Shattered Dreams

Truth

Down by the pond, frogs were singing their night songs. The night air was chilly on her bare arms, and she shivered involuntarily, proud of herself because it seems like a dream come true. She had always dreamt of becoming a multi-award-winning musician and now is the Golden possibility.

"Thank you so much for believing in me. I promise not to fail you,” Amanda guaranteed the CEO of grant records, Don Carlos Santana. He just couldn't help but sign Amanda to his label after overseeing her remarkable performance at the nightclub where she functions.

"The team can't wait to unlock your prospects. The world deserves to hear your melodic voice. Here's my card. Stop by the office tomorrow morning, let's seal the deal. Do have a great day,” Don Carlo slipped his complementary card on Amanda's delicate palm and zoomed off.

"Omg! I can't believe it's finally happening! Yay!” Amanda was awestruck. Her legs got heavy and unable to reverse positions even though her house is within walking distance. At 23, Amanda is set to become a superstar, and she's got her father to appreciate for being her greatest inspiration after they lost her mother to the cold hands of death. She hasn't even signed the deal yet, but She already visualizes herself performing on stage alongside Beyoncé and Shakira, who she considers idols.

"I've got what it takes to smash boundaries. I'm gorgeous, smart, and got a voice. There's no stopping me,” Amanda chanted her praises as she parades home located in the slums of Mexico to disclose the news to her father. “I'm pretty sure he would be over the moon when he finds out,” Amanda blushes.

"Hey, Dad. Guess what? I just signed a record deal with a prominent company. I know you're proud of me. I know right. I mean, this is a life-transforming opportunity that will annihilate poverty from our lives wholly.” Amanda cheerfully dispersed the news to her father, who was seated on the wooden chair in the living room with his hands placed under his jaw. He appears disgruntled at his daughter's latest triumph.

It was a semi-detached 2-bedroom cottage located in Neza-Chalco-Itza, the trenches' region of Mexico. Neza-Chalco-Itza is the largest slum in the world, with a total population of approximately four million people. The area comprises three cities: Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Valle de Chalco, and Solidaridad Ixtapaluca.

Despite its low cost of living, Hector and his daughter still struggle to survive. Poverty has successfully held them hostage and disposed of the locks in the deepest ocean. Amanda and her father could barely afford a proper meal. Not even the little penny Amanda earns from the nightclub could salvage them from the shackles of poverty. The new deal might just be enough to turn their lives around.

"Hey, Dad. I'm talking to you,” Amanda patted her father's shoulder, who was engrossed in deep thought.

"Oh, Mandy, you're home already. I didn't see you walk in,” Hector was startled at his daughter's presence and didn't even realize when she walked in. All along, he's been unsettled over the crazy “arranged marriage" between his daughter and Declan.

"Dad, this isn't you. What's going on with you? I just disclosed how I got signed to a record label. And you know what that implies, right? We are finally fleeing from the claws of abject poverty. You've always wanted this, Mom would have, too. I expected you to clutch me in excitement,” Amanda folded her arms and frowned at her Dad's nonchalance. This wasn't the reaction she foresaw.

"That's not true. Of course, I'm delighted, and you know that. I've always wanted the best for us. But I'm afraid there's a new development. Oops! What a bad time to know the truth. I can't keep concealing it from you anymore. Gosh! How do I even explain this?” Hector stood up from the couch and faced the wall with rosy eyes replenished with tears lingering to stream down his cheeks. Utterances of expression were in a drought. He now poses as a menace to his daughter's triumph. He understands how long they've been yearning for an escape trail from poverty.

"Dad, what are you talking about? What truth? Lost your Job? You making me freak out. Please say something; I can't hold on for so long,” Amanda's heartbeat became a war drum heading for the battlefield. She's got a nasty feeling that the worst is about to happen.

"You're going to forfeit that deal. I know it's tough, but you just have to.” Hector finally spills.

"What? This is a joke, right? Of course, you know that's not gonna happen.”

"You're getting married to Declan, the son of Gonzalez Miguel. Remember him? I work for his father,” Hector's voice skipped as he revealed the sad story, which left her astonished. Amanda paused for her a second to be certain it wasn't just an illusion. Her body shivers like a hen drenched b a turbulent downpour. She could discern some meltdown in her heart. A while ago, her life was just starting and the next minute it was crumbling right in front of her. Funny how life comes at you so fast.

"Dad, how could you let this happen to me? You didn't even consider me before abiding by such a ridiculous bargain. How could you sell me off to everlasting anguish for your selfish desire? I don't even love Declan,” Amanda exploded.

"Please do this for the family. I bet you can't bare to see your father rot in jail, right? They're rich and quite influential. Soon, you'd mature to adore Declan. He's a cool dude. I know you desperately want this record deal but consider this as plan B. Declan is the heir apparent to a billionaire empire. You know what that means, right? Your problems are solved. That's more satisfactory than the record deal if you ask me. You don't have to drop a sweat. Declan is there to provide for your needs,” Hector emphatically urged Amanda to cajole her into accepting the marriage, but she finds it bizarre; somewhat bizarre to be coerced into a deed against her will. She hasn't even met Declan yet.

"Like seriously Dad? Has it gotten to this? 'Quest for money? Wealth?'. You're worse than JUDAS. I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you. I'm out of here and don't bother looking for me. You can rot in jail for all I care. Marriage my ass!” She yelled at her father and exited the living room, heading to lonely streets. “How can I marry someone I barely know or love?” Those words keep echoing in her head as she wanders haphazardly. Hector didn't try to stop her because he was conscious of the damage caused!