Unturned

It has been about 10 years, since I left that tunnel. The beautiful sunset at Hiroshima comforted me. It was the exact replica of the sunset I saw in the servant’s bed room back at the bath house. My mind began to replay all of my memories, I didn’t really remember everything, but still I felt like it had just been yesterday.

I’ve graduated elementary,middle, and high school with a not-so-perfect score. And now I decided to took an art major at one of the best college in Hiroshima. I left Tokyo, and my house near Kohaku river to pursue my dreams.

Sometimes I wondered, how did the Kohaku river look like now, or whether Lin or Kamaji is still working there. I really wanted to see Haku, but I kept that little tingling voice deep inside me.

I began to wash my brush and prepare my canvas and the rest of my art supplies. Tsukasa Sensei decided to take the final score of this semester from this project. At first, I wanted to draw a painting which is titled Hiroshima’s Sunset, but my pencil and hand think otherwise. I slowly began to drifted away with my mind, not really minding how will my painting look like.

Slowly, I grab my brush and started coloring. I mixed gray and blue, resulting in a unique dark blue color. I kept on painting, until the sun sets and I totally realized what I’ve been drawing.

Him. Nigahayami Kohakunushi. Or Haku.

And much to my surprise, the painting’s finished. I wonder how will Rumi react when she saw my painting. Rumi is my bestfriend. When I move back to Tokyo for a scholarship, I met Rumi and we had a good reunion. Now, Rumi is taking music major far away in Korea.

So, I decided to name this painting, The Spirit of The River. And for a second thought, I had a day off tommorow. I’ve been planning to visit the Hiroshima Nuclear memorium, but now I know where I should go.

Back, to that river.

The next day, I went out of my apartment about 10 o’clock and catch up the bus before it’s too late. After spending 2 hours, I’ve finally arrived there. Here, outside the tunnel.

I took a deep breath and walk slowly to the tunnel. It’s still the same as before, no changes at all. Then, I stood infront of a beautiful green meadow. The meadow is so quiet, and peaceful.

I took out my sketch book and decided to draw. The wind seems to comfort me in some ways. But, then I stopped.

The river had a bridge across it. A red, Japanese style bridge. I shooked my head and rub my eyes, but it’s real. I slowly walked to the bridge, and stood there. Suddenly, I felt a gaze towards me. And there is he, still looking the same like the last 10 years.

“Why are you here? Get out before the night falls, I’ll distract them!” he said firmly.

I looked at myself, and i’m back to my 10 year old self. I decided to ran as fast as I could, not minding my parents that turned into pigs. And I managed to get out outside the tunnel before the night falls. I looked at the trees of the wood, it was so dark that I couldn’t see anything.

I gasped when I woke up, I’m actually sleeping in this meadow. But, something’s different with my drawing. It has the bridge I had in my dream, and it’s coloured. Below this drawing, written a word.

I read them out loud “Unturned”

I don’t really understand what that word actually meant, but I finally found peace. I turned back to the tunnel, peeking a last look to this beautiful meadow. I smiled, and slowly walked away.

And, outside the tunnel, I realized something.

He kept his promise. And, he finished my sketch.