CHAPTER-1 :JORDAN MISSING

PEARL:

My palms turned sweaty while stealing a conscious gaze of my parent's forms seated in front of me. My mother stared at me with a stern face sitting on the chair around the dining table. Dad simply sat there with a defeated face. I sighed dejectedly before levelling my eyes on the paper resting on the table.

How will I explain to them? 

Worry, suspicion and anger crept my entire being recalling Jordan’s words scribbled down on the piece of paper. My mother snatched the paper and showed it to me, raising it in the air.

“This got to be kidding me! This piece of trash you showed me. What is the meaning of this, Pearl?” Her rigid voice rang my ears as I thinned my lips. 

I had no idea what the actual shit it was. My college sweetheart cum fiance suddenly vanished into the thin air leaving me with just a small piece of paper as an explanation. 

Jordan and I dated for six months. He was my first crush and classmate. Our friendship grew with time into something more and then he confessed his love to me. I liked him too and introduced him to my family. They liked him at first meeting and soon we got engaged and planned to marry the next year after graduating. But this…

“He ran away, leaving you. How dare he?” I snapped back to reality when my mother snapped. She was cursing Jordan for his sudden disappearance from their lives without being noticed and any proper explanation. 

“Calm down, Aurora. He must have something important..”

“No Samson, he had no right to steer like this leaving our daughter behind. You were the one who thought he would be perfect for our Pearl now look at what he did.” Mom yelled with exasperation and casted a disappointing look at Dad who sighed rubbing his face. A sign of chaos and Disbelief was written all over their faces. 

I cupped my neck seeing their fighting session. Mom was right though. Jordan had no right to leave me hanging like this. He was always a sweet and charming person, caring and pampering me with his love and affection. We were too adorable to be real together according to other college buddies but I never cared. Jordan always respected me and my decisions and never crossed any limit with me. He was a patient and thoughtful man, totally a gentleman. But his sudden disappearance was beyond my ability to decipher.  

“Tell me Sam, what did you see in him?” Mom questioned him. Dad groaned before letting out, “Yeah! That's because he said he was her mate and I thought..”

“Oh for mate's sake, who leaves their loved one behind? And out of all people you know better than that how they behave around their mates, Samson. Don't let me start it. And for god sake, all he could have lied to you who knows. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to run away like this leaving his precious mate behind..” 

Alright! Now they were at it again. Their discreet code words!

I frowned at them about what exactly they were saying. Mom was super angry and Dad looked defeated, the wrinkles around the corner of his eyes deepened as He fell into silence in concern. 

I didn't imagine they would react like this. I thought they would sympathise and support me to find some solution but here they were arguing and fighting like enemies.

“Mom, what are you saying and why are you scolding Dad? He was just trying to reason with this whole dilemma. We can't predict anything precisely for now. And what's with this mate thing. Okay, you guys are a hot couple who still look young but these youngster code words don't suit you.” I said frustratingly. Sometimes They are just kids. Serious kids!

Is that even a word? I ignored my stupid sense. 

Suddenly their demeanour changed like they didn't know I was present there and they let out their private conversion in front of me unknowingly.

 

My mother seemed conflicted like she wanted to burst but Dad levelled his eyes on her finally and the air around us tightened suddenly. They have always been like this, arguing, fighting and then silent treatment as if they were mind linking their unsaid words. 

Surely, I have got brilliant dope parents. I rolled my eyes at my subconscious.

“We will look deeply into this matter. He is our daughter's Fiance, Aurora. He must have reasons or only moon goddess.. I mean God knows if something bad happened to him or his family. We can't say anything. And we can't waste our time arguing and judging the situations.” Dad stated, nodding at my way with serious features. 

Now, we are talking. I knew my father would surely understand this. I have been crying to sleep for the past three days, depressed since I got this letter from one of my college friends at the campus. He didn't say anything except informing me Jordan asked him to pass me that. 

Jordan just can't do that. 

I mean, he was my first lover, the first man I liked. He joined our college last year and we were classmates. Our friendship grew into romantic feelings and he proposed to me one day. He got permission from my Dad to court me. And we were a happy couple together until now. 

