Hop, Skip, Wed

Chapter 3

"Time doesn't really heal a heart. It just makes the heart forget about the pain."

-Anonymous

***

Emerging from a slumber prompted by the commotion of passengers disembarking, I opened my eyes to a half-empty plane. Hastily, I gathered my belongings from the overhead compartments, including Mia, the precious six-month-old orphan I had vowed to adopt. Fumbling to unlock my phone, I discovered a message from my parents, apprising me of their absence upon my arrival. Instead, it would be my supposed "fiancé" who awaited me. My parents, in their forgetfulness, had shared a photograph of me with this mystery man, failing to recognize the necessity of reciprocation. How was I expected to identify him without a visual aid? When I pointed out this oversight, they brushed it off as a mere disruption of their planned amusement. Little did they know that there was nothing amusing about the prospect of being whisked away by a complete stranger. The thought of being kidn*pped loomed ominously in my mind.

Clearing security proved to be an arduous task, one that exceeded my initial expectations. The airport staff scrutinized Mia's bag with a perplexing intensity, seemingly unable to comprehend the presence of a baby bottle in the possession of an actual infant. After confiscating Mia's beloved bottle, a relic that brought her solace, we were permitted to proceed, finally arriving at the baggage reclaim area. Laden with bags and the weight of a hungry baby, I found myself in need of assistance, summoning the courage to ask for aid.

As I waited at the departure gate, each passing minute felt like an eternity in the bustling environment. Growing restless, I scanned the area one last time, hoping to identify the man who purportedly held the key to my future. With no sign of him, I resolved that summoning a cab would be the wisest course of action. Just as I turned away, preparing to seek solace in the nearby taxi ranks, an unexpected collision disrupted my plans.

Our encounter was abrupt, and instead of offering a helping hand as any decent person would, he pushed me aside, as though I were some sort of inanimate obstacle. Never mind the fact that I cradled a vulnerable child in my arms. Determined to ignore this boorish individual, mindful of Mia's imminent tears, I uttered a perfunctory apology, despite knowing full well that the incident was not my fault. With my focus on calming the distraught infant, I began walking away, only to feel an iron grip seize my arm, wrenching me backward. What on earth did this man expect? Did he anticipate me begging for forgiveness for a transgression I had not committed?

Struggling to liberate my arm from his relentless grasp, I found myself futilely engaged in a battle of strength. Surely, this man must have been imbued with superhuman vigor, for such a force seemed implausible without the aid of supernatural substances. Eventually, he relented, releasing his grip on me. By this point, irritation seethed within me; how dare he almost fracture my arm! The time had come to establish my dominance.

"Finally! What took you so long? Do you realize how long I've been waiting?" he bellowed, his voice nearly shaking the foundation of our surroundings.

Casting a brief glance around to ascertain the intended recipient of his fury, I realized with dismay that he directed his ire at me. Glaring daggers at him, I retorted, my tone laced with disdain, "No, and quite frankly, I couldn't care less! Just who do you think you are? Do you believe that you can trample upon others, even when you see that I am accompanied by a child? Were you not taught the virtues of common decency by your parents? Consider yourself fortunate that I am not summoning security. Instead of apologizing

to meekly comply with his demands, I retrieved my belongings and made my way towards the line of awaiting cabs. Safely ensconced within one, I locked the doors and instructed the driver to expedite our journey to the addresses I had provided, yearning for the comforting embrace of home.

However, it appeared that fate had other plans, for the universe had conspired to intertwine our paths once more. As the cab slowed to a halt, I prepared to disembark, only to find myself face-to-face with the very man I had hoped to evade. Was this some cruel jest orchestrated by my parents? How had I ever incited their ire to warrant such a hapless match? An air of incredulity tinged my thoughts as I observed his disdainful expression upon glimpsing Mia in my arms. What on earth was his problem? Did he possess an aversion to children?

Clutching Mia protectively against my chest, I met his gaze with a mixture of defiance and exasperation. "Yes, I have children. Is that an issue?"

His disgust seemed to intensify, further fueling my bewilderment. What could possibly elicit such revulsion from this man? For goodness sake, she was an innocent child.

"And just how many children do you have?" he inquired, his tone laced with disdain.

Though the children were not officially mine through adoption, I regarded them as family. They had nestled their way into my heart, and in jest, they playfully referred to me as "mom" due to my unwavering affection and care. Typically, I reveled in discussing their antics and delightful idiosyncrasies, eagerly sharing stories with anyone willing to listen. But today was not the day for such joyful conversations.

"I fail to see how that is any of your concern," I retorted curtly, my words dripping with sharpness, before seizing my belongings and striding past him with determined purpose.

To my dismay, he seemed oblivious to my desire for solitude, doggedly tailing my every step. I attempted to give him a clear signal that his presence was neither welcome nor appreciated. Alas, it seemed that subtlety was lost on him. Oblivious to my plight, he continued to shadow my movements. It was then that I resolved to seize control of this bewildering situation.

"Where do you think you're going? My car is parked right over there," he announced abruptly, his voice jarring against my already-frayed nerves.

"Congratulations, I suppose? What exactly am I expected to do with this newfound knowledge?" I retorted caustically, hoping that my words would finally convey my lack of interest in his company. With renewed determination, I hastened my pace, setting my sights on the welcoming haven of the awaiting taxi ranks.