A love foretold: A fate unravelled

“No Father. I can't move in with him, I barely know him” I screamed on top of my voice feeling the dryness of my throat.The atmosphere in the room was filled with so much tension. Mother's expression was troubled but I didn't care.

Father approached forward towards me and when he held my hands, I steeled myself “You have to. It's what we have to do. Sweetheart, our company is folding. I'm sure you know what it means”.

Could the day get any better? Father must have known this was going to happen to have made decisions so quick. Just yesterday, I was overjoyed about attending my sister's wedding and now I'm being forced to be the bride.

Father had tricked me, same as a mother. At that moment,I was filled with feelings of rage and disappointment.

How could he plan to sell me off?

He had already made arrangements without my consent.

I swiftly removed my hands from his and turned to my mother.

“Mother, did you know about this? Did you know that your husband, my father is trying to sell me off to a stranger? “

“Silence!!!” Father ordered. Mother didn't answer any of my questions, I was uncertain as to why she couldn't utter a word.

There I stood, face to face with my father, our expression reflecting a mix of emotions.

There I stood staring into the eyes of the man who had already laid out plans for my future, announcing my arranged marriage to me meticulously. Father looked dead serious and he never changed his mind on anything

“Mother, say something!!! Please you can't do this father.”

Seeing that my father had a stern look on his face, my eyes became wet, my voice quivered and I pleaded, hoping that my father would have a change of heart.

A feeling of hate crept into my mind as I thought of my mother's despicable silence, I couldn't describe what I was feeling at the moment. I was mixed with emotions.

As I stood there, facing my father, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I respected him and the decisions he made for the family, but on the other hand, I knew that this was my life, and I wanted to make my own choices. Despite his seriousness and unyielding nature, I knew that I needed to speak up and make my voice heard. I stood tall and confident, ready to take charge of my future, no matter the consequences.

“I will not do it . I'm sorry Father but this isn't your choice to make. I will not marry whoever it is and that is final!” i don't know anything about him and he is Lydia's boyfriend not mine”. I had never spoken to my Father in such a tone and I had never slammed the door shut on him or walked out on my Father.

Growing up, I looked up to my father at all times, he taught me wise words and taught me to navigate my world out in the cold hands of the world. He imparted wisdom to me. I respected him a lot and I wanted nothing more than to be like him.

I wouldn't ever marry someone I haven't ever had a conversation with. I was determined not to go back on my decisions.

Standing behind the giant door that I had just slammed shut, I could hear my parents discussing. I placed my left ear gently on the door, hoping to make something meaningful out of their conversation but it seemed even the doors were against me.

_____________________________________________

The sun filtered its way into my curtains, I lay down on the bed running mad with thoughts. It was almost Evening.If not for the despicable news father had given to me and the dumb decision my elder sister, Lydia had made overnight,we all would have been at the wedding reception now celebrating.

I rose from my bed and stared at myself in the mirror with a determined gaze,I gave in to my weakness and disappointment. Tears streamed down my cheeks, my shoulders shaking with each sob, I buried my face in my hands, trying to muffle the sounds of my crying, even as I wiped the tears, more came.

Father had seen me as a liability and a second option and not his daughter. I felt betrayed.

Why would he do this to me? I do everything to please him, I make myself look perfect and now this is his way of getting rid of me?

As thoughts kept creeping into my mind, I thought of Alexander and his family. I thought of what State they would be in.

Alex loved my sister and this would break him apart. He was a ruthless man and he loved Lydia only.

Thoughts couldn't just stop filtering their way into my mind. I was only 23. I wanted my life to be fulfilled, I yearned to explore the world, meet people, fall in love, and share intimacy with the man I love and now, Father was one step away from jeopardising my dream life

As I thought of the imaginary world I had created for myself, I sobered up and wiped away my tears.

“A lot of things can ruin my life but certainly not this”

I remembered my mother's silence and it made me realise. Mother and I weren't close, it was always just me and Father, I was a daddy's girl. Perhaps all that was the reason she kept mute when Father was making the atrocious plan of selling me off.

Sitting alone in my room, I felt the weight of unfinished tasks and unfulfilled dreams coming down on me, it seemed insurmountable.

The thoughts of eloping from my father's house crept into my mind slowly like a virus taking over a computer system. Thoughts of starting my own life tip-toed into my mind like a delicate whisper gaining control like wildfire.

In the moments of my weakness, a knock echoed through the silence of my room. As the door cracked open, there stood my father.

What the hell does he want from me now “

“Emma” His voice was firm, laden with expectations “Difficult choices are ones we make every day, I expect you to gear your place in this situation very easily. I care for you as much as I care for my family's reputation. Make me proud”. He stated standing tall, stelling with a mean face which portrayed his seriousness.

“You can't decide my life. I already made my decision. I will not move in with him” With each defiant word that escapes my lips, I felt a surge of empowerment cursing through me. I realise it was not about going against his wishes, it was all about me gaining control over my life.

Father stood at a distance, his gaze fixed upon me, his hands neatly tucked into his pockets and he maintained a gentlemanly posture. Father was studying me.

“Emma” His voice now calm as he spoke my name.”Whatever plans you have going on in your head, Think twice darling, You read the letter your stupid sister wrote and no one in this house isn't aware of the alliance going to be formed if two families are united.”

He turned his back and was about to exit the room but stopped halfway to the door “Make sure you’re ready in a few minutes,you will be meeting your soon-to-be husband” He stated and made his way to the door.

I felt overwhelmed by mixed feelings, I couldn't hold my tears back. I buried my face in the white pillow and cried, with muffled sounds and a broken heart.

I knew I had to find a way to heal and move on, but at that moment, all I could do was cry and try to make sense of the pain I was feeling.

Sitting down there on my bed, clutching my feet close to my heart, I questioned my sister's absence and why she would make such decisions. I felt so much hate towards her and it made me shed more tears.

Soon enough, the door opened and a driver came, a man in his late forties dressed in a well-tailored dark-colored suit, and wore a hat on his head.“Miss, would you like to be walked to the car?”

I stood still and accepted whatever fate unraveled, with a heavy heart, I bowed my head and let more tears stream down my cheeks, I walked slowly and wobbly towards the car and there I knew I would never return to the comfort of my home or enjoy the warmth of my room ever again.