Tell Me The Words I Want To Hear

She didn't know it would be this cold when she arrived. If it wasn't for Riya's sake, she would have not travelled. She hated the cold. All she wants to do on a cold day is stay snuggled under her sheets and sleep her heart away. But here she is threading the snowy streets of New York towards her hotel. It's been a while she has heard from Riya and Rinka was surprised to receive a call from one of her friends saying she is missing. She and Riya have lost contact ever since she came to the States. A misunderstanding have put an axe in between their friendship.

They were inseparable in college but somehow a few circumstances have changed them.

"Hi, I'm supposed to be staying here tonight. Someone made a reservation for me. My name's Rinka Brielle Garcia." she informed the front desk clerk while handing her ID. The clerk took her ID and did a quick search on the computer before handing her the card key for the room.

"Here's your key, Room 415, the elevator is at the right, do you have any luggage?"

"Nope, just this." She replied while showing her back pack.

"By the way, am I still supposed to pay for anything or are the charges already taken cared of?" She asked.

"No Mam. The room's been paid for already. You just need to pay in case you request for room service. Enjoy your stay." The clerk replied.

Rinka placed her backpack on top of the bed, took her shoes off, and went straight to the bathroom. "I need a nice warm bath. I still have time. I'm supposed to meet Riya's friend around 9." She said to herself as she began to fill the tub with water. She had received a text from Riya's friend just as she arrived in New York. Kenji happens to be in New York for work and needed to meet up with her regarding his request. Rinka thought it was the perfect excuse to get away from Jersey for the time being. Especially today. Her aunt and cousin had been bugging her what her plans are for the day. She had none. She just hated the thought of being "forced" to go on a date just so she could be "taken" before Valentines. And she was sure that if she told them she did not have any plans, they would be in frenzy of setting her up with every single male they knew. She'd rather spend her day having a drink with Riya's friend and asking about how her friend is doing rather than endure a dinner date with some guy her aunt and cousin had set her up with. Who knows I might even like this Kenji guy. She thought as she submerged herself in the warm soapy bath.

Rohan was exhausted but he should not stop working out or rather he DOES NOT want to stop. He's been in the gym since one in the afternoon and according to the clock it was now seven in the evening. He wanted to make sure that he's sore all over. He wanted to tire himself out. He wanted to forget this day ever existed. He was done crying but the pain was still there and is even more intense today. He tried to understand the situation but his heart could no comprehend how it ended this way. How everything ended with a single word. GOODBYE. Today was supposed to be their anniversary. They were celebrating their 5th and Rohan thought she was the one. The one he'd be willing to risk everything. Everything, including his career. He thought of the times he envied Satoshi. Even though his relationship was a secret at first, he stood up for it. He wanted a love like that. A love worth fighting for. But he can never have it. She's gone. She left, not because she does not love him anymore but she can't wait. She wanted to make it official, but his hands were tied. Now here he is. Alone, cold and miserable on their so-called Anniversary. He misses her. He tried calling her but she kept dropping his calls. He had to do something. He had to go out. Rohan pressed the off button on the treadmill, got off and headed towards the shower room. I'm going to party this pain away. He thought as he turned the shower knob.

Rinka had just finished having dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants. She checked her phone and re-read the message once more.

From: Kenji

Subject: After Dinner --------------------------------------------

Hey Rinka! Can we meet around 9? I'm having dinner with a few friends and then we're headed to Little Branch at 7th Ave for some drinks. See you.

Rinka hailed a cab as she stepped out of the hotel and told the driver where she was headed. The cab headed towards the West Village. Rinka hesitated as she stood in front of the shroudy doorway. She then descended and was surprised to find a chic and cozy bar. She had arrived a little early so it was not that hard to get in. She found an empty seat at the bar and settle down. She then took her phone out to send a text. Shoot! What a perfect time to have a dead phone. Mental note to self. Buy a new one. This one's been really giving me a head ache since I dropped it a few weeks ago. Rinka thought as she put her phone back inside her bag.

I might as well enjoy my time here. Maybe it wasn't really meant for me to meet this Kenji guy. Well there's always tomorrow. I just call him when I get back at the hotel. She added.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked her.

"Anything non-alcoholic." She replied. The waiter nodded and began to mix her drink. She wasn't really good with alcoholic drinks. Her alcohol tolerance is below zero if there was even a level like that. She never liked the after effect. Much more the throwing up part.

"Youhhh... goo... tuhh... baa---... to ... to... nomi... nomu... ahhh... dreynk... alcohol... why... you ohrrder... noo alcohol!?" a drunken voice asked.

Rinka turned to her left to see a guy with his head on the bar, holding a bottle of vodka with several glasses of hard drinks in front of him. The guy looked like a total mess. He was dressed in a white shirt with a purple animal print leather jacket on with black leather pants that clung to his legs and shiny silver shoes. You look like a gigolo. Rinka wanted to say but hesitated.

"Excuse me?" Rinka asked.

