Arrange Marriage (Craving)

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h-pitched profanities successfully confirmed things had

probably crashing whatever shattered noisily onto the ground next.

etly reading a little bit tighter, my

ense and I could barely read them p

used to make sacrifices for each other in a hear

be able to pretend I was resilient before the p

n't the only one faking a smile, but sometimes I preferred the façade to

the corner of the room and ambled towards the bed at the

om behind across her heaving chest, my forehead resting on her shoulder

g through her chest. "It's all my fault," she cried s

fter, lips trembling. I couldn't help but hold her a little bit tighter, my

ar-old I'd ever known dealing with unfa

ed her of her sweet genuine smile and carefree spirit, damaging her

racle, but her health seemed to regress, h

getting any better either and every

to cure her and get her on her feet again and reclaim her normal li

ptcy and none of our trustees were willing to help us because of recurring debts our father left

en a large deal of money from the wrong people and now they were hel

and begged for mercy, leading to negotiati

arriage to form an alliance and show mercy in takin

bond, where Ava's medical bills would be completely covered and our

ay out, but all I heard was bondage, manipulat

mercy. It was a well-calculated scheme to show who we'd messe

only grew louder and sadder, her trembling fingers closing i

d her too much to watch her go through so much pain, guilt and trauma. Just h

mured, fighting my own tears

ying peacefully in his grave, but he was still our

erate for so passionately denying to participate in

in high school. I wouldn't agree to marry a stranger too and forget

fierce enough to handle the pressure of the cruel world. Ma

't control her emotions. Often, it greatly offended me

was nobody seemed to understand how much I tried. Everyone seemed so strong yet I pad

ile. They didn't hold back from saying painful words probably trig

p. I couldn't just sit still and watch the people I loved drift

and break down peacefully. She was in pain and that pain radiated to the softest p

d. I took a few steps forward towards the slightly opene

side. I was old enough to be someone's wife, freshly twenty-three, a Ha

k, constantly demanding personal favours and

st his orders and busting my chances at eve

than someone's worthless sex toy. I valued my self-worth and dign

lions and a future I wasn't sure of. I had no love interest wh

enough to push me forward to agree to something that

th a slight creak, taking

softly in between sobs.

to a feeble smile. "I love you," I breat

nfession, but nodded anyways, responding wi

the room, softly closing the door behind me

hey barely noticed me walk down the stairc

arry him yourself if you're so hell-bent on that being the only way out but f

t Mom. That wouldn't be too surprising given her anger

he had the situation under control, but this w

unclenched fist. I could be the bigger person for once and do s

r

ered barely audibly,

r struggle. I had to be bolder. No one would ever

ep forward. "I said I'll do it, Mom," I announced

the two blonde women slowly snappe

not a fucking joke," she scolded. "Get back

with her. "I'll marry him as long as you both

talie threw away the broken candlestick she'd been holding,

led, grabbing her purse from the white couch and angrily storming o

. Mom looked at me for some time before trotting towards me and

constant sobs and shared misery. It felt like a farewell, a fina

have

e said promisingly, placing her hands on my shou

ave to worry about getting a job anymore. Your in-laws will take

. I'd brought this upon myself without anyon

bled. "When do I meet him? Who

trawberry blonde hair back and forth lightly. "They want things done quick

lips quivered as I tried to internali

y into her embrace. "I know,

had I gotten