NOVEL WEB Chapter 1: Where are you?
1 Where are you?
Anna Jones stood outside the Civil Administration Bureau in City T.She cannot believe that today had finally arrived.She is going to marry her beloved Lu Jinhu.While it was not going to be her dream of marrying in Australia, with all her family and friends, and his family and friend present, it was still going to happen here with his parents accompanying them to obtain the civil registration of their marriage.She would become Mrs Lu, after she and Jinhu had been together for many years since they first met at University.
While she was disappointed, given he is Mr and Mrs Lu's only child, and apparently, they are afraid to fly, she could not disappoint them in not being able to be present when their legal commitment to each other was formally recognised, followed by the formal wedding ceremony to announce their marriage to the Lu's circle of friends, family and acquaintances in just a few days.She would just have to satisfy herself that not only would their marriage be recognised back in Australia, and that her family and friends were ready on their return to have a formal blessing ceremony of their marriage.It just frustrated her that her parents could not travel to be here like Mr & Mrs Lu, given her father's recent heart attack.At least, she consoled herself that she had a telephone call planned with them later on, so they could somewhat share in her happiness.
She knew to Jinhu that Australia was now his home.He would always have ties here, but he was a permanent resident of Australia, and would become a citizen not long after their return.Based on what he had said last night before she went to her separate room, as Jinhu had decided that they should honour a couple of western traditions before obtaining their wedding certificate at the Civil Administration Bureau, they had spent the night apart, and they would not see each other until they arrived here to obtain the wedding certificate.
The only concern she had was Mr & Mrs Lu did not seem to like her, given she was white Australian (although she was lightly tanned from spending as much time as she could outside), brunette with hazel eyes and only about 5 foot 5 inches (165 centimetres) tall.They appeared to tolerate her as she as Jinhu's choice of marriage partner.He was their shining light, and Anna felt that no matter who Jinhu married, they would not like any woman, as Jinhu's choice of marriage partner, unless they could control her and remain the dominate feature in Jinhu's life.However, Anna realised that the one clear desire for Mr & Mrs Lu, was grandchildren and in particular a grandson to carry on the family name.
Anna knew as soon as they had their first son, she would become a darling in their eyes.But that came with its own issues in that she was realistic that Mr & Mrs Lu would pressure Jinhu for them and their children to relocate permanently to be with them, forcing them to leave their life and her family and their friends in Australia behind.Jinhu, however had reassured her that if they relocated he would ensure that they made many trips back to Australia so she could see them, and they would be welcome to come and visit any time.
Anna looked down at her watch and saw that it was 2:45pm.Originally, she was meant to meet Jinhu and Mr & Mrs Lu at 1pm, but Jinhu had called her and let her know that his parents had been delayed.He pushed the time that they were meant to meet until 2:30pm, but he was now running late for even that time, so all the formalities could be completed.
Anna reached into her handbag, double checking that she still had the paperwork she completed in the Australian Embassy to enable her to marry here, and ensure its recognition in Australia, which she found.She kept feeling around in the bag to try and find her mobile phone to all Jinhu to see what was making him run late.She found it buried under the paperwork and pulled it out.She went into her contacts list, and selected the contact "Hubby", which was Jinhu's number.Before dialing it, Anna turned around to look behind her to see if Jinhu and his parents had arrived.She could not see them.
On pressing call, the call went directly to Jinhu's message bank, and Anna said "Jinhu, can you call me back straight away.Where are you?I am worried that you are not here.Has something happened?".Anna ended the message and turned to her right, to sit down on the bench that was a few paces away.As she turned to finish sitting down, she looked up and spotted Jinhu coming out of the Civil Administration Bureau.