HIS ARRANGED WIFE

I Agree

My mum stared at me blankly. She dropped her mouth on her jaw and moved her lips to and fro without uttering a word. She was obviously shocked by my abrupt change of decision.

I had no choice but to agree. If I stated my reasons, she'd definitely pass out, or even pass on. I wouldn't be able to bear the pain of seeing the only person I loved, die off, just like that.

"Is the reason so terrible that you've decided to get married to a total stranger instead of stating it to me?" She asked wearily.

I frowned as I forestalled from our stare, and gazed at the window. "You've been asking for this, and now, I've agreed to it. What else do you want?"

"I don't want you to get married anymore. All I need is the reason why you changed. Tell me now. What's wrong or what went wrong?" She asked as she moved forward and gripped my hands.

"Mum." I called as I pulled my hands away from hers. "I've told you already, nothing's wrong with me. This is how I've chosen to live my life. Let me flow with this please."

"But I know my boy so well. Tell me. What changed you to this jerk you truly aren't?"

I needed to stop this conversation. The more she asked me, the more my pain was aggravating. This needed to stop.

"Mum," I called and gave her a fake smile. "Nothing changed me. This is how I've always been. I don't have time for anything. I'm always screwed up with work. I also don't have the time to like anyone. That's just it. Time is the problem."

"Ace dear, I came here to convince you, but now I feel I shouldn't have. I feel I should have asked you for what bothers you. I feel like we are all being greedy. I feel like I'm not a responsible mother but a greedy one."

"Mum, mum!" I cried as I held her hands. "This is the thing about you. When will you stop fretting over unnecessary things. I told you I'm fine."

"So why did you change your mind when I asked you for what bothers you?" She retorted.

I suspired, I had nothing to say. I just needed to cook up a story.

"Well, I think what you said might be true. I might change if I have someone beside me you know? And besides, I know my mum so well. You won't cease from your question if you are so deep in it." I said as I winked at her and shrugged

"Hmmm, ok then. I'll leave you to relax." She stated as she embraced me and walked to the door. "Come downstairs for dinner ok?"

"Ok."

Finally!

I clenched my teeth and tightened my hand into a fist, hitting it hard against the strong wall. I couldn't believe I was going to get married to a person I didn't know. But if that would save my mum, I was more than willing to do it. After all, I don't have to be committed to the stupid marriage or something. That's the point.

MIA

I stood in front of the dressing mirror in my tiny closet, and brushed my hair gently. I had hardly brushed it in days. I was so stressed out I didn't even remember to. I also couldn't share my pain to anyone. Even my parents. And the only person I liked, Drake, hadn't called since that night. I tried calling many times but he didn't pick up. I hated my life!

"Mia!" My mum hurled from my room.

I rolled my eyes and stumped out of the closet.

"Yes ma." I answered as soon as I was in her front.

"Here! Have this. I need you to go to the market and get me these stuffs." She said as she gave me a dirty look, and threw a bag in my face.

"But I can't do that ma. I need to go to work. It's Monday." I protested.

She flared her nose and moved closer, tugging my jaw so hard. I let out a cry but she didn't care, as usual.

"You fool!" She yelled as she hit my face. "How dare you refuse?! I'm asking you to do something and you're refusing unh?"

"What's going on here?" My dad's voice sounded from the door.

My mum pulled away and ran to him. "Nic!" She cried. "Our daughter has stared refusing to go on an errand. Can you imagine?!"

"What?!" He screamed as he walked to me. "You refused to go on an errand?"

I quivered and tears were already stuck in my eyes. I was so nervous. I was pretty sure he would hit me in no time.

"N--no. I--" I tried to speak in a stutter but my mum cut me in.

"Oh." She mentioned. "Are you trying to say I'm lying?"

"N--no ma. I'm just..." I tried to speak again but my dad interrupted with a slap across my face. I was expecting that though.

"You refused unh?". He asked as he hit me again.

"Dad!" I cried. "Stop hitting me please?!"

He widemouthed and tugged at my arm, hitting me hardly again. "You still have the gut to yell at me?"

"Nic." My mum called as she hurried to him. "Don't waste your time on her. And besides, this is very bad for your health. Let's leave the bastard alone now."

She held my dad and dragged him. She turned to me as they walked to the door to take their leave. "You had better do what I asked you to do or you'll get a second round of this scenario." She added as she opened the door and left.

I dropped on my bed, broken. I was used to all the punishment, but I was more hurt for some reason I was unsure about. I was so devasted.

They had been like that since I was little. I always doubted if they were my real parent. They had never expressed love towards me. All they could ever do was hit me all the time. Whenever anyone was around, they would pretend to be the most caring parent in the world. I tried to report them to one of my aunts one day, but they almost killed me for it. They refused to feed me for a couple of days, until I passed out and was admitted to the hospital. They hated me so much for some reasons I didn't know. They called me bad luck and all. I really hated them.

I rubbed my face to clean the dumb tears that ruined my cute face, and stood from my bed. I walked to the closet to finish what I was doing. I had no choice but to go on the stupid errand. I was used to their hurt and had stopped crying over it, but it seemed like something was hurting me more. Maybe it was Drake.

*Bingg* My phone rang from the side table. I turned to get it.

Oh my God, it's Drake!