Chapter 4

"Embed my name deep into your soul because you can't escape me."

He kissed my cheeks and left. His mere presence served as a storm in my heart, an unavoidable doom.

As I fell on the ground and curdled like a ball in my mum's lap, feeling utterly defeated before the person who can stumble my home of gaiety in a matter of heartbeats.

‘Why did this happen to me....”’ After he left I began to cry in my mother's lap. hiding my face.

“What is happening, Mum?” I cried, letting out my misery in the form of tears, showing the devastation chasing me with full speed.

"Why...why is this happening to me?"I asked in a low voice. I just don't know what to do. My dreams and my hope everything was crushed to pieces in an instant. “One moment, and everything in my life changed on the snap of his finger. Who is he? How could he do this?” I asked desperately, mind going blank by fathoming what could happen.

He is terrifying, doing this to me, leaving me with no choice but to marry a person I don't even know.

“How could he do this? And- And why? What do I have?” I asked, pulling my hairs in desperation, losing my patience by the pain. It gives me chills to think what he could do if I refuse.

“Oh, Lord, please help us.” Mom was also crying due to the affliction that just occurred, not knowing how to comfort me.

"Don't cry, Love, everything will be alright..." My mother tried to calm me but instead it hit me like an arrow. Her tears cannot console me. In fact, nothing can.

"Alright? How? He was going to kill you and I couldn't do a single damn thing other than saying 'Yes'.” I snapped, I have never felt this powerless. What am I? I couldn't even do a single thing to help us! I am not his toy!" I said exasperatedly, slamming my hand on the ground.

"But..we both are alive...." he tried to reason.

"Yeah..with me being forced to marry the man whom I know nothing but his name...." I chuckled dryly, wiping the tears of misery on my cheek.

"Everything happens for a reason...." She is still trying to be positive, knowing there's nothing that could make me feel good.

"I don't think so .....This is going to be nothing but an endless nightmare for me...." I whispered, sniffling, closing my eyes.

“If Papa was here… he wouldn’t let it happen, would he?” I asked innocently, looking up at her with my teary eyes.

“He would never let anything hurt me.” My voice broke. “But he wouldn’t want you to lose hope either. You are our strong girl, you can’t lose.” She said sternly, trying to encourage me.

But, I have seen the extent of my powers. I cannot regain them anymore. I have seen how defeated I was that I couldn’t fight him.

“It’s going to be alright…” My mom was running her hands through my hair as I began to cry again. The heartbreak inside me is getting the best of me, I cannot hold it inside me.

"I am pathetic..." I sobbed.

"No, you are not. If you weren't there, I might have died..."

“But- But…”

Silence broke out between us.... None of us had words to pursue the comfort we lost.

We both know there's nothing left but shattered glasses of misery. In the silence which crushed me miserably, I couldn't bear the anguish inside me anymore.

"I am being forced into a loveless marriage..." I said in a broken voice.

“No, I won’t let it.” Mother said sternly, wiping her tears.

“You cannot stop him.” I whispered, realizing his overwhelming power. He could easily crush middle-class people like us.

“I am getting married and nothing could change this fact anymore.” I enunciated, aware of the future, he wouldn’t let it slide. He will make me his bride with or without my consent.

"What?! V is getting married." I heard my nickname being called and turned to look at my younger boyish version; Kenneth, my brother, staggered upon hearing the news we received from a disaster an hour ago.

"Yes"

"No"

I looked at her mother who said no. I gulped knowing Mother is willing to cross every limit to make me safe.

“Is she or not?” Kenneth asked again, tilting his head in confusion.

But I am far too terrified to do anything which can bring harm upon my family. I don't want anything to happen to my mother or brother.

"No. Your sister is not going to get married." Mother said sternly, shaking her head to put up a strong front..

"Mother...no..." I spoke in a barely audible tone. I didn't have much strength left in me as today's events are carved into her mind as a constant source of agony. His words are echoing in my mind, stirring it drastically,

"You will marry me. Or else say Goodbye to your mom and your beloved brother. You will become my wife one way or another."

I shut my eyes when I sensed his proximity. For someone who never had much intimacy with the opposite gender, his voice and dominance was leaving goosebumps on my skin.

"No...Mom..please...he is willing to cross every limit just to get me..." I tried to make Mother understand.

"Who? What are you guys talking about? Is V getting married or not? "Kenneth Interrupted.

“Does she have a lover? Did you guys fight? Why is she crying? Don’t you want her to marry?” His series of questions came.

He began to think I like someone and Mum is against our marriage.

“Kenneth, say something to Mama. She is not listening.” I said weakly, wiping the tears in the corner.

“Mama, why are you saying this? What if V wants to get married?”He frowned, coming closer, hugging me.

He hadn’t seen my tears and they broke his heart.

“She is not getting married, Kenneth. It’s not what you think so calm down.” Mother sighed, shaking her head.

“But-” We both said at the same time but to no avail.

"No one is getting married, Son. Let's go, I will serve dinner." Mother said with her usual smile as she stood up and left.