As True as Love can Be (Chapter Four)

She was dozing peacefully on the thick-cushioned couch. The library was cold, a frosty drift that countered the lazy afternoon heat. It was quiet. There were only a few people sitting around. Some asleep like her, some busy reading and some enjoying their moment of privacy by some dark corners.

The silence was calm, bringing with it a smoothing serenity. The coolness was drowsing, a blanket to keep her away from the drowning heat. Slowly but surely, she could feel the silence replaced by a rhythmic licking of the beachside by the waves. The coolness was no longer there, but a gentle warmth eluding from the morning sun. She woke up, no longer found herself in the library.

The lazy sun tanned the crystal skin. The mild waves lapped the golden beach. The lady of craft and wisdom stretched herself and lay on the baked sand. It was not awhile, that the sky soon turned dark. She sat up and said, “Enough Sibling, what tidings do you bring forth?”

“A tiding I bring for you. Help me, sibling. I lost a bet with Death and he wants to claim my prize.”

“Let him take your prize then. Never bet with Death.”

“Sibling, help me. I have forged a great path for this world. They have left us here to fend for ourselves. We cannot leave until the work is done. So help me and help yourself.”

A grim voice followed, “Fate, my dear Fate. You have lost the bet. And I shall claim him as my prize.”

“No! It was an unfair bet. He was supposed to be the heir to the great new kingdom that I have crafted. Yet, you brought the soul of his father away. Its not fair then. You have interfered with my work.”

“They have left us here. Your work, my work. I don’t really care anymore. The waves are high, the thunders are strong, the rain are merciless. I shall soon claim him as my prize.”

Destiny stood up and said, “Death, be gone with you. Let him live. I promise you I will work harder to weave the destinies of these mortals, so that you have more prizes to claim.”

“True, its harder to find mortals nowadays. Fine, Destiny, I have your words.” The sky soon turned calm.

A wretched ship sailed towards the shore. Destiny was caught off guard and in a hurry, she assumed the form of a lion. She tried to hide, hoping the sand and tall lalang grass could hide her.

A man walked down, and advanced towards Destiny.

“A lion. By grace of the Gods. This is an auspicious sign. Forever then I shall call this place Singapura, the Isle of the Lion.”

Destiny took the lion’s form off, and she stood in front of the man. There was this strength within this man that captured Destiny’s attention. This was the first time she felt a tinge of something. Something that nudged her to say, “This Isle of Lion and your destiny are forever changed.”

“Destiny, you are dreaming.” The voice drew Destiny back to the library.

Destiny woke up. It was coming back to haunt her.

She looked up. It was Cannosa.

“Destiny, I have no wish to quarrel. Just to let you know, Sahx and her True Love is going to meet tonight. You have lost.” Cannosa turned and left the library.

Destiny knew she had lost. Nothing can beat True Love, unless, Fate should intervene like the many scores ago. She clenched her fist. Does she want to win that badly?


Chapter Four: Is it all Fated?

They danced around the restaurant, floating from table to table. With their trained sincerity and smile, they kept the customers happy. Nothing fazes them. They have seen all kinds of unreasonable people and obnoxious actions. But for tonight, there was one table that they refused to serve. They asked a newbie waiter instead.

He went weak in his knees as he approached that corner table. The lights were dim and the air was cold. He looked back and the rest of the restaurant was bursting with life and light. The incessant chats and the ubiquitous raising of hands. Yet, as he crossed into this corner, it seemed like he entered into another world.

“Sire, would you like to order anything?”

“Nothing. Can I sit here alone? Can you kindly ask yourself and your likes not to come near me. Thanks.”

“But Sire, it is against our restaurant policy to have you sitting here and order nothing.” That was a brave one but the newbie immediately regretted what he said.

“Oh really? Then the policy shall change for me. Go away.”

The newbie turned and walked back to the brighter side of the restaurant. They asked him what he wanted and the newbie answered softly, “Nothing.” They looked at the newbie and peeked at the table. “Nothing? So be it then.” One replied. “Let’s get back to our work.”

The doors opened. One of them floated to the doors and she asked, “Table for?”

