The Colonial Heart ✓ (Editing)

Chapter 7

                                A M A

"What ever is he doing here again!" I exclaimed, my finger pointed accusingly at Akwasi, my tone laced with defiance.

"Oh, hush, Ama," my mother chided, "he's your betrothed, after all. He has every right to see you whenever he pleases."

I rolled my eyes in response, my gaze then shifting to Akwasi, expecting an explanation. "Ama, my love," he began, his voice dripping with sweetness, but instead of melting, I felt my heart turn to ice. "I cannot endure another winter without you by my side," he declared, his words making me feel even more disgusted bye him.

I glared at him and spoke

"So?"

I said with no remorse. I smiled internally as I heard a low wince escape his lips.

My mother shot me a disapproving glare, but I stood my ground. We have  discussed this, Ama," Akwasi continued, "and your parents and I have come to the realization that it would be best to wed in three months' time, rather than a year,so that we can have more time to bond and get to know each other."

My eyes widened in horror. "What?! You can't decide that for me! I refuse and who said I want to know you better?"

My mother's stern voice cut me off, sending shivers down my spine. "It's not your choice, Ama. You are a woman; you have no say in such matters. I've always told you that."

Her words felt like a slap in the face, and I could feel my heart shattering into a million pieces. I couldn't bear this any longer,

So

I turned and

Ran, not knowing where I was going or how I would return.

I ran, hoping to escape the truth, to find someone who would tell me it was all a lie, a cruel jest.

I ran, hoping to lose myself, to flee from the fate that had been forced upon me.

But my escape was short-lived, as I soon found myself colliding with something hard.

I looked up to see William's worried face staring back at me. "Ama, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. Instead of explaining, I burst into tears, and William enveloped me in a warm embrace.

"Hush, it's okay, you're alright," he whispered, his lips brushing against my forehead in a gentle kiss. In that moment, all my worries seemed to melt away.

As I gracefully extricated myself from William's warm embrace, I meandered over to a nearby tree, its branches stretching towards the sky like nature's own cathedral. William followed, his gaze fixed upon me with an intensity that made my heart flutter.

I settled beneath the tree's canopy, the rustling leaves above whispering secrets only the wind could understand.

"Do you think a woman is inferior to a man?" I ventured, my voice barely above a whisper, as if the question itself was a delicate flower that might wilt in the harsh light of day.

William's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in puzzlement. "I beg your pardon?" he asked, his fingers absently twirling a strand of my braid around his finger, the gentle touch sending shivers down my spine.

"You heard me," I replied, my voice firm, yet laced with a hint of trepidation.

A silence descended, like a velvet curtain draped across the moment, before William spoke, his words dripping with conviction.

"No, I do not think that. I believe every individual possesses their own unique gift, their own distinct voice. To compare one to another is akin to comparing a sunrise to a sunset – both are breathtakingly beautiful, yet utterly incomparable."

I stared at him, my mind reeling from the profundity of his words. "How so?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Well,"

William began, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, "some individuals are gifted with the art of poetry, others with the precision of tailoring, while others still possess a culinary magic that can conjure entire worlds on a plate.

To compare a master chef to a virtuoso poet would be akin to comparing apples to stars – both shine brightly, yet in vastly different realms."

I nodded, my understanding expanding like a blooming flower. "I suppose not," I conceded, my voice barely above a whisper.

William's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with an inner fire making my heart burn with a new feeling I was unsure of but I loved every moment of it.

"Then don't let anyone ever tell you that you're not good enough," William said, his voice gentle but firm. "Why should someone else decide for you what you can and cannot do?"
He asked, his voice sweet but stern

I met his gaze, my heart feeling a sense of connection and safety. "I won't, but only if you promise to do the same," I replied, my voice soft but sincere.

William's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Of course."
He said gently and my heart fluttered once more.

As we sat there, the warmth of the sun on our skin and the sound of birds chirping in the distance, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. It was a moment of understanding and connection, one that I knew would stay with me forever.

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A bit much? I don't know that's for you to decide dear reader but don't forget to be polite in your criticism
Also I granted you guys a nice long chapter, bitter sweet but hey, who does not love a bitter sweet romance an I right?

Until we meet again dear reader