Breaking Malcolm’s Walls

Chapter 3- The meeting: When Love at First Sight Fails

Malcolm was not looking forward to meeting his fiancee. He had spent the past few days trying to come up with ways to get out of the arranged marriage, but his family was adamant that he go through with it.

He had imagined meeting his future wife in a more natural setting, where they could get to know each other and develop feelings organically. But now, as he stood in front of Penila, he had thought he would be put off by her appearance but instead he was drawn to her .

She was nothing like the women he had dated before, yes, she was remarkable. Her almond-shaped eyes are a bright emerald green that glimmers in the light. They are framed by thick, long lashes that give her an alluring look. Her face is oval-shaped with high cheekbones that provide a defined structure. Her lips are full and plump with a natural pink hue that contrasts beautifully against her skin.

Her nose is straight and small, adding a delicate touch to her facial features. Her body is slender and toned, giving her a graceful and elegant appearance. She stands tall with confidence, exuding a natural grace and poise. Her dress is a fitted, knee-length dress with a deep navy blue color that complements her complexion. The dress features a low neckline that highlights her collarbones and accentuates her curves. She completes her look with a pair of nude stilettos that elongate her legs and add a touch of sophistication to her overall appearance and Malcolm found her jaw-dropping, impressive and worthy of his attention.

Penila, on the other hand, was also smitten with Malcolm the moment she laid eyes on him. She had heard so much about him from her family and had built up an image of him in her head. And now, as she stood in front of him, she was in awe of his towering height, chiseled features, and broad shoulders.

Malcolm barely acknowledged her presence, his eyes wandering around the room, looking for anything that could distract him from the situation he found himself in. Penila, on the other hand, wasn't so eager to make conversation too.

"Hello, Malcolm. It's nice to finally meet you," she said, her voice sounding like she was masking it's true tone and intention.

Malcolm grunted in response, his eyes now fixed on a vase of flowers on the other side of the room.

Penila felt a pang of disappointment but decided to continue the conversation . "I hope we can get to know each other better before the wedding. Maybe we can go for a walk or have tea together?"

Malcolm finally turned his attention back to her, his expression bored. "I don't think that's necessary. We'll be married soon enough, and then we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."

Penila's heart melted as she felt insulted by his response , but she tried to put on a brave face and after all she was starting to fall in love with this young man. "Of course, you're right. I'll see you at the wedding then."

Malcolm nodded and turned to leave, his mind already wandering to other things. Penila watched him go, her heart heavy with disappointment. She had dreamed of a love story like the ones she had read in books, but now she realized that her reality might be different because Malcolm seemed so uninterested in her and he was restless all through the meeting like he couldn't wait to leave.

As she left the room, she couldn't help but wonder if there was any way to win Malcolm's heart. She knew she had to try, even as the odds were against her. She couldn't bear to spend the rest of her life with a man who wouldn't respect or acknowledge her.

After the awkward encounter with Penila, Malcolm couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in his mind. He tried to move on with his life, focusing on his career and hobbies, but the thought of the arranged marriage constantly nagged at him.

He found himself daydreaming about what could have been if he had the freedom to choose his own partner. He couldn't help but feel trapped in his own life, despite his success and financial stability.

Malcolm's work in marketing was thriving, and the company was growing but even that couldn't distract him from the looming wedding that was being planned by his family.

One day, as Malcolm was leaving his office, he saw Penila waiting for him outside. He was surprised to see her there, but before he could say anything, she approached him with a big smile.

"Hi Malcolm, it's so good to see you again!" Penila exclaimed.

Malcolm was taken aback by her enthusiasm this time and he felt that it was as a result of thinking about the arranged marriage too much.

He didn't expect her to still be interested in him after their disastrous first meeting. But despite his reservations, he couldn't deny that she looked beautiful and radiant in the afternoon sun.

"Hi Penila," Malcolm replied, trying to keep his tone polite but distant.

"I was wondering if we could grab some coffee together and chat," Penila suggested, ignoring the tension between them.

Malcolm hesitated for a moment, but then relented. He knew it would be impolite to refuse her offer, and he also wanted to see if there was any chance of salvaging their relationship.

They walked to a nearby café, and as they sipped their coffee, Penila started to open up about her life and interests. Malcolm listened politely, but he couldn't help but feel bored by her lackluster stories.

He tried to engage her in conversation, but she seemed more interested in talking about herself than in getting to know him. Malcolm began to feel frustrated and annoyed.

After an hour of awkward conversation, they finished their drinks and said their goodbyes. Penila hugged him tightly and told him that she looked forward to seeing him again soon.

Malcolm walked away from the café feeling more conflicted than ever. He couldn't imagine spending the rest of his life with someone like Penila, but at the same time, he didn't want to disappoint his family or cause a rift between them.

As he walked down the busy streets of the city, Malcolm's mind was filled with doubts and uncertainty. He wondered if he would ever be able to find true love and happiness, or if his life would always be dictated by the expectations of others.

Malcolm paced back and forth in his large living room, his mind racing with a million different thoughts. He couldn't believe that he was actually going through with this arranged marriage. It wasn't like him to give in to his family's demands, but he had no choice in the matter.

He had spent the last few days sequestered in his home, refusing to answer any calls or messages from his family. They had been relentless in their attempts to convince him that this marriage was for the best, but he had stubbornly refused to listen.

But now, as he stood in front of his full-length mirror, dressed in his finest suit, he knew that there was no turning back. He had to face this woman and see what his family had forced upon him.

As he made his way to the hotel lobby where he was supposed to meet his fiancee, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He had never been a fan of arranged marriages, and the thought of being forced to spend the rest of his life with a stranger was almost too much to bear.

But as he approached the lobby, his nerves began to settle. He could see her sitting on one of the plush couches, her back to him. She had her hair pulled back in a sleek bun, and she was wearing a form-fitting dress that showed off her curves in all the right places.

For a moment, he forgot that this was an arranged marriage. He forgot about his family and their expectations. All he could think about was how beautiful she looked sitting there, waiting for him.

As he approached her, she turned to face him. Her eyes widened slightly, and he could see the surprise in them. But she quickly composed herself and stood up to greet him.

"Malcolm," she said, her voice soft and melodic. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

He took her hand in his, surprised at how small and delicate it felt. "The pleasure is mine," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

They stood there for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent exchange. He couldn't help but feel a spark of attraction between them, and he wondered if she felt the same.

As they made their way to the restaurant, Malcolm tried to make small talk. He asked her about her family and her interests, but he could tell that she was holding back. There was something guarded about her, and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

But as they sat down to dinner, he began to feel more at ease. She was witty and charming, and he found himself laughing at her jokes and stories.

As the night wore on, Malcolm realized that he was actually enjoying himself. He had never been one for small talk or polite conversation, but there was something about her that made him feel comfortable.

As they finished their dessert, she leaned across the table and placed her hand on top of his. "Malcolm, there's something I need to tell you," she said, her voice serious.

He tensed up, wondering what she could possibly have to say.

"I know that this is an arranged marriage, and I understand that we may not have chosen this path for ourselves," she continued. "But I want you to know that I am willing to make this work. I want to get to know you, and I want to make this marriage a success."

Malcolm was taken aback by her words. He had never expected her to be so open and honest with him. He had assumed that she was just like all the other women he had dated – shallow and self-centered. He figured that she would be intelligent and not just a beauty without brains. Malcolm couldn't stop wondering if this arranged marriage might actually not be as bad as he had thought and it might be his saving grace instead of his death. His wife to be radiantly outshines every other woman and he caught other men staring at her while they were in the date together. He couldn't wait to get back to discuss how the date went with Santos.