TALES OF NANA

FIVE

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'

~ NANA ~

A light knock on my bedroom door snapped me out of the dense stare I'd engaged myself in, I was staring into space with no single trace of emotions on display. From the way the maid was knocking, I knew it was time to leave for Robert's mansion; my supposed future husband's residence. They'd called earlier to reschedule the dinner to 7 pm at their place so the wedding plans could be discussed and finalized.

There wasn't much of a choice or say from my end other than to agree on every damn thing I was asked to do like a horse being forcefully dragged to the river for a drink; only they don't know that no amount of force can make it drink from the river if it doesn't have craving for it.

A sudden nervousness washed over me as the magnitude of the journey my parent was about to commiserate dawned on me. I don't think I'm ready for this next phase of my life just yet, especially with a man whose character is unknown to me. I have a sinking feeling about all the happening going on. How does this man look like or behave? How am I to live with a stranger, someone I barely know or have seen? I felt like a prey caught in between their web of negotiation. I was only an item of settlement and I'm to act like all arrangements are perfect with me.

Every waking moment comes with a series of questions I lack answers to. I took a deep breath and shut my eyes.

Lord, please let this cup pass me by; I muttered a prayer silently.

Another knock resonated out from the door forcing my eyelids open.

"I will be down in a minute" I yell out to whoever was at the door knocking ever so persistently.

I gathered myself and stood taking a final look at my reflection in the mirror to check for any abnormality; who knows what the supposed family will look out for? I frowned for a second. Why am I being conscious of what I wear or how I look? The words of my father a day before rang out in my head loudly.

"They are a prestigious family and as such you should dress accordingly" He had said before narrowing his eyes to me.

"And by accordingly, I mean dress spectacular. Something captivating" He added while I looked at him in pure disbelief. If anyone had told me that my father would ship me into the hands of a stranger for mere business alliance, I'd laugh such individual to scorn.

I am wearing a red below-the-knee dress that hugs the right curves and pronounces them properly in a decent way, it has a round neckline with silver glitters on it to match my silver shoe. I let my jet black hair down and parted it to the side with light make-up on; my friends always say wearing my hair down looks good on me and here I am applying all effort to impress my soon-to-be new family.

The makeup took me a good one hour of my precious useful time to achieve but wasn't anywhere near perfection. This would have been the perfect date if it had been with someone I chose for myself or at least love

Satisfied with the reflection I see in the mirror, I decide to take a few selfies. Yes, I'm a lover of pictures; it's one of the things I do when I feel my dress is quite outstanding but then I recalled the event that happened at the restaurant yesterday. I sigh annoyingly dropping the purse I had in my hands on the dressing table and release a low groan. Everything seems to be after me for no justifiable cause.

Previous Day

"Mom! I didn't go out with cash and you know that" I yell out enough for her to hear me through the receiver. "Why will I lie?" I frown at her accusation of me lying.

"It will be better you sleep there young woman than returning without my food," My mother said from the other end of the phone before hanging up on me. I growled and turned to face my friends.