Tomoyo's Hong Kong Visit

 Day 2

 Shopping in the City

 

 

 I.

 Sakura woke with a start, nearly tumbling out of bed. It was still

 dark outside, with Sayoran already gone. And Tomoyo? She felt a

 sudden pang of disbelief that her dearest friend was really here in

 the same house. Jumping out of bed she threw on her green robe and

 padded down the hallway to the door of the guest room. There she

 hesitated, worrying about knocking so early. The night before they

 talked until well past midnight, remembering old friends, family, and

 teachers, laughingly reliving the dances, picnics, and all the

 wonders and adventures of their childhood years. After parting,

 Sakura found she was simply too excited to sleep and crept to the

 kitchen for tea. On her way she found Tomoyo equally awake, and the

 two giggled like guilty schoolgirls at a slumber party. Over Oolong

 tea they again talked for hours before giving in to exhaustion and

 sleep. Surely she’s not awake after all that, Sakura thought. But the

 urge to see that her friend was actually here was overwhelming, and

 she tapped lightly on the mahogany door. A quick rustle and a

 whispery voice told her that Tomoyo was already up, too,

 

 “Yes, who is it?”

 

 She whispered back, “Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan, it’s me, Sakura.”

 

 The door swung open, revealing the beaming face of Tomoyo. She

 ushered the auburn-haired woman in with barely suppressed excitement.

 

 “Ohayo, Sakura-chan. You’re up early.”

 

 Sakura smiled as she sat on a red plush pillow and replied, “I guess

 I’m used to waking up for work. And I guess I’m sort of excited that

 you’re here, too.”  Knowing that Tomoyo was in the same house, she

 couldn’t imagine being anywhere other than with her. Glancing at the

 dark-haired woman who regarded her with gentle eyes, Sakura shivered

 sweetly. She had missed her beautiful friend so much that just seeing

 her seemed a miracle.  Looking up, the first rays of dawn glinted

 through the garden window, crowning Tomoyo with a golden halo of

 light. Sakura smiled at this beatific vision and thought: like an

 angel. Just like an angel. Tomoyo tilted her head quizzically and

 smiled back. The auburn-haired woman could only grin, silently

 laughing with pure joy. She hadn’t been this happy since, since when?

 Since we were last together, she thought with a start. Not the

 wedding, or the honeymoon, or life in Hong Kong, not any of it; I

 haven’t felt like this since I was with her. Somehow this thought was

 disturbing, and she quickly stood up as if shaken from a dream. But

 the shadow passed as quickly as it had come, and Sakura clapped her

 hands together and spoke in a voice bursting with excitement, 

 

 “Sayoran-chan had to go to work today, and said he was sorry that he

 couldn’t join us. But I made him write an itinerary of where to go.

 Do you want to get ready now?”

 

 Tomoyo nodded and rose as Sakura bolted out the door yelling, “I’ll

 be ready in a minute!” The dark-haired girl closed her eyes tightly

 and clasped her hands together. The months of loneliness that haunted

 her since the wedding seemed like a life belonging to someone else.

 With a deep breath she steadied herself, heart racing wildly from

 being so deliriously close to her secret love. Fighting back tears

 she smiled and thought, I could live a hundred years alone to be with

 her for just a single day.  Opening the heavy cedar chest to pick out

 a dress, she was overcome by the scent of a thousand memories.

 

 II.

 Sakura felt a delightfully cool breeze as she leaned against the

 railing of the Wan Chai ferry. The little boat was packed with

 commuters traveling from the New Territories to Hong Kong, but the

 two women had arrived early and enjoyed an unrestricted view of the

 passing islands. The hem of Tomoyo’s lavender skirt fluttered in the

 wind as she scanned the junks and boats that dotted the water. Sakura

 touched her, and pointed out a sea bird circling above them. Tomoyo

 blushed as the delicate fingers lightly graced her shoulder. She

 gazed at her friend adoringly, hand resting on one cheek as she

 sighed deeply. Whether it was birds in the sky, or baking a cake, or

 falling in love, Sakura’s enthusiasm gushed forth in a sparkling

 flood of innocent excitement. Tomoyo struggled to contain her

 emotions lest the beautiful woman notice. It was all she could do to

 keep from passionately hugging Sakura right there on the boat.

 Fascinated by the turning gulls, Sakura let go of Tomoyo's shoulder

 and sought her hand. Tomoyo blushed again as their fingers delicately

 interlaced. Sakura squeezed gently, as if for reassurance that her

 friend was truly there. Tomoyo drew a quick breath, felt her

 heartbeat quicken, and softly squeezed back. Though she had learned

 that it was customary in Hong Kong for female friends to hold hands,

 the girl’s touch was nearly overwhelming. As the ferry neared the

 shore and the buildings of the Convention Center loomed large, Sakura

 turned and exclaimed,

 

 "Sayoran-chan says the best shopping in the city is the Causeway.

