After we spoke with Erik I wrote the letter to Christine to ask her if she accepted my request to be my bridesmaid on my small civil wedding which I am planning to have with Erik. I apologized that I maybe caused some inconveniences for her and assured her I was aware of the situation in which I was and knew Erik was the man I wished to marry, for hundred percent sure and she did not have to worry about my sanity and well- being.
I was anxiously waiting for her reply, and until that life was going on its usual pace and way- save for one circumstance. The Daroga and I weren't able to work out a solution regarding the lessons I gave him. He was improving slowly and steady in playing the piano and he was more and more thankful to me about it- and more and more uncomfortable regarding the payment. At the beginning we agreed about he had free music lessons, as I did not feel comfortable accepting money from him. He wasn't a rich man, I did not even know how much a music lesson did cost in late 19th century France, and the Daroga helped both me and Erik so much I did not feel right to ask for money in return. For some lessons the Daroga accepted the terms, as he later admitted to Erik, he did so because he did not think he was able to learn anything and we won't have more than three lessons, and that was acceptable for free. But as we had more and more occasions together he started feeling uncomfortable about "using me' and he often wished to give me money after a lesson but I never accepted it. There was a time he put a five franc bill on the piano, but I put it back in his coat pocket before he left. It was going on like this for long weeks.
One day Erik walked to me while I was playing the piano and knocked on my shoulder with his finger and when I turned back to face him he leaned closer to me and said with a tired smile:
- Find out a price for the Daroga's lessons, he is nagging me to make you decide how much he should pay.
- You know I don't want him to pay.
- I do, but he doesn't feel well about it.
- He should not be concerned.
- He says he is using your talent.
- He isn't. Why, am I using your talent? You teach me for free as well.
- It is another thing, we are a couple.
- But… you used to teach Christine for free as well.
- The Angel of Music can't ask for payment, heavenly sent patrons have no material desires. – He sighed. – Not a good example.
- True. – I shook my head. – But I still don't want his money.
- Then ask something which isn't money but you want or need it. He won't feel like he is tutored for free then.
- Hm… - I scratched my head, then I suddenly had an idea. – Erik, is it okay to ask for knowledge in return? It is for free as well, save for his time, but it is not money, yet has more value.
- Greatest possible solution. – He nodded. – But what would you want to study he could teach you? Putting your nose in other's business?
I had to laugh because of Erik's sarcasm yet again, and I waved in the air.
- Farsi language.
- Must you? – Erik moaned. – It is a language I use to communicate with him about subjects I don't want you to understand.
- And why are there subjects you don't want me to understand? – I retorted.
- If you wish, then he will. – Erik nodded gracefully. – He will be happy to teach you. And you have great talent in learning languages. – He smiled.
- I was always good at languages. – I smiled. – English and French were easy to learn. Do you think Farsi will be easy as well?
- It isn't harder than most of the languages I learned, yet it was always easy for me to learn languages as well. I learned everything easily, and you have a sponge- like memory as well, so I think you will learn Farsi easily.
- That is great. – I smiled. – Once I'd learn Russian too. I'd love to.
- I can help with Russian. – He patted my shoulder. – I lived in Russia for two years, and I am fluent in the language.
- Can you teach me the alphabet as well?
- Of course, and my handwriting is actually more readable in Russian or Farsi than in European languages.
- How do you do that?
- I guess it is because I feel like drawing those letters rather than writing, so it turns out better. – He laughed shortly. – I honestly have no other idea.
- And how many languages do you speak?
- Many. Fluently I speak English, German, Latin, Italian, and nowadays, Hungarian now as I improved a lot, Russian, Farsi, Turkish and Greek. On intermediate level I can speak Spanish, Swedish (yes, because of Christine), Romanian, Polish, Japonese, and Chinese. On a basic level (not too nicely spoken but they can't sell me) I can speak Scotish, Irish, Czech, Slovakian, Serbian and some smaller Indian and Chinese dialects. In these latter languages I can tell what I want as well, but I speak these worse than how I spoke Hungarian when we met, so you have an idea.
