Remember when Hina was here

This goes out to anyone that has lost someone

Remember When Hina Was Here

In loving memory of Emily Halliburton(1999-2017)"Thanks for being awesome during the writing of this" .

By Austin Hunter

“Hina,where are you? Why, did you leave me?!”  “Joe, remember I am always with you.”  Joe woke up crying remembering his sweetheart and that sweet time they had together.

Four months earlier…………..

“Jill come on,we going to be late if you don’t get up,” Joe said. Jill looked at the clock to realize that they had be heading out the door in 30 minutes. She quickly showered, did her hair and headed downstairs with 2 minutes to spare.

Joe and Jill’s parent are pilots who fly from San Francisco to Tokyo and Sapporo. Two months ago they moved from their quiet town of Highlands, Utah to Katagami, Japan which is about halfway between Sapporo and Tokyo where their parents both work .

They both arrive just in time to see what homeroom they had. “Jill, what homeroom do you have,” asked Joe. She replied “C-3, what are you in?” “C-5,weird we are normally in the same class,” said Joe. They both found a seat about 5 minutes before the opening ceremony started. Jill was already making friends and talking in her poor Japanese. Joe began sighed “this is my dream come be here, but Jill seems to fit in better,” than the opening ceremony began.  Afterward, everyone headed to their homeroom like zombies. Joe found his homeroom and sat down in a desk then sighed. Out of the blue He heard a voice saying” hey cutie why so sad?” Joe blushed “who the heck are you?” he exclaimed. “I’m Hina Ito, you seemed lonely so I decided to talk to you,” she said proudly,” how about you join me for lunch today.” Joe nodded, and Hina sat down in her seat.

During class Hina talked to everyone and go to know everyone but Joe. Everyone avoided Joe because he stood out majorly. Joe was super nervous and forgot how to speak. Most of his classmates know avoided him for the rest of class.

Lunch time came around and hina grabbed Joe.” come on,” she said with a big grin on her face. He follows her up a flight of stairs to the school’s atrium. They sit in the big glass dome. Joe looked down to see a small courtyard with  some small trees and bushes covering the floor.

When Jill got to her homeroom, she already knew some people in her class. She began talking to some of her classmates when Wu, the class trouble maker, offered her a drink from a strange bottle. Not knowing what it was she took a drink. Afterward, she felt totally off and had a hard time concentrating. The lunch bell rang and Wu invited her and some other girl to eat lunch on the roof top. Wu introduced her to Sheng Wang once they got onto the roof. Sheng Wang turning to Jill and said” you handle beer really well,” Wu interrupted “better than anyone I have ever seen.” Jill smiled and said ” thank you”. They had talked and laugh until lunch was over.

Meanwhile, Joe pulled out his lunch and started eating. While he was eating Hina was smiling and looking at him, Joe blushed. Hina continued smiling then Joe asked,“why did you want me to sit with you at lunch today;don’t you have other people to sit with?” Hina put her chopsticks down and said sternly ,” what high school did you go to last year?’’ Joe replied shock about the question,” lone….. peak….. high,” nervously.” See”, Hina replied,” and I’m guessing you have no friends, do you?” Hina laughed, finishing off her green tea. Joe continued eating then, Hina asked “what in the world are you eating,” pointing to the plastic container that Joe had been eating out of,” Oh that is barbecue pizza I made yesterday,” said Joe.” Oh, then I can I have some please;feed me some please,” Hina replied acting like a cat. Joe blushed then fed her some. At first she seemed confused about the flavor but, after about ten seconds later , she was taking more of his food. Which Joe had very little of … By the time lunch had ended Joe and Hina were very close, as if they had known each other for years.  The lunch bell rang and they headed back to class still taking. Class started and Hina left the room for quite some time.when she returned she was white as a ghost;she was sent home shortly afterward.After school, Joe walked home alone. About two hours later,Jill finally texts Joe that she will be staying a friends house for the night. Joe did his homework and made dinner for himself. Then a great peace fell upon the house which seemed to last forever, but  only lasted for a short time.

Days passed by and Jill still didn’t show up but, Joe didn’t care he got to see hina basically every day. A few weeks went by and a roller coaster hit Joe. His Mother and Father divorced after his Father found out that his Mother was cheating on him with a co-worker. Jill was in jail for robbery with Wu and Sheng Wang. The last time Joe saw Jill she was grabbing a few things from the house and then left. Hina seemed to be losing weight pretty fast and seemed to be getting sick more often.

One day at school Joe was wait for class to start. Hina jumped on his desk and said to him, ” are you free tomorrow?” Joe replied,” yeah I’m open.” “Good,meet tomorrow at the train station at 9,” Hina said out of breath and blushing. Then she went back to her seat; class started again. After school, Joe invited Hina over his house to eat some good  American food.

