Tangled Fate

" Mom !!!? Dad !!!! I am grown," and I should be the one to make my own life decisions not you , Nora screamed on top of her voice with tears rolling down one side of her eye . Being a software engineer, Nora had found solace and purpose in the world of coding and technology . She had a sharp mind, an unyielding determination, and a passion for initiating things that could make a difference . Her wheelchair was a mere obstacle, not a limitation, and she had never allowed it to define her worth or potential . But fate had other plans for Nora, ones that she neither desired nor anticipated. Her parents, Amelia and Harold Joel, were traditional souls who held tight to societal norms and ancient customs . As their only child, Nora was their prized possession, yet they seemed to forget that she was not just a symbol to be traded in a negotiation but a person with dreams and aspirations of her own and should be given the freedom to choose her own choice and destiny. The revelation of her betrothal to Richard Daniels, a man from a well to do family, struck Nora like a bolt of lightning on a clear summer day . It was a meeting orchestrated by their parents, and they expected Nora to embrace the idea with open arms. However, it left her heartbroken, chattered and bewildered . The news was delivered during a family dinner, where the air hummed with an unusual tension . The aroma of Amelia's famous chicken stew, Nora's favorite, usually make her beam with joy, but tonight, the taste was bitter in her mouth like herbs . As her parents exchanged glances, Nora sensed something amiss, and when the words finally left her mother's lips, they fell like a hammer, shattering her hopes and dreams . " Nora, my dear, we do have something important to discuss, " Amelia said with an unsettling smile . Curiosity & anxiety clouded Nora's face with apprehension gnawed at Nora as she nodded searching her mother's face for hints to the issue to be discussed . " Go on, Mother . " "Richard Daniel's family approached us with a proposal," Mr Joel interjected. " They find you to be a suitable match for their son and we also find their son a suitable match for you " . The room seemed to close in on Nora as she tried to process her parent's words . Her heart pounded in her chest as if it wanted to fly out, and she found herself at a loss for words . How could they decide her fate without even consulting or hinting her ? She had always believed her parents understood her, supported her dreams, and appreciated her independence . " I !! I !! do not understand," Nora stammered, trying to steady her trembling voice. "I thought you both knew how important my work is to me, how I want to build my career and make a difference in the world, just how? You both know how building my career and making my personal decisions is very paramount and important to me, so what changed ? See from my angle, please!!! . '' Amelia's smile faltered, replaced by a hint of disappointment. " Of course, we know! dear, and we are proud of your accomplishments. But marriage is a crucial part of life, and Richard is a fine young man. He comes from a respected family, and together, you can build a secure and prosperous future . " Nora's frustration and anger bubbled to the surface . " Secure and prosperous future? What about my dreams? What about my happiness? What do I stand to gain? Am I just a pawn to be traded for some bond for business sake between families? " . Her father tried to placate her, " Nora darling , we have your best interests at heart and we will not lead you astray, we love you and we only want what is best for you . " But Nora was not having any of what they were saying . " If you truly cared about what is best for me, you would support my choices and aspirations . Marriage should be based on love, not on some old-fashioned notion of societal gain !! Who still matchmake their children in this modern century of ours?" She tried to chip in as her voice trembles as a result of pain and disappointment . Her words hung in the air, filling the room with an uncomfortable silence . Amelia and Harold Joel exchanged glances once more, and this time, Nora could see traces of doubt creeping into their expressions . " Nora, we want you to be happy, " Amelia said gently . "We thought this match would bring you stability and joy . " " Stability and joy cannot be found in a loveless marriage, I will marry when I am ready to, with a man I sincerely love and not with one to bond the alliance between you and your business partner . I am your daughter for crying out loud!!!" Nora retorted . " Low self esteem crept into her as she thought her mom and dad are doing this cos they feel no man will want to be with her because of her condition " Are you doing this because you feel no man will want me? I can make my choices myself, my disability is not an hindrance to being with someone who loves me and I love ". Amelia Joel started to look at her daughter with sympathy but there was nothing she could do . Nora looked at them for a changed mind but there was none, she drew her wheel chair closer and made her way to sit on it and said "I am disappointed you people are acting like this to me " while leaving . Nora felt her whole body buried as she made her way to her room, the pain in her was sharper than the one she experienced when she had an accident . She got to her room and locked herself "Why should I live to please them, why?" She questioned herself . Nora's heart sank as she processed her parents' words. She felt betrayed and suffocated, as though her hard earned independence was slipping away from her grasp. The accident had already taken so much from her, and now her future seemed to be slipping beyond her control as well . Amelia tried knocking to calm Nora but there was no response, she had little or no say in issues like that so she has no choice than to follow her husband's wish . She could feel Nora's pain, she was also betrothed to Nora's father and she felt worse than how Nora felt when they broke the news to her but she is grateful the marriage happened because getting married to her husband is the best decision she ever made . Amelia went back to her husband to convince him "She is not taking it well, she even refused to open the door, I am scared!". Joel patted his wife and told her Nora will be fine "Do you remember we were match made? Look at us now! We are the best life decision we made and we will not have asked for a better gift than Nora, I assure you she will be fine with time, she is only giving the right reaction to the situation" Amelia felt relieved and hoped Nora will understand the situation better .