Joana 2

Now, I couldn't face her without embarrassing myself, I shouted at mom while Joana smiled and suddenly thought of something and went to inside her house and brought a sort of rug like clothe. Joana told mom that I can use the cloth in praying. She said that they use a prayer rug called 'sajjada'. It's not just a cloth or a rug but a symbolic piece of mat that used my Muslims to pray to Allah, the name we call God.

Joana spoke to me and told me stories about Allah, Mohammed and more. I got interested with the Muslim religion that I wanted to get baptized but mom is a Christian, so, it's not really that easy and possible. But when I grew older, and when I have my freedom to choose my own religion to practice, I got baptized in a Muslim mosque in Dubai. I got an On the Job Training there for my management course and masters that they accepted me as an intern and graduated with flying colors at Cornel University. Then, I went back to Canada to check on mom, when the accident happened right before I was about to ask her to move in with me back in Milan. I got a job in one of your companies and so, since mom loved Italy, her mother land, I decided to come here and not in Canada or in England.

Okay, so Joana loved me for some reason, but I knew there was a deeper reason, when she managed to stay at home since mom needed someone to help her with her examination on management. Mom was a manager at a store back then and was also finishing her business management course online at the same time. Joana agreed and taught mom every Saturdays and Sundays. And there mom and Joana's relationship started to grow, from friendship to even more.

Hi! What's this?, Joana asked walking towards Leila on her porch writing on a piece of paper. Oh! Hi! My college paper on my course. But I couldn't really think of a good topic, though.

What about?, Joana continued sitting in front of Leila at the small round wooden table. Uh...about? Oh, yeah about literature. I don't really write stuff like this. I'm good in math, calculations and accounting, but writing literary pieces, nope!, Leila added frowning and Joana sensed that the woman in front of her needs her help. Well, if it's okay with you, I can help in this part, of your lesson. I can teach you ways on how to write simple and effective papers. That's my major, English Language and Literature. But if you only want to!, Joana insisted but didn't want to pry.

Oh, no! That's brilliant! But I can only pay you a hefty fee though. I don't earn much, but...., Leila cried but Joana interrupted her. You don't need to...ah..pay me. I'll be happy to help you out. I'm in love with your daughter. It's totally fine, Joana replied with her sexy twang.

Okay, is next Saturday fine with you?, Leila turned to face Joana with a serious but beautiful countenance. Ah, yes. It's perfect, you're perfect! Um...yup. Okay!, so I better go and with that paper you're doing. Just be yourself and say like you mean it, from the bottom of your heart! Love isn't hard to explain, it's people who are difficult to comprehend and not love!, Joana explained. Leila thought hard about what Joana's talking about. Aha!, her paper, it's about love and that's a good thought, hmm! Right!, Leila added while writing the idea Joana gave her earlier. Wow!, she's good!

I never believed that mom would fall in love with someone again, after you. She talked a lot about you and what you and her has gone through. Mom didn't think she'll ever see you again so she opened her heart to Joana. But it wasn't easy. Joana had strict religious practices and loving a woman or same sex relationship isn't ideal for her kin that she hid their relationship from her family and friends.

Mom wanted to meet her family and friends but Joana kept on making numerous excuses until finally, one of Joana's friends saw them at the mall, looking through some fashionable clothes at a store. Mom smiled while she was being introduced by Joana as a good friend but was totally hurt when she realized that Joana's family or friends didn't know about her or her true relationship with Joana.

You told me that they wanted to meet me. But you didn't tell them that I'm our girlfriend, right?, Leila angry walking past the people almost rampaging them one by one. Lei, please, babe, I'm sorry! I'm still working it out. Waiting for that perfect timing to introduce to them. My parents doesn't have any clue who I really am and my gender. It's not that easy, babe. They are conservative Muslims and wouldn't understand this, us and our relationship. I've had a couple of boyfriends and all, but not a girlfriend. Please, just give me time! I'll tell them, once 'll get the strength to disclose who I truly am. I need you, Lei, to support me on this!, Joana explained and Leila kissed her on the lips accepting their arrangement.

But for a year, Leila and Joana's relationship remained hidden from her family and friends, until Lei accidentally saw Joana kissing a man in front of their home one night when Leila brought a dozen of flowers to apologize to her about their recent fight. But she thought Joana fooled her and dropped thr flowers, Joana catching a glimpse of heart broken Leila running away from her, maybe or the scene she saw. But Leila didn't see when Joana pushed the man he called Aman, her best friend who just revealed his true feelings to her but discarded it since she loves Leila. Aman knew what Joana meant when she love someone else. He saw the woman running away from them and he felt bad. Leila ran and ran until she didn't notice the recent building being constructed near the store she is working at, until she slipped and fell on sign boards No Trespassing and Under Construction. She broke her back and caused her to loose her eyesight as well. Joana felt guilty and tried to console Lillian of what happened. She wanted to see Leila and apologize for what happened. Joana kept pursuing Leila but the crippled woman kept on pushing her away. She didn't want to hear the truth. Joana didn't have any choice but to leave defeated, broken hearted and sobbing.

Sasa kept silent. She thought of the times Leila would push her away too. And that's her, the sensitive, loyal and passionate Leila. She is a strong willed woman but in love she could easily get overly sensitive and dramatic about her love life and relationships. But Leila sure does know how to love and it's always for real.