I made the mistake of turning on my phone somewhere between the time I spent waiting for my connecting flights from Egypt to Britain to Hong Kong to Bhutan.
I can't exactly remember where it was, but the number of messages online and texts on my number were too many to count. I could only put it on flight mode any time I was getting on the plane, and read through the WhatsApp, WeChat, Line and Telegram messages as I giggled or sighed dramatically.
The one I felt the saddest for was Namjoon. He texted a number of times, and I could only receive the messages while waiting for my connecting flights. My brother, mum and dad had messaged me too, of course for different reasons.
Mum told me about the decision to settle the divorce outside court. She had gotten a good attorney who made my dad split his estate halfway with her, despite whatever pleas he had tried to communicate.
My youngest brother obviously mentioned the divorce. He was freaking out about everything. He also asked me if I got his tree donations to UNEP for my project. Apparently, on the UNEP Page, they had set up a donation page for the project and many trees were coming in from his friends and even teachers.
Yes, I had apparently become a big deal in MIT. I didn't even go there.
My dad was grumpy about my silence, blaming me for inciting my mum to leave him, and also, the hottest topic in all our recent conversations.
"When are you getting married?"
I understand that society places expectations on women, scratch that, heavy expectations on women to get married, but when things go south after they force-fed you your the nuptial vows, they will blame you for being inadequate. They will say a woman whose marriage failed must have done something to make the institution fall.
Well, I wasn't going to fall for that trick. I knew my father was trying to find a way to control me after I took away his control once I won the music scholarship at sixteen, and became Miss. Kenya at eighteen.
It was clear that his negative behaviour would only draw me back into depression, and I didn't want that. It wasn't something that I was exactly proud of, but it was me. Still, the dark days had to end.
Especially if they were the kind influenced by my dad.
I replied to all of Namjoon's messages, and they were all sent as soon as I switched my phone off from airplane mode in between airports. He didn't reply at first because he probably was busy or flying or just sleeping.
I couldn't tell either way.
Or maybe he had decided to ignore me.
I couldn't help sighing at that. Oh well... Another love prospect bit the dirt then. I scratched my scalp and thought I would need to wash my hair again as soon as I got to Bhutan, despite the braids on my head.
Luckily, they were just a week old. The sand from the mild sandstorm we had experienced had dirtied it slightly. The clean hair was essential for my peaceful sleep. So, once I got to Bhutan, checked into my hotel with the aid of the conference officials, I quickly stepped into the bathroom and took a shower.
Once I felt squeaky clean, I went to my bed and got in, feeling better already. Before I knew it, I was already dozing off, and the sound of trees waving in the breeze was my lullaby.
°|°•°•°•°•|•
My phone buzzed multiple times before the wakeup alarm rang.
Feeling much better after a good sleep, I found myself heading to the bathroom to freshen up, before checking my messages as I got ready for breakfast. Most of them were replies from Mercy who was on break, Namjoon and Ryan.
Hold up, Namjoon?!
From Namjoon
Hi. I almost thought you were avoiding me heehee
From Namjoon
I was very happy to see your texts
From Namjoon
This means you aren't at Hala'ib?
From Namjoon
This is cool then! I can text more, right?
From Namjoon
So... Where exactly are you?
From Namjoon
If it is a big secret you don't have to tell me
From Namjoon
Unless you wanna...?
From Namjoon
I saw a feature on you recently
From Namjoon
Former Beauty Queen Turned Environmentalist
From Namjoon
It talked about your music career too. I quite enjoyed it.
From Namjoon
Ugh, I have to go. I have a live show in a few minutes. I guess we can talk later.
I smiled at the messages before texting him back. He seemed somewhat nervous, which I found cute. I was strangely confident about everything.
To Namjoon
It isn't a big secret. I'm in Bhutan for a conference. I get to explain my project and give feedback on all the innovations I have used so far.
To Namjoon
Awww, I saw it too! I will put the paper clipping in my craft book.
To Namjoon
Have a lovely show!
YOU ARE READING
The Republic of ARMY
FanfictionI always lived for the moments my father would tell me I could not do something... then I would go ahead and do it. That had been my entire life. Maybe he was just really angry at me. Or maybe he just hated having a daughter who didn't measure up...
