The Bargained Love

(THEILA POV) My name is Theila Batel, and I’m 21 years old. I’m short, slim, dark-skinned, with high cheekbones, long lashes, puffy, pouting lips, and full curly brown hair. I’m currently in my third year of college studying Arts. My father has been my rock since the death of my mother. He’s always been my steady place, my quiet strength. But lately, his strength is wearing thin, his business is crumbling, and for the first time, I see the cracks in the man I thought was unshakable. Dad arrived home earlier than usual today. I greeted him as soon as he stepped inside the house. Something about his face made my heart sink. His eyes were tired and deeply etched with a worry he could no longer hide, no matter how hard he tried. I hesitated, but there was no use stalling. He had to know. “Dad officials from Lead bank came over today they said we have 2 weeks left or else they would have no choice but to take over this house.” My voice trembled as I spoke,” Exams are also starting soon, and we haven’t balanced my fees, Dad.” He looked away, jaw tightening, the weight of my words visibly crushing him. “This is a lot for me, I’m trying all my best to raise money,” his voice cracked, “and no one’s willing to help." Not this time, everyone is giving one excuse or the other.” I have never seen my dad in this position. Everything started to shift when a rival beverage company had one viral tweet that gave them the spotlight they needed. After that, our customers slowly slipped away, and so did the stability we once had. We lost a lot of customers. We didn’t sit back, though. We poured what we had into ad campaigns, refined our recipes, and tried to win people back. But just when we thought we were catching up, he was also defrauded in a major deal. That was the final blow. Now the business he inherited and poured his life into is slowly crumbling, and we’re left trying to hold the pieces together. The silence that followed felt heavier than before. I stepped closer, my voice breaking. “Dad… what can we do now?” I asked, with my voice shaking as I tried to stay composed. If we lose this house, we’ll have nowhere to go. You have already sold the other property just to pay part of your debts. We don’t have anything left, Dad…” His head dropped slightly, as if the weight of it all had finally become too much to carry. And for the first time, I was truly afraid, not of being homeless or missing exams, but of watching the strongest man I knew fall apart in front of me. Then came the words I never thought I’d hear. “I think the best thing I can do now is to sell off the company,” he said quietly, his eyes fixed on the floor. “I can still get something out of it before it gets worse. That’s the only option I have left.” I stood there, stunned, my chest tightening with every word he spoke. “Dad, do you want to sell the company? The same company Grandpa poured his blood, sweat, and entire life into?” My voice trembled with disbelief. “Dad, you’ve worked so hard to sustain this company,” I whispered, my chest tightening. “Why can’t we explore other avenues? "There must be another way. “This business… It’s your legacy. "It’s who you are.” My voice cracked. “Grandpa would be devastated to see it end like this.” I blinked back the sting of tears as I reached for his hand, pleading. “Please, Dad, don’t give up on everything you’ve worked so hard for”. "My baby... It's not my fault. We're at the deep end now. It’s either we lose this house and end up on the streets, or I sell the company and at least secure your school fees. "I can use what’s left to start something small, or maybe just find a job somewhere. "I never thought it would come to this, but I can’t let you and your sister suffer." I reached for his hand, trembling. “This place is everything you've built your whole life... Please, let’s find another way.” “We can make space at the company and set up somewhere to sleep until we bounce back. Or maybe we will stay with some of your extended family members, just for a while. We don’t need to sell the company, not like this.” He took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his decision. “Your school fees will be paid, and you won’t have to worry about anything. That’s what matters to me right now. “I can always start again… But I can’t let you suffer just because I want to keep holding on to a sinking ship. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Please try to understand.” I’ve made up my mind. This is the best option we have.” I took a shaky breath, my heart aching as I watched the man who had always been my rock now look so defeated. “I hate that it has come to this. I wish there was something I could do.” I reached out and wrapped my arms around him tightly, my voice muffled against his chest. “I love you, Dad. I’m so, so sorry you have to go through this.” “I will be having a meeting with some prospective buyers tomorrow,” he said quietly, “I’m already getting some offers." “So soon, Dad?” I asked, my voice barely audible. “It’s all happening so fast.” Silence fell between us, thick and suffocating.