[THE NEXT DAY]
Our class this morning has ended. All of my classmates left the classroom, and only I and my friends are left there.
"Damn!" I yelled in annoyance as I dropped my quiz paper on the desk. I got a low score on our drawing quizzes. After all that, I lost concentration on answering because my brain is so confused now.
Until now, I still can't forget what Dad and I talked about last night. Damn! I can’t believe he arranged a marriage for me.
Like. What. The. Fuck.
[FLASHBACK]
"I’m sorry, what?" I asked, my forehead creased in shock.
Tell me, I heard it wrong.
“You already hear me, I don’t have to repeat it. I’ll give you the key to your car on Saturday. So, prepare yourself. Go to bed now. You still have a class...”
"Wait!" I cut his line. “Are you setting up an arranged marriage for me? Why? Dad, I am still too young for that!” I protested.
“Exactly! You are still young, that’s why I don’t want to give you a car yet. But it’s time for you to grow up, Jake. Don’t worry, you are not gonna raise a family, just get married.”
Just get married? Is he kidding me? Marriage is not a joke.
"Dad...”
“You said you would do everything I wanted. Stand for it. Now, go to bed.”
"You've got to be kidding me. This is... ridiculous!"
"I am not kidding. My decision is final, Jake. Go to bed."
Damn it!
[END OF FLASHBACK]
This can’t be happening! I will not get married. Especially with someone I don’t like. I don't even know that person!
I need to find a way to stop this.
“Hey, dude. It’s all right. You can withdraw your score in the next quiz.” Gab comforted me.
“A low score cannot drag your rank down. So, it’s OK, dude. Don’t take it seriously,” Tobi added.
“Come on, let’s eat. Your just hungry.” Zed invited.
“Yeah, come on. Let’s go.” They were about to walk when I spoke.
"Guys, what should I do?" I questioned without looking at them.
"Huh? Are you talking to us?" Zed.
"Asshole! Of course, he is. We're the only ones here." Gab.
“What do you mean? What’s the problem, Jake? ” Tobi asked.
Letting out a sigh of annoyance, I looked at them. "Dad...” I paused. Damn! I can’t say it. The word marriage is giving me chills. Tch!
“What about your Dad? Ah! Did you ask him about the car again? What did he say? Did he say no again? ”
“No. He will give it to me.”
“Really!? Whoa! That’s cool! Finally, you will have it!” Zed said happily.
"It's good that he listened to your request," Tobi added.
“But why do you seem so sad? Aren't you happy that you will have your own car?” Gab asked, bewildered.
“I don’t know if I will be happy or not. Tch!”
“Why? What’s the matter? Tell us.” Zed.
And I told them Dad's condition in exchange for my car. I thought they would be shocked but I was wrong. Rather, they sat in the chair in front of me and bombarded me with questions.
The. Hell!
“Who’s the girl? Who’s the girl?” Zed.
“Is she pretty? What’s her name?” Gab.
“Is she also a student? Where is she studying?” Tobi.
What. The. Fuck?
"Seriously, guys?" I raised an eyebrow at them. “Are you really my friend? You guys are no help at all. Tch!”
“Hey, Hey, Hey, just kidding. But wait, I don’t understand why you have to get married in exchange for having your own car. Couldn’t it be... it has something to do with your father’s business?” Zed.
“That’s nonsense. Why does Jake need to be married if only Ate Jasmine can?” Gab.
“Hey! Are you crazy? Jake will be married to a woman, not a man. Why does Jasmine need to get married here? Tss.” Tobi defended.
“Jasmine!? Where is the ‘Ate’, huh? She is older than you.” Gab laughed it off.
"Age is just a number, dude!" Tobi replied in a harsh tone.
“Oh yeah?”
Damn! They are so loud! Tch! I can't think of what to do. I can’t get married.
“Whatever. Anyway, what are you going to do now, Jake?”
"I do not know. That is why I am asking for your help.” I replied in annoyance.
"I know what you're going to do, dude," Zed said while smiling, cleverly. Looks like a brilliant idea struck his head.
"What?"
"This is our plan A. You need to make her dump on you."
My eyebrows raised automatically at what he said. “How? If I am too handsome to be avoided.” I slightly rolled my eyeballs heavenwards.
“Dude, of course, you have to make a way for a woman to dump you. If you have to look ugly, do it. Remember, you must do the things that will turn her off so, in that way, she will cancel the marriage of both of you.”
"Do you think that will work?"
"Trust me. It will."
"Is that so? Let's do it then."
—
[SATURDAY MORNING]
“Jake! Time for breakfast! Get down!”
I heard my sister calling me from the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m coming!” I yelled back from my room.
I just finished taking a shower and I am now looking for the clothes that I should wear on the date. Yes, today is my date with the person that Dad arranged for me. Tch. I wonder how she looks. But never mind. I must make her turn off of me so she will dump on me first.
"Jake!" I heard Ate's voice again.
"I'm up!" I shouted back. Ah! Why is she rushing me? It's still early. Tch!
Just then, I heard a knock on my door.
Ah, seriously. This must be her.
I left my closet and walked over to the door. I open it.
"I said I'm...” I was not able to continue what I was about to say because she threw something at me. It was a key. This must be the key to my car.
"Hey, boy. Why are you still topless, huh? By the way, I'm leaving today," she said.
"Where are you going?"
"Work-related. I might have gone for months."
"Months? How long is that?"
"I don't know either, but I promise to come back when my work is over. I heard that you are going on a blind date today. Good luck. I'm sorry, you have to do this."
"Am I really getting married?" I asked in concern.
"I know you don't want to, and I don't want you to get married early either, but you have to do it."
"Why? I don't understand. Why... Why do I have to get married in exchange for this car? I am fucking so confused right now."
Ate chuckled. "Let us just help each other. Okay. Go get dressed and eat your breakfast later. I'm leaving."
"Wait, so soon?"
"Um." She nodded her head. "I'm going now, my little brother. See you soon." She hugged me and I hugged her back.
"Take care. See you soon, Ate."
"All right." She moves her body away from hugging me, then she walks away.
I went back inside my room.
Whatever the reason is, I need to stop this marriage.
---