ANAYA'S POV
Here I was, sitting down wondering how yesterday I was a happy person with plans, and now I am about to go down to select a wedding dress. Apparently, the patrakis sent different wedding dress designers to our house so I could choose a gown for my to-be wedding. I haven't even seen my husband-to-be, and nothing has been interesting to me since I got the marriage news.
What made me so mad and disappointed was finding out that my elder sister was the one to get married, but she refused because, according to her, she was not for the stress of marrying a disabled man. She had an appearance, and expectations of her would be prince charming. My mother told my father to refer me to the patrakis as the alternative and say his eldest daughter was engaged to another, and the other daughter was thirteen, so the only option was me.
My father did as my mother asked, and surprisingly, after a few days, to his surprise, they agreed to marry me instead, even agreeing they would let me finish my studies. After contemplating and a lot of thoughts, I headed downstairs, where everyone was busy preparing for the fitting. Every designer wanted me to choose their design as it was a big deal to get approval from a Patraki, and since I am soon to be a Patraki, they were doing everything to please me. Everyone was busy asking me if there was anything I needed.
My mother was here and there pretending to care, acting like the most loving mother of the year, and that pissed me off. I wore three dresses, and I fell in love with the fourth dress. I wished I was wearing this marrying the man of my choice as it was a Cinderella dress that was so beautiful with details in front. Still, at least I will wear something beautiful that I love, and that is my choice.'' I am surprised I even had an option on choosing my gown since they have already chosen a husband for me ''. I thought as I looked at my gown.
"I will take this one. I am done fitting the dresses. I am tired," I told the designer about the wedding gown I had chosen.
''How do you take something like this from all the gowns here, including classy designs? If it were your sister, she would have chosen something classy that stands out.''.My mother stated, walking towards me. ''Yes, I know, like mother like daughter, but it is my wedding, and I decide what I want to wear.
'' Why didn't you fight for me like you did your trophy daughter''?. I asked tearfully. ''Well, you are different. You can marry a disabled man and take care of him because you are strong, but your sister is fragile. She can't survive like that; she's made for finer things in life, even a complete man for a husband. She's to be taken care of, not taking care of someone who needs special care for the rest of her life, you know.''She said, tapping my shoulder and faking concern.
''Are you really my mother? So I am the sacrificial lamb of the family, so you can continue getting finer things for you and your daughters, right?''. ''If you put it that way, then it's fine; finish what you are supposed to, and we move to the next task. You are supposed to clear your things from the bedroom since you are leaving; your sister needs an extra closet for her clothes, okay?.'' she said and then walked away as if she hadn't told me indirectly I have no place here anymore now after the wedding.
I didn't realize I was shaking and tearful until someone tapped my shoulder and asked if I was okay. I ran to my room and cried out, asking myself what I did to deserve a woman like her for a mother. Why couldn't she love me like she loved my sisters? I have never felt her motherly love since I was young, and I thought if I worked hard in school and were an obedient daughter, she would love me.
I performed well in school, but I still received nothing from her. I did everything she asked of me, but I still received no acknowledgment from her. I even agreed to marry a stranger because I thought she would love me after the great sacrifice for the family. However, I still received no appreciation or care from her, and that's when I realized she would never love me, and it was wishful thinking and a hopeless situation.
I vowed to myself never to return to this house once I moved out, as I would never give them an opportunity to make me feel any less again as I knew I had been a better daughter and sister; this is the last time I am letting them make decisions over my life or control me. I started packing my clothes and everything of mine as I knew they would get rid of any item of mine that would remain there, and it would be like I never existed in this room. I started looking forward to the wedding I never wanted just so that I could leave this house.
Days flew by as I was busy clearing my bedroom, meeting with my best friend, and submitting my project, which I found odd under my bed as I was clearing the under the bed, which I initially checked and was no sign of my project. Beauty specialists were sent over for my manicure, pedicure, and anything that needed to be done for perfection.
There were a few hours before my wedding, and I looked forward to getting away from this house. After the encounter I had with my mother, I wanted nothing to do with her. I went to sleep early, leaving everyone prepping for tomorrow and the Partakis employees who were sent to oversee things to their perfection.