I had finally gotten rid of my high school. After all the hardwork and efforts I had made to excel in my school, I expected to join a marvelous institute, But what is happening right now? Who are these strangers in my home?
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Ivy's parents speaking to an old couple and they seemed to have a pleasant conversation. Few minutes later a young gentleman also joins the conversation. Ivy who was looking at them from the ajar was soon called out by her parents.
As she entered the room the old couple were pleased to see her, she was introduced to them, soon the oldwomen got up and started to look at ivy's hands,feet and her height. She asked ivy to walk, ivy found it funny as well as wierd but she did as she was told so and soon her parents told her to get back into her room.
Ivy thought the the old women was just being silly and ignored the uncomfortable feeling she felt earlier as she lied on her bed. Soon the guests were gone.
"Mom, where they your friends? I have never met them before.." Ivy asked.
"Well they are now, and soon they'll become a family as well." Her father replied where as her mother remained silent.
"Family? Wait- Dad what's happening? What do you mean by family?" Ivy asked in confusion.
"Don't worry about it, you'll soon get to know. Your mother will tell you about it." replied her father while the mother still seemed distant.
Later that day Ivy's mother came to her room.
"Ivy, dear? Come closer to mom.." ivy's mom pleaded as Ivy scooted towards her.
"Mom? Is everything alright? What's happening? Who were those people?" Ivy's mother on looking at her daughter's innocence couldn't control her tears. She hugged ivy and with her wet eyes she told, "Ivy, They were the parents of the person whom we have arranged your marriage with..."
Ivy was puzzled. "Marriage? What are you talking about mom? I am too young for being married off. I still have to study, and- there is so much to learn- i haven't even been anywhere myself-? What do you mean? HOW COULD YOU DECIDE WITHOUT ASKING ME?" Ivy argued as she panicked. Her mother tried to calm her down "Its fine, Ivy. Calm down dear.. The engagement has not been finalized yet. Your father and I will look into the family's background properly and only then we'll finalize everything."
Ivy's eyes widened in shock and then she pleaded, "Mom, why don't you understand that I don't want to get married yet? Why are you in such a hurry? Leave the finalizing of engagement, I don't WANT to be engaged... Why are you doing this to me?"
Her mother remained silent for a while and then she said, "Dear, Your father and I are doing this for your good, afterall these marriage proposals are not going to come for you through out you life, there is an age for everything. You will not continue your studies now, your father has decided this."
Those words were a thunderclap to Ivy who was dreaming to persue something in her life. She was furious and agitated. She finally asked, "But mom what about my opinion? What if it's not what I want?"
Her mother striked her on her cheek as she replied, "Opinion? No one has an opinion except your father in this house. And he is doing this for your good. You should be happy."
There was utter silence in the room. Ivy couldn't respond anything, and so her mother before leaving the room said, "It'll be a shame in our society to keep a grown up women in our house, the engagement will be confirmed in a month. Make up you mind by then."
Ivy felt sorrow, she pitied herself. She swallowed up her thoughts, opinion and soon her ownself. A month passed in no time, she was engaged to a man she had never seen.People in her surrounding looked happy as well as sad, but what about her? How was she? It was only known by ivy herself.
Like any other girl Ivy had also imagined her wedding when she was young, but she never interpreted it to be so early. After all right now she was still a child trapped in an adult body, barely reaching her twenties.
As the ceremonies went on Ivy started to forget about her passion and soon she forgot her dream of achieving something in life.
----
Its been so noisy these days, I feel tired being involved in the ceremonies continuously without break, Apprently my fiancé's name was Everett Zachray, and I saw few pictures of him with my parents, Well I can't say anything about him as I have never met him in person.
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After all the intermediate ceremonies, the Marriage date came closer, it was just a week away now, Ivy's father gave her fiancé's family a huge sum of money and furnitures, cutlery etc as dowry. Her father even gifted the groom with rings and suit.
Finally on the wedding day, as the groom waited on the podium the bride was bought, there were cheers and claps as the ceremony proceeded, and with an exchange of ring the marriage was finalized. The newly married couple were on their way back to their new house.
On the way back Everett felt a new responsibility on his shoulders where as Ivy was still on her adaptation phase as it was going to be a environment for her. A new chapter of her life begun.