PRESENT
I finished the first journal entry and I've never done anything as hard in my life as I had to refrain myself from reading the continuation. Good thing that I'm very good at keeping my word even though my curiosity is killing me.
Upon reading it, I was reminded how different everything was then—especially when it comes to openness and acceptance. I've read different books that tackles what and how life was then and learning how truly different the past is with the present today. Having a personal journal with me from the year the second world war has ended is so much more insightful. It's like experiencing a first-hand experience.
Today, loving anyone is not a problem. Love is not restricted to anything because people valued openness and acceptance to everyone's life decisions as long as they do not hurt anyone in any way. Today, there is no such thing as "normal and straight" or "same-sex" relationships, a relationship now is viewed simply as "two people loving each other". Whatever your preference is, the most important is that you respect everyone else's and you don't hurt anyone. Everyone is equal when it comes to everyone's rights. I couldn't actually imagine how will it be if it isn't like this anymore. I couldn't actually imagine having to really experience the struggles that existed then.
I know I shouldn't conclude that the journal is about romance and love but it was hard not to do so. Especially, and weirdly enough, when Sir Yuan and Nurse L's first meeting was described and told—it was as if I can vividly feel what was happening.
The confusion of what was the sudden foreign attraction all about, the need to suppress the thoughts that was going in the Sir Yuan's mind... Everything was really... here.
I am excited to continue on reading the next entries.
A challenge though upon reading was that I keep getting Sir Yuan, the third, in my imagination as Sir Yuan, the first, in the journal. Struggle of somehow meeting two people with the same name.
"You've been staring at those books for awfully long now, Sir Art. Are you okay?"
I turned to Ji and laughed. I didn't know I was daydreaming at all. "Sorry, Ma'am Ji. I'm fine, just lost in thoughts."
She grins and gives me the other cup of coffee that she's holding. "Are you perhaps nervous for later?"
I chuckled, I almost forgot that today is the day. "Not at all."
I told her about what Sir Yuan and I talked about and, of course, she was more excited to say the least and it's not even about the contract. She's excited to see that her "ship" is sailing. She really is a fangirl when it comes to her endless teases for me. I won't even bother stopping her because I should know by now that nothing will really stop her.
"Sir Art, excuse me, can you help me?"
Our conversation was cut-off when a kid comes to me, holding a fairytale book. I smiled to her. "Of course, little miss. How can I help you?"
"C-Can you read this book for us?" She shyly asks.
Ji gives me a thumbs up and said she'll continue sorting out the 1945's books from the donations for me. I thanked her and followed little miss to their section's table.
Our library duties are rotational and can actually be overlapped to another. There are five of us here and some student volunteers. The works weren't all that hard especially with disciplined library goers. The hardest part actually comes every end of the month which is our general clean up and tallying of books.
Literature, reading, and this whole library are altogether a big of a deal especially for every one of us in our city. Despite the advancement of technology that provides easy access to information, traditional gathering of information through books have been successfully promoted and encouraged to everyone. Aside from the academics, the main purpose of our goers and visitors is really for their leisure time.
The library has a vast collection of books that can be suited to everyone's different tastes. Some of it are actually first editions. Since the library was a previous mansion, it was converted into many sections and one of the many sections is a read-aloud room. This is where we are headed to.
Speaking of this section, our library caters events by sponsors and other volunteers. One example is my Aunt Melina's favorite, we host storytelling and reading to children like what I am asked to do now.
I am greeted by the other kids who were patiently waiting for us. Seeing children like this makes my heart really happy. I looked at my watch and we have at least one hour to finish before their guardians pick them up for early lunch.
Reading for children like this makes up to the fact that I chose being here in the library over teaching. Of course, I have my what if until today. What if we didn't choose this and I might be in a classroom now teaching? It's something I still would want to experience but maybe not now. I'm still, at least, contented with having to be with kids like this.
"Break time, Sir Art. Come on, kids, your mommies are here!"
I didn't even notice the time because I enjoyed reading again like this. It was Ma'am Beth who knocked, with the moms of these little kiddos.
"Aww! One more chapter, Sir Art!"
"Yeah! We're so close to the end!"
"Mommy, can we stay more?"
I couldn't help but to laugh at these little one's cute whines. I stood up and close the book. "You can always come back next weekend."
"You heard Sir Art; we can just always return."
With defeated pouts, everyone bid their goodbyes to me and their promises to come back again together. I told them I'll be waiting and that I'll be here anytime.
"The kids sure love you, Sir Art."
I smiled at Ma'am Beth's remark. "I love them too, Ma'am Beth. They are really cute."
She chuckles. "Oh, by the way, before I forgot. The moms actually opened up a suggestion for us for the kindergarten's mini reading week event. They asked if we could read for the kids."
"That's actually a nice suggestion. Do you want to open it on our meeting, Ma'am Beth?"
"Sure!"
I excused myself to go back to Ji. She must be done with the book arrangements because it wasn't hard to find her especially when there are these high school boys flocking around a table.
"Okay, that's my third win. Let's stop here." Ji says nonchalantly as she stood up.
It's chess this time. Last time they were playing scrabble.
The boys immediately ask for another round and some even ask her to have lunch with them. It's hard not to laugh at her tired look with these naughty kids. Good thing is that she saw me and, of course, like what she always does in this kind of situation—
"Babe! Are we going to have lunch now?" She went to me and even holds my arm.
