Against All Odds

chapter:4

Fiona's POV:

After being locked up in my room for close to 36 hours, I was engulfed in deep thoughts as to where my life was headed, and then my mom walked in. 'Sweetie, why haven't you packed your bags yet?' Rose's voice interrupted my thoughts as she entered the room. I let out an exasperated sigh and turned my face away from my mother. She walked over to sit next to me on the bed. 'Honey, I know this may not be the ideal situation, but you have to understand that this marriage is necessary for our family's reputation and success. Your father and I have already made arrangements for the wedding to take place in Colombia. My heart sank even further at the mention of Colombia. I had always dreamt of traveling and experiencing different cultures, but being forced into this marriage felt like a prison sentence to me. 'Just let me run away, mom. I'll go anywhere, I'll start a new life on my own,' I pleaded as I turned to face her. Her face hardened. 'Absolutely not, Fiona. You're going to fulfill your duties as a daughter and carry on the family legacy. And besides, we've already made plans for your wedding. You can't just abandon everything now.' My eyes welled up with tears as I realized that my mother was not going to budge. I felt trapped and suffocated, with no way out. My mom stood up and walked over to the closet and began to pack a few clothes. 'Mom, what are you doing?' I asked, confused. She didn't answer, but instead pulled out a large duffel bag and began to fill it with more clothes and essentials. Once the bag was full, she approached me with a determined look on her face. 'This bag is bigger than the one you were going to escape with. 'Go get dressed, we leave in 2 hours.' She said, and walked out. I grudgingly stood up and shuffled towards the bathroom. I turned on the shower and let the warm water relax my tense muscles. As I washed, I couldn't help but think about how much I wished I had escaped. After I finished my shower, I got dressed, and I flopped down on my bed and stared up at my cloud-like ceiling, lost in my thoughts. But my peace was interrupted when my mom knocked on the door. 'Come on, honey, it's time to go,' she called out. I let out a long sigh and dragged myself off the bed, picked up my bag and headed down to the living room. My mom was already waiting for me downstairs, along with my stepdad, both looking ready. 'Good morning,' my stepdad greeted me with a warm smile. I just shrugged in response and followed them out to the car. We put our bags in the trunk and my stepdad drove us to the harbor. As we waited for our cabin reservations to be assigned, I watched the waves crash against the shore. The cool breeze felt refreshing against my skin, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. I forgot for a moment the hell I was being pushed to with this forced marriage. Within a short time, we were assigned our cabin and went in to get settled The cabin was small but cozy, with a window facing the ocean. As the ship sailed off, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread knowing that I would be stuck in a confined space with my parents for the next few days. The first few hours on the ship were filled with the usual activities, exploring the ship and watching the mesmerizing views of the ocean. But as the day went on, I found myself unable to bear the constant chit-chats about my wedding by parents. I needed a break, some time away from the cramped cabin and their constant presence. Without saying a word, I slipped out of the cabin and made my way to the deck. The warm sea breeze hit my face, and the sound of the waves instantly calmed my nerves. I roamed around the ship, taking in the magnificent views of the vast ocean. But no matter where I went, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being confined. As I stood at the deck of the ship, surrounded by the vast expanse of the ocean, I couldn't help but feel trapped. It wasn't because the ship wasn't large enough or that I was confined to a small space. No, it was the realization that my life and my choices were not my own to decide. My whole life had been mapped out for me by my parents - a life of luxury and privilege, but also one of suffocating expectations. They had planned every aspect of my life, from the schools I attended to the career I would pursue. And I had obediently followed their plans, never questioning or resisting. But as I stood there, watching the waves crash against the ship, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my entire existence was pointless. What was the purpose of living a life that I didn't want, a life that wasn't truly mine? Without thinking, I climbed up the edge of the ship and sat there, my legs dangling over the side. I felt a sense of power and control as I looked down at the water below. For once, I was making a decision for myself, even if it was just a small one. As I sat there lost in my thoughts, I noticed that few people passed by without even sparing a glance in my direction. It was as if I didn't even exist, just a mere inconsequential figure on a massive ship. And in that moment, I felt both invincible and devastated. Invincible because I didn't have to conform to anyone else's expectations or desires, and devastated because nobody seemed to care about my existence. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and let the salty sea breeze wash over me. And without giving it a second thought, I jumped into the ocean. As I plunged into the depths, the water enveloped me and everything else faded away. It was just me and the ocean, two forces of nature coming together. I felt a sense of freedom and liberation that I had never experienced before. For the first time in my life, I was doing something solely for myself, without any external influences. As I swam deeper into the ocean, I left behind the weight of my past and embraced the unknown. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew that it was mine to decide. I wanted to end it all.