ChapterTwo
957 Words
Natalie ran to her room and flopped on the bed sobbing badly and pulling her hair as her body shook violently. Then she heard a subtle knock on her door.
“Go away!” Natalie said deeply pained
“Natalie, it's Lisa.” Lisa said as she waited after sometime she came to open the door.
“Oh my goodness Natalie!” said Lisa seeing Natalie looking disheveled, her hair was a mess and she looked gloom.
“Nat it can't be so bad. What did dad say?” she said hugging her
Natalie broke into fresh tears as Lisa led her to sit on the bed as she consoled her and giving her Kleenex to dab at her eyes.
Suddenly Natalie blurted out “Dad wants me to get married……”
“Married?”
“Yea, to a total stranger.” Natalie replied
“Wow! Who is the person and which family so that we can……” Lisa asked
“I really don't care to know, because I am never getting married to him.” Natalie retorted
“You are the one involved not me. So you are supposed to get to know the person a bit.” Lisa advised
Who arranges marriage for their children these days, and you speak as if you are happy with my fate. Natalie fired
“I only said what I said knowing dad…..” Lisa was saying when Natalie interrupted
“I would never marry a stranger and be without love for the rest of my days. It would make me very miserable.” She stammered as she burst into fresh tears while Lisa handed her the box of Kleenex
“Natalie take it easy. Who knows this might be a turning point in your life it might be the best thing.” Lisa said
“And all these he arranged in so short a notice, without informing me how can I come to terms with all these, I would be getting married to a person I don't even know or have seen my whole life.” Natalie said
“When dad makes a decision it is final what are you going to do Natalie?” Lisa stated
“Not on this one! I would stand firm this time. I am not a little school girl who is walked all over all the time.” Natalie said
“You know dad would never let you get away with your whinings.” Lisa said
“I really wish I could be in a love relationship where I would love him and he would love me too just the way it is in the movies.” Natalie stated
“Well this is real life not some movies …. Wake up and smell the coffee.” Lisa said
“Lisa I am scared I will never really find true love. I have never been in a real relationship with anyone because I am not the prettiest one, right back since high school days, guys find everyone else attractive but me.” Natalie said
“Well I think that's because you hated association with people, you appeared cold and I feel that is a turn off for people.” Lisa said
“Seriously Lisa!” Natalie said
“Am sorry it came out that way.” Lisa apologized quickly. Maybe I would have to go
Lisa halted her steps. Do you think I would be miserable for the rest of my life if I marry this stranger? Would I ever find true love? Natalie asked
I don't know Lisa shrugged and went out
Lisa could tell that Natalie was really really worried about the future. Well maybe this is her fate she thought as she exited the room
***
At the dinner table
When it was time for dinner, everyone but Natalie came to the dinner table. They sat and watched the servers as they were served, and by the time they were done Natalie still wasn't present they waited a bit for her because of the family tradition that everyone gets to eat together and when she refused to join the dinner even after the house manager sent for her she stubbornly refused to come down.
“We should all eat anyway, Natalie can't stop everyone else from eating." Natalie's dad said
Sweetheart I will go fetch her, I guess she is still angry.”she left to go and fetch Natalie on tapped softly on the door and went in
“Natalie, why aren't you at the dinner table?” Her mother asked
“I am not hungry.” Natalie said
“You know you really aren't supposed to miss dinner regardless.” She said trying to sound firm
“I can since you and dad set up the trajectory of my future.” Natalie said
“Natalie it is for the good of the family, let us discuss this after dinner, you didn't really hear your dad out.” Her mother said
“What good would that do me?” Natalie asked
“Things are not as they seem daughter, cut your dad some slacks, it is for the good of everyone.” Her mother said trying to hide her frustration
“How is dad using me to strengthen his friendship for the good of everyone? That is rather selfish.” Natalie said
“You would understand someday.” Her mother said
“Mom, please make me understand.” Natalie said
“I am not in a place to tell you, your dad would let you know at the right time but please come down for dinner so we can talk later.” Her mother said as she exited the room
Natalie quickly roused herself and came down for dinner.
- Writer
