ine'

d was coming to pay my bride's price. I was filled with dread, as if

aid, pulling me from the gloomy thoughts. "I

lt angry and frustrated. I couldn't believe my dreams w

hen. There she was, preparing food for our guest. Seeing her b

ll that?" I asked weakly, my concern clear. She noticed my pale

ful attitude made me even more anxious. What could she do? It wouldn't surprise me

alled from the living room, holding out a piece of fabric. I felt an urge to bury

ning up. I noticed her face, filled with sadness, and wondered what she was

rise, the dress was beautiful. How did he know my size? It was glamorous, and for the first time,

ped of happiness and freedom. Yet, amid the turmoil, I felt a flicker of hope. After days

voice brightening the room. It seemed she was genuinely excited

you weren't happy about me getting marri

that kind of man. I'm just trying to keep your father

pretend to be happy," she said, starting t

eup and dress made me look stunning, but the thoug

in a corner, feeling resentful and wishing everything would fall apart. Sweat formed on my f

hat I saw shocked me. An old man stood before me, frail a

his voice weak. The compliment felt he

s sad eyes seemed to hold years of pain. He looked much older than

feeling a scream rise in my throat as his bony finger tappe

g my face as if to comfort me. "You look so beautiful; I can't take my eyes off you." He winke

ly happy-maybe it was a good thing for her that her only child was getting married today. I chose to go along with t

I felt betrayed-betrayed by my father, who had made this happen without consi

ost a part of myself. My identity, dreams, and hopes for a happy future were

e, merely watching my fate unfold. I knew I had to take a stand-somehow, some

ad to pretend to be a happy bride, even as my heart felt heavy with sadness. My mother's eyes

, ready to face whatever came next. I would find a way to rec

piness, no matter the cost. Today would not be the end of my dreams but rather the start of a new c

ctate my choices; today, I would t

orld that I was more than just a pawn in my father's game. This was my life, and I d