April 10, 1912
Southampton, England
The Titanic was the biggest and most beautiful ship in the world. People called it the ship of dreams. It was new, strong, and very expensive. Everyone said it could never sink. The ship was like a floating palace, with shiny white walls and four tall smokestacks that reached the sky.
The docks were busy. People laughed and waved, excited to see the famous ship. Men carried bags, children ran around, and music played from a small band. The rich wore fine clothes and hats, while others dressed in simple shirts and trousers.
But for Rose DeWitt Bukater, the Titanic was not a dream. It felt like a prison.
Rose stood on the first-class deck, looking out at the people below. She was seventeen years old, with bright red hair and green eyes. She wore a large, elegant hat and white gloves. Her dress was beautiful, with lace and pearls. But Rose didn't feel beautiful. She felt trapped, like a bird in a golden cage.
Her mother's sharp voice broke her thoughts.
"Rose, come here. We must not keep Cal waiting," said Ruth DeWitt Bukater, her mother. Ruth was a proud woman, always thinking about money and status. She wore a tight dress and held her chin high.
Rose sighed quietly and turned around. She saw her fiancé, Caledon Hockley, standing near the grand staircase. Cal was tall and handsome, with dark hair and a proud smile. He wore a fine suit, and his shoes were polished until they shined. He was very rich, and he knew it.
Cal gave Rose his arm.
"There you are, my dear," he said, smiling. But his eyes were cold, like ice.
Rose placed her hand on his arm. She didn't have a choice. Her family had lost all their money, and her mother wanted her to marry Cal to save them. But Rose didn't love him. She felt like a prisoner, forced into a life she didn't want.
As they walked up the grand staircase, Rose looked around. The Titanic was beautiful inside. The walls were covered in gold decorations, and the carpet was soft and thick. There was a huge glass dome above them, and light poured through it, making everything sparkle. The dining room was full of rich people, laughing and talking. Waiters in white uniforms carried trays of food and drinks.
But none of this made Rose happy. She felt alone, even though she was surrounded by people. The noise of the ship, the laughter, the music, it all felt so far away from her. She was in the middle of a big, wonderful world, but she didn't belong in it.
When they reached their room, Cal opened the door for her. It was a large suite with expensive furniture and a private balcony. There were fresh flowers on the table, and the bed was covered in soft, white sheets. The room had gold mirrors, velvet curtains, and paintings on the walls.
"Do you like it?" Cal asked, looking at her.
Rose forced a small smile.
"It's very nice," she said quietly.
Cal nodded, pleased with himself.
"You should rest before dinner. It will be a long night," he said, leaving the room.
When the door closed, Rose sat on the bed and looked out the window. The ship was starting to move. People on the dock waved goodbye as the Titanic slowly left the port. The sound of the ship's horn echoed across the water. The sky was blue, and the sun shone brightly, but Rose felt cold inside. She felt like she was leaving everything behind, but she wasn't sure where she was going.
Rose's mother came into the room. She looked at Rose with a serious face.
"Remember, Rose," she said, "this marriage is important. Cal is our future. You must do your duty."
Rose nodded, but inside, she felt like crying. She didn't want this life. She wanted freedom, adventure, and love. But now, she was stuck on this ship, heading to a future she didn't want.
Her mother gave her a long look before she left the room. Rose was alone again. She walked to the balcony and stepped outside. The wind was cold, but it felt good against her face. She looked down at the dark water below. It was calm, but deep and endless. She felt the cold wind on her face. The ship was big, but the ocean was bigger. It stretched out forever, with no land in sight.
"Is this my life now?" she whispered to herself.
She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the waves. The Titanic sailed into the open sea, and Rose felt smaller than ever before. She could not escape. She was alone in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by the rich, the famous, and the beautiful.
But Rose was not rich or beautiful. She felt invisible. She thought about her family and the way things had changed so suddenly. They had once been wealthy, but now they were poor. Her father had died, and her mother had to find a way to survive. That's when Cal had come into their lives. He was rich, powerful, and well-connected. But he was also cold and distant. Rose didn't love him, but she had no choice.
Rose stayed on the balcony for a long time, watching the stars. She thought about what the future would bring. Could she ever find happiness? Could she ever be free? She didn't know. But for now, the Titanic sailed on, and she had no way of knowing what would happen next.
The ship glided silently through the night. Rose felt the weight of the ocean around her, but she also felt something else—a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could change.
Perhaps there was a way out of her cage, a chance for something real, something beyond the life she had been forced into.
She didn't know when, but deep inside, she could feel that her life was about to take a turn. Her heart whispered that her destiny was not yet sealed, and the future still held mysteries.