Though I don't know the reason behind his sudden disappearance but I can't give up on him. I dreaded something grave might have happened or something forced him. So I took the decision which I knew would lead me to my destination.

“Yes Dad. I believe it. I can't give up on him. I want to find him so I decide something.” I announced, calculating their reaction. Mom squinted her dark chocolate eyes the same colour as me while Dad raised his brows at me. I cleared my throat.

“I will go search for him in New York where his hometown is.” As soon as words left my mouth, Mom blasted. 

“Are you out of your mind?” she shouted in disbelief and stood up abruptly. I don't know but today she was behaving way too protectively for me since she heard the news of the Jordan stunt. 

“Mom, I know. You guys won't support my decision. But first listen to me carefully, please!” I implored and begged them with my puppy eyes. Dad sighed, shaking his head. He seemed uncertain but managed to calm my mom by taking her hand and making her sit back. He was always my Saviour. That's why I was Daddy’s girl more. 

I released a big breath and took my time to explain them. 

“Daddy, I searched Jordan everywhere around, even contacted him through all means but all my efforts went in vain. I am sure he is not in Canada right now. So the only option left for me is to look for him in his country where his family resides.” I said carefully. 

“I know you both are worried for me but I promise I will take care of myself and I ask for only six months. If I couldn't find him or any of his sources, I will do what you would ask then. But at least grant me this wish. I want to do it for myself!” I immediately offered them so they could consider my determination of investigating carefully. 

“But pearl, My angel. I can't let you out of my eyes even for a day. How could you ask for such a big thing? You don't know the real harsh world outside. You don't know the gravity of some situations. There are dirty and dangerous creatures outside ready to make you their prey. We will sort out this thing somehow. I will use my sources to find him. I can't let you risk yourself in anything.” and like this my overprotective Dad showed his rare emotional side which is only reserved for my mom and me. 

I shook my head which was aching for a while now. Mom leaned back on the chair, rubbing her forehead. I knew she must have shared the same feelings and thoughts like dad for my protection. 

“Daddy! I have been seeing you guys and your encompassing and intense love for each other since my consciousness kicked in. You taught me to never give up on your loved ones, love can win everything. And I believed it. I believe you. Jordan is my first love, I liked him. And giving up on him without any specific reason would be cowardness and weakness on my part. You both taught me the language of Love and I want it to be printed in my heart forever. I want to be loved and happy. And my happiness will reside where I would be with my love.”

Dad was staring at me while Mom was giving me a hopeless gaze. They seemed to be stuck with their inner thoughts. I know they want me to be happy but no parents want their children to get hurt in any way. 

“Pearl, you need to know the reality of where you are living. Life is not a circus where you can move around as you wish. It's time you know about some rules which……” 

“Aurora!” 

Dad growled! like literally. He silenced her with one word and Mom clamped her mouth shut with his demanding tone. I was startled and furrowed my brows at them. 

Sometimes they just confuse me to hell and their conversation and hidden interaction go past my head. And sometimes Dad’s behaviour sounds like someone possesses his body occasionally. 

 

“But Sam, I can't let her on her own. She is our only daughter and too naive one. I can't lose her too. It's time, She should know..”

“Not now!” Dad again interrupted but with a calm face. 

“Pearl..” He grabbed my attention. 

“Only Six months! And you will be back to us.” 

I blinked up and smiled brightly. I doubted if he would agree to this easily but he did for my happiness. I nodded with a tearful gaze and stood up to hug my Dad. He kissed my crown and squeezed me in a big bear hug. 

“I love you, my baby!” He murmured. 

“What are you…” I immediately hugged my mom, silencing her. I kissed her cheeks before pleading, “Please Mommy, I promise I will take care of myself.” seeing my baby-like face she sighed but I smelled the reluctance and worry in her eyes. She shared a look with my father and they both hugged me together. 

“I love you guys.” I smiled. 

Jordan, I'm coming! 

And you better have relevant explanations.