Heart's Tempo (Wattys2014) [EDITING]

Chapter 15

Who knew that after five years they’ll be seeing each other again?

“Nisa, what’s wrong? Are you alright?” Henry asked Nisa as soon as they got inside the car.

“I…saw Fourth…” Nisa whispered.

“Where?”

“Inside the airport. I met him when I was on my way to meet you at the exit.”

Henry wanted to ask Nisa why she didn’t tell him sooner, but there was really nothing he can do.

“I’m taking you home.”

“No, we’re going to the meeting as planned. I don’t want you to miss this opportunity just because of me.”

Henry gave Nisa one last look and she assured him that she’ll be fine. At least she can hold off until they get home. Nisa got out her planner and checked Henry’s schedule for the day. It was packed.

“It’s been five years since you decided to work as my assistant, Nisa.”

“I didn’t know you were keeping count.”

“Now you do. It’s amazing that you’re able to avoid Fourth after all these years.”

“I’m not doing that on purpose. Your work takes us to a lot of places, and Fourth…I don’t know where he was headed or where he came from, but…”  Nisa pressed the button to turn off the hazard  lights on the car. “We still have half an hour to make it to the meeting,”

“I know, I know…but still, you chose to work for me, for our company knowing there’s a chance you’ll get to meet Fourth again.”

“The world is a small place, Henry. You have no idea how small. That’s why it doesn’t matter where I work. Even if I work somewhere else, there will always be chance that I’ll meet Fourth if it’s meant to happen.”

“Why did you choose to work for our company?”

“This isn’t a job interview, right?” Henry said no. “Alright then, I can tell the truth. Salary’s big, benefits are good, your family, who happens to own the company knows me, and my boss knows me too. Is that what you want to hear?”

“Fine, sarcasm is okay; but are those the only reasons? I’m asking you as your boss, not as Henry.”

“…I just thought…I didn’t want to lose another part of me…”

Henry held Nisa’s hand and squeezed it gently. He knew what she meant. He still loves her, so much that he tried to replace Fourth in her heart. It was something Henry knew would be impossible, but he still tries. Devastated was the only word he can think of when Nisa came to him one night, all soaked from the freezing rain:

Henry was awakened by the sound of the doorbell, followed by a series of faint, slow knocks on the door. It had been raining heavily that night and he barely heard the knocks inside the house. He looked through the peephole and saw Nisa, all soaked and trembling in the cold rain. He looked at the time and it was past one in the morning. What was she doing at a time like this?

“Nisa? Are you okay?”

She looked up; it looked like she had been crying, but there was no way Henry could tell, she was all soaked, freezing from the rain. He asked her to go inside, as soon as he closed the door, he rushed upstairs to get a fresh, dry towel and gave it to Nisa. She took it but never moved to dry herself up. She just stood there, trembling.

“Nisa, what happened?”

“…Fourth…he’s gone.”

“What do you mean he’s…you know what, let’s get you dried up first, okay? I’ll get you a dry shirt and pajamas, wait here.”