30Well, here's my second installment. i tried to make it longer but ran out of ideas for the phone i'll just make up to you guys on the next one. gomen! anyway...hope you still enjoy.
Past and Present
"Moshi-moshi?" whispered Naruto in a low voice as he flipped his cellphone open. He rubbed his eyes to prepare for any serious talk that could happen. He presumed it's something of importance considering it's already past midnight.
"Sakura-chan? Are you there?" he asked. He was beginning to get worried. Usually, Sakura would always greet him a bubbly hello. He could already sense there's something wrong because she wasn't this quiet. She wasn't the type of person who would cry her eyes out whatever her problems were. Not unless it involves her boyfriend, Uchiha Sasuke.
He was taken aback when he heard stifled sobs on the other end of the line.
"Sakura-chan? Why are you crying? Is everything alright?" his questions came like flashes of lightning. For every minute passing by, he only grew more concerned for the girl.
After what seemed like an eternity of deafening silence, he finally received a response. Brief but clear enough to let him know the pain she's going through.
"I saw him…with another girl," she said. Her voice distant. Like she was under a spell…a spell that left her broken instead of something that should've been giving her strength and hope.
"What? A-are you sure it's Sasuke?" he nearly cried out. He almost forgot that his blonde fiancée's been sleeping. He opened the bedroom door a little, enough for him to check whether she was awakened by his sudden uproar. Luckily for him, she was still sleeping soundly like a baby.
"What if it's not what you think it is? What if they're only friends or – " he was cut off by Sakura saying,
"Friends? Do friends kiss each other on the lips huh, Naruto?" she asked. Her question, more like a statement. She felt a pang of guilt as soon as she blurted out those words. She didn't mean to vent it out on Naruto. He was a good friend. A friend so good that he didn't want to doubt Sasuke's loyalty to her.
Naruto was shocked. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He could not believe that his best friend was capable of doing this to Sakura.
"Bastard." He muttered. He never felt so mad in his whole life. How could someone as good-hearted as Sakura end up being with someone like Sasuke? Does he really love her at all? Or did he just use her for display purposes?
He was brought back to his senses when he heard Sakura's sobs. He could already imagine her tear-stricken face. Her lovely face that seemed to shine and stand out among the rest. Her angelic smile which never fails to melt his heart. Those luscious lips that…wait…just what the hell was he thinking?
Naruto shunned the last thought. It doesn't seem right. No. It really wasn't right whatever angle one might look upon it, and it would never be alright. He already has a fiancée and they'll soon be walking the aisle, yet he couldn't stop himself from thinking about his childhood crush and her stunning features.
Yes…Ever since junior high, it has always been Sakura who caught his eyes. He had always admired her for being so polite, and neat, and beautiful, and intelligent. He would always feel butterflies in his stomach whenever she smiles at him.
Yes…she was his dream girl, but unfortunately, so is every male in their campus. He realized she's a dream that is too-good-to-be-true, especially when his best friend and rival, Uchiha Sasuke, Konoha High's resident genius and ultimate campus heartthrob, professed his feelings for every boy's eye candy, Sakura. He then lost interest in pursuing her but not totally stopped crushing on the pink-haired girl. Not even after he got hooked up with Ino.
Naruto remained silent. He didn't know what to say to ease Sakura's heartaches. He was afraid to say anything pertaining to Sasuke for it might only add up to whatever pain that the girl on the other end must be feeling right now. Instead, he did what a good friend would do; he just stayed on the line.
On the other hand, Sakura was happy enough to know that Naruto was always ready to be there for her. He's always been there to comfort her. To listen to her complaints or anything that she has to say. To make her laugh whenever she feels low. He was her best friend too, aside from Ino. He had always been her knight in shining armor. Her savior. Then she sobbed uncontrollably. Why couldn't Sasuke treat her like Naruto does? Why couldn't he act like Naruto? Somehow he envies her best friend Ino for having such a loving boyfriend. But of course, she knows she has no right to feel that way.
"Ssshhh…Don't cry Sakura-chan," he said in his most soothing voice. "Dont waste your tears on someone like him," he said, all the while suppressing his anger.
"What did I do to deserve this Naruto?" She choked on her words.
"I dedicated myself to him! I gave him everything! Were those not enough!? Am I not good enough for him?!" she cried. She knows Naruto wouldn't be able to answer her questions but she needed someone to confide in. She almost practically shouted at him, but still, he lingered. Somehow, just by feeling his presence, she feels as if she's slowly regaining her emotional strength.
It just amazes her how Naruto's being there changes her whole perspective. A while ago, she felt like dying. She felt lonely, and thought that nobody cares for her. Well, a lot of people experience these emotional breakdowns whenever they face dilemmas and such. But it's different now. She's mad at Sasuke for deceiving her as well as using her and now that she has taken it in, she's had enough! She doesn't care if he leaves her for that girl. She doesn't care if he wouldn't come back. Hell, for eight consecutive years all she did was think about that asshole! Sasuke this, Sasuke that. Sasuke has been a part of her life and yet he looks up to her as if she's some tool. Yes, he takes care of her, but only because he's afraid to what other people would say about him. She could say that he's been the center of her life, the one in control of her. But he never really returned any of her devotion. It suddenly occurred to her that she should be thankful she's finally out of his clutches. Now's the right time for her to get over with Sasuke and start living her own life.
"Im so sorry Sakura-chan…I.. I don't know what to say. I don't think I'd be of any help to you. I really am sorry for what my best friend did to you. He just doesn't know how to value true treasures. I mean, not that I have anything against him but…he can be too self-centered sometimes," he told her. It wasn't new to him, the selfishness of his best friend. And he does not know how he managed to withstand Sasuke's attitudes, but he did. He just feels remorseful on Sakura's part, knowing that they've been together for so long and imagining all those times being thrown away like dust in the wind. But if it's for the betterment of his two friends, then he's fine with it.
"You don't have to be sorry Naruto. It's not your fault that you have a monster as a best friend. You're way far different from him. And I want you to know that I very much appreciate your concern. And thank you or being such a great friend. You know, you've been a big help. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't answer my call," she said with a smile. She knows that Naruto wouldn't be able to see it, but nevertheless she wanted to be honest with him because it's her first genuine smile ever since the time she found out about Sasuke's infidelity.
"Really Sakura-chan? I've already helped you just by listening?" he asked curiously.
"Yes. And I think I've done enough trouble for you tonight. It's almost 2 am, I know you're dead tired and yet you're here listening to my nonsense complaints and self-pity," she continued.
"You sure? You don't need me to come over with Ino? I mean, we could always accompany you if you're – " he was cut off again by Sakura.
"Im fine Naruto. Don't worry about it. You can take your rest now. Im sorry for the nuisance I've caused. Goodnight. See you soon. Give my regards to Ino-pig." And with that she hung up leaving Naruto confused but nonetheless happy that somehow he helped his friend.
He returned to his bedroom still with Ino sleeping like the dead and laid down himself next to her. He then pulled up the covers and began to think. Did he really got over his infatuation of Sakura? Would Sakura always be his past or is she still his present?