Oliver.
~
" .. Would you stop pacing? It makes my stomach upset. Just pick one of them already! "
" Oliver, I love you as my own brother, but I need you to shut up!!! .. it's not exactly like choosing a restaurant .. tell me again why them? "
I took a deep breath and placed myself in his his shoes..
" .. They came from a good family with a good name. They recently fallen on hard times and .. " I walked up behind him.
" .. They are attractive enough that no one will question your sanity. "
" Hahaha.. very funny. I wish you just picked one .. now I feel a little strange .."
We were on top of a hotel overlooking the entire city waiting for known killers and smugglers, and he felt strange about that?
" Brother, you overthinking this .. either of these girls will do because I already sorted the contract. "
He looked up from the tablet with confused expression.
" You were serious about that? .. as in have her sign a contract before our wedding? "
" .. no .. not before the wedding. " I finished slowly giving him time.
" What the .. w-wait .. Do you want me to make her sign it after the wedding? "
" I know it feels a little ..
" @#£%^&.. @#£^ .."
He had some choice words .. boy, he really embraced that 9th ward native tongue.
I poured him some whisky. We don't usually go for the hard stuff because it makes you stupid.. but now it felt like a whisky moment.
He took the glass and emptied the mother .. damn ..
" Better? "
" .. God damn you.. she will think it's a real marriage until our wedding night! " He summarised it.
" There is no real other way .. I mean no sane person would ever agree to this ..unless she is already married to you! "
" Grrhh.. " He started walking towards me.
" Calm .. " I jumped and ran around the table.
" I'm doing this for you! .. for us! " I corrected.
We heard footsteps and soon saw an army of men walking towards us. Who knew I would be saved by killers of their caliber.
We had a meeting discussing next month's events. Considering our crew now trending all over the world.
Our newest video made quite a wave and caused a lot of faith lost in the effectiveness of the Rams.
Good for business.
" Listen, maybe ..
" Later you lunatic .. " He cut me off.
He was right. Let's navigate this with some grace and secure some work.
——
Asin.
~
Laying on my bed looking up the ceiling, I had to ask myself..
Can you do this to someone?
How would it feel if .. someone do that to you?
The guilt as a feeling is probably the only one with an actual flavour..like bile..
Oliver ..
His words kept ringing in my head.
' If you don't choose in time and get the wheel rolling..it might cost a lot when your family starts picking ..'
Damn the whole situation.
But he was right, wasn't he?
I don't want to get married for real .. at 18.
Like .. it's my duty to give grandchildren and great grandchildren to them .. damn you, Yary, and your slow swimmers.
Everything was fine!
I picked up the tablet and walked outside to the balcony, lay down the couch, and looked at them again.
Ayshe .. Marie .. sisters.
How did he find them? Right.. his assistant Leyla and her idiot cousin.
They did look attractive.. was I more attracted to one than the other ..
Right.. it's not that easy.
It didn't they looked similar .. wait .. if she is 21, how does she just finish high school?
I flipped for personal information..it was a shocking amount.
How did we get all this so fast? Our boys are good..
Hmm .. personal trauma, huh? I see..
" Musical soul, huh Maria? " I talked to myself.
Her sister.. 20 .. nice smile. Ahh .. she wants to become a doctor. Good solid goal, probably a little law abiding.. finances didn't allow her choice of school .. boyfriend named Jenk ..
Why.. why would one name their kid Jenk?
I put down the tablet and watched the boats slowly drifting towards the sea .. felt the salt in the air ..
The sun is coming up .. I need to make the decision and get this over with.
Then I need to let my parents do their thing .. and after our wedding, sit her down and .. explain.
What a headache..
Fine .. I took out the phone and called the architect of this.
" Brother .. call Leyla, I talk to the family in the morning. .. who? .. yes, yes, I did ..
I kept my eye on a tiny ship, trying his best to keep up with a larger, cleaner ones.. it struggled, but whoever captained it .. had incredible determination... I liked those people.
" .. Hmm .. Sorry, I'm here.. listen .."
——
Marie.
~
Hated Mondays.
There is nothing to do with cartoons. It has started lately.
Monday was shopping for the week, and it included all of us on tour around town still pretending we were living lavishly.
" Would you mind taking my shoes off! "
" You can yell at me when you learn to wear your own bra. "
I answered immediately, anticipating her whining.
" Girls, stop.. my head is already thrombin.. get ready and let get this over with. "
Mother was in a spectacularly bad mood this morning.. better to just make ourselves smaller on days like this.
" I don't know why you are so grumpy .. we always did our shopping like that. " Granny walked in with the speed of a younger woman. " You need to get out of the house and stop crying, setting a bad example. "
" Mother.. I'm not trying to be difficult with you all just .. I can't stand the looks of those people, all judging and enjoying our bad fortune. "
I crossed my arms, understanding what she was feeling. We did so much annoying and embarrassing extra steps .. like saving old bags from high-end boutiques to carry groceries in.
Visiting shops we used spend hours buying things .. had our own personal accounts. Walking past shops we all loved but now couldn't afford..
Frustrating was a good starter word.. infuriating was closer, though..
" I understand, sweetie.. unfortunately, we might not be responsible.. but the ones most keenly feel the loss when our husbands fail. "
Uff .. thank God Grandpa was away with dad meeting some fancy people. Granny does not hold back.
I sort of understood her meaning .. they both married men who built a good life, than for faults purely their own lost it.
Greed was the sin they committed.
Ayshe was the one who pulled us out of our bad space and sent on our embarrassing way.
—–
Ayshe.
~
It took us 5 hours to finish!
Some school days don't last that long.
We were all completely exhausted. Not just from the physical aspect of it, but the unrelenting small talks and smiles we had to endure.