The guy looked up and with his droopy eyes gave Rinka the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. If there was a thing called love at first sight then this must be it. Rinka thought as she continued to stare at the guy. She noticed that his moles on his lower and upper lips form a straight line and that his thick eyebrows matched his face perfectly. "I shhhaid... whyy no alcohol?" he asked again.

"I... uhmmm... well..." Rinka stammered.

"Drink with me. My treat."

Rinka sat at the edge of the bed thinking what had happened. The last sane thing that she remembered clearly was drinking a shot of tequila. Then everything was a blur.

She closed her eyes and began to think hard of how she ended there. She remembered dragging this guy out of the bar, getting in a cab, making out in the cab and getting off in front of the hotel. She asked him what his room number was as they entered the lobby, he did not answer as his head was buried in her neck, he just got something out of his pocket and gave it to her.

She felt a tingling sensation as she remembered how the make out session continued inside the elevator, the warmth of his tongue as it slid in out of her mouth and how his hands groped her behind. She quivered at the thought of what had happened next, shuddering to the thought of how she responded to his every kiss, lick and suck. How she gasped as he entered her and how she screamed with ecstasy when they both reached the peak.

She could not believe that she, a shy and timid girl who was an NBSB would actually be the one who would initiate it. Now here she was confused and frantic on what to do next. Not to mention sore all over. She stood up and began to gather her things, took one look at the guy sleeping soundly on the bed and whispered an almost inaudible "thank you" and closed the door behind her.

Rinka was so shocked to see that the guy's room was just a few doors away from her own hotel room. She immediately went inside her room and took a long shower while contemplating on what had just happened the night before.

The sun was already high when Rinka got out of the hotel room, she sent a message to Riya's friend Kenji to meet her at the hotel's restaurant.

Kenji fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed Rohan's number as he walked towards the hotel's restaurant.

A sleepy Rohan answered from the other end of the line.

"What? It's too early." Rohan said

"It's almost noon Rohan and we're supposed to meet Riya's friend, which, may I remind you is the reason why we are here. Or rather why you agreed to tag along." Kenji reminded him.

"You go and meet her. I'm hungover." Rohan replied.

"What do you mean you're hung over, you weren't at the bar when we arrived."

"I don't know I went there early, I guess I got drunk early too. My head's throbbing. So you go and meet Riya's friend. I'm going back to sleep." Rohan answered before hanging up.

"Why did he even come here if he isn't going to accompany me?" Kenji mumbled to himself as he entered the restaurant.

As Rinka sat at a table in the far corner of the restaurant waiting for Riya's friend, she was still in a daze trying to fully understand what she had done the night before. She's never been this aggressive, more so with the opposite sex. She could not understand what had gotten into her. To think she was the one who started it.

"Arrgggh! How can I be so stupid?" She asked herself. "But I couldn't help it. I think I should sue him... for being that handsome... and for that great se..."

" Excuse me... are you Rinka?" A voice stopped Rinka's perverted reverie.She looked up to see a guy smiling slyly at her.

"Yup, and you must be Kenji." She replied motioning the guy to sit in front of her.

"Here's the names of all our former classmates that I have contacted, I have listed their numbers and addresses as well. I've also informed them that there is a possibility that you will be visiting them also to contact me in case Riya gets in touch with them. This list is just for the people here in the states. I did not include those in Europe. Knowing her, I don't think she'll go that far." She said as Kenji sat down.

"What really happened Kenji? Why are you looking for her? You told me that her husband is in Chicago trying to win her back but why are you looking for her right now?" She asked him again.

"It's a long story Rinka. What's important right now is we find her. He's already lost her once before. I don't think my friend could bear it if he loses her again this time." Kenji replied.

"But he's already lost her right?" She said as she looked down.

Kenji heaved a deep sigh, not knowing how to answer. He continued to look at Riya's friend who looked flustered and uncomfortable.

"Anyway, I'll leave you my number and email in case Riya shows up. I'll also leave Satoshi's number. Thank you for everything Rinka." Kenji said as he stood up and shook her hand.

"No problem. I hope you do find her. And when you do, tell her I miss her." She replied as she looked down and wiped her eyes.

After meeting with Riya's friend, Kenji went straight to Rohan's room. He knocked for a few minutes before a groggy and barely dressed Rohan opened the door.

" You aren't up yet? We're leaving for Chicago in a few hours." He said as he let himself in the room.

"What have you been up to? Look at this room. It seemed as is a tornado passed through here. And it smells funny." He added

"Smells what?' Rohan asked.

"Smells funny. It smells of sex." Kenji said without flinching.

"WHAT? That's absurd."

"I'm just saying it does smelll of sex. Hahaha. Don't worry what happens in New York stays in New York. But you need to move and get ready we're leaving for the airport soon." He said as he walked towards the door.

" And don't worry. I never really liked Erika for you so you can do what ever you want. Your secret is safe with me." Kenji said before going out of the room.

If only Kenji knows that what he did does not matter anymore. Rohan thought as he dragged his feet towards the bathroom for a shower.

