I felt sad that Craig left but he my day bright when he mentioned Leila and that I needed to pursue my love for her, find her and now, after reminiscing my married days with a good man. I realized that it wasn't that I loved him, it was already enough that he loves me that the world he created for me was to prove and to tell me that I was accepted, loved and supported by him in each and every step of the way, during his illness, enduring it alone, until his death. I felt guilty and selfish but Craig made sure to comment on these too, that I needed to remain happy, bubbly and bright like the sun, because these made his urges and anxious state to kill himself because of the excruciating pains he feels every time his bones ached, disappears whenever I smile, laugh or cry with him. I was a gift to him and he made sure that I was taken cared of and given all the love, support and surprises he wouldn't be able to give me when he dies. I always thought Craig was in a hurry. He was indeed in a hurry because he knew he only had a limited stay in the world and he made sure he lived it to the fullest with me and our friends, family and love ones.
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Sasa? Hey! Are you okay?, Lillian asked while I sat on their wooden chair with my legs crossed looking away, I think so far away that she noticed my mind flying somewhere else and didn't even touch the cup of tea she prepared for me a while ago.
You know mom also had a sort of heartbreaking experience too, but with a woman, about eight years ago when she lost you. I never forgot about that story because I fell in love with Joana when we met her at the gasoline station one evening. It was May, 2210. I was only two years old then. Mom had to fill our car with gas and since electric cars were so prominent and been used worldwide, people seldom use old and 3rd class cars which Porsche or Lexus couldn't win a match with on mountain driving to our very own Land Rover. I love that jeep since it's so yellow, hihi!, Lillian added smiling and I wasn't embarrassed to laugh to with the last note. I am driving a Porsche and a Lexus but more the high tech wheels which can fly, travel long distances or can drive on 'grasslands' or 'dirt lands' (new terms we call streets and highways).
2100 were years of looking back our grassroots, pasts and legends. We owe our drastic changes and healthy nature from our ancestors and defenders who kept their promise to save and act on what they reiterated about climate change, global warming and the coming of CHANGE.
Change did come and since then, the LGBTQIA+ community is already accepted by the world. Religions of any sort is accepted and anti-bullying, anti-rape, anti-harassment, anti-corruption ad etc. were made into laws. The world decided not to tolerate injustice, corruption, rape, bullying, terrorism and discrimination of any sort anymore. The authorities, police and governing bodies such as politicians, lawyers, judges, entrepreneurs, leaders, influencers, etc., have strict rules of conduct and will not be tolerated or caught doing wrong acts and decisions affecting the lives and future of the poor, less fortunate and the weak or uneducated citizens of the world most especially the youth.
Mom fell for a Muslim girl. Joana's real name is Asana Abdul Kalam. She was just called Joana by her friends and colleagues. As a professor in high school in a Football School in Auckland, Canada, she was a bubbly woman and nice too. I remember her and her sweetness, her pretty face with the hijab and all. Back in the olden days, wearing a hijab which represents a Muslim woman's modesty and religious practices. As well as wearing Nicab or women's outer garment that looked heavy and thick. Joana is a conservative Muslim woman. But she always seemed different. She always wanted to talk to mom and always wanted to sort of catch her attention in some ways, but she had a hard time doing so since she's all covered up and shy.
Good morning Lily, mom used to call me when I was a child, Joana called out when she happen to pass by our home back in Canada. We were living in Edward Street, about twelve minutes away from my school. Joana is a professor at a high school near my school but she never told me the name of that huge place. Anyway, mom would greet her back and give the lady all smiles. Joana, would blush and her face would turn pink. She is a Muslim but her skin colors pale white. She said that her dad is a British fellow and her mom is a Canadian. Though they are Muslim who migrated to Canada, she never felt discriminated or different. She wore hijab in England and there's no problem with that there that she encountered about her religion and her religious practices. So, when Joana told me that, it wasn't much of a problem to me either, her wearing a hijab or practicing her Muslim ways in school or at home. She is our next door neighbor. I always see her pray early in the morning, afternoon and before sundown. She is like a hermit who always caught praying knees down with a think flannel or blanket where she place her knees bent down.
Good God! Lily, what have you done?, mom asked scared when I cut myself with scissors when trying to imitate Joana by making my own blanket to place my knees down to pray with. Well, I never did that again, mom just gave me a flat pillow and advised me to use it instead of a hand made one. I agreed I didn't have any choice anyway. But when mom told Joana about it, she laughed and thought, maybe that I was crazy! Mom, why did you tell her that! It's supposed to be our secret.