Push For My Heart: Chapter One

Primary school Snack room it was lunchtime, all the children held their individual snacks from home. Two toddlers sat together at the only red, plastic picnic table that was off in the corner by the window. With their assorted nuts spread out on their lunch trays, the two young friends were trading their snacks. Young Aiya did not like Cashews or Almonds. Young Maruki did not like Macadamia or Walnuts. Pulling each individual nut to its own separate pile, these two boys always sorted before their transfer. Maruki picked up the large pile of oddly shaped walnuts in his small hands and struggled to place them in Aiya’s awaiting palms.

This time consuming ritual occurred every day at Primary school. Same time, same place, the same snacks over and over. No one dared to disturb these two boys, the young girls liked to throw the two boys off by hurling snacks to their table. Falter not, these boys kept their focus. Though their exchange happened daily, they never got to eat their snacks. For the young children, this took far too long.

After school each mid afternoon, both parents would take time out of their busy schedules to come and walk their children home as a group. Occasionally the children got the treat of a stop at the corner store for a bag of candy. A treat that was not given for good behavioral improvement, but for a treat that was hardly affordable.

Both boys came from hard working, middle class families. His widowed mother who had a part time, low paying job was raising Aiya. His father had suffered in the hospital from wounds of a serious car accident that his mother had caused. This, Aiya’s mother still blamed herself entirely for. Being the impaired driver of the vehicle that injured her husband, that soon led to his death. Her eight-month-old son, had suffered minor burns on his legs and torso, and a temporarily collapsed lung, and was in hospital for only a few weeks in ICU. Hokuto, Aiya’s mother, had slipped into a deep, drunken depression.

Maruki’s parents were hard working, a father whom travelled two hours each way to and from work, five days a week. It was a job that hardly made enough to put food on the table for his two children and wife that worked just as hard as he did, if not more. She, herself worked as an cleaner for an under the table company, where she was constantly getting ill. Everyday, working, both parents were hardly around to take care of Maruki; his older sister did most of that after she got back from school. With long enough breaks, or perfectly scheduled shifts, Saeko, Maruki’s mother was around to feed Maruki and take him to and from school everyday. Saeko tried to be the best mother she could for her children.

Today was a rare day. Mid spring, flowers were starting to bloom again this day, just for Maruki. Today was the birthday of Maruki. One day a year at least for the parents to relax and lay back from their stressful jobs, just for the kids. Having this day off was beyond appreciated.

The families were on their way to Maruki’s home for a small party. Mothers and children hand in hand, both children holding hands as well. Maruki looked over at Aiya happily, returning his eyes to the ground soon after.

A modern home, two stories, hard wood, fresh coloured paint. Aiya always loved going to Maruki’s home, perhaps it was because he was envious of him, but that was not the case. Aiya loved going to Maruki’s because he was himself at home.

The four of them entered the dark chestnut, carved wood door to the clean shiny foyer. Mothers helped their children with their jackets and their shoes before tending to their own outer wear. All were placed on perfect unison, in what seemed like by size, shoes lay on the floor, jackets hung in an array of colours across the wall.

In the kitchen, mothers finished the basic food preparations for the party.  Small cupcakes on a platter, a bowl of rice crackers, veggies and dip, and one beautiful strawberry, Mango mousse cake, Maruki’s favorite that sat in the fridge, chilling.  The corner of the table was filled with liter bottles of Sweetened Tea, something everyone could drink.

Maruki and Aiya ran upstairs to Maruki’s room before the other children would arrive. This was not something that Maruki was very fond of, he didn’t like other kids other then Aiya in his room.  If it was only for a day, Maruki could handle it. He slammed the door open by running at it, his palms slapping against the hard wood. His room full of toys and a few electronics, many small items, but still very clean, for a small toddler.  Maruki sat himself down on the bottom half of his bunk bed, the top half of the bed was always cleared and made up, just in case a friend could stay over.

Those chances rarely came. Fortunately, today was one of those days. Aiya took his seat at Maruki’s desk, home to a small quiet computer and a study lamp.