- You are a genius and these are only languages… you know a lot more things other than these… you know everything.
- Yet again, no. There is no person who knows everything. I am interested in many fields of knowledge and my solitude gave me time and opportunity to learn. I had travelled a lot in my life, I had opportunity and time to learn languages, you are forced to learn them if you can't use any other one to communicate. Like you were forced to use French with me earlier. You improved a lot. If you travelled so much you'd know these languages too.
- I, to be honest, would like to travel… it is the first time I am "abroad"compared to Hungary.
- Well… we could travel somewhere if you want, on a honeymoon after the wedding.
- Really? – I exclaimed happily.
- Yes, I am a bit fed up with travelling, spending half of my life on the road, but if you wish we could visit someplace else, you are young yet and I understand you would like to see some of the world.
My eyes lit up in a sudden excitement and started wondering what I would want to see the most, my mind was racing with my hopes and dreams earlier about travelling… I wanted to travel to many places… Rome, Venice, Berlin, Moskau… Vienna… and…
- Salzburg! – I spat out in excitement. It was really the number 1 place I wished to visit other than Paris, and now as I had opportunity to see Paris by a chance, I was curious about Salzburg. I knew that the city wasn't going to offer countless merchandise of Mozart like in modern days, but I have seen the city on postcards, and it was enchanting. I still owned a T shirt one of my friend sent me via mail when she had the opportunity to visit the city, and I still kept and treasured it in my closet, yet the material was already so thin it was unwearable any more but I felt sorry throwing it away.
- Are you sure? – Erik stared at me, a bit of doubtfully as it was the only thing I said out loud.
- Mozartland. – I giggled.
- I could have sworn. – He shook his head indulgently. – It is a nice city though, if you are sure…
- If it does not give you trouble to go abroad…
- It is a bit further than what I'd liked but well. We have a honeymoon once in our lives and it is all the same for me where we go. I have seen all and everything… and I feel well everywhere with you.
I had to hug Erik tight after this confession. They always melted my heart, knowing Erik liked my presence so much.
Waiting for Christine's letter, I was so excited, but there were things to occupy my mind. At first we started our Farsi lessons with the Persian, and I could not be happier. I taught him music and he taught me to their alphabet and saying more common and easier phrases at first. Finally none of us had uncomfortable feelings about the lessons, as they were "paid for". After three lessons I was able to say Hello to Erik in the morning and tell him I loved him, which made him smile widely at me, replying in Farsi he also loved me. Rik also started teaching me Russian, so I was learning two languages at once. He was never present when we were having language lesson with the Persian, and he was gone sometimes after they ended and the Daroga left. At first I guessed he was just bored of my level of knowledge, but I had to find out it wasn't the case.
He was working on a surprise for me during the lessons. One day I found a new harmonica on the top of my desk in my room where my old one used to be placed earlier. Sadly I wasn't able to play my old harmonica easily nowadays. Sometimes some notes weren't working and the top of the instrument was a bit of dented by long decades of usage. Grandpa had it with him at war- no wonder it saw better days as well. It was a good eighty- past year old instrument, used by three generations already.
Erik sure felt sorry for me that I could not play as I used to as the instrument started acting up, and he replaced it for me. I smiled and picked it up to see it more closely, but I noticed something. It wasn't a harmonica I was used to. Mine was a C major diatonic. The one I held in my hand was a chromatic one with the small button on the side I could use to open up half notes as well, so that I was able to play a full chromatic scale and it made it possible for me to play in any desired key. My heart was pounding in my chest. What a joy! I do not have to transpose everything to C major! No ore limitations on the instrument, no more sad and disappointed looks when I cannot play something because of sharps and flats…!
