Toma's necklace lying beside him in the grass.
Hesitantly he reached out for the precious metal and looked at the ring in his palm. And then he couldn't hold it any more.
He started crying like there was no tomorrow, clinching the ring in his hand and cried Toma's name into the rain.
How could he live without him? How was he supposed to go on when he knew that his only reason to live hated him now and he would never be able to reach out for him again? Toma was gone and there was no doubt about this fact.
Where should he go now?
There was no one close to him any more. He had killed his dad and driven away the love of his life. And his mum had already died years ago.
Was there actually any reason to go anywhere anymore?
But then he heard his mother's voice in his head, saying “Hora, there's always a reason to live. And if you don't know how to go on anymore, come talk to me and I will help you, alright?”
Yes. He would go to his mum. He would go to her grave and pray. Maybe he would get an answer.
He tried to get up, but trembled and fell down again. So he tried for a second time and finally got on his feet. He began walking in the rain, heading for the opposite direction of which the prince had taken. He walked the whole night and half of the next day through, until he finally reached the grave.
And then his feet couldn't hold him any more. He kneeled down and read the text on the gravestone. He couldn't read that well, but he knew how to write his mother's name, because he was the one who had written the name on the stone that day.
“Mother... I'm back...”
He smiled.
“And I'm desperate. I've met... my special someone. And then I met dad, and I had to decide between both of them and I made the wrong decision and took the wrong path and now it's all too late and I don't know what to do... I know this may sound confusing, but... I've fallen in love and now there's no chance for us to stay together. Please, help me...”
Pi felt tears running down his cheeks again as he talked.
“Don't worry, son...”
Pi looked up, confused. Was his mother talking to him?
“Behind you, son.”, the voice said.
Pi turned around. There was an old lady standing there, watching him with a warm smile.
“I don't know your story and I don't know your problems, but... I believe there's always hope when you're in love. Try to get your second chance.”
Pi was confused. Did he deserve a second chance?
“But I... have said terrible things... I don't think that person will ever forgive me.”, Pi said, looking to the ground.
“Have you tried to apologize yet?”
“N-no... I have not...”
“Then go and try. I also... have done terrible things ages ago. But the person I loved would forgive me every time I did something wrong. Saying I would learn from this to be a better person one day. And he was right. I was afraid I would hurt him if I stayed with him, but I didn't. And I still believe he knew.”
The old lady looked at a gravestone only meters away from the one Pi sat in front of and smiled. Then she looked at him again.
“Now get up, son. Tell your mother good-bye and run. I believe your special someone is still waiting for you.”
Pi hesitated, but then got on his feet again.
“I wish I could show you how grateful I am, but...”, Pi said and bowed deeply.
“Don't bother, boy. Just run, before it's too late.” The old lady still smiled.
“Alright. Good-bye.” Again he bowed to the old lady. “Good-bye, mother. Until next time.”
And Pi even managed to smile, before he started running again. He bought something to eat, because he was so hungry and drank from the water in the river and then he headed for the castle again.
And prayed for a second chance.
