Hasrat

Hasrat 3

It doesn't take long before everything is arranged.

Grandfather and that man make a deal.

For one year, I will be married to him.

After one year, we will divorce.

At least in a way that makes people believe we separated because we weren't compatible or because we couldn't have children.

For this one year...

He is my husband.

The man who assaulted me.

The man whose face I never even saw.

Nahal walks into my room.

I lift my eyes and look at her without saying a word.

She crosses her arms and walks around my room.

"I think you should go downstairs, little miss. The officiant is here."

A smile plays on her lips.

"Wow... I feel so much better knowing I won't have to see you anymore."

Nahal is really my sister...

So why do I have no one?

No one to hold me.

No one to tell me everything will be okay.

To tell me this is just a dream...

A nightmare...

An illusion.

Why isn't Ali here?

Why are they taking away the only friend I have?

Why was I even born?

My eyes fall on the packed suitcase sitting in the corner of my room.

I get up from the bed and walk out without paying any attention to Nahal.

I stop at the top of the stairs.

And I see myself.

My six-year-old self.

Standing in front of Grandpa.

Screaming...

"Why are you saying bad things about my mom?"

Grandpa grabs my wrist and drags me across the floor.

He takes me to the bathroom.

He fills the bathtub with water.

I scream.

I claw at him.

I try to pull my hand away.

But he's too strong.

Too big.

When the tub is full, he throws me into the water.

His hands wrap around my throat, and I sink into the darkness.

I can't breathe.

My tiny hands search for help.

Through the water, I see his face.

This man...

This man is my grandfather.

My eyes move toward the darkness where several people are pulling Grandpa away.

The mansion's servants.

They pull me out of the water.

I gasp for air.

And I see Grandpa screaming:

"You took my son from me..."

"You whore..."

"You..."

I pull my eyes away from the stairs and look at the small, private gathering.

I walk down.

Whispering to myself...

"Anywhere I go..."

"It can't be worse than this hell."

"Anywhere I go..."

"It can't be worse than this hell."

"Anywhere I go..."

"It can't be worse than this hell."

I reach the last step and turn my head.

And I see the face of the man who destroyed my soul.

This man...

This man did this to me.

His familiar, cold eyes send a shiver through my body.

A look with no trace of regret.

A look that almost seems satisfied.

A cold sweat breaks across my forehead.

Why this man?

I walk toward the couch, forcing myself to look away from him.

The look in his eyes tells me one thing...

As if I am the one who did something wrong.

As if he is innocent.

When I sit beside him, the sight of the Rolex on his wrist makes my heart crumble.

I keep thinking the same thing.

He planned everything.

But why?

I can't find an answer.

Without looking at him, I listen to the officiant, waiting to hear the name of this man.

It doesn't take long.

His name is spoken beside mine.

Rasha Nasr.

And with one "yes"...

I become bound to this man.

With one "yes"...

I sell my soul.

With one "yes"...

Everything ends.

With one "yes"...

Grandfather is satisfied, relieved that there will be no police, no investigation, no complaint.

With one "yes"...

Nahal and Farzaneh laugh.

With one "yes"...

I am truly finished.

Finished.