Changes by Osaka Naru

PART III

Naru awoke in the morning to the sounds of Umino busying himself in the kitchen. She lay in bed for a moment, thoughts congealing and mind settling on the knowledge that she was alone in the wide, still unfamiliar bed. The muted yellow of the bedspread matched the sunlight filtering in through the window. Naru sat up, swinging her feet over the bed and finding her fussy slippers and gausy dressing gown before going in search of Umino in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” he chirped. “How do you feel about scrambled eggs this morning? How’d you sleep?”

"Fine and fine,” Naru answered both questions with a soft smile. “I didn’t even hear you come in to get dressed this morning. I must have slept well.”

"I snuck in,” Umino said, scooping eggs onto a plate and handing it to Naru with a glass of orange juice. “You were all curled up so I was extra quiet.”

“How are your nights?” Naru asked, almost afraid to ask since it was her fault that he slept on the couch.

“Slept fine and up as usual for work.”

“Maybe we can--uh--talk. Tonight. About sleeping arrangements.”

“I’ll be back when the office closes,” he said, not even looking up at her.

“Are you mad at me, Umino-kun?” Naru asked.

Umino glanced up; glasses slipping down his nose. “No. No, why should I be?” He didn’t sound convincing.

“I just don’t want you mad or upset with me.”

His answering smile was anything but reassuring. Naru could sense that something was on his mind--Something that he wasn’t telling her.

“I have to go to work. I’ll be late,” Umino said, leaning across the counter top to give her a quick kiss before heading for the door. Once he was gone, Naru sat down heavily in one of kitchen chairs and cried.

Once her tears subsided to sniffling, Naru sat up fully, wiped her eyes, and decided to clean the apartment till it shone. “Then Umino-kun won’t have any reason to be mad at me,” she murmured out loud, busying herself first with clearing and cleaning the breakfast dishes. “I’ll even have dinner ready for him when he gets off work.” She smiled to herself, happy to have a project to keep her occupied.

By the time Umino's key turned in the lock, the apartment was practically shining. Naru waited by the door, smoothing the apron she had donned for the chores, and patting her messy hair. “Welcome home, Umino-kun.”

He looked around as if he didn’t recognize the place, setting down patient files before turning appreciative eyes toward her. “What have you been up to?”

Naru smiled, tip-toeing to kiss him. “I’ve been a good little Naru-chan. Do you like it? I even have dinner waiting.”

“Smells great,” Umino answered, voice warm with approval. “I’ve never seen the place this clean.”

“You’ve never had me here before.”

“I’m glad that’s changed now.” Umino sat down at the small table and Naru sunk down in the chair across from him, hair a little disheveled but cheeks glowing from her accomplishment, color to her usually pale face transforming her to ‘very pretty.’

“I’m glad too,” Naru answered.

Dinner with Umino was never eaten in silence. Between mouthfuls, he told about his day at the psychiatric clinic, which he called the nut bin, and Naru told of unpacking and cleaning. Umino did his ‘concerned doctor’ impression--fingers steepled under his chin and nodding sagely. Naru practically choked on her milk she was trying so hard not to laugh. They cleaned up the dinner dishes together, having a mini-water fight over the sink, and wandered into the living room to watch TV after it was finished. The day hadn’t started out perfectly, but Naru liked how it was ending--Umino’s arm slung around her shoulder as she rested her head against him. Before either of them realized it, it was late into the night.

“Time for bed,” Umino said, stretching and padding into the bedroom to change. While he was in the bathroom, Naru slipped into her silky nightgown, perching on the edge of the bed to wait for him. He unlocked the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, and she went to brush her teeth as well. Both their images were reflected in the mirror side by side and Naru was struck at how homey--how right--this felt. They had already been together for five years. Why not forever?

“What are you smiling about?” He asked, words mixed with toothpaste but understandable.

“You,” she answered after putting her toothbrush back in its holder. “This. How wonderful everything is turning out.”

Umino drew her close and kissed her forehead. Naru closed her eyes against the emotions, feeling somehow trapped between being a child and adult. She was still so nervous and unsure of so many things, yet one thing was clear--Umino cared for her, always had, and always would. She was safe with him and should let down what she considered childish reserve.

Once back in the bedroom, Umino gathered up a pillow and fuzzy blanket and headed for the couch. He was at the door before Naru called him back, voice wavering.

“Umino-kun, don’t go.”

He turned, one eyebrow raised questioningly. Naru hurried over to him, taking his hands in both of hers.

“You don’t have to sleep out there tonight. You can stay here.”

“You mean that?”

She nodded too many thoughts and feelings racing around her head to find words. Umino silently crossed the room to put away the blanket and Naru crawled into bed, uncertain look betraying her more confident words when he lay above the covers next to her. Naru pulled the covers up to her chin, Umino shifting to his side, propping his head up on his hand.

“You know I’d never ever dream of hurting you, Naru.”

“I know,” she whispered nerves still jumbled, panicked look exposing her true insecurity.

“All you ever have to say is ‘stop’ and I will.”

“I feel like such a baby,” Naru confessed, near tears. “I know you’re truthful, but I still feel on edge. I don’t know why. Be patient with me?”

“You can have all the time you need.” He gave her a quick peck good night before turning away and falling asleep above the covers.

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