Heart's Tempo (Wattys2014) [EDITING]

Chapter 22

Fourth had been talking over the phone in Czech for the past half an hour. Nisa thought hearing him talk in another language was amusing. He was so fluent that it amazed Nisa; what other things could he have learned when he there in Prague for five years?

“That took long, what was that about?” Nisa said. Fourth had been helping her pack her things in preparation of their trip together to Prague. Her room was now a complete mess, with clothes practically all over the place.

“That was a friend of mine. I’ll introduce him to you when we get there. I was asking for his help, if he could find me a bigger apartment.”

“Fourth, it’s okay. You don’t have to look for bigger apartment.That’s definitely going to cost you extra-”

“No, it’s much better if we move in to a bigger place. And I want you to do your thing, give the apartment a woman’s touch.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. Now, just give me the clothes you think you can use there, I’ll do the folding and packing. For now, we better hurry up.”

One suitcase has already been filled up with her clothes, and Fourth is trying to fill up as many clothes in the second, smaller suitcase. Nisa looked around again; she can’t believe that in two days she’ll be leaving with Fourth and start life with him in Prague. Yuri wasn’t so ecstatic when they broke the news to her. The ‘leaving’ part was somewhat a bad news for her, but she had to be happy for her sister. It’s just that, she’s really going to miss her. Prague isn’t just a drive away, it would definitely cost her if she wanted to visit Nisa or if Nisa wanted to go back and visit her…

Fourth’s cell phone rang and he answered in Czech, recognizing the number on the screen. It was probably his friend again, as Fourth was smiling this time and seemed to be saying thank you.

“He got one. He got us a bigger apartment.”

“That fast?”

“That guy knows a lot of people. There. All done!”

Nisa sighed out loud. She didn’t want to clean up the mess, she was feeling too lazy to do it now. Then she looked at a diamond ring on her left ring finger and her heart raced again. It was almost too real, that all of this is taking place in two days. First, Fourth asked to marry her last week; kneeling in front of her, presenting her with a diamond ring at Mrs. Itagaki’s place. She didn’t think Fourth would ask her that early, but she thought it would be the right thing to do if they’ll be living together in the same apartment in Prague, aside from the fact five long years seemed to be too long for them to be apart.

She cried as soon as Fourth slipped the ring into her finger and embraced her – he was teary eyed too. Well, Mrs. Itagaki’s tears were falling nonstop as well; she knew what happened with the two of them before and this was such a happy ending for both of them.

In two days she’ll become Fourth’s wife and they’ll have their honeymoon in Prague…that’s one big adjustment period they’ll both be going through, but it’s all part of the deal.

They both decided on a very simple ceremony, with Nisa’s parents and Yuri, as for Fourth…he didn’t know if his parents would come, but they did send an invitation and he tried calling them twice and left a message. It’s one part of his life that still needed closure, and all they can do is pray that his parents would finally forgive him.

“A civil wedding?!”

Nisa recalled Yuri’s reaction as soon as they broke out the news of their wedding plans. That was last week, after Fourth asked her to marry him, they told Yuri about their plans and until now, she still couldn’t get over the fact that they’ll only be having a very simple, civil wedding.

“We can always have a church wedding, but that’s not the priority now…”

“But a church wedding is much more romantic!”

“We know, Yuri. But that can wait. This is the plan, we get married, then go to Prague-”

“And live there for good? Nisa, I don’t want my future niece or nephew to speak Czech-”

“Stop, Yuri. We don’t want to argue with you anymore.”

Nisa was dragging Fourth away from Yuri. She knew Yuri would just spit out nonsense the more they talk, so they had to leave immediately. Yuri has nothing more to say, except she’s really going to miss Nisa, and kept on threatening Fourth; that if he ever cheats on her sister or hurt her in any way, his head will definitely roll.

Fourth watched Nisa admiringly as she slept. It was so wonderful to wake up in the morning with someone you love beside you, and in his case, his wife. Nisa opened her eyes a few seconds after he touched her hair, and she smiled at him.

“Good morning…” He said.

“I love you…” Nisa said and snuggled closer. This is their first day as a husband and wife, the first of forever – as Fourth said last night. That sounded nice – the first of forever…they had forever to spend their days together, it was such a lovely thought. But it would need a lot of work. Sure, there may be days when they won’t agree with each other but it’s all part of the deal.

“I love you too…” He said and kissed her on her forehead. “I prepared breakfast…actually, I had it delivered, and I have a surprise waiting for you downstairs as well.”

Nisa nodded as Fourth made his way out of the bedroom. Nisa sat up and tried to look for her night gown and found it on the floor. Everything that happened last night in that room all came back as soon as she picked up her nightgown – which was barely used.

She headed to the bathroom and faced the mirror. Last night was…well, amazing. It was their first night together as husband and wife. Her hand touched her lips, down to her neck and to every part Fourth had touched and kissed last night.

“Nisa, are you coming down yet?” Fourth called on to her from downstairs.

“I’ll be down in a minute…”

Nisa rushed taking a shower. It was a record time that she finished in ten minutes and came downstairs wearing Fourth’s t-shirt which was three times larger and just an underwear underneath, with her wet hair tied up in a bun.

“The moment she smelled the coffee brewing, she felt hungry and wanted to take a seat at the table, but Fourth told her not yet.

“The surprise is waiting for you, in the kitchen.”

Puzzled, Nisa went into the kitchen and found two boxes on the floor; one medium sized and the other one a smaller box. She was about to ask Fourth what was inside the box when it moved an startled her. She was definitely scared, thinking that there were rats or frogs inside; that even Fourth’s coaxing didn’t work – until she heard that little puppy bark from inside the box.

Nisa rushed toward the box and found a four month old Dalmatian puppy that literally jumped onto her lap as soon as she opened the box.

“Oh, my! Aren’t you a friendly pup!” The puppy was licking Nisa’s face.

“Okay, now I’m jealous. I thought I’m the only one who can kiss you?” Fourth joked while he approached the smaller box and let out a small but very hyper Pomeranian puppy.

“Fourth, how did you know I wanted dogs?”

“I’m your husband, I should know.”

“Thank you…”

This is it, Nisa thought. This is the beginning of forever. But what’s next? Fourth said he wanted two kids; why not? But for now, their babies are the puppies. There’s so much to look forward to now, but they’ll have to take one step at a time and dance to life’s music.