Scattered Fragments

Chapter Four

"You're coming with me." I affirm to my sister for the tenth time. And she refuses once again.

I was still in cloud nine to the fact that I was truly going to be flying to Japan. Last night I hadn't been able to fall asleep. I most definitely am still in shock to the fact that Harry was willing to send me off.

The first person I called as soon as Harry had gotten into the showers was of course, my sister. I was never the one to demand but when I had ordered her to fly to Miami, well the first thing I wake up to at six in the morning was her call to open the front door.

We sat down with a cup of hot coffee and cookies I had baked a week back as I related to her of the events that followed the previous day. Zulia had been ecstatic to the point she was willing to hug Harry. Something she despised doing. But when I had told her that she was to fly with me and I'd take care of her, the smile on her face dropped at once. And so here were are still quibbling in my room way past noon.

"It's not easy Zee. The expenses and all. I'm not coming." she was being too difficult and for once I just wished she'd listen to me, her older sister.

"Come here," I pat the spot next to me on the bed. Zulia stops walking back and forth like a crazy woman and sits beside me. She doesn't stop fidgeting with her legs and looking restless. I touch her knee and she stops shaking her legs and stares at me with her beautiful eyes.

"Listen to me. Remember when I used to take you with me to the Japanese classes hoping we'd both go to Japan one day?" I ask. To this she breaks out a smile.

"You wish. You didn't take me with you. You dragged me to those classes." she rolls her eyes at her distant distasteful memory and I can't help but chuckle at her.

"Okay I agree. I forced you." to this she grins smugly. "but why would I go through such a hassle if I'd be the only one going to Japan leaving you behind?"

Zulia looked troubled as she tried to give me a reply. She couldn't really find the proper words to turn me down and so she sighs in defeat. "but the expenses Zee. I can't simply burden you any further. I just can't. I want you to be free and happy for once without a constant worry."

"Don't worry about it." I say at once holding her cold hands tight and sharing my warmth. "Since mine are getting covered by the company, I've just got to spend for you. I can take up a job. A teacher's post preferably. It's fine. We can work things out somehow. So please, just come with me Zuli. I simply can't leave without you."

After so much of pleading Zulia finally cracks a smile. "I'm not letting you leave without me sis."

"Thank you." I breathe in relief and hug her close. She throws her arms around me and we remain in that pose for a while until Joshua interrupts. He clears his throats, clearly feeling awkward staring at the two hugging sisters.

"Harry wants you downstairs." was all he said and left the room at once.

"Harry wants you down." Zulia mimics him with a funny tone and an ugly expression. I hit her thigh and she grins.

Goodness, this girl just about hates everyone in this family. 

I go down the stairs and enter the living which was occupied by the Santiago family sans Joshua. He most probably was in his room since he never partook in family conversations that didn't involve him.

"Take a seat Zeesha." Harry was the first to speak and nodding to him I take a seat on the couch furthest from the rest. Though this was my new family, somehow it felt more like I was in a suffocating interview room rather than the family's living room. The atmosphere was thick with uneasiness and discomfort. I take a peek at my parents in-law who had their eyes glued to Harry. They didn't spare me a glance and I felt content with it. I didn't want to be under their scrutinizing stare.

"So I've spoken to Mom and Dad regarding your matter." Harry says as he looks my way and finally the other two does so as well. I only reply with a vague nod and so he goes on, taking my nod as a response. "They have accepted to let you go and live in Japan with an agreement that it will be only for a year and not a single day more."

"of course. Not a day more." I reply clasping my sweaty hands trying to keep my cool. I look at the two people on the couch wanting to express some words of gratitude but stop myself from doing so since the expressions they had on their faces made me rethink my actions. It was a moment to rejoice. I had been chosen for a contract by a major company. As my family they were supposed to be happy for me, and yet the displeased look they threw at me made me feel like I had committed a crime.

Yet this time around I wasn't going to let their negativity affect me. No, I was happy and I was going to continue being happy irrespective of their displeasure in my achievement.

And so with a tiny bit of courage I could muster, I smile at them trying to show them they weren't affecting me. Harry's mom seemed slightly taken aback but covers up her surprise with a forced smile.

"Now then we should prepare ourselves. Come along Zeesha. We have much to talk." with that Harry got to his feet and left the room. I hastily get up and run after him not wanting to spend a second more with the grumpy couple.

