Roses Thorns

"Joan, here you go", Mrs Dave gestures for her to take the document, and she quickly blinks off the hot tear burning to be set free.

"What's this," Joan asks raising her brow as she quickly grasps and opens the envelope.

Her enthusiasm dies immediately after reading the title.

"A contract?", her brows furrowing as she raises her head abruptly, her eyes darts from her mother to her father searching for answers.

"A contract marriage?", she asks again.

"Wait..., why are you all silent, is this my grade 6 school assignment or something?, speak up why are you all silent?" She tried laughing it off but instead her voice cracks as she asked again.

"Joan", Mr. Dave moves closer, putting a hand on her shoulder with a reassuring smile.

"I'm sorry my dear", he bows his head as he speaks, " I have done something terrible, I have failed you. Every time I look at you my dear, I'm proud to have you, but also the fear lingers, I'm scared of losing you, and this seems to be the only solution my dear, this is the only way you can be saved, this is the only way my debt can be paid" Mr Dave answers.

"So you are selling me off?" Joan asks, the room is grave silent as everyone holds a long face.

"What did I do to deserve this?, what do you think I am?, I have feelings and dreams of my own, I won't just let you throw them away, ever since I can remember, I had to live in submersion of my potentials, when my peers will travel out for a show I'm stuck here, isn't that enough?, why do I have to pay for a debt that I have no business with?", she yelled, tilting her head to the side as her eyes watered, the muscles in her face strained and a vein was visible on her forehead.

"Now in two days I'm just going to get married to a random man?, who says I wanted a contract marriage in the first place?, why does everything have to be done in a way that pleases you?".

She walks up to her mother as she continues, "Hold hands, walk in the woods in a warm sum..., or a boat cruise" she smiles as she changes the word, spreading her hands in the air, " he proposes and we get married, happily ever after_why don't you wish that life for me mom?". She asks, raising her brows slightly.

Surely she knew about the debt but never thought she was going to pay with her life indirectly.

In all the memories Joan has, she had always remembered that she had to be cautious so as not to be kidnapped in a bid to force her parents to pay the huge debt they owe the Taim's Family.

Mrs Dave begins to sob, Joan walks up to her taking her hand as she squats and begs, she tilts her head as she rests her cheeks on her mother's palm.

"Mom, you have always protected me, please don't let them take me away, how do you expect me to marry someone I don't love, a person that I have never even heard about mom?", her voice breaking as she joins her mother to sob.

Mr Dave stood by the corner, he watched his family sob with his head hanging low, he wiped off the bead of sweat off his face with his palm as he stepped closer to them.

He taught of the future and it seems that this is the only way out.

"Don't be selfish Joan, we are talking about your future here, how would you feel if you spend all your life working to pay the Taim's as we have, and eventually pass it to your children?, do you like the way you have been living?, that is devastating my dear, I wouldn't wish that for even my enemy", mr Dave advised, taking a huge breath as he head out towards the exit, he couldn't bear to see his family broken with sadness.

Then  Joan's words stops him on his track.

"Selfish?, Dad!, I can't believe this", her voice shaking as she muttered.

"What have you ever asked me to do that I didn't, and what have you asked me to leave that I didn't leave?, I have a career, I'll work, but I can't even leave the house in peace, I can't work late!, I can't travel!, I can't do anything!, I can't even hang out with my friends, isn't that enough Dad?, Joan's eyes squinted as her face turned red, tears streaming down her cheeks as she yelled at him.

"Ok!" she takes a deep breath, exhaling swiftly, "I agree, I'll do it". She shuts her eyes as the words escape her mouth when no one least expected.

But Joan was determined now.

She had always been an Obedient and dutiful daughter, careful and alert in all her endeavors and now once again, she has to sacrifice even her life for her family.

After a long silence, she continues "I'll do it, I'll get married, if this is my fate, so be it, I agree", her eyes cast down filled with sadness and determination.

I have always lived in the shadows, in fear, unlike my mates, if this is the solution then I'll do it" Joan murmurs as she seizes the paper heading into her room, she leaves the document on her dresser, and locks the door.

But after a while, she starts regretting accepting the decision.

She big is to ponder with guilt as questions flood through her mind.

By noon the next day, Mrs. Dave rushes into the living room, panic surging all over her as she exclaims "Joan ran away".