But… wait…
The chromatic harmonica wasn't invented until the 1920s. I know so, as I read about it earlier. I always wanted to have a chromatic one but they were always a bit pricey, so I could never affor one for only a hobby instrument. Erik, though harmonicas were sold widely in late 19th century, couldn't have bought me this one as it was something they did not even come up with yet. It only could mean one thing:
He created it for me and it must be the only chromatic harmonica on the whole world! Examining it further, I didn't see "Seydel" brand name, which was the oldest and most common harmonica brand of the time period, mine had some engraved musical pattern, notes and rest signs, and at the edge of the top side, close to the right side, "Juti" was written on the instrument, to indicate it was intended for me. This facr left no doubt about it was Erik's work…!
- Erik you made up a new invention! – I stormed into his study where he was sitting at his desk, writing my newest Russian word list.
- Что это? – He asked "What is it?" accidentally in Russian. He was too much buried in his thoughts to switch back to Hungarian.
- You invented chromatic harmonica, man you are awesome! – I jumped next to him and hopped up on the edge of the desk.
- We have plenty of chairs my love. - He pointed at me, not being fond of the fact I sat on his desk, he never liked that. – I am glad you like your gift. – He smiled finally aftter I got off.
- Erik, how did you do it? I mean how it came to your mind?
- Common sense. – He shrugged, seemingly not understanding why I was so amazed about such a simple thing. – I wished to make playing easier for you and I made you an instrument just like mine.
- You… have one? – I looked at him.
- I do. – He nodded. – I made it for myself. Out of boredom and I did not wish to meet the limitations of a diatonic harmonica. The devil buys 12 of them when you can solve the problem with one.
- Knowing you are ahead of your time by 40 years you are frighteningly clever.
- All other people are frighteningly stupid. – He shrugged, yet again. – Instead of putting Erik on pedestal would you show me how can you handle your gift, rather, eh? Let me hear how it sounds like.
With a laugh I started playing for him, trying out my new harmonica for the first time. I had to get used to the new mechanism, but I could manage to play fairly well. After some songs I started playing the duet from Magic Flute "Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen" and winked at Erik while playing my part. He thankfully understood the gesture as he picked a harmonica out of his waistcoat pocket and he joined me with Papageno's melody. This was the first time I heard Erik playing this instrument and yet again, we were united by music.
After the duet ended, I lost my mind with happiness and wanted to give Erik a high five for the first time during our relationship. I never attempted to do so, but now I wasn't thinking, and I lifted my palm up and quickly swung it towards him, and he backed away in fright. Only then I realized he did not know the gesture.
- Please… no. – He whimpered softly.
- I did not want to hurt you. – I stepped closer, putting my hand on his shoulder apologeticly. – Sorry.
- You wanted what then? – He asked, half cautiously, half curiously.
- Just to give you a high five. It is a hand gesture among friends. It is similar if I shook your hand.
- Show me… slowly. – He smiled uncomfortably, I think feeling ashamed of being frightened of me suddenly.
Not to scare him I taught him how to give someone a high five and he patted my shoulder and… for the first time he laughed at his own silliness. He hugged me and shook his head.
- How could I think you would hurt me…? – He laughed and kissed my forehead, seemingly crying and laughing at the same time. – How silly am I… so very silly.
- No way. – I smiled. – I was ignorant.
- You can never be so. – He smiled too and sat me on his lap. He did it nowadays if he wanted to calm me about no harm was done by me.
Two more weeks later, as I was starting to get the hang of bot Farsi and Russian alphabet and I was able to word easier thoughts and phrases, I received a letter from Uppsala. My heart bet rapidly, seeing Christine's beautiful handwriting on the envelope, and I looked at Erik with excitement. He seemed to be nervous. Opening and reading the letter, I happily exclaimed:
- She is coming! She will be my bridesmaid! Erik she congratulated us! Do you hear me?
Looking up at him I could see him wiping his eyey with his handkerchief, whispering softly "It is really happening", and noticing me watching him, he cleared his throat.
- I shall clean one more time before she arrives… all this dust is bothering my eyes.
With a smile, I hugged him and patted his back, and I could still feel he was crying.
