Fastforward, 12 months later.
Sacred Heart Orphanage was River's home for many years. Even after she turned 18, in which the law required her to leave and be independent, she still had strong ties with it. The family that founded the place had grown fond of her and treated her as part of the family. There weren't free money benefits, but she was offered a job back at the orphanage and she took it whole-heartedly.
She was paid well, enabling her to pay her rent and the rest of the bills. Since she was still under the orphanage's scholarship program, all her tuition fees were handled. The rest was up to her.
It was now winter break. She spent most of her time at the orphanage. She handled most of the stuff since she's been there the longest. She understood tasks more clearly and although she was younger than most of the staff, they all went to her for help.
Currently, her responsibility was a 2-year-old girl called Praxeda. When Praxeda was brought, she was a few days old. River was there to welcome her, and they instantly bonded. It almost felt like they're soulmates. For two years, Praxeda saw River as her mom. The two loved each other to the moon and beyond.
It wasn't advised to favor the kids, but River couldn't help herself when it came to her baby girl. At night, she'd tuck her in bed and kiss her good night. Praxeda's birthday was River's favorite day.
"She's my first heartbeat.", River told the new aide at the orphanage.
They were done with work and ready to call it a day. The kids had had dinner and were already in their rooms for bed.
"I saw your photos in the album. I see how she looks at you. She loves you very much.", said the aide, admiring their relationship.
"I know.", River smiled.
While in the changing room, River received a text from Scott. He was something of a close friend to her. Scott was the one and only son of the Hareek family, the one owning the orphanage. Ever since she could remember, she and Scott had been good buddies, matching the favorite cousins' kind of closeness.
I'm outside. Let me take you home.
River peeked outside the window and his car was right there. She didn't know why he was there, but she had to hurry before he changed his mind. The money she was to use as cab fare was now saved for something more useful in the coming future.
She rushed to her side of the car and hopped in. Scott was in his driver's seat, fingers tapping the steering wheel with impatience. He was 8 years older than her, meaning he was 31. But whenever the two were together, you'd think they're messy teens.
"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but what are you doing here?", River asked as she wore the seatbelt.
"Am I sensing a complaint coming? If so, just get out of my car.", Scott joked,
"Sweetie, just drive me home.",
He started the car, and they hit the road.
"How's your girl doing?", he continued,
"She's fine. Although these past couple of days her appetite really dropped.", River sounded concerned.
"Don't worry about that.",
"Can't help it. By the way, let's pass by the pharmacy for some Vitamin B. I hear it works wonders on metabolism.",
"Sure.",
Music played softly on the radio. From a few glances River stole at Scott, he did seem like his usual self. With the finger taps on the steering wheel, and the endless throat-clears, she knew that something was definitely up, and he was hesitant to speak up.
"Okay. What's going on?", she asked,
"What? Why?",
"Do I even have to say it?",
"Am I being that obvious?",
"Yeah. So, spit it out. But first of all, how serious is it?", River asked, her mind now trampolined to the orphanage.
"Not a big deal. Everything is fine.",
She heaved a sigh of relief, "That's calming. Okay. Go on.",
The traffic lights turned yellow, and he slowed down. When it turned red, he stopped. Perfect timing.
"I'm getting engaged.", he finally said it, "In exactly 2 weeks.",
River's jaw fell open, "No way!", she exclaimed, "You? Marriage? Why?",
"I don't know. It just happened that way I guess.",
"Last time I checked, you didn't have a girlfriend.",
"It's an arranged marriage.",
"Whoa!",
She took a brief moment to digest the news. It really was a surprise, but what puzzled her was his very dimmed reaction, "You don't sound excited.", she told him.
"I don't know this girl.", he said, sadly, "Mom and dad just said it's what our family needs. So, as the only son, I have no other choice.", he sadly explained.
"What else does your family need? You have money. If it's children, Sacred Heart has enough. You can adopt some if you want.",
"Remember what dad said last Christmas?",
"I do. He said there's no rush. You can get married when you want to.",
"A fucking lie.",
"I know.", she sharply exhaled, "But still, let's all be happy. I'm sure the girl will be a sweetheart.",
"No. She won't.",
River felt bad for him, but what else could she do other than to cheer him on? She was about to hold his hand when the light turned green. She quickly, and unnoticeably returned her hand back to her lap.
***