Sleeping Beauty Worth of Waiting

What is your own definition of sincerity, loyalty and patience?

I define these words as love, decent love requires these united three. Sincerity, acceptance behavior according to self belief, thoughts and possession. Loyalty, devoted to its faith and love ones. While patience, is being tolerated against entire without resentment nor hatred. Despite family of blood, I believe these three words are rarely found in a person. Family will always stand up for each of its member in every problem. Yet, how do we accept stranger who is worthy of ourselves? What made you fall in love?

The 8 Years Engagement

“The 8 Years Engagement” is a movie based on true story of love struggle between Hisashi and Mai. There are always problems in every relationship, such as misunderstanding nor jealousy. I believe problem makes relationship stronger. Despite the stresses, problem proves loyalty, how strong one’s love to overbear problem. Imagine yourself waiting eight years uncertainly while you still have other certain options in life. Hisashi fell in love with an amazing and cheerful woman name Mai. Both were in love and full of happiness, therefore Hisashi decided for Mai to be his only by asking her hands in marriage. I always believe things may not go as expected and wished. Months before wedding ceremony, Mai fell sick and went into coma. Now imagine yourself as Hisashi? Would you sacrifice your years of living, to wait for someone who is uncertain when to wake up?

The 8-Year Engagement 

(8年越しの花嫁 奇跡の実話 8-nengoshi no Hanayome: Kiseki no Jitsuwa)

Directed by: Takahisa Zeze

Written by: Yoshikazu Okada

Country: Japan

My grandmother once told me to never refuse an invitation. She believes an invitation is as same as fortune. After watching the movie “The 8 Years Engagement”, I became more assure. Hisashi was invited to have  drink by his co-worker which there’ll be girls involved. Refusing was Hisashi’s first intention, though he showed up that night anyway. If Hisashi hadn’t shown up, he wouldn’t have met the love of his life. An introvert person such as Hisashi fell in love with a cheerful person, made life seems filled with more laughter. Therefore, lets accept an invitation if there are nothing more important worth refusing, shall we?

The best scene in the movie for myself is when Hisashi proposed. While both were enjoying the windy and night view, Hisashi asked to see Mai’s ring that was placed on her left middle finger. “The one you gave me?” She took it off and gave it to Hisashi. Then Hisashi replaced it with another ring and put it on Mai’s ring-finger. Mai’s whole attention was on the night view for her not realize. I laughed at Hisashi’s face, his anxious face whether Mai would notice or not. However, Mai finally realized as she was rubbing and warming her hands from the cold. Then that funny anxious face of Hisashi turned into childish laugh.

“Let’s get married.”

Mai’s acceptance was with tears of joy and a nod, then gave Hisashi a back smack. Both of them look childish yet cute and romantic. Aw… so cute I was jealous. Hahaha.

Hisashi’s love for Mai proved by his willingness to make Mai’s wish of beautiful wedding come true. Without hesitation, Hisashi arranged a date for wedding ceremony of him and Mai. “I’m so happy it’s scary.” Mai smiled expressing her happiness, but then turned into pain of headache. I didn’t understand her expression of she was happy that it scares her, until I reached mid-way of the movie. Sometimes you feel overly happy and excited for what is ahead, but the unwanted and unexpected possibility might come in surprise.

Suddenly, Mai began to show strange behavior. Mai began denying some events she had done and screaming and cursing for unreason. What saddened me is Hisashi’s face watching Mai being taken away to the emergency. Then Mai went to sleep with high possibility of never waking up. What would you do if your fiancée turn into sleeping beauty and you as the prince have no cure but only hope? Would you patiently wait for uncertain possibility?

Mai was diagnose with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a type of brain inflammation. It is a rare disease which antibodies developed by a tumor. What happened to Mai was those antibodies mistakenly attacked her brain. Years passed but Hisashi kept waiting. Despite how Mai’s parent ordered him to leave and go on with his life, he begged to stay and wait. “I’ll wait.” That’s what he said. Though its hard to watch Hisashi sacrificing his life by remain waiting and visiting Mai, Mai’s parent were thankful and grateful such a person exists for Mai herself. Hisashi is a mechanic who believes “If you love something and never give up, it can be fixed.” Hisashi believes one day his sleeping beauty will wake up. Each day for eight years, Hisashi waited and never once stop thinking of Mai. He documented each oh his unforgettable moment where he wished Mai was there and sent them to Mai’s cell. From there I thought, he is one man in a million.

For eight years Hisashi never cancel his wedding ceremony arrangement date, in hope one day Mai wakes up and have her dream of beautiful wedding just as Hisashi promised. Who would sacrifice their money to pay for uncertain wedding? I guess love is worth of money for Hisashi. Shockingly, what is impossible became possible with one morning Mai woke up. Mai woke up from a coma as an infant baby, she had forgotten everything but will regain her memories from times. As Mai regaining her health and memories, she was unable to remember her memories with Hisashi. I am 100% most men certainly would feel hopeless and give up as their whole efforts and sacrifices just went into drain. Despite her memories, Mai fell in love again with Hasashi and all his patience.

Hisashi, a man in a milion, who I believe owns the three definition of love. I found sincerity, loyalty and patience within his love for Mai. Hisashi sincerely accepted Mai’s illness because his love for Mai is loyal. His loyalty to Mai was overly strong for him to patiently waited her through sickness and health. Love is sincerity, loyalty and patience. What is your definition of love?