*Review anyone?
Walking beside Nobu in the business district of Kyoto, I held my hand out as it began to drizzle slightly. We had just finished attending a Company meet and greet with one of Iwamura's greatest supplier companies. Nobu thought it would be useful to have a geisha at his side as he was forced to be social.
It had gone well of course, but because of this "forced" socialness, Nobu was in a bad mood.
"It's raining" Nobu said, scowling at the sky.
"It feels lovely" I said, touching the element that people said was responsible for the color of my eyes.
"We will get wet"Nobu muttered. "Where is the damn driver? I don't pay that fool to take it easy while I get soaked in the rain."
"I'm sure he is looking for the address as we speak" I soothed. "Look, over there, a boy is selling some paper umbrellas. Perhaps Nobu would like to buy one?"
"Stay here," he ordered, "I don't want to have to find you too!"
I kept my position while Nobu walked over to the boy.
It had been a month since Nobu had become my Danna.
Sometimes it seemed longer. Some days it seemed shorter. I was always on a see-saw of emotional control when I was with Nobu-san. Despite Nobu being fond of me, there were hours where I was tempted to cry and smash things on the floor like a child. Nobu could be a hard and demanding man.
Several times I had escaped to Mameha's apartment to seek advice away from the prying eyes and ears of Hatsummomo, who was only to eager to see me fall from my pedestal of control. She would have only been too pleased to see Nobu do it to me. To push me down.
Mameha had calmed me down and reminded me that I would need much patience to deal with Nobu but in the end it would be worth it because he was a very generous man.
A generous danna.
The emerald hair pin I wore was a symbol of this generosity.
"Here" Nobu said coming back and unfolding the umbrella. "When I get a hold of that idiot, his job will be in peril."
"It's only a little rain Nobu-san"
"Soon there will be a heavy thunderstorm from the looks of it. I pay a fool in order to stand in a down pour of ran!" Nobu said, scowling further, beckoning me underneath the small shelter of the umbrella.
"You are getting wet" I told him. He shrugged and then looked angrily out at the street for his driver.
"Nobu-san must be patient with his driver. Today the streets were especially crowded and its easy to get lost in the business section."
"Nonsense. The man deserves to lose his job."
"Let this be the first mark against him," I suggested.
"There is no room for mistakes when you work for me" Nobu said firmly.
I withheld my sigh and looked around trying to maintain a cheerful aspect.
As a geisha, I worked for him. Everyday I was in a terror of making a mistake. The biggest mistake was revealing what I use to feel for the Chairman.
I had cast the Chairman from my mind that night I learned of Nobu's intentions towards me. It was a foolish child's dream.
For all I knew the Chairman's persona, his gentle way of speaking, was only a facade. Something to be cast away in private.
Even though Nobu's character was raw and rough, I knew all that he presented to me was true.
There would be no mistakes with the Chairman.
Or any other man.
"There he is" Nobu said as a black car veered toward us. He waited until the car was parked by the curb before motioning me forward.
Once we were seated in the car, he began to jerk off his jacket. It was wet from the rain.
The water made it stick to his other clothes.
I thought of asking but knew that I should do it without a word. Sometimes it is better to approach the angry dog without apologizing first.
I reached over and pulled his jacket off. Nobu gave me a look but I ignored him and calmly folded it in my lap.
I thought that Nobu-san was going to berate the driver for his lateness but he did not. Perhaps it was because of my presence. The poor man was going to get it later however. I had no doubts about that.
"Next week I am having a house party"Nobu told me.
"Yes?"
"I want you to come a few days before."
"Is this your house in the country?"
"Yes. It is a large estate, but not as ostentatious as that idiot Baron of Mameha's."
"I am assuming there are to be other geisha at this party?"
"You assume correctly."
"Do you wish that I should select some, perhaps Mameha?" Nobu grimaced.
"If you want, but make certain that the invitation does not extend to that Baron of hers."
"Yes" I said.
We were strangely silent for a while. It was the duty of a geisha to engage in conversation with her clients but Nobu was not a man to be forced into a talkative mood.
I was glad for the respite. While Nobu stared out his window, I turned inwards to my own thoughts.
A party at Nobu's country estate. I had not been outside of Gion for quite some time. Having grown up on the salty shores of Yoroido, I had not seen much in the way of foliage and trees.
I was pleased at the change of scenery but unsure of the time spent alone with Nobu. Since becoming my Danna, Nobu-san had been too busy attending to business affairs to spend any time alone with me.
This meant that we had yet to be inmate.
I stole a look at Nobu's scarred face.
Another visit to Mameha was in order. I needed to find out what I must do in order to please Nobu-san intimately.
…...
"Mameha, as you know, Nobu-san has been very busy with business matters this past month," I began. I picked up my tea cup and took a sip.
"Yes. According to the papers, business is better than ever" Mameha said, reaching for her own cup.
"Yes. Nobu-san is very pleased. Earlier today he had mentioned that he is giving a party at his country estate."
"Does he wish other geisha to be present at this party?"
"Yes. I am free to invite you to come."
"A party at Nobu's country house," Mameha mused. "This is slightly surprising. You know I have never been to any house of Nobu's."
"He has asked that I come a few days prior to the party. Alone." Mameha looked at me.
"I see."
"We have not yet been intimate" I admitted.
"Do you think you have reason to be afraid? I know Nobu-san is difficult to look at sometimes..."
"No, no Mameha. It is nothing like that. I do not mind that. However...I am unsure of what he wants."
"Nobu, although missing an arm, is like any other man, Sayuri"Mameha said wisely. "It will not take much on your part. Just do as he wishes."
"It is so hard to discern anything with Nobu-san" I said. "He baffles me. One moment I think he will be calm like a spring wind, but other times, he is like winter itself."
"I have known Nobu-san for years, Sayuri. He has never liked any Geisha except you. Once you have his regard, you have it forever. Nobu-san is loyal and generous to those that keep at his side. I am sure that you have nothing to fear from it. He would never harm you."
Inside, I knew this to be true. Nobu-san would never harm me. He might growl and snarl at me, but he would never bite.
At least I hoped so.
…...
