Purple Romance

''Yes, I wanted to be a singer but I can't do that anymore'' Jessi said and looked at her legs. Paige watched Jessi quietly. Jessi touched Paige's hand and smiled at her saying ''sing with me''

''Me? I don't know how to sing. Really; I am very terrible at singing. Even a frog's voice sounds better than mine'' Paige said trying to dissuade Jessi but the latter was adamant. She looked up to Jordan with a pleading gaze but he looked away instead.

''Come on, it can't be that bad?'' Jessi said.

''No one is going to criticise you, just go with her'' Jordan said to Paige.

''Elder sister, who are your favourite artistes?''

''Taylor Swift, Tatiana Manaois and Sasha Sloan''

''Then, we will sing one of Sasha Sloan's latest hit 'thoughts', what do you say?''

''I just love to listen to them but I can't sing. I don't even know the lyrics very well''

''I know the lyrics; elder brother can screen them on the board for us. We just need to follow the lyrics and lip-sync along'' Jessi insisted. ''I really love 'dance in the rain' and 'thoughts', we can also pick a song from Taylor Swift's latest album 'folklore' and sing. It will be amazing''

''You won't laugh at me right? I don't want to drag you back'' Paige asked and he shook his head and went to sit in front of the sound control mixer. Paige reluctantly went inside the recording room with Jessi. After plucking in the big headphones into their ears, Jessi started singing 'thoughts' by Sasha Sloan.

'Thoughts'

'Sometimes I just can't control my thoughts

'No medication's ever made them stop'

'All I think about is everything I'm not'

'Instead of everything I got'

'Cause, I'm scared they're all laughing, so I make the joke first'

'If I beat them to the punchline, then I can't get hurt

'Yeah, I swear to God I'm trying, but I don't know how to be...

'How to be a good friend to me''

Paige looked at Jessi as she sang the song. Her gaze travelled down to the girl's legs and her eyes suddenly felt heavy. She wondered how Jessi lived through such a big change. The song they were singing was a song she usually played herself whenever she was sad. Right now at that moment, she felt that Jessi was somewhat crying out for help using the song. She must have gone through a dramatic change in her life. At the age of 16 years, she couldn't even use her legs and has to be supported every time. Paige took off the headphones from her ears and walked out of the recording room. She picked her bag and removed her phone and went out of the studio.

''Hello Professor Nicholas Glow''

''Paige?'' Professor Nicholas Glow was surprised to see her call.

''You asked me to do my internship at your hospital at Touching Lives Healing Village. I want to know, at Touching lives healing Village, do you have a treatment plan for people who have experienced trauma from motor-vehicle accidents and are disabled as a result? I remember you wrote a journal on overcoming the stigma of disability and how to help people with physical disability to overcome emotional barriers in their thoughts and starting over again. Can I have a copy of the journal if it's still available?''

''Paige, you didn't talk about my offer the last time. I thought you were calling to accept it but you are actually calling because you need my help?''

''I will do the internship at Touching Lives Healing Village if you can help me, Professor Glow'' Paige said and the middle aged man chuckled over the phone.

''Fine, I can never win against a gem like you. Come over to Touching Lives Healing Village tomorrow. I will get you all the information you need. Also, I would recommend you bring along the full history of the person, so that I can have a look at it'' Professor Nicholas Glow said.

''Yes, I will. Thank you, Professor Glow'' Paige smiled and hung up. She turned back to the door and saw Jordan at the door.

''Jordan… you… did you?'' Paige didn't finish when he pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tightly.

''I believed you. I know that you didn't do any of what Yvonne said'' Jordan said as he hugged her.

''Are you okay?'' Paige asked.

''You came late!'' he said and placed his head on her shoulder, ''I was expecting you to come earlier'

''Tsk, you didn't even tell me about it. I had to find out from Mirabel''

''I'm sorry. Today is always the day I'm unhappy the most. Thanks for coming''

''I don't know how to console people. I don't know how to help you''

''Don't say anything. Let's just stay like this for some time'' he sniffed her hair ''you smell nice. I wished I could keep you to myself and feel this smell everyday'' Jordan said and Paige's ears turned red and she blushed.

''That is the smell of my shampoo'' Paige said softly.

''Paige''

''Yes''

''I love you!!'' Paige blushed and she felt her heartbeat raising at his words.

''You… you really know how to take me by surprise'' she said smiling sheepishly.

''I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I won't ever let go of your hand. So, don't ever let go of my hand, okay?''

''As long as you don't let go of my hand first, I will always hold unto you''

''Good girl''

....

Paige walked out of her bathroom and looked at the picture of her mother on her dressing mirror and smiled. She walked up to the table and sat down, taking the picture to look at.

''Mom, you must have met Jordan's mother already, right? Please take care of her on Jordan's behalf' she said and hugged the picture.

''Paige, are you in?'' Thomas Payin asked entering into the room.

''Dad, are you not asleep yet?'' Paige asked her father.

''Not yet, when did you get back?''

''Half an hour ago'' Paige answered and put back the picture frame on the table.

''You must miss her a lot'' Thomas Payin said looking at the picture of Gertrude, his wife.

''I do but, I have you, right? Because I have the most wonderful daddy in the whole world I don't mind'' Paige said and stood up to hug her father.

''I have good news for you''

''Good news? Tell me, I need a bit of good news to lift my mood up''

''I've being employed by the church as an accounts clerk and the salary is good''

''That's great, dad, I'm happy for you'' Paige said and embraced her father again.

''When do you end your lectures before the internship starts?''

''This week, by Friday''

''Let's visit your mother before you start the internship. Have you decided which hospital to go yet?''

''Yes, I am going to intern at Professor Glow's foundation; Touching Lives Healing Village. I already gave him my word this evening''

''That's good. Before we all get busy, let's visit your mother first''

''Okay''

''So, how are things between you and that boy?''

''Dad, why do you always refer to him as a boy?''

''Same reason I always call you a girl. You will always be a girl to me''

''We are good, but, his ex-girlfriend came back''

''So, what did he say? Did he dump you already?''

''No, he did not. He said there is nothing between them but that woman is quite tenacious''

''My daughter is really in love. I was afraid you would remain single because of your crush on Joel but, looks like my girl is finally grown now'' Thomas Payin said and tussled her hair.

''I am 25 and a final year medical student. I have to grow up'' Paige said proudly.

''Do you like him that much?''

''Yes, I don't know when it started but I just realise I really like him and always want to be with him''

''If you say that, dad will begin to get jealous''

''Jealous? Jealousy doesn't fit you, dad. Besides, no matter what happens, you will always be my dad, the man who love me the most''

''Such a sweet talker. Let me leave you to sleep. Don't stay up too long'' Thomas Payin said and turned to the door.

''Dad, you too. Get some rest. I will get you a present tomorrow for getting a job''

''Don't be stingy in the gift, I want an expensive one''

''I have never seen a beggar with choice'' Paige said and they laughed. Her father left the room and her phone buzzed. She hurriedly went to grab it and smiled looking at the caller ID.

''Hello'' she sounded shy.

''Not sleeping?'' Jordan asked over the phone.

''Not yet. Are you not sleeping in early?''

''I was about to sleep but I suddenly missed you and came to see you. Your lights are on little Miss'' Jordan said.

''Are you in front of my house?'' Paige asked and opened her window. Jordan waved at her from his car. ''Wait there, I will be done in a minute''