The Apology (Part Three)

The following morning, Taishi, burdened by his troubles and weariness, decides to forgo work. A sense of unease starts creeping in as the evening draws near. As dusk approaches, he meticulously arranges several small dishes of salt by the entrance.

After eating his evening meal, he indulges in a soothing bath, readying himself for bed. He slips beneath the comforter, lying still, eager to discover if the salt will shield him from the shadows this night. As the hands of time move steadily onward, Taishi finds himself weary, surrendering to the gentle embrace of sleep. In the stillness that follows, a sudden knock on the door pierces the quiet, jolting him from his slumber. He sits up in bed, his gaze fixed intently on the door. A chill runs down his spine, beads of perspiration dotting his brow as his hands tremble with an unyielding intensity.

With a tone filled with urgency, the woman pleads for him to unlock the door. Despite the presence of numerous small dishes brimming with salt at the threshold, the relentless knocking continues unabated. Before long, the woman's voice rises in intensity, her pleas becoming increasingly heart-wrenching. Two of the delicate dishes cradling the salt shatter, their contents cascading onto the floor. Taishi has reached his limit. The woman expresses her remorse, seeking his forgiveness with heartfelt sincerity. She informs him that she is in too much pain since he won't open the door. “It is so painful,” she murmurs repeatedly, her voice gradually fading into the distance.

As dawn breaks, Taishi makes his way to the property manager's office. He inquires if he is aware of the place where the young woman ended her own life. The manager reveals to him that she leaped from the bridge located just half a mile to the north. After saying "thank you," Taishi leaves.

He begins his journey, heading north. As he walks along, he pauses at a welcoming flower shop, where he selects a vibrant bouquet of yellow African Daisies. Their sunny yellow hue brightening the dreary gray morning. Next, he heads into the convenience store, where he selects a handful of small white candles. Taishi journeys onward, heading north until he arrives at the bridge mentioned by the manager. It is a gray stone bridge, whose somber visage mirrors the morning sky, embodying the sorrow that lingers for the young life that ended there. With a gentle reverence, Taishi kneels and lays the yellow daisies at the base of the bridge. He carefully lights three small white candles, allowing their wax to melt and then secures them to the ground. He softly murmurs a prayer for the nameless woman. Ultimately, he confesses to her, "I am sorry. I am deeply sorry. You have my forgiveness." He stays a little while longer and then turns to go home.

As Taishi steps into his apartment, a veil of indifference cloaks him. He believes he gave it his all. The woman's spirit will now determine whether or not she accepts his apologies.

As darkness descends once more, Taishi finds himself enveloped in a shroud of unease. He rests on his bed, a still figure, anticipating the return of the knocking sound. The tiny dishes that once held mounds of salt before the door have vanished. Taishi remains poised, prepared to embrace the destiny that awaits him this evening. As the clock tolls the hour of midnight, an unsettling hush envelops the night, weaving through the shadows that stretch and linger. Taishi gazes at the picture frame that cradles a cherished photo of him alongside his beloved wife and son. A joyful family beams with delight, their faces radiating happiness. How he yearns for the return of those times. The hands of time dance in a rhythmic circle, marking one o'clock, two o'clock, three.... As the weight of the world settles upon him, Taishi's eyelids grow heavy, and he drifts gently into the realm of dreams.

As dawn breaks, the gentle rays of sunlight weave their way through the front window, stirring Taishi from his slumber. He sits up in bed, a look of confusion etched upon his face. Was this all a bad dream?

He steps into the shower, gets dressed, and pours a steaming cup of coffee, the aroma filling the air. He is starting to weave a narrative in his mind, one where this entire experience unfolds as a troubling dream from which he has finally awakened. As he swings open the front door, a chill from the morning air dances across his face. The sun casts its warm glow, breathing life into his spirit. With a lightness in his step, he glides down the stairs, poised to make his way to the train station. Just then, he encounters the property manager and turns to greet him. With his back turned to the oncoming traffic, Taishi remains blissfully unaware of the car barreling up the hill. The driver seems oblivious to Taishi, who stands quietly over the hill. In an instant, the car rushes past, and Taishi is propelled aside, narrowly escaping peril. The property manager hurries to his side, concern etched on his face as he checks to see if he is alright.

"I am fine, I am fine," Taishi reassures him, the calmness in his voice weaves a sense of comfort around them. "That car was just a hair's breadth away from you!" the manager exclaims. “Yes, it was a narrow escape,” Taishi responds back. "How did you manage to dodge that impact?" inquires the old man. "I'm not entirely sure," Taishi says with a thoughtful expression. "It felt like a hand reached out and pulled me out of the way." He glances down at his arm and whispers, "It felt like a woman’s hand.”

The end......