As the cold water touched his body, Rohan though of what had happened the night before. It happened so fast and everything seemed to be a blur. There were only two things he was sure of. He was her first and he would never forget that face.

Having a good memory is one of Rohan's best attributes. No matter how tired, sleepy or drunk he is, he never forgets.

And he could never forget that face.

Rinka stood in front of the full length mirror as she got out of the shower. After giving the list to Kenji she immediately went straight home and soaked in the tub. She needed a warm bath to take the soreness away.

With hands in her waist, she stared at her naked reflection. Her wet curly hair draped her shoulders, her perky cup C breasts were in symmetry with each other, her waist was narrow enough to emphasize her voluptuous hips.

Not bad. She thought.

She moved closer and sighed as the "love bruises" became clearer. Two thumb sized red marks were prominent on the sides of both her breasts not to mention one on her neck.

That guy sure knows how to leave a mark. She thought as touched the marks. As she did so, flashes of the last night's event rushing back. Rinka let out a moan as she remembered the parts of her body where that guy's tongue touched.

Rinka closed her eyes as she tried to remember the sensation she felt. Yes there was a time that it hurt but most of the time it was pure bliss. She remembered how the guy moaned in ecstasy and how she gasped for air with every push.

"SHIT!" Rinka unconsciously blurted out loud as she felt some wetness in between her legs.

What has he done to me? She thought.

Why does she feel this hotness build up from inside her every time she thinks of what has transpired between them. She could not stop thinking about it. Yes it was her first but damn, it was one hell of a first time.

Rohan was in such a bad mood as the three of them went from one place to another trying their luck in finding Riya. It seems like all the luck in the world has been avoiding him. First he was dumped by his girlfriend on the eve of their anniversary, second, it seemed like he was "used" and left by some one he just met and lastly here he was tired and hungry while combing the entire state of Illinois looking for Satoshi's wife.

He knew that this is what they will be doing but he he was at least expecting that they would be doing it in a much organized manner like calling all of the people in the list and gathering them in one place. Well he could not blame Satoshi. He was desperate.

"Hey Rohan, why are you leaving earlier than I am?" Kenji asked as they sat down for a moment.

"Well you know that magazine shoot that the five of us were supposed to do before... you know... we disbanded?" He relied.

"Yeah what about it?"

"Well they changed the theme and they're doing a feature on Bassists. They contacted me and I said yes. That's why I have to leave for Japan earlier than you." Rohan explained.

"I see. That's good. Maybe one of these days when everything's ok we could go and do what we've always loved to do." Kenji said

"What?" Rohan asked.

"Performing. Don't you miss it?" Kenji returned the question.

"Well honestly, I do miss it but I would still rather see Satoshi smile again." Rohan replied.

"Guys I'm sorry I had to drag you into this." Satoshi said from behind both of them.

"Satoshi. You don't need to apologize. We all decided on this. Plus we all need a back upland right? We can't go on performing forever." Kenji said.

"I just really wish I'd find her." Satoshi hoped.

"We will find her don't worry." Kenji assured him

"By the way Rohan, is Erika cool with you leaving on your anniversary? I know she's very particular with celebrating your anniversaries. Remember the time you were late for your dinner? Hahahaha. She snipped your bass' strings and carved her name on one of them." Kenji reminisced.

Satoshi let out a chuckle as he too remembered the incident.

Rohan kept quite, his brows furrowed as he looked far.

"Hey Rohan, what's wrong? You've been cranky since yesterday." Kenji asked.

"Nothing." His reply was quick.

"You know you can talk to us." Satoshi said.

"It's nothing." He replied and turned away.

Just as he did, Kenji phone beeped signaling he has received a message.

He read the message and clicked on the attached link that came with it.

He looked at Rohan after he has finished reading it.

"Is it true?" He asked him.

"What is?" Rohan asked back.

"You broke up? When?" Kenji asked again as he showed the article on his phone.

"Wait what do you mean you broke up? Who?" Satoshi asked.

"Rohan and Erika." Kenji replied.

Rohan heaved a sigh and said softly.

"We did not broke up. SHE broke up with me. It wasn't a mutual decision. She decided on her own."

"What do you mean?" Kenji asked again.

"SHE BROKE UP WITH ME. Is that so hard to understand?" Rohan almost shouted.

Satoshi hearing the frustration and hurt in Rohan's voice tapped his shoulder and said

"Don't worry about it Rohan. Maybe she just needs space. Who knows when you get back she might get in touch with you."

"I don't know. Did it hurt this much when Riya left?" Rohan asked.

"The second time she left, I felt like my whole world crashed. It did not know what to do. But guys were there and still here to support me. So trust me Rohan, every thing happens for a reason." Satoshi comforted him.

"Satoshi is right Rohan, who knows there's someone out there much more deserving of you and your love." Kenji added.

Rohan did not say anything he just smiled and nodded.

Yes maybe everything does happen for a reason and tomorrow he's going to find out. He thought.