[Angst, Modern AU]

Sequel to Worldwide

I patiently waited inside the aiport, tapping my right foot non-stop, aware that the two people beside me are getting annoyed but couldn't be bothered to ask me to stop. I checked ny phone again for the time, 3:30pm. I've been inside the airport for five hours already, my stomach demanding that I eat something.

One more hour...

And I'll see you again.

You promised.

You. Promised.

To distract myself, I pulled out my earphones from my pocket, silently cursing to see it all tangled up.

"I hate it when this happens," Sakura said, showing me her earphones all tangled up. "I put it inside my bag for 1, minute, one freaking minute!" She kept mumbling curses, trying her best to untangle the poor earphones.

I could only roll my eyes before grabbing the earphones from her and untangled it with ease. "Tch! Show off!" How this girl became my girlfriend is a question I couldn't answer myself.

One day I hated her, and then the next, I love her.

I smiled at the memory, the tangled earphones forgotten. I really miss her, no matter how violent she is, no matter how loud her voice is, no matter how annoying she is, I miss her. It has been three years since she left for New York, for her dreams to finally come true.

I remember calling her everyday to remind her that I love her. It was difficult to be far away from her, not being able to hug her when I go home from work, or even smellig the delicious scent of her meals. Maybe I'm being too dramatic, but that's how I feel.

The boys did their best to cheer me up, to distract me from the pain I felt everytime I woke up not to see Sakura by my side. There was one point in time where I momentarily forgot about her, where I finally enjoyed myself and not faking it.

I finally undestood what the boys were trying to do. Sakura made them promised to distract me from her, making sure that I didn't spend my time crying over her. The fact she could take care of me even if we're miles apart made me love her even more.

I was too deep into thought that I unconsciously untangled my earphones. My foot no longer tapping on the floor and from the corner of my eyes, I could see the pleased look from the old lady, probably happy that she didn't have to listen to my constant tapping. I plugged both sides of my earphones in my ears and let the music distract me from the noise inside the airport.

"Are you getting enough sleep?" I asked Sakura, her face showing how tired she was. The bags underneath her eyes worsened and she could be mistaken as a panda instead of a human.

She yawned before answering, "if I'm being honest, not really. I spend my free time memorizing the script and practicing a few lines." Leave it to Sakura to work more instead of resting.

I scolded her again, worried that she might faint or fall ill. "What are you doing to your body?" I asked myself rather than her, but she heard it. I looked up again on the screen when I heard her snort.

"Speak for yourself. Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately? Your bags is worse than mine for goodness sake!" Her tone was like a mother scolding her child, her brows furrowed in worry.

"I just... Miss you a lot, you know?"

"Of course I do, and I miss you too."

"Three years is up, how come you're still not finished?"

She sighed at this, already used to my question. She tried to smile but failed, "I already told you, we have to reshoot some scenes." I could tell she was trying to be patient with me, comforting me again and again that she'll go home, soon.

We talked some more after that, asking about our day, telling her about the boys, etc. The video call soon ended when she had to go to work. Even as the screen faded into black, I didn't move an inch, wishing that tomorrow when I wake up, she'll be next to me.

I was woken up from my dream when I felt someone shaking me. U
I took of my earphones and looked towards the old lady beside me. She pointed her finger at my phone, where Naruto's popped up. He must have been calling for a while and I didn't noticed. I thanked the old lady and stood up from my seat, my feet dragging to the floor to ceiling window.

"Where are you?" He asked the moment I picked up the call, his voice laced with worry and confusion.

"At the airport. I have to pick up Sakura, remember?" And as soon as those words left my mouth, the blond idiot hanged up. When 4:15 arrived, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Neji came up running towards me. Before I could even ask what they are doing here, Naruto hugged me and almost squeeze the air out of me.

"Hey!" I tried to remove him but he wouldn't budge. I turned my head to Shikamaru and Neji to ask for help. The both of them just looked at with me with pain in their eyes and I swear I saw tears forming in Shikamaru's eyes.

I have no idea what's going on, whether I'm dreaming or in reality. I felt my shirt getting wet because of Naruto, his hug getting tighter. "Stop it," he mumbled out.

"Stop what?" I was surprised to hear my voice cracking, and even more surprised to feel wetness sliding off my face. Why am I crying?

Sakura?

Sakura!

Sakura...

Why...

Why am I crying?

Someone answer me!

When I felt Naruto's grip loosening, I pushed him away and narrowed my eyes at him. "What has gotten into you!?" I furiously rubbed the tears away.

"What has gotten into me?" He repeated, pointing at himself. "Sasuke, you have to stop this!" Some bystanders turned their head towards us, curious as to what is happening and what made us into a sobbing mess. Even Neji bowed his head and shield his face away.

Shikamaru stepped besides Naruto, not bothering to dry his face. "Sasuke, you know what we meant." He whispered, and I was lucky enough to be close to him or else I wouldn't have heard him.

It all came crashing down on me what they meant. Finally realizing everything. Yet I refuse to believe the truth.

"She will arrive."

"Sakura will arrive."

I kept repeating those words, I covered my ears to tune out the rest of the world, and letting darkness swallow me as I closed my eyes shut.

Neji pulled me up and forced me to look at his eyes, pain, anger, and worry filled eyes. "Wake up, Sasuke! The plane crashed, remember!?" That made me froze on my spot, my eyes dulling when I let the truth control me.

Sakura... You promised.

The plane...

I remember now.

I love you, see you soon.

Yes, those were her final words before...

"The plane crashed," I mumbled out, raising my eyes to silently ask Neji if it was true. "The plane she was boarding crashed."

He only nodded solemnly and finally released my shoulders from his grip. I recalled everything, the day she will finally come home. The four of us were excited to see her again so we made sure we arrived early to pick her up. Before boarding the plane, Sakura called me and reassure me that everything will be alright.

"Be safe, alright? I love you."

"I love you, see you soon."

And while waiting, the place soon turned into chaos. Next thing we knew, the plane Sakura was boarding crashed into the ocean. Everyone who was waiting for their loved ones to finally arrive broke down, including the four of us.

"Sasuke, stop this. Stop coming to the airport."

And the next words Neji muttered completely destroyed me.

"Sakura's not coming back."

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Written by: Cherrysanro