Lie to Me
Chapter Six: Looking for an Escape
[Megumi]
Beep! Beep!
Ugh! What could this be again!?
Dr. Takani, you are needed in the Emergency Room right away.
I know that each doctor has their own responsibility and that one must be willing to make sacrifices but this is ridiculous! I need a break! What would happen to the world if all doctors suffer from a nervous breakdown? I know, the shrinks will go nuts treating know-it-all doctors and then the mental ward will be filled up and then people will die of diseases and then what?
Lawyers will take over the world.
Not a good picture.
Beep! Beep!
I know! I know! I�m coming! I swear, after this evening, I am going to take a nice and long vacation. Everyone needs to unwind, even doctors.
I ran out of the spa as fast as I can, jumped into my convertible and breezed towards the hospital. Did I say that a doctor also needs guts and a strong stomach? Aside from the driving expertise to bolt to the hospital in case of emergencies, you have to learn how to appreciate the beauty of internal organs and blood.
I stormed in the emergency room preparing for a major operation when I saw my patient.
A drunk beaten up guy whose fists are crushed.
This is the emergency I was called for?
Instead of feeling sorry for him, I wanted to punch him to oblivion! While other people are suffering from cancer, aids and other detrimental diseases, this punk engages in a brawl, not caring about his life.
How pathetic.
I bandaged his hand bitterly as I imagined myself in a faraway land where I have no responsibilities. Where I am paid to sit around and do nothing. Not that I am not a dedicated doctor, I am just in desperate need of a break.
After treating his hand, I went over his file. Hmmm� �Casting Director for Ai suru Hito o Mamoru Tame ni.�
Interesting.
~~~~~
[Sanosuke]
Where am I?
I squinted my eyes to adjust to the light. Am I in a hospital? Wait� wait� what happened?
I was in a bar with Katsu�
�there was this beautiful hot babe named Tokio�
�who turned out to be married to that bastard Hajime Saitoh from the other station!
�Chikuso!� I muttered under breath as I reflexively pounded my hand on the table beside me! �Iiiittttaaaaiiiii!!!!� I yelled out in pain as I rubbed my sore hand. I forgot that I broke this hand. Hmmm� what time is it anyway?
�Good morning, sir!� a nurse greeted as she entered the room.
�Hi there babe! Umm� what time is it?�
�It�s 9:30 in the morning, sir. Your friend brought you here but he had to leave you early. Here, he left you a message,� the nurse replied as she handed me a piece of paper.
Hey bakayarou! I have to go know, Aoshi called me and said that I was needed in the set. See ya!
Katsu
Teme! He didn�t even wake me up!
�Your doctor said that, as soon as you collect yourself, you may pay the cashier and you can go home,� she said warmly as she picked up her stuff and left.
That bastard Saitoh will get a piece of my Futae mo Kiwami when my fist heals. Che! I was I supposed to know that�
�Uncle! Uncle! Are you alright?�
What the�
I stared at the frantic woman who had just barged in my door. I was supposed to say something but no words came out� I just gaped at her beauty.
This had never happened to me. I was usually slick with women but, she is not an ordinary woman� she� she is a�
~~~~~
[Megumi]
Good. My plan is working!
�Uncle! Uncle I came here as soon as I could!� I repeated more desperately this time as I scanned the area.
�Miss I think you came in the wrong room,� he stammered.
I opened my mouth and stuttered, �Oh� I� I have to go.�
Damn! It didn�t work after all.
�I�m sorry. You seem to be so anxious. Is there a problem?�
On second thought, maybe this guy has a heart after all. I downcast my eyes and replied in a sad tone, �Actually, there is� my uncle is sick he is very sick and� I have to go.� I pretended to walk away. Slowly. Very slowly.
Three. Two. One.
�Don�t go so soon! Please� share with me your problems,� he began hesitantly. �Maybe I can help. You know, it would be better if you would release all your troubles here so that you wouldn�t have to enter your uncle�s room with a heavy heart.�
He�s compassionate? I never thought he would be like this. I thought that he is some arrogant and stuck-up showbiz guy who engages in fights for fun.
Maybe lying to him isn�t such a good idea but� I couldn�t help myself. I had already gotten into the character I was playing, besides� my mind is set. I am going to stir away from my strangling routine.
