CHAPTER FIVE: SAD TIMES

Dalia was clenching her teeth, waiting for the moment to tell her was painful. She wasn't ready, and, as she could tell, neither was Deker. His long dark hair swayed in the breeze as they walked toward the house together, not touching or looking at one another. It was against the rules.

"Don't worry. She'll understand you, as I do." Deker said, looking off in the distance.

Dalia could feel the grass on her kneecaps. "But what if she doesn't give her blessing?"

Deker could feel the tension rise just from looking at his finance, and he was soon looking into her eyes, but something inside him didn't want to see her. He had been nervous just as Dalia had.

"What if she says we can't marry?" Dalia asked, looking at Deker, walking ceased, her body twisted towards his.

Deker touched Dalia's face. "Whatever happens...I will always love you."

Dalia smiled. She knew Deker, her angel, was the only thing in this world that made her smile. She had seen her parents suffer long enough, and knew they wanted her to find happiness. She embraced Deker's touch with a kiss. It was deep and strong, and Dalia's hand made way to the back of Deker's head, feeling his soft hair. Deker's hand slid to her waist, but he pulled away quickly. Dalia stared at him, then, she nodded. It was time.

It took almost the afternoon, but, they both managed to make it to the house. Dalia's father was outside, carving wood, while her mother was inside. Dalia could tell that.

She's always inside, Dalia thought. Always in the shadow of home.

Deker stopped walking a second. He turned towards Dalia, who looked at him. "Do you think its safe?"

Dalia laughed a little. "Yes, Deker. It's safe."

They began walking again. When they passed Dalia's father, he didn't greet them. He kept carving the wood without looking behind him. Dalia looked at her father, also careful of what was in front of her, and her heart broke a little from the sight before her. She wish she could hug him, but nothing would help her father now. Not ever.

They reached the doorway. Deker breathed deeply and exhaled at the same pace.

"Stay here." Dalia said, looking back at Deker, had on the curtain. She drew it back.

Dalia's heart thumped in her chest. She could hear it clearly as she approached the woman in front of her, and quickly made way to sit at the edge of the bed. Dalia smiled, and saw her mother smiling. Something she wanted to see.

"How's my sweet Dalia doing?" The Mother said, her voice straining on every word. She was very sick.

Dalia smiled again. "I'm fine, Mother."

"Good. And your Father?"

"He's not talking. What's wrong with him?"

"He and I are about to lose it. We keep arguing, and it won't get any better."

Dalia knew she was right. Her Father grew tired of seeing her Mother like this, sick with each passing moment, and wanted to see her all the time, but the doctor wouldn't let that happen. He could only visit two times a month. He had said that he was the one kept prisoner, not his wife.

Dalia's mother smiled and touched her daughter's hand. "Is something wrong?"

Dalia sighed. She knew that this was a good time than anytime. "Mother...I'm getting married."

Dalia bit her lip, but, to her surprise, her Mother smiled. It was the widest smile Dalia had ever seen.

"That's wonderful, Dalia. But why now? Your young, yes, but are you ready?"

"Mother, I am ready. I am of proper marriage age, and so is Deker."

The Mother shifted her eyebrows. Confusion on her face. "Deker?"

Dalia nodded. "He's a nice man. He treats me so well, and he would treat you the same. You know the man who used to help out around here when you first started to feel bad? That was him. Father has already given his blessing, so I ask you for yours."

Dalia's Mother shifted her position and sat up in bed. She looked at Dalia in her brown eyes.

"I want to see him." She said.

Dalia wasted no time getting off the bed and out the doorway, drawing back the curtains, hearing her Mother cough behind her. Soon, Dalia motioned Deker into the room.

Deker hesitated, but soon managed to step into the room. Dalia held the curtain for him, something a Samurai would naturally do for a woman or man because of their honor, and, when Deker entered the room completely, Dalia stepped outside. She knew her Mother wanted to talk to Deker alone.

"Sit down, Deker." The Mother said, motioning the side of the bed.

Deker walked to the center of the room and, slowly, dropped onto his knees at the side of the bed. He looked at the woman before him and smiled in honor.

"You want to marry my daughter?" The Mother asked, coughing a little.

"Yes, I do. I would be honored to marry your daughter." Deker said, smiling, honor bound.

"But why? And don't tell me because she's beautiful. All men say that."

Deker took a deep breath and moved his black hair from his eyes. He tried to think of the words to say, but nothing would come. Until, finally, he spoke:

"Because Dalia is the one who...helps me keep my feet on the ground. She helps me stay in this world and gives me something to believe within myself. She keeps me safe when I am away or with her on nights when I get to meet her. When I first saw her, her touch alone gave me courage unlike any other. She gives me hope and love. Love the most. She shows me that I am never alone. I have been alone half my life, and wouldn't want to keep it that way. So, please, I ask your blessing to marry your daughter."

The Mother looked at Deker and he looked at him. Deker saw they both had the same color eyes.

The Mother breathed in and looked down, then back at Deker. "Yes. You have my blessing."

Deker felt a breath of relief come out of his mouth. He quickly caught himself and smiled.

"Thank you. I know you won't regret seeing the wedding." He said.

The Mother looked down. "Actually, I will regret it."

Deker's smile faded, and he grew confused. "What do you mean?"

Tears swell in the Mother's eyes, as Deker could tell, and she looked down at the sheets covering her.

"I'm dying, young Samurai. I have battled this illness for too long. It will only be a matter of time."

Deker placed a hand on her's, knowing the pain. He felt tears in his eyes. "Don't worry."

"Can you do one thing for me? Please take care of my sweet Dalia."

"I will. You have my word, and my honor."

The Mother smiled. "You may go now. Go tell my daughter the news."

Deker stood up slowly, feeling pain in his legs he remained sitting so long. He bowed in respect, and turned towards the curtain. But, he stopped walking and looked back at the woman in the bed. At Dalia's Mother.

"Thank you."

Outside.

Dalia was just as nervous as when she traveled to this house. She wanted to scream, but then it would only bring her attention. She wanted to hear the news. She almost wanted to peek her head through the curtain. Then, Deker emerged from the curtains. Dalia walked towards Deker and looked him in his green eyes.

"What happened?" Dalia asked, her heart thumping harder in her chest.

Deker breathed deeply. "She's of little words...but she said yes."

It was a quick impact. Deker felt the feeling of relief spring upon him one second, then he felt his fiancé spring upon him, hugging him, embracing him, laughing and smiling, the next. Deker hugged her back, and felt Dalia's hair close to his face. He was happy after all of this time waiting, but his smile faded at the words spoken my Dalia's mother. He now feared for Dalia. He wanted to tell her what her Mother said, about her illness, but he knew she was too happy now. He'd have to wait.

"Oh, Deker," Dalia said, laughing. "We're finally going to be together. Forever."

"Forever."

*Should I continue? Please Review.