 I've only been there once. They even have Japanese department stores

 just like home, but he said there are better bargains on the back

 streets."

 

 Tomoyo nodded and smiled, and heard a loud clang as the gangway

 dropped to the dock. The two women were swept along with the mass of

 people as the ferry emptied out. Holding a map in one hand and Tomoyo

 with the other, Sakura plowed forward through the throng. After a

 brief walk down Flemming Drive they took an immaculate subway and got

 off by the Daimaru department store. Walking along Great George

 Street, Tomoyo was dazzled by the variety of stores and goods for

 sale. It was like Tokyo, only even more dense and crowded. Finally,

 Sakura suggested they enter the Matsuzakaya, which was just opening

 for business.

 

 They passed the rows of impeccably dressed store employees bowing

 for their first customers. The massive department store was much like

 it's Japanese counterpart, though stocked with local Chinese goods

 that would have seemed oddly out of place back home. Wending their

 way through the first floor they came to a display of the fall

 fashion line. There they saw scarves, hats, blouses and dresses in

 subdued earth tones and rich, dark greens. Tomoyo fancied a long,

 chiffon, copper-russet dress, while a pleated, flowing, pumpkin-

 colored skirt entranced Sakura. Impulsively, the auburn-haired woman

 slipped into a changing room to try it on. Upon emerging she sweat

 dropped as Tomoyo gleefully met her with the video camera. But

 somehow, despite the embarrassment, it secretly thrilled her to be

 filmed once again. Tomoyo's love was effusive, and came out in so

 many curious little ways: the costumes, the camera, and the funny

 little remarks. Sakura realized how painfully she missed her friend's

 eccentricities, these odd little tokens of her affection. Of course,

 Sayoran loved her, too, in his way. And so did her father, and

 brother. But somehow, she felt herself a treasured part of Tomoyo's

 life, a unique receptacle of the pale woman’s effusive love. The girl

 had always made her feel special, filling her with a confidence and

 courage that she otherwise lacked. Holding the hem of the skirt she

 twirled like a dancer, delighting Tomoyo and earning stares from the

 other customers. Stopping in mid-pirouette, she caught her breath and

 gazed at the camera and her dear friend behind it. She smiled,

 curtseyed, and then quickly dashed into the changing room. For some

 reason she was crying. Sitting on the little bench and dabbing her

 eyes with the skirt, she shook her head in bewilderment. 

 

 "Baka, why are you crying?” she thought. "Because, because I don't

 feel like this with anyone else. Because I'm never this happy unless

 I'm with her. Because I can only be with her for a few more days, and

 then she'll be gone again". Sakura sat with her fists clenched, tears

 trickling down her cheeks. She wiped them away, desperately

 struggling to regain her composure. She heard a soft voice outside

 the door, tinged with concern,

 

 "Sakura-chan, are you all right?"

 

 "Hai", she gasped out, breathing raggedly, "I'll be out in just a

 minute."

 

 Sakura emerged with a smile, easing the worry on Tomoyo's pale face.

 The Mistress of the Cards fiddled with the price tag on the skirt,

 looked at the money in her handbag, and then stared again at the

 price. Finally, she looked at Tomoyo uncertainly. Her companion

 smiled and said, "It looks very pretty on Sakura-chan". That was good

 enough, and a saleslady was soon wrapping the purchase into a tidy,

 tied up bundle.

 

 After buying the skirt, the two perused the dishes and china sets.

 They were entranced by the exquisitely beautiful Haviland

 collections, with Sakura declaring the strawberry pattern her

 favorite, while Tomoyo favored a serving tray with little fishes

 playing around the rims. Sakura noticed a crowd gathering, and with

 Tomoyo in tow went to see what was going on. By the bridal section a

 fashion show had begun, featuring Western and Chinese wedding

 dresses. Sakura oohh-ed and ahh-ed at the dazzling display of satin

 and lace. The traditional red and gold brocade of a Chinese costume

 was exotically beautiful, and she glanced over to see Tomoyo's

 reaction. The lavender-haired was smiling, but it was an odd, frozen

 smile, as if she wore it to hold back some secret distress. Sakura

 felt a sudden stab of pain in her chest as she remembered Tomoyo's

 unspoken love for her special person, and the heartbreaking line in

 one of her letters, "It doesn't matter if I have a wedding." She

 gripped Tomoyo's hand tightly and whispered, "Let's go," practically

 yanking her friend away. Sakura avoided the startled woman's face,

 for fear those glistening blue eyes might start her crying all over

 again. She tugged Tomoyo along, nearly running out of the store and

 into the mid-day heat. Finally, Sakura paused in the shade of a

 building and looked at Tomoyo, who was breathless but smiling. Sakura

 smiled, too, and asked,

 

 “Are you hungry? Sayoran-chan says there’s a great noodle restaurant

 not far from here, the Dai Pai Dong.” 

