Chapter 2. Finding a Husband

The next morning, Arya tried to sneak out of the house early to catch the bus. She had to rush to university and get the details of the summit. She knew it’d be by evening.

She had been missing so many class at university because of her father’s incessant calls to come home to meet one need or the other.

 Her boots were in her hands as she tiptoed down the stairs. Hearing no movements in the sitting room, she rushed to the door but on closing it, she made a loud sound, jolting the sleeping father.

 “Huh? Who’s there… come back here.” He grumbled and went back to sleep.

 A sigh of relief left her lips, she put on her boots and arranged her hair while looking at the mirror. Memories of her father’s talk with her aunt Jenna had tormented her sleep, much that she had eye bags.

Her mother, while she was alive, never burrowed huge amount of money. It could actually be a lie and her father was just looking for a way to use her to earn money.

As she finished with her hair, she returned back to the house. She wouldn’t concentrate in class till she knew exactly what debt it was that needed to be paid.

 She knew she could get hit on the face for waking him from sleep, but even if she had blood on her face, she needed to know.

His eyes opened, red and angry.

She went back, trying to keep a distance. “I want to talk. Yesterday, I overheard you and aunt Jenna’s conversation and I have questions.”

His eyes darted to her, boring hole in her body. “You heard us, huh? And you thought waking me from sleep is the best way to go?” He rose from his chair.

 Arya held unto her bag. “If you keep hitting me, I would run away from here. And do you think a girl with wounds is desirable for a wife?” She stumbled and fell as she had been taking steps back.

Her father stood moving towards her and pursed his lips. “That makes sense, since you’d be married off soon, I guess I have to stop hitting you to see if you’d ever look pretty.”

Arya sat on the cold ground, glaring at the floor because she’d get hit if she glared at him. She stood up, holding her fists to her sides. “What debt did my mother not pay that warranted $10,000?”

Her father chuckled. “Your mom isn’t the one owing $10,000. I am.”

Arya frowned. If he was why was the involving her mother, and he should handle his debts.

“But then, your mother owed me and my family a debt of $100,000 and never repaid, making me unable to pay my own debts. So I decided, sell her daughter, pay my debt, everyone wins.”

Arya hadn’t heard a more despicable thing in her life. “How did she owe you such…”

“Well, from a contract marriage. Your mother and I had a contract agreement, if she doesn’t give me a son within five years of marriage, she pays me $50,000. If our marriage doesn’t last ten years, she gives me another $50,000.”

Arya folded her arms. Her parents marriage had been a contract all along? Did her sister know this? And it wasn’t her mother’s fault she didn’t bear a son! Her mother died of terminal illness when she was five, and their marriage was only nine years old. So she owed her husband $100,000 by that?

Her voice came out in mumbles. “Did you ever love my mother? And do you hate Anna and I because we aren’t sons?”

“I bet you know the answer to that.” Her father smirked. “Your mother’s debt would be outstanding, but if you get me $10,000 within five hours, better. Or else, before you come home, they’d be a man waiting to take you away.”

Her father sat back on his couch when he was done laying out the requirements. He didn’t care that his daughter was sending death glares his way. At least, she knew what she was supposed to do, she should get on with it.

 Arya finally left the house, keen on finding $10,000 within that day. Her eyes were stinging with the loaded tears but she dared not shed them.

She had always known her she wasn’t important to her father but she didn’t think she was this unimportant. If he had to kill her to get a bottle of beer, she was sure he won’t hesitate to end her life.

 She got to class twelve minutes late but her lecturer didn’t mind. She sneaked behind her best friend, Winx, and plopped down besides her, taking out her notes.

 “You’re late, again.” Her best friend told.

 She only nodded. Her mind was beclouded by so many thoughts and emotions that she barely understand what was being thought.

That class finally came to an end and Arya quickly narrated every bit of her conversation with her father to Winx, who had a rather blank expression.

 “Your mother did you guys dirty by marrying such a man.” Winx sighed.

Arya wrinkled her forehead, shaking her head. Her mother wasn’t at fault here. She may have been in love and agreed to everything.

 “Do you think you can ask someone for the money? Do you know anyone that can pay such huge amount?” Winx asked.

Arya’s mind went to Sir Damien, she had been thinking of him for a while but she didn’t want to be indebted to him as he had been acting weirdly with her.

Her sister line hasn’t been going or she could have asked her to meet her boyfriend instead.

“I don’t want to ask him for money.” She said.

 “Then ask him to talk to your dad to give you time. You told me once that your father respected him, ask him to beg your dad not to sell you cos you’re very not wife material.” Winx ran her hands through her hair while saying.

 “Is that the point?” Arya grunted. Even if she had time, where would she get such money? And her father seemed bent of selling her to clip her wings.

 Just then, she got a call. Checking and seeing it was Damien made her mood change, it was as if he knew she was talking about him.

Winx peeked and saw the caller. “Tell him your problem and sees what he says.”

Arya stared at the ringing phone, heavy and annoyed that she can’t help herself.

She picked up. “Hello, Sir Damien. I just heard that the summit was canceled.”

“Hello, Arya. How are you? And yes, some speakers and I had an impromptu call to Singapore recently. Don’t be displeased, okay?”

Arya glanced at Winx, who was listening on their conversation. Winx gestured to her to chip in her issue to him.

“Um… yes. And Sir Damien. I have a problem. My father is planning to send me off to a man for marriage against my will. He needs it to pay his debt.” She bit her lips as the words came out.

“Marry you to a man? Like he’s arranging a marriage for you?” Sir Damien asked.

 She nodded frantically. “Yes, I really need you to talk to him for me. I don’t know how I can be a wife at nineteen and he is bent on this.”

Sir Damien paused before clearing his throat. “Your father is a little bit too much. How did he accumulate such debts?”

“I really don’t know.” Arya pouted.

Winx gestured to her again to ask him for money. Arya shook her head, she didn’t want to beg, the least he could help her in, was make sure she wasn’t sold.

“Um… who’s he trying to sell you too? Do you know him? Try to have an agreement with the man. He may not turn out bad.”

Winx looked confused. Was he telling her to go ahead with the marriage? Arya immediately bought the idea. She could have a contract marriage with the man behind her father’s back and work and pay the debts to the man later.

“Sir Damien, that’s a good idea actually.” She smiled. Winx shrugged, as long as she wasn’t sold to complete slavery.

 “Yes, because right now, my family is looking for an arranged wife for me, I also hope to just sign a contract with her and break up later. If you can find a man who would do that, then you’re good to go.” Sir Damien assured.

Winx snapped her fingers and Arya caught on her message quickly and asked. “Sir Damien, can I be your arranged wife?”

There was a five seconds pause before he replied. “Arya, I didn’t ask you to.”

“I know but I’d feel better if it’s you and…” she trailed off, she just remembered that the man she was asking to be her arranged husband was her sister’s boyfriend. And why was he looking for an arranged wife when he had her sister?

“Fine. I’d arrange it.” He hung up before she could take back what she said.

Winx looked at her and she looked back at her.

“Wait, is this guy still dating your sister?” Realization hit Winx and she asked.

 The both of them stared glued to the ground, surprised at how fast he agreed. Arya didn’t want to annoy her sister. She tried calling back but Sir Damien didn’t pick up. What did she just do?