Paralysis

1st Level

_ “That’s it, I’ve got married,” I said, sitting down on the bed.

Yes, I come from a long line of people who uphold ancient traditions, including the one where parents choose their daughters’ husbands. The month after my 20th birthday, my parents introduced me to the man who was to become my partner for the rest of my life. A young 23-year-old lawyer, tall and dark-haired with piercing blue eyes. I must admit he’s really very handsome.

A week after we were introduced, the wedding preparations began, and today the ceremony took place. It’s a shame that neither he nor I feel anything remotely resembling love. At least he’s young and handsome; I can certainly brag to my sisters, who’ve ended up with old farts.

_ Khrystal, I’m done, you can go

_ Ok, um… I’m blushing

He’s just stepped out of the shower, dripping wet and completely naked. I can’t take my eyes off him. Besides, it has to be said that he’s been blessed by the Lord in every way and...

_ Is there a problem?

_ Er, no... No. I’m going to have a shower.

I got up and ran towards the shower with my eyes closed. After closing the door behind me, I was able to collect my thoughts. Oh my God!! He’s so hot! He’s got potential. It’s true I don’t really know much about these things—it’s the first time I’ve seen a naked man—but what I saw was far from small.

I take a quick look at myself in the mirror. Brunette, medium-length hair, hazel eyes, slim with curves in all the right places—not bad. I have a quick wash and step out of the shower wrapped in a towel. He was sitting on the bed, engrossed in a book. He was wearing nothing but a pair of tracksuit bottoms. Seeing his abs made me blush. I went into the huge wardrobe where I’d already put my things away. I came out wearing a simple white satin nightdress and lay down on the bed.

_ Wait, he said, putting down his book, don’t go to sleep yet

_ OK... But why?

_ We haven’t had a chance to get to know each other properly yet, he turned a little more towards me. ‘I just know your name is Khrystal Darmande and... that you’re 20, that’s all.’

‘Ah...’ I sat up. ‘All right, what do you want to know?’

‘Well, since you’re my wife, everything,’ he smiled.

I smiled too; it felt strange to hear that – I was now his wife.

_ Let’s play a little game, he continued, I’ll ask a question, you answer, and then I’ll answer it too. But if you don’t answer, I won’t answer either

_ Okay, that’s fine with me

I thought he was a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, but he’s actually quite nice.

_ Let’s start at the beginning: your name and age.

_ Khystal Delaflora Darmande, 20.

_ Delaflora?

_ Yes, I’m named after my great-grandmother.

_ Ah, right. As for me, Guillaume Grishwall, 23.

And at that point, I couldn’t help but bang my head.

_ What’s the matter?

_ I’d forgotten that from now on I’ll have to introduce myself as Mrs Grishwall

_ Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it

He gave me a big smile. He’s so handsome!!

_ Right, let’s carry on, he continued. Where are you from?

_ I was born in Jamaica but I’m a proper Englishwoman.

_ I’m a proper Englishman too. Tell me more about your studies.

_ I did a literature degree and studied dressmaking for two years.

_ I did an economics degree before going to Harvard to study law. You... have you never worked?

_ No, my father wouldn’t let me… I’m a bit embarrassed; I don’t like talking about it.

_ Oh, I’m sorry… I work at a fairly well-known firm.

There was a silence. Let’s call it a brief moment of awkwardness. He finally broke it.

_ Shall we move on to a slightly more personal subject?

We looked into each other’s eyes. He has such beautiful eyes.

_ Are you a virgin?

I was very surprised by the question; I blushed. I didn’t really want to answer, but I’ll do it, out of curiosity.

_ Er..., yes...

He’s impassive; I don’t know if he’s surprised or disgusted. Just... His eyes, his gaze is deep...

_ And... And you?

_ No, I haven’t been since I was 16. Tell me, how many relationships have you had?

_ Um... None

_ Never? he said

He’s getting closer and closer; I can’t move, I’m paralysed.

_ N-no... N-never...

Our faces are very close, his gaze intensely locked on mine. I can feel his breath on my skin. I’m starting to feel hot but I still can’t move, even though he isn’t even touching me. What’s happening?

_ Interesting, you’ve never wanted to...

His voice is so low, so soft, so captivating. He brushes his nose against mine. I shiver.

_ You smell so good. I find it hard to believe that no man has ever succumbed to the temptation of your body

He gently strokes my hip with his long fingers. I’m getting hotter and hotter and I blush. Our lips brushed against each other and... and... and that was it. He suddenly pulled away.

_ I’m sorry. I know we’re just getting to know each other, and I’ll try not to rush things, but you should know that the more time passes, the harder it’ll be for me... (he looks me in the eyes), to control myself

He lay down before giving me a quick goodnight.

What on earth just happened? What does he mean by that? I really don’t understand anything anymore. The good news is that I can finally move. I lay down, still asking myself a thousand and one questions. Besides, he didn’t answer the last one. He’s no longer a virgin, so handsome as he is, I suppose he’s had several relationships.

So I fell asleep with that thought, which didn’t exactly fill me with joy.