The man, who pushed the door open, answered, “One.”

“Yes, Sire. Please follow me.” She remembered to smile and extended her left hand out, pointing to a general direction in the restaurant. She led him to an empty table, remembering that a lone customer shall always be led to a small table, even though there are bigger ones. She filled his orders in.

The doors opened once more. It was Sahx. She looked anxiously around. Another of them floated to the doors and he asked, “Table for?”

Sahx answered, “Hang on, I’m looking for someone.” Her head preened around. “I guess he is not here yet. Table for two, then.”

“Yes, Madam. Please follow me.” He remembered to smile and extended his left hand out, pointing to a general direction in the restaurant. He led her to an empty table, believing that two people can still fit snuggly in a small table, even though there are bigger ones. “Here is the menu. You want to order now?”

“I’ll wait. I am expecting someone.”

“Ok, I’ll get you a glass of water while you wait.” He floated away.

Sahx has never seen Cannosa’s face before. She wanted to ask for it over the MSN, but Cannosa always rejected her, citing that looks aren’t important. She looked around, the tables are filled with people, except for two tables. The one at the corner and the one two tables away from her. The lone guy sitting at the corner, dark table, looked old. Not that old, Sahx thought, but certainly not of Cannosa’s age. She hoped. The one who was sitting two tables away from her looked fat. Not that fat, Sahx thought, but certainly not of Cannosa’s size. She could only hope.

She looked around. No-body else seems to be busy looking around except her. Anyway, she was fifteen minutes early. She calmed herself down. Where’s my water, she thought. These pesky waiters, why can’t they remember anything.

The doors opened. Sahx’s heart skipped a beat. One of them floated to the doors and he asked, “Table for?”

“Five. They are coming in later.” Sahx sloughed and wandered into her little world.

“Yes, Sire. Please follow me.” He remembered to smile and extended his left hand out, pointing to a general direction in the restaurant. He led him to an empty table, believing that five people can still fit snuggly in a small table, even though there are bigger ones.

Sahx snapped out of her world, it was Cedric. She turned her back. She waited. She turned her head slightly to catch a glimpse of Cedric. Cedric has had his back against Sahx too.

Sahx’s heart pumped hard. Cold sweat broke out. Her head was spinning. She closed her eyes, breathing hard. Where is Cannosa, she screamed in her head. She cannot wait to leave the restaurant.

She sat as silently as she could, hoping the human crowd could conceal her.

It was more than half and hour beyond the meeting time. She was worried. What could have happened to Cannosa? Her heart churned. What if all this was a hoax. What if Cannosa was a fake? Someone is out to make fun of her. She knew it. It happened once before.

She controlled her fears. Yet, like a burst dam, all her worries and anxiety flooded her little world. She could find no place to hide. She wanted to melt away. Her hope dampened with the passing minute. Chaos reigned within her. Her cheeks burning. She waited feebly. Her hope weaned.

They floated around too frequently for Sahx’s liking and she sat there too long for their liking. Finally they pushed the newbie towards Sahx’s table. He asked gently, “Madam, do you wish to order?”

“I am still waiting for someone. Please go away.”

“Madam. You have been sitting here without ordering anything. It is against our restaurant policy.”

Sahx broke down. She cried. She signaled that she wanted to be alone.

“But Madam, it is against our restaurant policy….” He was abruptly cut off.

“SHUT UP!” She stood up.

All eyes were on her, except for a few still busying eating. Cedric stood up. “Sahx. What happened?”

Sahx ran towards the door.

Cedric chased after her.

The man at the dark corner smiled. He stood up and went over the other lone guy and patted on his shoulder. He left the restaurant. The dark corner was dark no more, the light bulb jumped to life and lit the corner brightly.








(Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to anyone or anything dead or alive is really a freak coincidence. Why did Cannosa fail to turn up? Who was that man by the dark corner? See you at Chapter Five.


“So the Great Destiny turned her head towards the Elusive Fate, bowing and begging. Isn’t it ironical, my dear Lady of Craft and Wisdom?”

“No bowing nor begging, but a return of favour and an end to an indemnity, my dear Lord of Seeking.”)