I slumped down on the chair beside him and sighed, �You�re right.� I looked into his worried eyes and began my practiced my lines, �Well, you see, my uncle had a dream for me. He wanted me to act on stage or� anywhere for that matter. He always wanted that for me but I was too busy. I never gave in to his wishes and now� on his deathbed, I want to fulfill his dreams� even if it�s too late��
I glanced at him, noting the seriousness of his face as he listened to me intently.
�..I had been roaming around the city for any audition openings but there isn�t any. I don�t know what to do. I really want to do that for him. You see, he was the one who took care of me��
At least that part was true.
He smiled at me weakly and held my hand for a moment, �See... sharing your problems isn�t so bad.�
I nodded in defeat. He wasn�t going to offer me any part. I stood up, smiled at him sadly and said, �You�re right. Umm� thank you. I have to go. Ano� sorry for the sudden outburst.�
�That�s alright. Um��
�Megumi. Megumi Takani. See you.� I waved my hands and turned to leave.
So much for wasting my time. Better remind myself that lying will never get me anywhere.
As I turned the knob to leave, he called out, �Wait, Megumi Takani! Maybe I can help you!�
Bingo!
I turned around and wore an innocent face. �Huh? What do you mean��
�Sanosuke. Sanosuke Sagara,� he said with a cocky grin.
�What do you mean, Sanosuke?�
�Maybe I can help you find the break you are looking for.�
At that, I smiled at him widely. Oh, Sano! You don�t know how fitting the word break is.
~~~~~
[Kenshin]
I walked up the path where my father used to take me. I sat on a large stone as I watched the birds fly on the clear sky.
Then, she was there, walking towards me.
I stood up and met her half-way. �Kaoru� what are you doing here?�
�I came here for you,� she replied wearing a smile so bright that even the stars would be envious. She wrapped her arms around me , resting her head on my chest.
�How did you find me?� I whispered through her hair.
She looked up at me, pressing her nose against mine. �Even if I was blind I will always find my way to you.�
�Stay with me,� I pleaded as I lowered my head to capture her lips for a sweet and lingering kiss.
�Forever,� she said, smiling, in between our kiss as she pulled down my head to deepen the kiss.
~~~~~
I can�t believe I fell asleep here. That dream� it felt so real.
I slapped my forehead and sighed, �Oh, Kaoru what have I done? We were so close� Why did I let you go?�
I sighed audibly as I looked at my watch. My eyes widened. �Oh no! I am late! Aoshi is going to kill me!� Setting aside my previous thoughts, I dashed towards my house. I cannot afford to be late, especially now that we are filming the season ender episode.
I took a bath, dressed up and drove to the studio as fast as I could. Aoshi doesn�t appreciate tardiness. Whew! If the Guinness people were watching I would have probably won an award for fastest actor to reach the studio. I threw the doors open, sighing in relief when I saw that they were just about to start
�Great, Himura! You are just in time! Now, dress up into your costume and we are going to shoot scene 3, act 5, episode 13, season 7!�
What was that again?
�What are you waiting for� Go!� Aoshi ordered.
After donning my costume, I went to the set, silently recalling the lines that I had memorized earlier.
�We�re on at five. Four. Three. Two. One. Action!�
�Diagoro, it�s over. Our problems are finally over. Nothing is going to stand in our way� in our love. Aren�t you happy?�
�Of course I am happy. It�s just that��
�What? Tell me!� she asked worriedly as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
�I just wish that Tetsuma didn�t have to kill himself.�
Smiling weakly, she consoled, �I know, darling but� we can�t do anything about it, ne?� She wrapped her arms around me and continued, � You don�t have to blame yourself. We have our whole lives ahead of us. Aren�t you happy?�
�Of course I am!�
She leaned on my shoulder, whispering audibly, � I love you, Diagoro. I have waited my whole life for you.�
I closed my eyes, picturing the beautiful face of the woman I love. �Me, too. I�m glad that I finally have you in my arms. I love you, Kaoru!�
Shura immediately pulled back and looked at me in puzzlement. She raised her eyebrows and squeaked, �Huh?�
�Cut! Himura!? What was that everything was perfect already!! Who is Kaoru?� Aoshi demanded.
I gave him a sheepish grin as sweat formed on my head. �Anoo� I can explain everything, Aoshi� later. Hehehe� can we just take the scene again?�
Aoshi nodded understandingly. �On cue! Scene 3, act 5, episode 13, season 7, take two! Action!�
Trying to collect myself, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes momentarily but all I saw was her lovely face smiling at me.
This is not working.
I opened my eyes and sighed miserably.
I can�t believe how much she affects me! If given the chance to see her again, I will never let her go.