If you are meant to be together, then even his family can not stop it. See, he's even willing to leave the company at City X because of you, " she said softly while facing her friend who had sat down beside her.
Maya sighed and looked down at her hand which Clara was holding. " You don't understand Clara, I don't want him to have dispute with his parents because of me. He's their only son and they have so many expectations of him. I don't want to be selfish and separate him from them." she bit her lips while her shoulders slumped.
Clara shook her head and sighed again. Maya had told her how his family had invited and lashed out at her, even pleading her to leave their son alone as they would only allow him to marry from an affluent family. ' we're in the twenty-first century for god's sake.' she sighed again. Even though Maya's Dad works in the town's registry, he held a very high position and was practically the second richest man in their province but their normal civilian lives couldn't be compared to the extravagance life of the wealthy socialites of the city.
They sat there for a while then a black 1992 Mercedes-Benz suddenly sped past. " Maya, isn't that your Dad's car?" Clara pointed to the direction which was not far from Maya's house.
" Yeah. . ., let's go, " Maya replied softly, feeling thankful that she would at least get to see him which she doesn't really want to. They stood up and started walking toward the direction the car had just gone and a few minutes later, they arrived at an old duplex that had a small fence and small bushes that had covered the ground like a carpet.
Maya gazed at the building warily and took a deep breath, as hesitation was evident on her face.
" L..Let's go." Clara tugged at her hand and they finally entered, breathing in the fresh air, as the smell of the untamed grasses engulfed the atmosphere.
She carefully turned the doorknob, also feeling a slight uneasiness in her heart, knowing that it would be very great if she turns back now, but she couldn't let her friend go inside alone.
" I..I think he's in the study room, " she stammered while glancing around the huge room filled with expensive but old-looking furniture and her eyes darted to her friend who had now put on a stoic expression, while she tried to control her emotion.
" I'll wait for you here, please be careful, " Clara added in a whisper, and Maya nodded then walked toward the wooden stairs, mustering every courage she could.
Clara sighed while staring at her friend's back and wished her mother had not died, then maybe she would have a little bit of parental love.
_____
Maya stood in front of the study room for some seconds then took in a deep breath and slightly knocked on the door.
" Come in." After three knocks, she heard a deep voice come from inside and slowly turned the doorknob.
" Father, " she greeted softly after entering the door and sneaked a peek at the middle-aged man across the table. He looked slightly older than his age as the lines on his forehead reflected many years of hard work and his face which had no traces of warmth added to the grim atmosphere around him.
The man closed the magazine in his hands and glanced up at her with a frown as she stood close to the door.
He glanced down at the wristwatch and his frown deepened. " Sit down, " he commanded, and Maya slowly nodded then walked forward sat on a chair facing him across the table.
" You don't have to go back to the city anymore, " her father started in a nonchalant tone then opened the magazine again, and Maya's head jerked up with a gasp.
" F..Father, what do you mean. . ." she fidgeted with her clothes while having a bad premonition in her heart.
The man slammed down the magazine on the table and scoffed. " Do you expect me to take care of you forever? Of course, you need to marry. and I have a perfect guy in mind."
' M..Marry?' Her eyes widened as her heartbeat increased. " F..Father, who?" she watched the man who had already stood up.
" That boy... what's his name again?" he frowned for a while then finally turned to her. " Yes William, he returned from overseas a few days ago. you should see him tonight."
Maya stood up with a jerk as the name was mentioned. " William?". He was her boyfriend in high school and she remembered the horrible thing he did that made her break up with him. " No father, I can't marry him." she shook her head incessantly and the next thing she knew was the burning pain as a hard slap landed on her cheek.
" I'm not seeking your opinion you insolence!!!. How dare you talk back!!! you will marry him and that's final!!!" He yelled and glanced down at his wristwatch again.
" He will come tonight. and don't think of leaving this house! " He added then strode out of the room and slammed the door behind.
______
Meanwhile downstairs, Clara stood up from the sofa and glanced around the quiet room, her gaze landed on a picture which had a woman that looked like a photocopy of Maya on it, then her father who had on his usual grim expression.
She was still staring at it when she suddenly heard the yelling come from upstairs and after a while, the door slamming shut.
' Oh no,' her widened eyes darted around anxiously and she quickly hid behind the huge sofa.
After hearing the living room's door closed. She hastily stood up and ran upstairs then swung the study's door opened, where she saw her friend sitting on the floor with one hand on her cheek.
" Maya?" She sat in front of her and held her shoulders with a frown. " Oh my God." She watched as Maya slowly dropped her hand and gasped at her swollen cheek.