After meeting with Julie and Kelly, Tanti came and informed me that my brother wanted to have a word with me.
I immediately went to meet him. He was standing infront of a pillar with a thoughtful look.
"Brother" I slowly called.
"Shiba,come,let's take a walk around" He said as he slowly walked ahead,I followed behind him.
"Is something on your mind Funa?" I asked after I noticed his silence.
"I can't seem to comprehend why a family like charpil's chose you for a bride Shiba. I am not trying to say that you are not worthy but why?" Ady rhetorically asked.
I knew what my brother meant and I knew that he didn't have any malice towards me.
I had also thought about it but I later gave up.
We silently walked around the garden and then sat down on a near by resting chair.
"Before coming to your wedding,I spent some money on a private investigator" Ady abruptly said.
I was slightly startled,what was my brother trying to investigate? was it the charpil's? what if they find out? This wasn't good!
I guess my brother saw the worried look i bore, he slightly smiled before sighing.
"You don't need to worry about the situation, the private investigator I hired passed away,he had a car accident " Ady absentmindedly said.
I was even more at loss for words.
"Whom had you hired him to investigate?" I slowly asked,I was hoping that it wasn't the charpil's.
My brother slowly turned towards me. "it was your husband" he said as he looked me straight in the eyes,his gaze simply implied that it wasn't just a simple accident.
I don't know why but my heart sunk,I convinced myself that it might have been just an accident. Even if the charpil's were beyond wealthy, murdering someone couldn't be without consequences!
"I am sorry,may his soul rest in peace,please don't hire investigators next time. The charpil's have been in Muni country for generations,I haven't heard anything odd about them so far" I strongly suggested.
My brother simply nodded and suddenly held my hand,I could feel his rough and hard hands.
During that time when father had lost his job and sold some fields,money was needed for my brother's education.
He would wake up early in the morning and work in the fields,feed the cattle and do all the hard work at home, before going to school.
In the evening,he could be so tired that he dozed off while doing his homework.
"I haven't been a good brother to you Shiba" he said.
"what are you talking about! you are the best brother in the whole world! which brother tirelessly works hard for their siblings like you." I quickly and confidently said.
"I wasn't around you growing up." He said as he blankly stared ahead.
"And I understand why you weren't home!why are you suddenly like this Funa" I said as tears threatened to leave my eyes.
His self blame hurt me so much,it just reminded me of how incapable I was and further affirmed why I had to please my husband.
By just being loving and caring towards Henry, my brother would finally rest,my father had got his job back,his kidney transplant had also been scheduled, therefore, Funa didn't have to tirelessly work like before.
"You have always been a cry baby Shiba,even when you were a toddler. you used to cry to me about everything. Don't cry okay,I didn't even say anything to make you cry" Funa said with a smile,I angrily pushed away his hand before I turned away from him
My brother just laughed and helplessly said "What stories are you making up in your mind now"
"None of your business!" I replied as I continued to face away from him. Accidentally,my eyes caught the figures of Zire and my now husband talking to other two men besides the window.
Henry turned towards my direction, lifted his glass of champagne and smiled before turning back to talk to Zire and the rest.
The other two men he was talking to also turned to our direction before turning back to continue their conversation.
My spirit didn't like those two men for whatever reason. Their eyes and stare frightened me even more.
I turned back to face my brother but I found that he had also been looking towards that window's direction.
He then slowly turned and smiled towards me reassuringly. " If your husband doesn't treat you right in any way,just give me a call okay?you know that I am physically strong to deliver some punches" he said.
I could only smile towards him,I could never let my brother fight Henry no matter what. With the charpil's reputation,my brother could face years behind bars. Forget about it!
After talking for some time,I suddenly felt a chill.
"Let's go back inside,it's getting cold out here" my brother said.
We then left the gardens."You two siblings are close! " Zire snickered as he said. I saw Tanti sharply look at him as if to warn him about his words.
Some young men and women in the upper class circles gathered around to watch the drama in excitement.
"What? don't tell me that you can't take a joke too? you women are no fun sometimes" Zire said.
"Shiba is leaving to my house tonight, a word of encouragement and goodbye from her brother should have been expected as he is rarely at home" Henry interjected as he headed towards us.
The spectating crowd quickly dispersed,
I suddenly felt comforted by his words. I didn't think that such a Henry could be involved in any foul play in the investigator's death as implied from my brother's words.
I slowly smiled at him and thanked him for his intervention.
"We are now husband and wife,stop thanking me every time" Henry said.
"Brother in-law,please don't take Zire's words to heart,he has been drinking heavily and it might blur his sense of judgement " Henry said towards my brother.
"It's alright" My brother said.
"Then that's good" Henry sighed.
The ceremony soon came to an end,I had to escort my parents and brother out of the door,before heading back inside.