Aiya sat quietly, hands pressed between his knees tightly. He looked quietly down at the floor, tapping his toes that made no sound. Maruki let a soft sigh pass his lips. His wide, almond shaped eyes were accompanied by a wide smile that lifted the baby fat on his cheeks. The young child hopped up and took the others hand in his own. Maruki pulled Aiya up and sat him on the bed softly, sitting next to him. Maruki shifted his body to face Aiya, his soft smile still on his smooth lips.

Aiya’s dark, narrow eyes widened when Maruki grabbed his hand. This is what Aiya loved so much about being in Maruki’s home, he was so kind to him. Aiya’s long lashes fluttered quickly, he was blinking quickly out of nervousness. Aiya parted his lips nervously, he was going to speak yet no words came out. Small noises came out, before he could utter real words.

“I am sorry Maruki chan” Aiya apologized with no reason. His eyes rose to surprisingly meet Maruki’s gaze. It only made Aiya more nervous to say his thoughts. “I could not get you a gift at all” Aiya apologized sympathetically, the young eight year old felt bad. He could not get his first friend, his only friend a birthday gift.

Maruki laughed a little at his friend’s comment, falling on his back on the bed. Maruki sat up, taking Aiya’s hand in his own. “I do not need a gift Aiya chan.” Maruki said in a sweet tone. He sat silently for a few moments. “I know!” shouting happily, Maruki’s young voice was loud and high-pitched throughout the room “you can promise me something for my gift!” though cute and happy still, Maruki was very serious. His actions were not abnormal or different then that of any other seven year old.

Aiya was a little shocked by Maruki’s suggestion. A promise? Of what? Maruki’s shout shocked him slightly, making him jump. Aiya’s narrow dark eyes followed Maruki’s as he moved around.

“What is that Maruki chan?” Aiya was nervous, he was not entirely sure why, he just knew that he was nervous. His sweaty palms told the whole story.

Maruki smiled and nodded, a small sound of agreement coming from his throat

“I want you to promise me that you will always be my friend” A cute request from someone so young. Maruki stood and looked at the older boy, he was as serious as he could be. He smiled down at the boy cutely, offering a hand to him.

Aiya froze a moment, his face lit up in happiness. Taking Maruki’s hand, he nodded in the same cute manner Maruki did, agreeing to the promise. Aiya now had a gift for Maruki, eternal friendship. Maruki held both of Aiya’s hands and began to spin around in a circle. Which made them both very dizzy, very quickly.

One call, no answer. Two calls, no answer. Three, a loud shout, Maruki finally heard his mother calling him down. Him and Aiya ran down the stairs to meet the other three kids that were invited to the party by Saeko. Not a sight that Maruki wanted to see, but he could not be taken from his happiness of Aiya agreeing to his promise.

It was a perfect end, to a perfect day. Maruki had received only a few presents, just like he wanted. There were a few slices of cake left which would be left for Maruki. Presents were scattered in various places of the living room. He didn’t know where some were already, he only knew that Aiya’s gift was always with him.

Saeko had sent the rest of the children home, Hokuto had left Aiya to his sleep over with a kiss good night. Hokuto had told Saeko that she would be back the next evening to pick up Aiya. It was quiet and dark in Maruki’s room, the blinds and door were closed. Yet nether stopped the light of the lightning’s glare from entering the room. Maruki lay on the bottom bunk, Aiya on the top. The monstrous sound of the thunder made a large whimper escape Aiya’s lips. At that sound, Maruki sat up and listened again. The second crash of thunder was enough confirmation for the birthday boy.

Maruki pulled the blanket off him and stood on the queen-sized mattress and peeked over the bars to see Aiya. He took Aiya’s hand and tugged gently a few times. It didn’t take much force for Aiya to jump down the ladder and move down to Maruki’s bed. Maruki sighed softly, not having been afraid of the thunder or lightning and flopped back down on his pillow. Maruki let his arm lay across the pillow, where Aiya had curled in. shivering Aiya cuddled into Maruki’s chest, his eyes closed tightly in order to not see the flash.

Both were young, but one was brave like a lion, the other weak like a sheep. With Maruki holding him, it didn’t take long for Aiya to fall asleep. Light constantly coming in the room, Maruki took a little longer, but in the end, Maruki and Aiya fell asleep arm in arm.