"The art of love...is largely the art of persistence." ~ Albert Ellis
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2012 © All rights reserved
A ЂώζЅŧ of Fate ♪ Twenty-nine
My phone rang the moment I stepped out of the plane. Technically, I was one foot out on the platform and one foot still on the plane. I saw the air stewardess jumped as she waved good bye to whoever was behind me.
"Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly.
We were the first few out of the plane. Well, of course. The VVIPs always got out of the planes first. And One Direction was VVIPs - first class cabin. By right, I was supposed to go into economy with the rest. But Zayn had personally made sure that I went into first class with him.
Our holding hands back in Perth had indeed created big news. So now, everybody knows Zayn is officially taken. Woo hoo! But way too taxing for me, I thought. The media for once, was very interested to get their hands on me.
"Harlo," I answered as I nudged Zayn for chuckling at me.
"OMG! YOU DID IT!"
I pulled my phone away from my ear and I saw Zayn narrowing his eyes as he eyed me.
Val, I mouthed to him. He broke into a smile and helped me with my hand carry.
"Yes Val?" I replied.
"Where were you?! I couldn't get through!"
"I was on the plane, my dear. I just landed."
"Whoa, I didn't know you were flying again."
I rolled my eyes. That had seemed to be my job ever since I joined the crew.
"What's up?"
"So, where are you now?"
"Singapore. We are stopping over for two hours."
"Two hours?" she mused. "Whatever can you do there in two hours?"
"It's just a stopover. We are not clearing immigration."
"Oh."
"What's up?"
"I saw the news. It's all over the papers!"
"What thing?"
"You and Zayn."
"Oh. That." I sighed. Looked like I would not be spared when I got home too.
"You are our star now. I'm so proud of you!"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah."
"Is he nearby?"
"Huh? Yeah..." Zayn was just beside me.
"Can I talk to him?"
"Huh... ok..."
I handed my phone over to Zayn, "She wants to talk to you."
He eyed me suspiciously, "For?"
I shrugged, "Beats me."
"Hi Val," he said sweetly. I rolled my eyes. Any girl would probably have died straight away.
"Yes... uh huh... of course... I know...of course..."
I eyed him suspiciously as I tried to make out their conversation. But for once, Val was speaking softly.
"Wow, this airport sure looks cool," Harry exclaimed.
"Looks like a tropical forest in here," Liam chuckled.
"Look at the shopping," Niall exclaimed. "Practically like a shopping mall here!" He turned left and right excitedly.
It was when I began to take notice of our surroundings. A buggy had come to pick us up and we were like driving within the interior of a shopping mall, just as Niall had pointed out.
"Ops, sorry!" Niall apologised profusely for his hand had went out to hit a passing girl accidentally. I saw the girl narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
"Whoops," he grinned sheepishly. "Definitely not the best way to pick up a girl."
The rest of them chuckled.
"Yeah..." Zayn was still on the phone. What the hell? What on earth was Val telling him about...
Finally he was done. He shoved the phone back to me.
"Jo?"
"Yeah... what on earth were you guys talking about?"
"Secret," she chuckled.
"Whatever..."
"I told him he'll have me to answer to if he bullies you."
"Val!"
"Hey, I have to look out for my best friend."
I sighed. "I know how to take care of myself."
"You're in good hands."
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My phone rang out again when we reached our private VIP waiting area.
"Oh for goodness sake, change that ringtone!" Harry grumbled.
I apologised sheepishly.
Who on earth was it again this time?
"Harlo?"
"Jo?"
"Mom?" I nearly fell off my chair. Mom rarely called me... unless...
"Where are you now?"
"Singapore, we are waiting for our next flight."
"Oh! Maybe you should give your cousin a ring."
"I'll be back in few weeks' time. I'll pay her a visit then," I smiled.
"Is that boyfriend of yours nearby?"
"Huh?" Why was everybody interested to talk to Zayn all of a sudden? "Yeah..." I saw Zayn dropping to sleep beside me.
"Can you walk away for a moment?"
"Huh... ok..." I wondered what was up.
"I saw the news."
"Oh."
"I have nothing against you dating any boy."
I wondered what was all these about...
"But I am against you dating a Muslim."
???
What?
"Huh?"
"You know very well that I do not approve of such things."
"But Mom..."
"I raised you up as a Christian - in Church - in Christian beliefs."
"Mom..."
"Have you slept with him yet?"
"MOM! No, of course not!"
"I hope it is true."
"Mom!"
"I want you to reconsider this relationship, do you understand me?"
"Mom!"
"Do you?"
"Mom! Can you let me speak?" I protested. "We have just started dating. I don't even know where it will lead to yet."
"So you are not thinking about marriage?"
"Mom, that's way too early!"
"Then why date?"
"Do we have to think so far just for dating? Don't couples date first to see if they suit each other?"
"How can a relationship survive if the two of you have varying religious beliefs? Did you follow him to mosque?"
"No."
"Did he go to church with you?"
"No..."
"Did you even go to church anymore?"
"Of course, I just went to one in Perth!"
"Did he go with you?
"No..."
"And why not?'
"He... was busy..."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah..."
"God will know if you are lying."
"I know..."
