All I want for Christmas is… Part 5

Middle of December…San Francisco

The weeks had passed by rather fast as Ryu was preparing to leave and head back to Japan. Ken was watching his friend pack his duffel bag. They had not talked about Ryu's situation with Chun li since the shopping mall.

"Are you sure you do not want to come to Aspen with us for Christmas?" Ken asked. "There will be plenty of space."

"Thank you my friend, but I feel I have stayed to long, and must return home. I have much to meditate on." Ryu replied.

"You know we could call Chun li and see if she would like to go too." Ken hinted.

Ryu stopped for packing for a second and stood in silence. "I do not think that would be appropriate. When I figure out how to express my feelings for her, I think I would feel more comfortable if we were alone."

"It's been three weeks now Ryu, I'm telling you this would be the perfect opportunity to see her. As to how to tell her the way you feel, you are going to have to listen to your heart. Thinking and brooding over it, is not going to help you out any." Ken Replied.

Closing the drawstrings on the worn Duffel bag, Ryu walked over to his friend and clasped him on the shoulder. "Thank you for everything and the sage advice you have given me."

"You are always welcome here." Ken answered. "I just wish you would reconsider about coming with us to Aspen. I think the two of you would enjoy yourselves. You sure you do not want me to give you a lift to the airport?"

"No, that is okay. If I remember right, you have a lot of packing to do yourself for your trip. I would like to walk anyway." Ryu replied.

Ken watched from the upstairs window of his bedroom as his best friend disappeared down the lane of his estate. He felt his wife's hands encircle around him from behind.

"What's wrong? You're never this moody when Ryu leaves." Eliza asked.

"I don't think he is ever going to tell Chun li how he feels. He'll think too much about it, and belittle himself. He does not think he is worthy of her affection." Ken Answered. "I tried to get him to ask her to Aspen with us, but he is just going to head back to Japan."

"You can't live his life for him Ken. He has to choose which path is right for him. Come on, we have to get started packing." Eliza said walking out of the room.

Ken looked out of the window one last time, then turned towards the door. 'I'll be right there in a few minutes." He called out.

Ryu stood in the rather long ticket line for what seemed like an eternity. Everyone was traveling due to the holiday season. As he stood in line, he gave some more thought on what he and Ken had talked about.

" Don't wait to much longer my friend, she has waited all these years to give you her heart. I do not know how much longer she will wait." Echoed in his head.

That's right. He could not keep her waiting any longer. He was blind not to see what she was trying give him all this time. It would not be right to make her wait.

As the ticket line finally moved up to the small booth, the attendant looked up from her computer with a smile.

"Destination Sir?" She asked politely.

"One ticket for Hong Kong." He replied.

To be continued…