Responsibility.
1163 Words
Kharis got news of the arrangement during a board meeting.
His phone vibrated once, but he ignored it.
After a few minutes, the screen lit up with a message.
*YOUR MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.*
He stood up abruptly, startling the board members.
“This meeting is adjourned!” Kharis thundered.
Immediately he got to his office, he called his father.
“What happened? How could you do this to me?” He questioned.
“It is about the family's honor, your brother is married so naturally, you have to take his place.” His father explained.
“I do not care! Dragging me into this mess is unfair.”
“You have no other choice, Kharis. You have to do it.” His father said. “At least, just for three years.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You will be married for just three years, after that you can do whatever you want.”
Kharis felt a bit comforted by those words.
“Okay, but I do not want a wedding. A few signed paperwork should do the trick for this.”
“That is fine.” His father agreed.
On his way back home, he could not help imagining getting married to a woman he had never seen.
What the hell?!!
He did not even love her.
But now, he was bound by some crazy family responsibility.
***
The contract papers for the marriage arrived at Erica residence in a thin black folder.
It felt heavy, despite the lightweight of the papers.
Erica went through the contract, carefully noting the ridiculous clauses that were in it:
‘Public cooperation whenever it was needed, private distance, dissolution at the end of three years, unless there is a written consent from both parties to extend the marriage.’
Somewhere between the second and third clause, Erica sighed softly.
“Do you have any questions?” The lawyer
at the end of the table asked.
He was the one who had brought the papers.
“No.” She answered, before reaching for a pen.
She looked down to where her signature was meant to be, then signed on it.
‘He had not signed on it yet.’ She noticed, as she handed the papers back to the lawyer.
It turned out she was getting married to the second son, not the first. Kharis Jackson.
This was the most hilarious marriage of all time. She had looked him up on the internet, not much was said about him. His pictures? Cold!
But, what would his personality be like?
He had not even asked to see her.
In a few hours, the signed paperwork reached Jackson's family house.
Kharis skimmed through it quickly and signed, before questioning why they had to make public appearances together.
“Is that even necessary?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, she is your wife after all.” His aunt replied.
He paused, acting like a thought was going through his mind.
“But this is only a marriage of convenience. Honestly speaking, I do not see the need for that.” He added, looking upset.
“Lighten up a bit, you are acting like this is an acquisition contract.” His aunt joked.
“That is exactly what this is to me.” Kharis blurted out without thinking twice.
“This rascal!” His aunt yelled, making a move to hit him.
He dodged and broke into laughter.
“I am not seven, aunt Ophelia.” He said laughing out loud. “Are you happy now? I am laughing like a lunatic, just for you.”
She could not believe her ears.
Somewhere in the bottom of her heart, she hoped he would just settle down with the woman in the contract.
He was her favorite nephew, after all.
***
Everyone expected Erica to throw a tantrum, whine, complain or cry at least. Her mother was ready to console her if it got to that point. But, she did the exact opposite of that.
She carefully arranged her things,in preparation to move into her husband's house.
Her father, who was watching her pack, silently went back to his room and broke down. His daughter was making the ultimate sacrifice for him, and it hurt him like hell.
Relatives who heard the news, rushed to offer their congratulations. Even when they knew the reason behind the sudden marriage.
She smiled at every blessing and well wishes, they showered on her. Deep down, she was in a state of emotional turmoil.
‘This is temporary.’ she thought, in a bid to make herself feel good. ‘After three years, it will all be over.’
By night time, she had finished moving all her things into a suitcase. Erica lay on her bed, listening to the ceiling fan in her room hum a familiar tune. She could not help but wonder, what kind of man got married to a woman without even seeing her face. Her mind was still on what her future held, when a knock on her door broke the chain of thoughts.
Her father had come back to her room with teary eyes.
“You do not have to do this.” He said in a whimpering voice. “You can decide to walk away from all of this.”
She smiled at him.
“You have done so much for me, I think I can handle this for you.” Erica said calmly. “I need to do this for our family.”
He broke down in tears again, while hugging her. After what seemed like a long time, he turned around and left with his head hung in shame.
***
The next morning, her room was filled with her friends and distant cousins who had come to bid her farewell.
They kept teasing her and trying to make the situation lighter with their jokes.
“What kind of woman does your husband like?” One of her distant cousins asked.
“Why would you ask her that?” Another one chipped in.
“Are you all trying to steal him already?” Her friend asked, adding to the fun.
They all burst into fits of laughter.
The mood was cheerful, at that moment.
The bickering continued, while Erica kept smiling and laughing at every remark that was made but remained quiet.
In her head, she was screaming out loud for them to shut up.
Someone asked her what kind of outfit she was going to wear on her first date with her husband.
She hesitated before saying “Uhmm, I have no idea about his preference yet. He has not shared any.”
“Men like that are the worst! ” Another relative said in the background.
This caused another round of laughter.
Erica smiled as thoughts ran through her mind.
‘Would he even like her facial appearance? Would he want to get to know her?”
Only time would tell.
- Writer
