Meeting Tatsuya

One hour left for my flight to arrive at its destination. I spent most of the time on the airplane reading the guide book grandmother gave me; memorizing a few important sentences. The rest, was spent on going through list of things on my notebook.

The person Mr Heng recommended to make the animals' enclosures declined my offer to have them made for me. He said he has orders to fulfill for the next six months. So, I paid for and took the animals I ordered from Mr Heng and let them roam freely in my space. The rest of my free time was spent buying and stocking up on things like food, clothes and electrical appliances.

It was almost two am by the time I reached the hotel and yet there were still many people outside even at this hour. As expected of the most populous metropolitan area in the world. I did not waste any more time and went straight to bed.

The next day, I took out some local fruits from my bag and went out to catch a taxi. The ride took only 10 minutes as it was only around 7 am. I learned that office workers here start working at 9 am instead of China's 8.30 am. I rushed because I wanted to meet the Ashikaga's as soon as possible.

I rode the elevator and went to the 15th floor. I quickly found the right address and pressed the door bell. A few minutes later, a man who looked like he is in his late twenties opened the door. "Ashikaga san?" I asked, just to be sure. He answered with a short, "Hai." I then said, "Ashikaga san e no temagi desu," and showed him the letter. It was something I translated from English which basically means 'I am here to deliver a letter to Mr Ashikaga'. He chuckled softly and said, "My father's at the hospital. I am heading there to send him his breakfast. Do you want to join me?"

I blanked out a bit and it took me a few seconds later to register what he asked of me. Jeez! Why did grandmother give me that book if he can speak English. I nodded in agreement and we went to the hospital by bus.

We soon reached his father's ward. Thankfully the old man was awake. His son who insisted I call him Tatsuya introduced us to each other. I went straight to business by handing him the letter by my grandmother. Ashikaga senior let out a long sigh after reading it. Whatever grandmother wrote must have meant problems.

I looked at him and said, "My late grandmother seemed to owe you a favor. I am here on her stead to do it. So, what is it that you wish for?" Tatsuya relayed my words to his father to which he gave another long sigh. What is it with this old man and his liking to sigh?

He spitted out, "Kekkon." Tatsuya seemed surprise. The two men were conversing seriously and did not seem to realize I was still standing there. Not being used to standing for over 10 minutes, I decided to interrupt their conversations. "Excuse me, but can your father ask for something else. I mean, he is my father's age. I also do not feel like having someone so close to my age as my stepson," I asked nicely, hoping the older man to change his mind.

"He wants us to get married," he answered blandly then added, "He won't live long enough to survive next winter." "Don't worry Tatsuya san. I don't want to marry a stranger either. Who knows they might be a serial killer or something," I comforted him. I swear his face turned red for a split second. He decided to just ignore my 'comforting' words.

"We'll have a civil marriage in a week's time. I'll help you out with the arrangements," he said as he turned to me. "Are you even listening to me? Aren't you worried that I might be a serial killer or worse still, after your money," I retaliated. He answered, "My father told me who you are and that you have more money that I can ever earn my entire life. Besides, you need to fulfill my father's wish." "You're fine with this? A loveless marriage? No girlfriend? Childhood sweetheart that will kill me if we get married?" I asked. He nodded unenthusiastically to answer my questions.

True to his words, Tatsuya arranged everything for me. Even the two required witnesses. While he was busy doing preparations for the ceremony, I was at Nagoya ordering 10 customized mobile homes. One week later, I was officially Tatsuya's tsuma. There were no procession, no fancy dress or banquet but I did not feel like I missed out on a lot of things. Things that women looked forward to. Probably it was my age that was getting to me. However, I still felt bitter marrying someone I don't have feelings for. At least mother had some even though they were merely illusions father performed.

I moved into the Ashikaga's apartment on the day the ceremony concluded. We only showed some sort of an interaction whenever it was time to visit father in law. The rest of the time were spent doing our own things. Somehow we had a tacit understanding of which chores we need to do. For example, I will cook and he is in charge of washing the dishes.

We went through our days together mundanely until Ashikaga Yoshi passed away eight months later. I grew fond of my father in law. At least he made an effort to get to know me despite his limited time. He was also generous with his compliments. Even if it was for cooking a simple dish like an okayu with pickled plum.

I thought once he died, Tatsuya would file for a divorce. But, I was proven wrong when he did not mention anything about it after two months. When I asked him about it, he simply answered, "I believe in having a lifelong marriage. We might not have started on the right note but you will to me, remain my wife until I die."