It was enough that we never said a word to each other the way back. Just enjoyed the silence.
Inside the house, dad and grandad were waiting, sharing a bottle of the good stuff, and seemed to be in high spirits...
" What do you think that's about? " asked Marie.
" I don't know .. but that is a bottle of a month's mortgage right there. "
Mother noticed it, too.
" Hassop? .. dad? What is happening? "
She sounded scary. Being out there in the sun dealing with all the awkward and often embarrassing exchanges..and they sitting here having a grand old time?
Now that was no-no ..
I leaned on the wall with Marie and waited patiently.
" My dear wife. Come share in our joy. " He got up and offered a glass to her. " Today is a wonderful day.. day that shall be remembered as THE day our family got a second chance. "
The man was beaming like the sun. Whatever happened must be good news ..
A small torch has been lit inside me, filled with hope. Maybe we can go and get back our dreams?
I looked back at my sister and saw she had similar thoughts.
" Hassop ouff.. don't be ridiculous. " She put the glass down and walked around, taking it from her father. " Dad! You're not supposed to drink with your condition. "
Granny just waited with narrowed eyes .. probably gathering some strength for whatever made them act like that.
" Don't worry, honey, this stuff is actually healthy. It cures things like diabetes and such, hehehe .. "
His face was red, and I don't remember hearing him chuckle before. Not like that.
We shared an amused look with Marie.
" Imam! .. "
We could see our grandfather becoming smaller.
Granny walked over and stood above her husband and son in law.
" Out with it .. who did you meet, and why are you celebrating like we won the lottery? "
Grandpa got up with a little difficulty and grabbed her shoulder. " It's because we did. "
Dad nodded along proudly, stood up himself, and walked towards us.
" Girls come .. let's take a seat. "
" Dad .. what's going on? " I asked while being led.
He took one more look at Mother with a little concern but finally opened her mouth.
" We got a marriage proposal from the house of Martell .. "
He waited for a reaction, but not even granny had strength left and had to sit down.
" H-hassop .. what Martell? Which? Those from the capital? " She shot up and started shaking my father.
" That's right, my one and only. They want their youngest son getting married, we spoke with Yanam Martell and his eldest son, Yary. They offered..
" And you accepted? " Mother asked hopefully.
He nodded short, and the kitchen was filled with my mother's screaming.
Grandpa lifted his wife and started slow dancing with her, while our parents cried on each others shoulders.
I looked at my sister and saw the horror in her eyes.
Arranged marriage..
My head was spinning as well. Especially when looking at the scene in front of me.
Marie had enough.
" Hello! .. Hey..!! "
She walked closer but soon pulled in the group hug that currently took place.
It was such an absurd change, so quick.. take it easy, Ayshe, and think it through.
The Martell family was a brand more than a collective of individuals.
They were old name and very,very wealthy. Their companies spanning across the globe, media, fashion, renewable energy, and advanced tech companies, they even had their own brand of frozen foods that we have been eating more and more lately.
Hell, we bought some today. Ready to eat Martell meals.
" Let go .. dad! .. which one of us they asked for? "
Marie pulled away and asked the question I didn't dare to ask myself.
But my heart immediately became lighter once my dad kept his eyes on her ..
They asked for Marie's hand.
——
Marie.
~
Marriage, nuptials, union .. an alliance.
I felt sick..
I found myself outside taking in some air and wholly ignored the people walking by making eyes at me.
Marriage.. Marriage..I'm getting married.
I heard footsteps coming from behind me.
" Marie? .. Hey, sis .. "
I felt Ayshe's hand my back.
" You okay? .. I mean, probably not. "
The nausea slowly went away with every breath I took.
" I'm okay .. " I tapped her hand. " .. They accepted it. There is nothing to be done. "
I felt tears swelling up but pushed it down.
" Listen to me. "
Ayshe turned me around.
" We can leave. I'm serious if you don't want to get married.. you don't have to. "
She looked dead serious. It broke my heart.. she was willing to run .. probably pause her dreams. Just so I can ..
Go and hang in a library? Maybe get more drinks from Carl? What exactly.. I'm afraid here?
Those thoughts were like a cold shower, a reality check.
My family is in ruins. Weeks aways from complete destruction. I even lied to them, saying I have job interviews lined up.
What jobs? Using what skills or knowledge I possess?
" Marie? .. you here, sister? "
Ayshe looked terrified, maybe more than I was.
Funny.. a strange wave of acceptance washed over me, looking at my sister's face.
You will become a doctor, Ayshe. Dr. Konore.
" I'm okay.. seriously. " I added, seeing her disbelief. " .. I'm going to be fine, Aye, thank you. "
" How's any of this could be called fine!? Don't make me mad, Marie .. I swear. "
She was fuming. It made me feel better.
" Look at me .. we can't run. We are not capable of taking care of ourselves. I'm not .. " I cut her off when seeing the defiance in her eyes.
" ..I'm not good at anything except music. Which I can't do here. But maybe if .. "
" You think a family like theirs are looking for progressive brides? They won't let you study! ..I bet they barely let you leave their mansion.. Think Marie! "
She was .. could be right. Not if we didn't understand.
When we were well off, we were educated like all girls coming from a good family. Understood how those old and prestigious family's want their daughter in law to behave.
But again .. what else's I'm supposed to do?
" Doesn't matter. Can't you understand they already agreed. It's done! .. Do you think a family like theirs would accept such shame? They would find us! Destroy what little our family still possesses, maybe burn the town down just to get rid of our name! "
I started pacing back and forth, like when I'm trying to write.
Not even her warrior spirit could come up with a solution to that.
We stood there in silence just looking at the sun setting, colouring the valley in an orange hew.
I'm getting married.