Zulia leaves the room upon Harry's entrance with a scowl behind his back. Rolling my eyes at her childish behavior, I close the door behind me. And so Harry and I have a talk. Well more like he was instructing me like a professor and I was nodding to his every word.

He came up with a rule that I've to call him and report every day. He had to know my every movement. Feeling remorseful at his possessiveness I agree.

The days that follow pass by in the blink of an eye. Getting Mom and Dad's permission had been the most difficult thing in my entire life. Apart from trying to stop my marriage of course. They had been furious when they learnt I was flying to Japan. And when I asked about taking Zulia along with me, I'd say the neighbors knew we had a fight going on. They strongly rejected the idea of the two of us living alone  completely forbid us from leaving the country.

Much to my surprise and happiness Harry spoke up. He wasn't the type to meddle and he would always ask me to handle my affairs rather than turn to him. So of course I was surprised when he had a talk with my parents and convinced them in sending their daughters abroad. And so with their reluctant permission, Zulia grabbed all her needful belongings and rushed to my husband's place to stay over and prepare for our departure. Before I could contemplate it was finally the day prior to our departure. Zulia was in my room doing the final checkups on our things.

"Um Zee?" She calls out from the bed where she was sprawled on munching on a packet of chips. I respond with a 'hmm", without making a glance her way since I had myself occupied. "You do know we can wash our undergarments and use it another day?" Her ridiculous question throws me off. Looking up I stare at my sister.

"What in the world are you talking about?"

"I'm trying to stop you from packing your entire dresser of under-wears in a luggage." She replies with a wide grin. Confused I just stare at her waiting for an explanation. She points to my hands and looking down I realize what she meant.

"Oh dear." I pull out the clothes and notice there's nothing inside the bag except my undergarments. Upon the embarrassment on my face my sister barks our laughing.

"Excited much Zee?" She calls and I throw a panty at her. She quickly dodges, her nose scrunched up.

"I can't help it if my head is in the clouds okay?" I mumble pulling out everything so I can rearrange the bag with some proper clothes. Zulia gets off the bed and sits cross legged beside me rocking back and forth, a smile plastered on her face.

"I know how much this means to you Zee. Your entire face is glowing with happiness." She mutters softly as she gives my hand a squeeze. I return it with a warm smile.

Truly there was no words to express the joy and happiness welling up inside of me. I simply couldn't believe I was actually making one of my dreams come true. Finally, something that I truly wanted.

My eyes well up with tears and I let them freely fall. They were tears of joy and I wanted the world to see how happy I was feeling at this moment. And whom do I share it with if not my beloved sister?

Zulia hugs me sideway and lays her head on my shoulder snuggling close. I rub her back and kiss the crown of her head. "Let's make the best use of our time in Japan, yeah?" She voices and I give her a vigorous nod.

I am most certainly not letting anyone ruin my happiness.

"I'm so snatching myself a cute boyfriend." She winks and I laugh at her. She's beautiful. She''ll get a ton of boyfriends no doubt. 

And so we spend the rest of the day laughing, giggling and of course packing and making calls to friends. And just like that the sun sets and rises to a new day.

Everyone from my family and my in laws sans Joshua of course stood by the waiting line in the airport. Zulia and I drop off our luggage's and return to say our good byes.

"Mom and Dad. Stay safe. Stay healthy." I say to my parents as I hug them. They return the gesture only it felt forced and stiff. I quickly let go and walk to where my in-laws were standing. Looking back I find Zulia saying her farewell only she stands a feet away from our parents. I sigh at her and turn away.

"Mother and father. Thank you for everything. I will be back soon. Please take care of Harry. Stay safe." and once more I get into an awkward hug. And finally I turn to my husband who was standing by himself with a blank expression plastered on his face.

"Take care Harry." Even now I couldn't bring myself to say the words "love you." and he too didn't say the words. Harry gives a quick peck on my lips and then stands back straightening his back.

"Go on Zeesha." Is all he says to me and I nod at him.

And so with a final wave Zulia and I board the flight. As we take our respective seats the intercom beeps and a voice resonates throughout the closed space.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 5S3 with service from Miami to Tokyo. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately five minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments-" and he goes on for the next couple of minutes.

"Ready Zee?" My sister asks as she grips my hand and gives it a squeeze. I could feel the nervousness in my chest at the thought of us both living in a country by ourselves. But it's soon replaced with excitement and joy as the flight starts to take off.

"More than ever Zuli." and sure enough I couldn't wait to land in Japan.