Learning From You

Chapter 2

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."

-Aristotle

Chapter : 2

"Mamma, don't you think I look, more colourful? " Aiyana uttered the word as if she felt more disgusted at the thought of it.

It was the day where the two families had decided to meet each other. Aiyana had tried her best to back out of it by feigning feverish but her mother had turned deaf ear to her pleas.

She'd even tried convincing her dad but he was helpless. She knew if there was anyone who really cared for her dreams it was indeed her father. But after talking to him early this morning, she understood she had to proceed with the plans, even if she liked it or not.

"Yana, my sweet child. I know you dreamt of studying at Harvard and I'm really proud to know that my daughter has received an acceptance letter from them. I wish I could fulfill your wishes like I always do but I'm pressurised by our society and your mom. You know what they say about a girl who is still unmarried after 18? Just understand that we're doing it all your own good. I'm sorry my child."

Doing it for her own good, seriously? They were almost selling her out in the name of the marriage and they expect her to happily proceed with it? Afterall what about her preference? Doesn't they have any value at all? She had been living her life following whatever her parents asked her to. She'd never deviated against their orders.

When most of her friends, went out of the village to party, she'd chose to stay behind, helping her mom with the household chores. She'd left out a major part of her life just for the happiness of her parents and this waa what she's rewarded with?

She stared blatantly at the reflection on the mirror. The girl staring back at her was dressed in a pink dress which covered till her knees. Her ears were adorned with dangling earings and her makeup looked heavy. She looked more like a cartoon character than a honourable woman, something her mother had commented about her look.

"There's my princess." Her mother beamed and rushed towards her hugging her small frame.

"I feel so proud my angel. You made me proud." Her hazel eyes crinkled with unspoken mirth.

"Mom, you as well dad clearly knows that this was not the way I intended on making me proud." She replied staring blankly at her mother through the mirror.

"Aiyana! You have no clue the amount of rumours that the neighbours are throwing on you. You're 18 for goodness sake and they say you're not a woman enough which is why you're not even engaged. I don't want them judging on you, my dear."

"Seriously mom? You think being 18 and unmarried is the worst thing a girl had to face? The village people talks bullshit and you decide to trade me off just to cross their point? What had gotten into your heads, Mom? I'm 18 not 60. I still have lots to experience in life. Moreover, I can't give up on my studies for your demented thoughts."

A tear rolled down her cheek spoiling the eyeliner, her mother had gingerly applied on her.

"Yana, you're not giving up on your life just because you're getting married. Infact you are opening a new a phase in your life. Marriages can be challenging but what's more worth than facing every hurdles in your life with your soul mate? You leap onto the best chance you get and that's what we are doing. I doubt you'd get someone more reputable and affluent than the Philips family."

She scoffed at her words. "Seriously Mom? Just because the Philips are rich, I'm used as a pawn? Well, now I seriously understand whose going to be more benefited with this marriage. What if they restrain me from pursuing my studies? I'd just have to nod my head so that my parents could cherish at the prospect of their in-laws wealth? The worst you could do was sell me off to me a strip club."