After school Hina and Joe walked to Joe’s house together.They Finish Homework and Joe started dinner. Joe Ground Fresh Beef into a bowl then added eggs,spices and some soy sauce together . He mixed them together and let them sit. Meanwhile, he started his makeshift charcoal grill .  By the time he was done cooking Hina’s mouth is watering. He grabbed condiments and bread then they started to eat. By the time they finished eating it was really late and Hina left. Before she left she said smiling ”see you tomorrow”.  Afterward, he put the leftover food in the fridge and cleaned the grill . He watched some Tv and fell asleep on the couch.

The next morning he arose about 8:00 and got ready , then proceed towards the train station. He left about 8:50 and got to the train station two minutes later. He waited for a few minutes then Hina showed up looking very tired .They got on the train and headed towards Tokyo.Joe had only been to Tokyo once, when he moved to Japan;he had only stayed for a couple of hours. Now, he got to spend the whole day in tokyo. Hina fell asleep on Joe’s lap during the train ride”. She must have gotten tired from the walk to the train station odd,”thought Joe.

Once they got off they headed to lunch . For lunch they ate at an okonomiyaki bar,one of Hina favorite places.They got their food then talked and laugh for quite a while. Joe at most of his ,while Hina only a few bites. Once they finished Hina lead Joe to a park .They both sat down ; Joe could tell something wasn’t right. “Joe, I have something to tell you ,” Hina said sadfully.”yea, what is it ,” Joe replied softly. Hina took a deep breath and started talking” I don’t know how much longer I’ll be alive for;I have AIDS.”She was crying by This point. “I love you but, I can’t be with you for much longer.”Joe held her hand he leaned in they both close their eyes and embrace . The rest of the time they visit shops their hands don’t let go once. They head to the train station and get on the train . On the way back they fell asleep . Once they get to their stop they kiss goodbye and headed their separate ways .

 2 months went by and hina got weaker and weaker . Joe and Hina both stay close to each other most afternoons they just go to joe’s. Most of the time they just hugged and cried softly, wiping each other's tears. . 3 weeks passed by and Hina collapses during School Joe rushes to her side .She looks pale as a ghost and very weak. They quickly call an ambulance and rush to the hospital .when she gets to the hospital she is put on life support. She stays in the hospital for a few days then Joe gets that nightmare call from the hospital. Joe  gets out of class and runs to the hospital . Joe got to her room just before it’s too late. The doctor said”,she has been calling for you,  she is very weak so be careful.” “How long do I have ?” asked Joe .” We aren’t sure but not long ,”he said.

“Joe,”she said in her weak voice,”I knew you would that you would come .Please let me speak I don’t have much time . Ever since we met those many months ago .I’m glad we got to meet and be lovers . I knew you were very special .Once I die I want to be buried behind your house so we can stay close.Please don’t be sad  or blame yourself.”Wu hold Hina small, shivered hand for last time.  Hina breaths become gasps. The machines in the room went mad and then doctors rush in to see what is wrong the machines .Hina final words were “ I…lo..v..e...y.....o…….u.” Then she took her final breaths and died peacefully with a smile on her face.

After Joe walked out of the room the doctor motioned him to come over .Joe walk over and they both sat down.Then the doctor said ”Hina was a wonderful person;she made everyone happy ,you were a lucky man to know her.You know ,she alway talked about you and, how you were so cute and wonderful .” Joe walked out of the hospital weeping with tears. Joe walked home alone crying.Once he got home he shut the door and weeped . He looked at all the picture he had of her. He didn’t eat or sleep for a few days. All Joe did was cry and wondering why she had to leave him.

The a few days later Hina funeral came .Everyone from the school came to say good bye . Joe heard so many stories about Hina’s joy helped them out. They buried Hina in Joe backyard so that Hina wish could be fulfilled.  He went to her grave every morning to see her. Her headstone said ”she loved all. will always remembered in everyone minds.” Many years pass and Joe never left the house where Hina laid.Many years pass then, Joe died after his long fight with lung cancer but Joe died with a smile and tears in his eyes.His final words were,”I can’t wait to see you again Hina” .Finally, he was reunited with Hina again. They buried Joe right next to his lover. The End -

Thanks you all who have read my short story it has been many long sleepless night and many long days . The story goes to anyone and everyone who has lost someone .My hope is to bring peace to you even thought it might be rough. During the writing of this I had a lot thoughts about what I was doing . I guess for me on the inside I feel that I’m dying on the inside  like Joe did when Hina died.Once I started writing I felt relieved about what I was doing was right.This is my art that i’m glad that able to come forth.- Austin Hunter 9-14-2017