Sabina's Pursuit of The Holy Grail
Chapter 7: Convincing John to Help Me Apply for a Visa

A few days later, there was $20,000 sitting in my account. Enough to splurge on my upcoming trip to Israel, where my search for the primordial Zeto Crystal would begin. There was a slight problem that I needed to deal with. I needed to secure a visa to Israel, so I could visit Jerusalem. Unfortunately, the security situation in Israel was bad. So the Israeli government didn’t let any foreigner in unless they had a trusted person vouching for them. That’s where John came in, since he was Jewish, and he held an Israeli passport.

My relationship with John, who is the man who raised me, believing that I am his daughter, is not as good as it could be. This is one of my biggest regrets. John is a stable, loving, and hard-working man, and he deserves all the love in the world. Sadly, I cannot make myself care about him. I guess the circumstances around my conception is to blame.

I was reborn, because of the spirit of the sacred Sabina Eisenstein, who fell to the evil of Xeno queen Rangda in the apocalyptic war of the 29th century. Instead of accepting defeat, the spirit of Sabina Eisenstein convinced the True Maker to turn back time to the year 2019. A year when compatible parents for my rebirth was available on Earth. I was reborn as a beautiful baby. I remember how the spirit of Sabina Eisenstein, caused my mother Ellen to have a brief sexual encounter behind John’s back. I made it happen, and my feeling of guilt towards my cuckolded “father” has always kept me distant from him. I know that John wanted more children, but since he was sterile, this never happened.

Thus, I feel guilty for deceiving John, and I am aware that the truth would destroy his happiness. So, my mother and I, kept the truth to ourselves, as the truth, that I am not his daughter, would be devastating for John.

As for my mother, I am close to her. Ellen is a good woman, and her short tryst with Marvin was because I influenced her mind to make it so. It was a necessity for my rebirth, but if someone is to blame, it is me, and only me.

I met with John for a quick lunch in the Central Business District. He had rump steak and chips, and I had a vegan salad with avocado, couscous and grilled tofu. I like eating vegan foods when I can, but it is not my passion, and I don’t preach it as preaching rigid veganism causes more damage than it solves.

John looked at me with a worried expression. “Is everything okay Sabina? You haven’t been yourself since Joshua’s party. You haven’t even been to school since. Did anything bad happen at the party?”

I pondered on how to answer the question. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to tell him what had happened either.

Eventually, I spoke. “Yes, something bad did happen at the party, but that is not why I haven’t been to school.”

“So, what is going on?” John asked.

“I needed to make a bunch of money for an upcoming project of mine, Dad,” I replied.

Hearing this, my father spat out the coffee he was drinking in surprise and yelled, “Sabina? You’re staying home from school to make money? I thought you didn’t even like money or material possessions?”

“No, dad. I don’t like being controlled by money or material possessions. But I do need them to live. There is a difference.” I paused and then I continued speaking, “Anyways, I made the money I needed, so now I need your help.”

My response shocked my father and he replied, “What? What did you do to make money? You have hardly left your room for three days. Your mother has been worried sick about you!”

I paused for a bit, and then I smiled at him, sensing my girlish pride bubbling over my achievement. “Online Trading, Dad. I have spent my time doing online trading to raise $20,000 for a trip I want to make.”

I handed John my phone with my web bank transaction details, he looked, and his chin dropped in amazement. “Sabina, this is amazing. How did you do it?”

I shrugged my shoulders and replied, “Online Trading. It is like chess. You must anticipate the opponent’s move and act accordingly. But I must say there are so many more interesting activities than hoarding money.”

“But this is amazing! We could become rich!” John said in excitement, with the greed for money twisting his face into an unpleasant grimace.

“Yes … But that wouldn’t make us happier,” I replied calmly. I took John’s hand and used my powers to calm his excitement.

When John was calm again, I spoke. “So, dad. I need your help. I have made the money so that I can go to Jerusalem and study your heritage.”

“Our heritage,” John replied with pride in his voice.

“Okay, our heritage.” I shrugged and corrected myself. I have never classified myself as belonging to any specific race or sect. I see humanity as one, but I needed to appease John, my gentle and unknowing dad, to get things my way.

John gave me an inquisitive look and spoke. “But Sabina. You have never been interested in our heritage. You seem to be more interested in yoga, crystals, and eastern religions. What has changed?”

“Nothing has changed. I just want to broaden my horizons.” I replied.

“But Jerusalem is a perilous place these days.” John objected.

“Fear shouldn’t cloud our judgement and deny us of our heritage. We should face any adversity and be proud of what we are.” I proclaimed with a sarcastic and humorous tone.

John sighed. He couldn’t argue against my words, as they were his words uttered by me. “Okay.” John paused for a second, looking for words. “I will vouch for your visa application, if your mother agrees to this trip.”

“Thanks, dad! You’re the best!” I exclaimed cheerfully and hugged him. “I need to see Mum now, see you tonight!”

“Okay see you tonight, my darling Sabina,” he said gently before I ran off in excitement.

On my jog back home, I felt excited. My mum knew about my secret desire to go to Jerusalem, and she wouldn’t deny my wishes. She would have objections, of course, but she would realise that it was all part of a higher plan. As for John, he clearly preferred me not going, and I knew that he hoped for my mother to say no, so he wouldn’t have to. But once my mum supported my idea, John would come around and help me. I knew it. In a couple of weeks, I would graduate high school, and after that, I would embark on my first great adventure.