"Jo," then I heard her sigh. "I raised you up as a child of God. I taught you all the beliefs and what's right and what's wrong. You know very well, these types of relationships would not survive. Your other half would not be going to Heaven with you. So, why go into it in the first place and get your heart broken later? Moreover, he's a Muslim. Don't you know about the Muslim laws? Don't you know how different we are? Don't you know you'll need to convert to Islam?"
"I know... but Mom, I really haven't thought of it that far."
"You should."
"Okay..."
"Don't make the wrong choice..."
"Mom, I know what I should do."
"I hope so," she paused. "I love you."
"I love you, Mom."
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I collapsed into a heap onto the floor in tears. That was Mom. Way too stubborn when it came to relationships - to boyfriends. That was also one main reason why I did not date. I knew she would have something to say. I love my mom and I definitely respect her. But sometimes, she could be so unreasonable and so overprotective of me.
I know. I understand totally.
Being widowed and with one precious daughter, she had to do everything to protect me. So I could understand why she set curfews and set such high expectations on me.
But I could not understand her religious views.
She was brought up as a Presbyterian - and a stout one. Dad was also a Presbyterian but he rarely went to church. I was brought to the Sunday school since I could walk and talk.
After the passing of dad, she became more active in church. Of course, me too. But I love my friends in church. I enjoyed the company and the activities we did together. And of course, I love God.
My attraction to Zayn struck me even before I could register my own feelings. I did not even consider our religious difference. My heart was all out to experience this feeling of love - this blissfulness. And seriously, I have never given any thought to our future. Perhaps we might end up married. But I believed that was something to be discussed much later. Now, we were just basically enjoying each other.
I hated getting into arguments with my mom. I was glad I was not at home, else there would not be any peace. But, I was not looking forward to go home.
"Jo, what happened?" Colin rushed and kneeled before me.
I realised I was still in tears. Blow, why did he always catch me in my ugliest moments?
"Nothing," I whimpered as I wiped off my tears.
"What happened? Tell me," he demanded. "Was it Zayn?"
"No!" I exclaimed instantly.
"Then?"
I sighed. "My mom called."
He waited for me to continue.
"She was not happy to find out about Zayn."
"Why? Didn't you tell her?"
"I did... but not about him being a Muslim..."
He sighed. "She's upset about that?"
"Yeah..."
He sat down next to me. "What did she want?"
"She wants me to reconsider it."
"Hmmm..."
"I know..."
"Well," he paused. "I don't want to say anything more."
"This is so difficult..." I shook my head.
"Why don't you try talking to him?"
"About what? Ask him to convert?"
"Well if he did that, it would be good," he mused.
"Don't be silly... as much as how difficult it is for me to convert to Islam, it would be equally difficult for him to convert to Christianity."
"Of course," he nodded.
I sighed again.
"But you should at least let him know what's happening, and not keep it to yourself," he pointed out.
"I don't see how he can help..."
"Haven't I told you before?" he flicked his finger at my temple.
"Ouch!"
"Communication is an important component in a relationship. You need to talk to him."
"Okay..."
"Don't carry everything on your own. He ought to know about it."
"Okay..."
"Anyway, I'm sure there's a way out."
I looked up at him and he gave me a smile.
"Come," he stood up and offered his hand to pull me up. "Wash your face. You look horrible."
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My phone rang again when I stepped back into the VIP room.
Bloody hell. Now I was really getting pissed off. Who was it now again??
"Harlo?"
"Jo?" An unfamiliar voice came back to me.
"Who is this?"
She chuckled before answering, "Emilyn - your cousin. Aunt Ederline told me you are in Singapore."
Okay...
"Oh! Hi Emilyn!"
"When did you arrive?"
"Uh... an hour ago?"
"Cool! Which hotel are you staying?"
"Uh... actually, we're just stopping over."
"Oh, I see. Aunt said... ah, never mind. So, will you be actually coming in to Singapore?"
"Yeah," I smiled. "I think in a few more weeks. We still have a couple of more places to go."
"Great. Let me know then, okay? I will make preparations."
"Preparations?"
"Ha-ha, yeah... tour guiding."
"Oh... actually, I'm not sure of the itinerary in Singapore. Not sure if we have time for that..."
"Well, you should at least have a meal with me..."
"Yes, of course," I mused.
She laughed, "Anyway, you can whatsapp me."
"Sure!"
When I ended the call, I saw five pairs of glaring eyes on me. Oops... I grinned sheepishly.
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An hour more to go before the plane was taking off.
I saw Niall busy on his Twitter again as usual. Well, no harm checking mine since I had nothing to do either. Zayn was sleeping again.
Strange. I actually had quite a few messages on Twitter.
@Rosiepayne You don't deserve to be with Zayn!
@Rosiepayne Damn slut!
@Onedirectioner I agree with @Rosiepayne
@YYxx2 Ugly slut!
@jometh LEAVE ZAYN ALONE!
Whoa! What was all these about? I blinked a few more times. Was these the same as what Danielle had received?
Then I saw one from Danielle.
@Danielle So happy for you and Zayn! Ignore those ugly threats! They are not worth it!
She knew that I would receive the same. I smiled before I typed out my reply.
I hope these people would get over it soon. I have other things to worry about...