Time is like a river, you cannot touch the same water twice because the flow that passed will never pass again it was once summer and now was the end of autumn just sometime before winter, the air was getting colder and leaves had either turned yellow, red or brown as the trees all shed their leaves.
Alexa sat in the garden staring at the sky like it was the most captivating thing she had ever seen the cool air kissing her face and blowing her thick dark hair, Ana and Jasmine walked quietly to Alexa sitting next to her as they looked at the sky puzzled on what was so amusing about it, it was just nebulous nothing captivating.
A hand covered her eyes bringing her back to reality
" Tatiana" Alexa mentioned with a bored tone as Tatiana rolled her eyes joining the three girls
" and how would you know " Tatiana said with a furrow, she had sneaked cautiously and quietly under the misconception that Alexa wouldn't guess whose hands it was
" your hand ...I knew it was you from your hands" she replied as they all frowned
" How so "Jasmine Chortle
" a man's hand. rough, hard ....she has a man's hand "she said with a frown before smiling slightly, Ana busted into a mirth of laughter
" What? She said you have man hands" she said laughing hard her eyes becoming teary as Tatiana stood up with a frown shouting
" no I don't ...man hands pff.....ridiculous I do no work, I spend my day sleeping, eating or knitting I....I...make sure I apply oil on my hands and massage it to keep it soft" she said almost in tears
" would you stop shouting and sit down " Jasmine said eyeing the figure in front of her, trying to hold back her laughter which soon faded into a slight smile, Tatiana obeyed and sat on the ground.
" what were you doing all by yourself" Jasmine said looking at her
"Just thinking" Alexa replied sighing she had started to improve, although still very irascible she would leave her room occasionally and begin conversations with people around her only silent if she wasn't fine with the question asked or the topic being discussed
" About?" Ana said looking at her
" The future .....it seems dark and cold very cold " she replied with a shudder staring at the sky
" ahh.... okay" Tatiana said with a confused look
" Alexa everything will be fine ...." Jasmine said folding her lips in a thin line
"Really?....will it ?"
" yes, it will... I promise" she said looking into her eyes
"Since you are getting better when will your wedding be held," Tatiana said changing the topic
" or has the wedding been finally cancelled " she added the three girls turning to her with a frown
"We haven't found time to talk about it, he must be busy ...."
" but he hasn't come over after his last visit right? ....after the day you were found, he didn't bother to know if you were better"
" As I said he is busy ....he is a sailor he has other things to fend for" she defended with a frown as Tatiana wanted to speak again the glare of both Jasmine and Ana stopped her
" my lady ....madam said to get dressed sir henry dukeman has come to see you," a servant said as the four girls shot their eyes at her before they jumped up with bright smiles and ran to Alexa's room to get her dressed.
" you look lovely " Ana chipped as Jasmine nodded with a smile
" I guess he came to finish what he started, he has come to take his bride home " Tatiana squeaked making Alexa smile coyly
" By the way I haven't seen Uncle or Jayden around," Ana said curiously
"Jayden and Father are out for business ...shall we " she said with a bright smile as three girls nodded, all of them left the room.
Henry was already sitting discussing something with Mariya
" good day " Jasmine greeted with a bright smile getting their attention before they all sat down, Alexa beside her mother and the three others beside him
"I am sorry I haven't come to see you I have just been busy with things " he said with a slight smile that soon disappeared
" it is alright am doing perfectly fine " Alexa replied looking down bashfully with a coy smile as he nodded
" Well I came here to inform you ...I do not want you hearing something like this somewhere else " he cleared his throat as everyone's attention was rapt on him
" I have begun wedding preparations and...." He spoke his gaze on the floor
" what? how can you do that ....the bride isn't fine yet " Mariya said cutting him off
" I am sorry I....."
" but have you chosen a date...I will have to get a dress for her am not sure she would like the one I got for her last wedding .... and I...."
