The tense atmosphere between us was starting to get to me. I could feel as if something serious was about to happen. I glance at Hasegawa-san. She looks anxious. After a few minutes of silence, she looks at me nervously.
"Tanaka-san, I may be stepping my bounds here since I have only known you for a couple of days. But I want to be honest with you."
I feel nervous about what she is going to tell me, but I have come this far. The least I could do is listen.
"Don't worry, Hasegawa-san, I will listen to whatever you have to say."
"Tanaka-san, these past few days I have spent talking with you, even if it's just through text, I was really delighted. It was the first time I could really talk to someone without feeling distant."
"Ha- Hasegawa-san, what do you mean?"
"It's my first time that I felt like I was really someone. I was happy."
Tears began coming out from Hasegawa-san's eyes. I bring out my handkerchief from my pocket then handed it out to her.
"Hasegawa-san, I may not know what you're going through, but if you ever need someone to listen to you, I will be here."
She's a kind person, and I was also glad I met her. As her friend, I will listen. It was because someone listened to my rants and problems back then that I am still here. This time it is my turn to return that favor.
I look at Hasegawa-san, then she suddenly bursts into tears. Everyone inside the cafe was staring at us. Ahh, I need to get a hold of this situation quickly.
I pat her gently on her head.
"Don't worry, Hasegawa-san, I'm here with you."
She starts to calm down a bit. I notice the waitress standing at least 2 meters from our table, waiting for the opportunity to give our beverages. Talk about a good employee. They should consider giving her a raise.
The waitress serves us our drinks. It's good to see that Hasegawa-san stopped crying. If I probably never grieved like her in the past, I would have possibly called her emotional. But I know what it feels like to despair, where there seems to be no hope for me anymore.
I hold Hasegawa-san's hand with both my hands and looked at her.
"Hasegawa-san, whatever you are going through right now or whatever is in your mind, I want to let you know that I'm here. Others might not have been there for you when you needed them the most, but I can assure you that I will always be here. Whatever troubles you have right now, you can tell me, it might not be now, today or tomorrow, but I will still listen. I may not understand you to the fullest, but I will stick by you until you have accepted the answer you wanted."
The response from Hasegawa-san was not a burst of tears anymore, but a beautiful smile while the sun shines on her fair skin.
After my somewhat convincing speech, she regained her old cheerful self, and we continued with our regular chat.
After a couple of hours of talking, we finally decided to head back home. I walk Hasegawa-san off to the station. As we part ways, she looks at me and smiles.
"Tanaka-san, See you!"
I felt like my heart skipped a beat. But I don't want history to repeat itself all over again.