Chapter Sixty-nine

Chapter Sixty-nine
"So, what did you do earlier?" Harry asked.
"I exercised and wrote a new song," I replied.
"Really?" He smiled. "Can I hear it?"
"Yeah, sure."
We continued to the music room. I opened the door, walked towards the piano, and sat down in front of it, while Harry opened the window before sitting down on the oversized couch behind me.
I looked at the score in front of me and started tapping the keys with my fingers. I knew it wasn't really that good and nothing compared to Beethoven's or Mozart's masterpieces, but I wanted Harry to hear it. I sang the lyrics in a high-pitched voice, and when I was done, Harry stood up and clapped his hands.
"Bravo!" he exclaimed.
I blushed and looked at him. "Do you like it?"
"Yeah, I love it," he replied.
I didn't know if Harry really liked it or if he was just being nice and biased in his opinion to make me feel better and confident with myself. I knew that feeling; when you love someone, you hold their heart so carefully and dearly in order not to hurt them. I stood up and hugged him.
"Thank you. I know it's not that good, but you listened to it anyway," I said.
"Of course I will. Why wouldn't I support my wife? I'm sure our baby in your womb wants to hear it too," Harry said.
"Yeah, but it's not that big yet. It'll take it some time to grow limbs and kick." I laughed slightly.
"I'm curious. I want to know if it's a girl or a boy."
"Me too. But I don't think it's time for a prenatal; we'll have to be patient, my love."
"You're right. I think we should prioritize our wedding first. By the way, have you sent an invitation to your father already?" he asked.
"Yeah. I've already done that, but I'm not sure if he'll come. I'm still worried about him," I said.
"I know you are, but there's nothing we can do about it. It was his decision not to undergo treatment. We have to understand that he didn't want to extend his life and stay longer in the jail. I'm not saying this to make you feel sad, Georgia. I know it's not something you want to hear, but maybe it's the best thing we can do, to end someone's suffering rather than seeing them suffer more, for that'll only be more painful for you," Harry said, looking outside the window.
Maybe Harry was right. I couldn't imagine my father suffering a lot because of me. I didn't want him to feel the same pain I've felt before. I walked toward Harry and looked outside. No matter what happens, I know I am not alone. He stood beside me. We'd walk through the ups and downs of this life together.
A few moments later, we heard the doorbell ring. Harry and I went downstairs to check who it was. When we opened the door, we saw a black van in front of the gate, and the old woman who works as a tailor stood there. We immediately approached her, and Harry opened the gate.
"Good afternoon, ma'am, sir," the old woman greeted. "We're here to deliver your wedding attire."
"Right, please bring them inside," Harry said.
The other tailors brought out the wedding attires from the van. Harry instructed them where to put those clothes while I had a conversation with the old woman. I invited her inside to have something to drink, but she declined, saying that they can't stay long, for they still have many clothes to deliver to other customers.
Harry and the others came out from the mansion. "I'm afraid we have to go now," the old woman said.
"Uh, okay. Please don't forget to come to our wedding," I said.
"We will," the old woman replied, walking towards the van.
Harry closed the gate behind them, and then we went back inside the mansion to check the wedding attire. Seeing the wedding dress, my heart seemed to jump inside my chest. It looked so beautiful. I couldn't wait to wear it and walked down the aisle, but I knew it wasn't the right time yet. I heard from elders that it wasn't good to wear a wedding gown before the wedding, for it'd cause bad luck. I didn't really believe those speculations. Maybe what they were saying was it wouldn't be special anymore if I wore it on other days aside from my wedding.
"So, who do you want to be your bridesmaid?" Harry asked.
"Honestly, I haven't thought about that yet. There's not really someone who's so close to me to be my bridesmaid, and I feel kinda bad about it. Isn't it allowed to have no bridesmaid at all?"
"Of course it is allowed. Even Romeo and Juliet got married with just themselves and a couple of priests since their families were against it." Harry held my hand and pulled me close, making me dash toward him with my hand on his chest as I looked into his eyes.
"Oh please, don't compare us to the characters of that tragedy," I said.
"Why not? You're my Juliet, and I'm your Romeo. I'll do anything for you, even if it includes dying." His hands went to my waist.
"I know you do, but please don't talk about it..." I said as we danced slowly. "I'm Georgia, or at least that's the name my parents gave me."
"Tell me, my dear Georgia, are you willing to die for me?" He asked as he turned me around.
"Why would I have to surrender my life for someone I love?" I asked.
"Because you love him?"
"Does love include dying?"
"Yeah, of course. For if you love, you love from the soul, not from the body, and when the body dies, when the heart stops beating, and the mind ceases to think, the soul remains," Harry explained.
"Such a beautiful line," I said. "I wonder if soulmates are real."
"You're not answering my question," he pointed out.
"Of course I will. I wouldn't want to marry you if I didn't want to go wherever you'll go," I said.
"But if I die first, I want you to let me go, to set me free, for love isn't attachment but freedom," he added.
"I don't know if I can do that," I said. "After all my losses in life, please don't talk about losing you too, Harry. If you die, there won't be any reason for me to continue living."
Harry got a lump in his throat. He was staring at me with an open mouth as if he didn't expect I would say those words, but I mean it. I mean every word I said, and if I'm not sure, I'd rather keep it to myself. Harry blinked, his mouth closed, and he cuddled me.
"Thank you." He kissed my forehead. "I promise I won't leave you."