 

 Tomoyo smiled and replied, “That would be nice. I love noodles. ”

 

 Walking hand in hand down Jardine's Bazaar, the women threaded their

 way past street merchants and hawkers with every imaginable ware for

 sale. There were booths laden with jade and gold, silks and luxurious

 fabrics, and odd potions and medicinals. Finally they worked their

 way to the Night Market and, between Tomoyo’s English and Sakura’s

 Chinese, were seated in a more-or-less quiet table in a darkened

 corner. After pointing out their orders on a tray of plastic replicas

 of the daily specials, the two friends chatted about the beautiful

 clothing and jewelry they had seen, and all the places they would go

 on Sayoran’s little list. When the noodles arrived they were

 surprised at the bounteous feast, and knew they could never finish.

 Once the dishes were cleared, Sakura poured the tea and pondered what

 to say. Tomoyo looked at her and sensed that something was amiss. Her

 gentle smile, silently reassuring, urged the reticent brunette to

 speak. Finally, Sakura burst out in an agitated voice, 

 

 “Tomoyo-chan, do you think you can love someone besides your one,

 True Love?”

 

 Tomoyo was startled by the woman’s sudden fervor. She looked down at

 the clear, pale green liquid that billowed in her little teacup.

 Finally she looked at Sakura, saw the urgency of her expression, and

 asked in as matter-a-fact a voice as she could manage, 

 

 “Sakura-chan, I’m not quite sure what you mean. Surely a person

 would still love their parents, and their brothers and sisters, even

 if they had found their one, True Love.”

 

 Sakura frowned and looked at the table, slowly shaking her head,

 searching for the right words,

 

 “I know that…that you would still love your family, but…Tomoyo-chan,

 you love your special person very much, don’t you?”

 

 Tomoyo felt her thudding heart as she gazed at Sakura’s beautiful

 face. If only she could speak her true feelings, just once! Instead,

 she smiled and spoke in a clear, musical voice,

 

 “I love them with all my heart, and all my life.”

 

 Sakura stared, wild emotions tearing at her self-control. In a

 halting voice she whispered,

 

 “Tomoyo-chan, could you….could you ever love anybody else?”

 

 Tomoyo looked at her friend and desperately struggled to maintain

 her mask. Why was she asking this? What could she mean? Why is she

 doing this? Her mind raced through all the possibilities: she wants

 me to meet someone, she wants to help me somehow.  Tomoyo wished she

 had never come, that she were back with Sonomi in the far away

 mountains. Or even that Sakura had just forgotten all about her,

 forever. But that thought stung, and brought her to the verge of

 tears. Forcing a smile to hide her fraying heart, Tomoyo spoke

 truthfully, for she was too shaken to lie,

 

 “Sakura-chan, I could never, ever love anyone but my special person.”

 

 Crestfallen, Sakura sank back into her chair. Her smile was shaky,

 but sincere. Breathing deeply, she said,

 

 “ I guess I knew that already.” She glanced away, staring at the

 restaurant’s red carpet as if it held all the great secrets of the

 world. “I don’t even know why I was asking.” With teary eyes she

 gazed at Tomoyo and took both her hands. “Your special person is so

 very lucky to have your love. I only wish they knew.”

 

 Tomoyo felt the soft, warm hands tenderly holding her own. She

 closed her eyes tightly, but darkness brought no relief.  Sadly she

 thought to herself,  “I wish you knew too, Sakura-chan. But I can’t

 ever let you know.”

 

 III.

 The westering sun lit up the city in a golden glow as the electric

 tram slowly climbed the heights of Victoria Peak. In a strange

 transition, the dense, urban world gave way to a mountainous jungle.

 Only the occasional mansion dotted the landscape as the little tram

 pulled it's way ever higher. The two women were burdened with bags

 and packages, but Sakura was determined to see the sunset that

 Sayoran called, "the most beautiful sight in all of Hong Kong." She

 knew they could stop off at the Li mansion, but that would cost

 precious time. The Peak was the highest point in the area, and

 overlooked the city and all the little islands of the bay. When they

 finally reached the top, they were greeted by still more stores,

 museums, and restaurants. Sakura's face lit up when she saw a set of

 rental lockers, which they used to store the day's accumulation of

 bargains. Then, Sakura took out her husband's crudely drawn map and

 stared at it in puzzlement.