"Mother let him speak " Alexa said stopping her mumbling
" you do not have to worry about the dress because the bride is going to be different " he said as everyone furrowed their brows in confusion he brought out a scroll and handed it to Mariya who collected it and slowly opened it
" read it out loud," he said his gaze drifting from the floor to her face, she stared at him for a second before looking at the scroll
"We the Dukeman family would like to invite you and your family to my son's wedding. my....my second son Henry Dukeman will be bonding his mind and soul with Libbey?..... Moab the first and only daughter of council Elimelech Moab....what is ...th...i..s" she stuttered, her eyes becoming teary as the smile on Alexa's face turned into a sour look the rest still confused
" I am getting married to Libbey Moab, daughter of a council member and I would like for your entire family to attend," he said as they all stood abruptly, Jasmine scoffed
" you seem to be in a jocular mood this afternoon Dukeman" Jasmine said with a frown
" My lady I would say I am not a very humorous man myself .oh the Madradons are invited as well," he said handing Jasmine an invitation she stared at it before looking at him Tatiana collected it
" you have the guts to invite us to your wedding with some Libby girl? " Tatiana said with a shocked expression
" it is Libbey " he corrected she snorted
" what are you saying you are to marry Alexa " Ana frowned, tears rolling down Mariya's eyes
" no....no....I won't believe you " Alexa said looking directly into his eyes as he looked away
" My parents have made their decision," he said about leaving as she clutched his arms stopping him
" you can't do this to me please ...no I do not accept this you are betrothed to me ...me! How can you do this, refuse the proposal!" she said shaking him her eyes becoming teary
" it has already been accepted and my parents.... "
" no! Con...convince them you can't marry her Henry," she said crying as he sighed trying to get out of her grip
" Alexa calm down...our decision has been made and there is no turning back " he said getting off her grip as he left the house, Alexa ran after him the rest following behind
"Please! Please Henry you can't do this " she screamed following him the cold breeze blowing her hair in different directions as she ran, he stopped turning to her
" Alexa ....my decision has been made"
" no ...no nono nono! I will do anything ...anything I will be a good wife I will...I will ...I will treat you like a god, is the token too much you do not have to give a token to my family Henry " she said shuddering as her mother went to her, holding her
" Please who will marry my daughter if her wedding is called off ...I beg to differ " Mariya begged as he glared down at her his eyes not holding any form of concern or remorse
" enough! enough ! of this nonsense what part of no don't you understand why you are all being so obdurate!... I can not marry her, I will not marry her! And my parents won't even accept her as their daughter " he said as Mariya dropped to the ground on her knees
"Please you can convince your parents I beg you," she said as Jasmine walked up to her helping her to stand
" do you have no respect that you let a woman old enough to be your mother beg on her knees" Ana echoed with a frown as he stared at her for a second giving her a look of contempt before rolling his eyes
" what are you ?....this is not a matter that you should be concerned with"
" you!.....you were to marry her how could you be so heartless and plan a wedding to another !" Jasmine shouted walking up to him
"Jasmine do not shout " Alexa scolded
"I am sorry please do not be angry " she said holding him as he pushed her to the ground
" you seem to be deaf I said I will not marry you ....not because it is my parent's decision but mine I can't marry a girl who has been touched by another man !" he shouted with a frown as she gasped
" and it is her fault that those monsters hurt her?" Ana said in disbelieve
" She is dirt in my sight I can't stand her. you want me to marry that...and what would people say that a dukeman married a girl who has been enjoyed by another man ? " he said waving his hands at her as she shut her lids closed tears rolling down her cheeks she felt sick, sick of herself was it her fault that those men raped her
" forget me no man in his right senses would marry her !"
" that is enough now!" Jasmine shouted her voice piercing through the air
" oh shut up you should know you can't speak to me in such a tone don't look at me like I am evil, this is all her fault. this is why rules and regulations are set for women to follow and this is what happens when they do not obey, women are not allowed outside at night what were you doing out late at night some man must have mistaken you for a harlot so you have only yourself to blame " Jasmine's face was red from anger she glared at him like she would rip out his guts if he kept speaking
"and then maybe the other men of the village should take turns too hmmm...she is no less than a harlot now " he shouted as Jasmine slapped him across the face he glared at her shocked feeling his cheeks with his palm
"Who do you think you are!? you just hit me!" he barked
" I will do more than slap you if you do not leave now ....leave!" she shouted he stared with so much intensity, his eyes dark and rage full before leaving, walking through the gate
" no! ....no! please! don't go! Don't leave please " Alexa screamed as she stood up running after him he had climbed on his horse and rode as she kept chasing him until she was out of breath she collapsed on the ground her vision burling from the tears which began streaming down her cheeks as Mariya, Ana, jasmine and Tatiana who was running after her finally caught up her, Ana held her as she wept
" don't worry everything will be fine," Jasmine said with teary eyes
" Lies! Lies!... How will it be fine ...when he called off the marriage it will never be fine! " she scowls standing up and getting out of Ana's grip
"Jasmine you told me everything would be fine but you lied to me I hate you " she said pushing her
" Alexa...." her mother cried out coming close as she stepped away
"No! Stay away I hate you, I hate everyone...I hate myself am filth, dirt" she said crying as she ran her hands through her hair she began to breathe heavily as she stared at the name on her wrist
" This....th...is is all my fault ...all mine!" she shouted, she picked a stone and began to scrub her wrist trying to erase the name as they all stared aghast
" Alexa!" they shouted in unison as they ran to her
"Stay away! stay away or I swear I will use this stone and slit my wrist !" she screamed panting she continued scrubbing blood dripping down her wrist
"Why! Why can't I just erase it why does it keep hunting me!" she shouted as she continued, they all tried to stop her but were pushed
" Alexa stop " Jasmine said struggling with her but she pushed her to the ground and continued her action
"Erase! " she cried scrubbing it
" Alexa please stop " Mariya pleaded but she seemed Lost, the voices of everyone around her faint as if they were just the whimper of the wind, ana held her hand trying to stop her but she kept struggling to get off her grip only stopped by the aching feeling on her cheeks she touched her cheeks looking at Jasmine who had slapped her, she stared at her for a second blinking away tears as the blood filled stone slipping from her hands, she dropped to the ground sobbing
"so much blood," Jasmine said quivering looking at the blood on her hands the sudden feeling of nausea hit her, she breathes a shaky breath
"Tatiana call the physician! and Ana help take her back inside " she choked out as they all obeyed