Scars Of A Forced Marriage

"Perhaps I should just flee.

Or should I refuse the priest's request?

However, this could exacerbate the situation.

And I can't let that happen.

I must be strong.

Elara, just keep in mind why you're doing this.

I stand in front of the mirror, looking at myself while wearing a stunning white bridal gown. I assumed I would have the most during my wedding, but it's not there at all.

The radiance of joy.

"You look sooooo pretty Dii...!!!!"

As my younger brother came into the room, I heard him say.

I turned to him and forced the biggest smile I could; I've learned to completely conceal my issues, suffering, and problems these days, especially when my brother is there.

After all, I was forced to accept the wedding proposal because of him. However, I will ensure that he is not aware of this. What's always happening to him is that I'm having an arranged marriage. He was receiving treatment for his leg at the hospital when this agreement was being finalized. I took advantage of that by telling him that I fell in love with a man who just so happened to be the son of our father's friend. Despite just being five years old, he has a high level of intelligence and gets even more possessive of me. He is everything to me, and I am aware that I am his.

As he walks into the room, I give him a look. Wearing a black suit and, for once, having his hair done precisely, he enters the room with his crutch in his left hand and his gorgeous brown eyes gleaming with joy.

"Really, Bunny... You think so...!!??"

I called him by the nickname that only I use, and I asked him with an almost flawless smile, attempting to seem as normal as possible.

Indeed, my sister is currently the most gorgeous bride... at this moment!

Are you aware of what transpired today?

He says as he rushes in my direction.

"What?"

"Father said that I can..." He then runs into the room's chair and collapses.

I run to him, help him up, force him to sit on the chair, reprimand him, and examine his leg to see if it is hurt.

"Why are you always in a hurry..? Thank god your leg isn't hurt. The doctor said that we need to be extra careful if we want your leg to be completely fine. But if you're gonna trip and fall like that, then the chances of you walking without this cluster will be even lower..!!"

He stares at me with a lovely smile on his naive face as I speak, concerned about the delicate state of his leg.

I ask, bewildered, "Are you okay???" You're smiling at me while I'm reprimanding you.

"Nioooo I not okkkay.. I mean, I'm not okay after you go away after this ... I missssss you Diii...!!! I'll miss getting scolded by yiooou... I'll miss getting pampered by yioou... I'll miss your presence... I'll miss us moments... I'll miss talking to yioou till I fall asleep..!!! I don't want you to go away from me.. Bunny loves you Dii..!!!"

With tears in his eyes, he says as he hugs me tightly with his tiny hands.

"DII love you too, Bunny...!!! And don't worry, I won't let you miss me..!!! This wedding will bring us even closer.. And you will get all the happiness that you deserve.. I promise you."

With tears in my eyes and a determined tone, I respond, reflecting on why I consented to this wedding in the first place.

We remained in that embrace till the door opened and the antagonists from our lives entered the room wearing the most phony smiles.

Mike, our father, and Jennifer, his wife.

Observing them brings back memories of the day I was told I had to get married. Or should I argue that I was forced into marriage by blackmail?

Flashback Commences

Several Days Prior

In the study space

"By this weekend you're getting married to Mr Lorenzo's Son ..!!"

Startled by his words, I yelled, "WHAT..!!!! Have you gone insane, Father????!!!!"

As I fall and feel a rough hand on my cheek, I hear a different voice.

"How dare you talk to your father that way..!? Where are your manners, young Lady !!!"

"To hell with manners..!!! You both have gone insane!!!! Get it straight, I'm NOT MARRYING anyone... No matter what...!!!!"

I respond and turn to leave the room, but I pause when I hear this.

"Hello, Doctor.... Yes, this is Mike Edward. I wanted to tell you to stop all the treatments for Bryian. We no longer need it."

"Are you sure, Mr Edward? I mean your son's leg can get better if we continue, else it will get even worse, and the poor boy will suffer from a lot of pain."

The doctor responds over the phone's speakers, sounding shocked and worried.

I froze where I was when I heard that. When I turned around, I saw my father using his phone while seated in his chair behind his desk, and Jennifer leaning on her husband's chair and grinning evilly at me.

"Please Father... Not this...!! I beg of you.. Don't do this...!!!"

I say this as I realize what he was attempting to do and feel tears streaming from my eyes.

I turn to face Jenifer and say, my eyes beseeching:

I understand that you don't like me at all, and that's okay since I'm not your kid, so please, Jennifer.

However, Bryian.

You have a son of your own.

Your own blood...

Show him that you care about him for once!

Please advise Father to continue his treatment because his legs have been aching a lot lately, and it will get worse if he doesn't!

Jenifer, please...

From evil to concern, her expressions shift. The problem is going to become worse, and I am positive that she is totally acting it out. For me!

"You're right, darling ... His legs are already bad.. And will get worse only.. But you know what...!!! The one who can stop that is not me, but you..!! All you have to do is just say YES. For once, prove that you love him more than anyone else."

She spoke in the most derisive manner imaginable. And keep going while I watch helplessly, unsure of how to escape the maelstrom I find myself in.

If you believe that your NGO job at that child orphanage will help you with Bryian's treatment, then keep dreaming, Elara. You know very well that nothing like that is going to happen, because the treatment will cost more than five times what you get each month, and you will only receive a few hundred dollars. At this point, you can only decide what is more important to you.

YOUR EMANATION

or

YOUR BROTHER'S SCIENCE.

As she tells me the hard reality of my life, I stare at her.

Then Jennifer follows my father as he gets up to exit the room. He glances back as he approaches the door and utters:

"You have till tomorrow to give me an answer. And I don't want to hear anything other than Yes."

I stare at him in disbelief. Unsure of what to do, I collapse in that room as soon as I hear the door close.

POV of Elara

"Can this man do this..!! You were wrong, Maa.. This man's name and heart are both made of stone. The most insensitive man ever. He has no feelings.. No emotions for his own kids.. Be it me or Bryian. And that Jennifer.. What kind of a mother is she?!!! Just because Bryian has leg problems and can't walk without his crutches makes her ashamed of him.. What should I do now?? Choose myself, my freedom, my life, or choose Bunny, the reason because of whom I was able to experience the meaning of love, care, and concern.. Please help me, Maa.. Please..."

The following day

I enter the house, exhausted, and stand in front of a mirror, staring at myself. I appear to be emotionally and physically worn out. For me, the day before was completely crazy. My father hurried to the hospital where Bryian was after first announcing his intention to marry me off. He needed to be soothed because he was in pain and had not received the necessary medications as directed by my father. After telling me their decision, our father and his wife had left for a party and a crucial business meeting, so I had to stay with him all night. Additionally, the lawyer arrived yesterday following the whole ordeal.

"So what have you decided..??"

I turn to listen to Jennifer, and I see the couple who were eating breakfast at the dining table. They appear quite assured, as though they were aware of my anticipated response.

"It's not like I have many opinions available. I'll go through this wedding.. The treatment of Bryian should not be stopped at any cost.!!"

I said, attempting to sound as strong and determined as I could.

Jennifer arrives to hug me as soon as I say it, saying:

"For once, I'm very happy that you are in our lives. And yes, we'll take complete care of Bryian..."

My father simply got to his feet and wiped his lips with his napkin before saying:

"Good! Tomorrow we are going shopping for the wedding. Go get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."