The One For Me (Watty Awards 2012)

Chapter 3: Freak out

Chapter 3: Freak out

Amesh's POV

Marriage? The word was so alien to my nature, that at first I thought my father was joking.

Not realizing that my dad had never joked in his life. His face was as impassive as ever. I glanced at my mother, who was staring worriedly at me. As soon as the gravity of the situation entered my head, the atmosphere filled with tension.

"Married?" I stared at my dad, still not believing what I had just heard.

"Yes, Amesh, married," he said, now completely expressionless.

I scoffed. This is so not happening to me. "The girl is the daughter of one of my childhood friends," my father continued. "She is from a fairly rich family-"

"So this is about the money?" I asked him, disbelievingly. I earned enough money; I had never felt the need for more. But I guess my dad was different.

He clenched his jaw, his lips forming a hard line. "It's not about the money, Amesh. Don't test me, alright?"

"Then what is it? I don't wanna get married now okay?" I said, my anger steadily rising. "Besides I don't even know the girl."

My father literally blistered with acrimony. "I don't care about this, boy. You are going to marry the girl and that's final. You have always been a rebellious kid and still are. They are coming to dinner and so I want you to be on your best behavior. I know it's nearly impossible for you to do that but, if you don't, the results would be... disastrous."

The threat in his speech was completely unveiled. But I barely paid attention. I was busy trying hard not to express the various profanities that were threatening to gush out of my mouth as I stared at his face resentfully.

This man had never failed to make me crazy with fury, but this was out of the world. If it weren't for my mom, I would have left him ages ago. He did not deserve to be called a father. My hands clenched into fists by my side as I resisted throwing my famous right hook to his smug face. Yup, my egomaniacal excuse of a father was giving me a self contented look that surprisingly took all of my patience not to wipe off.

"And what if I refuse?" I asked with gritted teeth.

He smiled so wickedly, that it sent a shiver down my spine. But again, I didn't show it.

"Manna, go out of the room," he told my mom, and she looked shocked and terrified. I was again upset that he referred to my mom as if she were his slave. Gulping she stood on shaky legs and left the room.

On her way out, I tried giving her a reassuring smile but even to me it felt forced and unreal.

My father cleared his throat, snapping my attention back to him. "If you don't obey me... you will be thrown out of the house. I'll make sure you lose your job," he said slowly, as if he didn't want me to have any doubt in my mind about what he was telling me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I think you're forgetting, sir, that I'm an adult. I can easily get a job with my experience and intellect. You can't threaten me on that," I said, raising my eyebrows at him. My Dad could be so thick sometimes.

He relaxed further into his chair and gave me a lop-sided grin. "Are you forgetting your mom, Amesh? I take it, you stay at home only for her don't you?" His words made me freeze.

"You dare threaten mom?" I hissed at him, disbelief coloring my voice. "What are you going to do? She's a grown woman; she can take care of herself."

"True," he said, still smiling evilly. "But you never know what might happen if you're not here with her."

Before I could react on my instincts, he spoke again, "I know you want to hurt me physically for saying that, but make no mistake, Amesh. I know your weakness for your mother. You cross me once, and I ruin her."

"You monster!" I burst out. "How dare you say that! She is your wife, you-" I used some colorful words to describe my father, but he still remained impassive.

That made me angrier. How dare he do this to his own wife? I suddenly realized he never hurt her like that because I was always there to watch out for her. Was he afraid of me? Of course I was stronger physically. Why didn't he use that I'll-throw-you-out-of-my-house excuse before? Was he using his major card just to make me get married to his girl? Why was this so important for him anyway?

All these questions buzzed my head like bees and I knew I won't be able to get any answer out of him. I had to keep a cool head and think about my options. All I can do right now is agree to his conditions. I had to, even though I hated it with every cell in my body.

My jaw was clenched so tight, it hurt. But nothing compared to the demon that sat before me like he was the king of the world. I hated the feeling of being vulnerable; to being helpless in this situation.

My dad sighed, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Now that you have expressed your feelings on what you think of me, you will now listen to what I have to say."

I scoffed. I wanted to say I hadn't expressed even one percent of what I actually thought of him but instead I kept silent, so that he would continue.

He waited for some time and then continued. "The family I was telling you about? The man is an old friend of mine. You'll see your future wife tonight and I want you to treat her well. You understand so far?" I raised an eyebrow at him again. Did he think I was in pre-school or something?

I bowed tauntingly. "Yes father. May I go now?"

My dad growled. "You will respect me, Amesh. Don't forget that."

"I think you're forgetting something too, dad," I said, turning to leave, but still facing him. "Respect is supposed to be earned not demanded."

With that I left the room, only to realize that my mom stood by the wall, tears pouring down her cheeks.

She had heard everything. 

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Hope you guys liked the story so far. I know I'm going slow but that's how the story is, and that's how I write. Sorry if I'm making anyone impatient. :)

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Bubblegum