 

 "He's such an awful map maker," she frowned. Tomoyo giggled and said,

 

 "The streets are very well marked, not like back home. I guess maps

 aren't as necessary here."

 

 "Mmmmm," Sakura replied distractedly. Finally, pointing to the west

 in triumph she exclaimed, "There. That's the way. I think." Sakura

 strode forward into the great unknown, and Tomoyo smilingly followed.

 

 The path was twisty, and the climb somewhat steep. The Peak rose

 almost 2,000 feet from sea level, and was covered in thick,

 subtropical foliage, broken only by parks, gardens, and commercial

 buildings at the top. The two stopped at a bench to catch their

 breath, but Tomoyo sensed her friend's impatience, and said they

 should press on before the sun could set. Sakura happily agreed, and

 the pair again began to climb. The pale woman marveled at her

 friend's stamina, her sure-footed ease on the difficult trail. While

 walking, Tomoyo thought about the day, the thousand treasured moments

 spent with Sakura. It was a blessing beyond hope to be with her, to

 see her new life and happiness first hand. Though exhausted from the

 vigorous climb, Tomoyo found new energy in just being with her

 beloved. Suddenly the leaves and trees gave way, and the two women

 stood in awe at the view of the city below them. The great

 skyscrapers of Central were like little models below, the golden

 yellow sunlight catching their sharp angles for the last time in the

 day. The great city of commerce was slowly changing into a mecca of

 entertainment as evening approached. Sakura took Tomoyo's hand and

 spoke earnestly,

 

 "Sayoran-chan said we should see the sunset over Lamma Island, and

 then catch the city at night." Tomoyo nodded, and the two plunged

 back on the path into the green world of trees and vines. The trail

 was steeper now, but cooler as shade darkened their way. Sakura was

 in her determined mode, and nothing would keep her from the sunset.

 When her mind was set like this, she was almost a little scary.

 Tomoyo was secretly thankful that she seemed to have given up her

 quest to discover the identity of her True Love. Struggling up a

 broken part of the trail, Tomoyo knew that in the end all her masks

 would avail her nothing if Sakura truly wanted to know. At times, she

 thought it might be better if they parted forever, lest the Mistress

 of the Cards find that she herself was at the center of Tomoyo's

 heart. That would be tragic for both of them, which was why this

 might be the last time they would be together. If I drop out of her

 life she'll forget about me and still have all the memories, Tomoyo

 resolved wistfully. But how could I possibly do such a thing? How

 could I live without hope of ever seeing her again? She knew the

 answer already: because it would make her happy. And that was worth

 any pain, no matter how long, or how cruel. Tomoyo was breathing

 hard, from the climb as well as her secret thoughts, when suddenly

 they stopped.

 

 The sun was just beginning to set. The shredded clouds hung on the

 horizon, pink and orange in the fading light. Lamma Island shone like

 an emerald on fire, wrapped in a golden glow. The two women,

 exhausted from the vigorous pace of the climb, plopped onto the

 grass, still hand in hand. A great cruise ship slipped out of the

 harbor and blasted a mournful farewell that rose all the way to the

 top of the Peak. The pair sat entranced as the sun painted the world

 in a riot of red and purple color. Darkness came slowly, soft, sweet

 and tender. Sakura pointed out the first star high in the sky, and

 closed her eyes to make a silent wish. Tomoyo saw the waxing moon;

 nearly full now, nestled in black velvet like some luscious tropical

 fruit. 

 

 She gazed at Sakura, her fairy-tale face touched by the moonlight.

 She's like the Lunar Princess come to earth, Tomoyo thought. She

 can't stay with me, and my heart will long for her all my days. But

 this moment will be memory, a comfort and a solace to turn away the

 pain. Sakura's dark lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. Her wish

 complete, she smiled sweetly at her dark-haired friend. Her green

 eyes shone like far away stars, and Tomoyo felt her heart shudder and

 break. Wracked by a flood of joy and sadness, Tomoyo let her mask go

 and laid her head on Sakura's shoulder. The lavender hair tumbled

 down in a luminous cascade, and her soft body cuddled against her

 beloved friend. Sakura felt a wave of longing, her heart buoyed by

 the magical presence of Tomoyo. She reached out and encircled the

 woman with her arm, pulling her closer. High above, the stars wheeled

 their way through the endless dark, but Tomoyo and Sakura were silent

 and still. All that night the two sat side-by-side, nestled in

 starlight and moon glow, like a statue of lovers from long ago.