The boys immediately groan in disappointment and bid their goodbyes. Some even said how unfair that I get to work with her and be her boyfriend at the same time.
"How are you ever going to find a partner for yourself when you're always making me as your front?" I teasingly asked her.
She didn't let go of my arm and instead, we just walk together to have our lunch. She grins. "I'm more afraid that I'm also the reason myself on why I can't find someone for you. They might be thinking that we really are together. Good thing we have Sir Yuan now!"
I laughed at that. She wouldn't really let go of that.
Speaking of Sir Yuan, it's only a few more hours left before we see him.
I have to change my answer from Ma'am Ji's question a while ago...
I am nervous.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Hello! Excuse me. You must be Sir Art, am I right?"
I turn to the person who spoke and see a man in police uniform. "Good afternoon, officer. Yes, I am him but please just call me Art. How can I help you, sir?"
The man gave me a warm smile and offer his hand. "I'm Uno Hide. I came with—"
"You really can't wait for me, can you?" It was Sir Yuan! He smiles at me. "Good afternoon, August. Sorry we came a little earlier. Someone was particularly enthusiastic to accompany me."
Sir Uno laughs. "I've always wanted to come in here and you know I couldn't because of the recent changes with our schedule. You just offered me the biggest excuse to be here."
I cleared my throat and smile, too. "It's not a problem. Nice to meet you, Sir Uno." I accepted his hand.
"It's my pleasure meeting you, Art." He grins and nudges Sir Yuan as if for an inside joke.
Sir Yuan simply ignores that and asks if our space is ready. We will be using the sunroom for this afternoon and I told them that they follow me. The room is still a little messy with the boxes that we haven't surrendered to the junk shop but it's bearable and it's the room that will provide us privacy. We already talked about this with Ma'am Beth and the others.
"Oh! You're already here!" It was Jihan and her ever surprised look.
The gentlemen greeted and introduced themselves. They also apologized to her for being here a little earlier.
Ji chuckles. "It's no problem. I'll just get our coffee... You two drink coffee, right?"
"Yes, miss/ma'am." Both answered in unison.
When she left us, it didn't escape to me Sir Uno's remark. He whispered to Sir Yuan that this place is full of beautiful people that almost made me laugh.
Sir Yuan gave me an apologetic smile before turning again to Sir Uno. "Why don't you follow Miss Jihan so you could help her carry our coffee? August?"
I told Sir Uno where could she find Ji. He enthusiastically left us and now that Sir Yuan and I are alone—
"How was the first entry?"
I smiled for his directness to the point. "I never wanted anything in my life but to continue reading the journal."
He chuckles and looks at the journal in our table. "Then I'm excited to hear all about it."
It didn't take Ji and Sir Uno too long to come back. Just right in time before the attorney that Sir Yuan asked for came to us.
The attorney commenced with our meeting, introducing us to each other and to what are roles are. Jihan will serve as my witness and Sir Uno will be Sir Yuan's. The purpose of this meeting and contract signing has been explained. I really don't know but I'm still having this nervousness in me even though I know this is required.
Sir Uno has been giving Sir Yuan some knowing smiles and it is as if Ji's version of teasing looks at me. These two really seem to be up to no good.
"As for the benefits for Mr. August Arthur, in exchange of him participating..."
In all honesty, there's nothing much I want in return because what's important to me is that I finish what I read. I also just want to remove this nagging feeling in me that I really need to accomplish this. It's already a win-win situation but now that Mr. Attorney is reading what Sir Yuan is willing to give me in return... I almost fell on my seat.
He is going to sign a monthly donation for the library, give me my own property, give me a share of his stocks—That is exactly when I had to intrude!
"S-Sir, excuse me, isn't that too much?" I even had to swallow a hard lump in my throat!
The attorney looks at Sir Yuan as if waiting for him to answer that.
Sir Yuan just smiles! "I don't think so. Please, attorney, continue first."
More "benefits" has been mentioned and every single one of them is as too much as the others. It makes my head hurt! Too much! Everything is too much!
Ji leans to me and whispers jokingly. "You sure we can't just say I was the one who found the journal?"
That calmed me a little bit because I thought I was going to explode any moment. I whispered back, "should we do it now?"
Along the benefits are the terms and conditions for both parties. In all honesty, I was already having a hard time digesting everything all at once. But I did understand that we both can't turn our backs to this contract and we should finish the journal whatever happens, for as long as it would take. When everything's done and all that's left to do is the signing, I gathered up my courage to ask for Sir Yuan for a private talk first.
"That is too much, Sir Yuan."
He chuckles. "I thought I'm only imagining it but like what I was thinking, you were calling me 'sir' in your mind."
I can't let this man distract me with his off-topic antics! "Y-Yuan!"
He then laughs but then apologizes as immediately. "Forgive me if I am laughing at our situation now, August. But in all seriousness, what I offered is not enough to compensate for what you are about to do for my family. This last will of my grandfather means the world for me. I have to accomplish it."
"But—"
"You didn't ask for this, please think of it that way. I don't mind what you plan to do with everything you are about to receive—you can donate it to charity, you can give it all away. It's yours. It's all yours because I will be giving it to you. Please, just let it be because this is the only way that I can rest assure myself that I've thanked you enough for what you are going to do for me."
How can I argue further with that sentiment?
He smiles, genuinely wholesome this time. "Please say yes, August. You already agreed to me. Please."
There's one thing I learned today—I will never win an argument against a lawyer.