BREATHE ✓ ⇢ [EDITING]

Dusk

Becca Hayek could feel her world collapsing as she fell to the ground.

Her father had left just as quickly as he had given her the news, and the only person that remained was Mala, who tried restraining a furious Becca from breaking anymore of her possessions.

The room was a mess of glass and ripped papers, and Mala hoped that their mother wouldn't be home before the Hayek sisters cleaned up the collage of artfully ruined items.

Surprisingly, Becca Hayek hadn't released a single tear since hearing the news. Instead, she had proceeded in breaking anything that she could lay her hands on.

"How dare that bastard arrange my marriage without asking me! How dare he!" Becca reached for the snow globe her uncle had given her before leaving their small city for good. She then understood why he had left with his then pregnant and foreign wife- the people in their town were too conceited to see past the littlest things and think outside the box.

It was then that there were two knocks on the door, and Lisa Hayek, a woman in her early fifties, entered the room only to gasp at what she saw. "Becca Taj Hayek! What have you done?"

Becca held her head high and raised the most defiant of chins. "I will never marry Hans Haider! Never!" She shrieked, and that was when Lisa called her sister to send over Maj, her nephew, trying to maintain a tone of happiness as she struggled to speak.

Lisa turned off her phone and faced her fuming daughter with equal authority. "They have already sent over clothes for your wedding in two days, and the arrangements are nearly finished. You should be grateful that your aunt has already started cooking for the dinner tonight, or else you would have been forced to feed your in-laws with that wretched hand of yours that cannot cook anything edible."

Becca flinched at the harshness of her mother's words, realizing that her last hope at trying to end this relationship was over. "Ma, please. I don't know him-"

"He has met you before, Becca, and that is enough to begin a relationship. Besides, he comes from a very strong family that can provide you with anything you ask for." Lisa Hayek remained firm in her decision and left the room, hurrying to her sister's house next door to assist with the cooking.

Becca lowered her head as she realized that nobody would support her in ending this arrangement. It was obvious that Hans Haider was a powerful man who could get anything he wanted without caring how he got it. Becca had heard enough about his father, a man of equal power and influence in the city as well as many cities over.

And so Mala called their youngest sister, Zara, who surprisingly, still lived in their house despite what she had done, considering their small city and it's standards. The two sisters dressed Becca in the fine silk gown that was of a soft green hue while Becca stared angrily at her own reflection in the mirror. Her light brown eyes were darker than usual and her cocoa colored curly hair was more untamed than most days.

The sisters left downstairs to find their oldest sister with their nephew in her arms, who quickly ran to Becca and hugged her. It had been nearly six months since Tanya had gotten married, and her infant son was getting bigger every time Becca saw him.

It was then that Becca burst into tears, falling at her sister's feet, and Tanya Al-Kalam handed Zain to Mala and dropped to Becca's level. "He can keep you happy, Becca." Tanya whispered. "I've seen the way that he looks at you."
"Did you see the way that I looked at him?" Becca cried, breaking away from Tanya as her head snapped up to meet her sister's gaze. "I don't know him, Tanya. I've only met him a handful of times in the street. How can I marry a man I see on the street?"

"Do it for us all, Becca. You love us, so you will marry him." Tanya said softly, and Becca stood up and moved away from her sister. "What kind of love is that? Sisters are supposed to support each other, not give each other to the enemy!"

"He is not your enemy, Becca! He will be your husband in two days!" Tanya moved in and her hand lashed out as she slapped her sister across the face, the echo of hand against skin so consistent that it sounded like a beautiful song.

Both sisters stared at each other in shock, their faces mirrors of each other. Tanya recovered first, her hand reaching for her sister's as she leaned forward. "Becca, I'm so sorry-"

Becca lurched herself away from her sister and ran to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She slid down the wall as she sobbed herself to sleep.

Not so long later, both Mala and Zara came to complete finishing touches and take her downstairs to meet the Haider family.

"Mr. Haider, these are my four daughters and my nephew, Zain." Becca's father introduced with a bright smile on his face, his complexion nearly shining.

"Of course. It is a pleasure to meet all of you beautiful women. And our shining star?" Mala pushed Becca forward, who rather ungracefully nearly fell to a stop in front of the Haiders. For the sake of her family, she greeted the Haiders and invited them to sit in the living room.

"Hans, why don't you and Becca get to know each other? Go on upstairs." Nicah Haider's voice didn't indicate that it was a question, rather an order, and so Becca grabbed Mala's hand, who pushed her off and shook her head.

Becca climbed up the stairs as she normally would, opening the door to her and Mala's room. The room had been starched and readied for the Haiders' arrival, and she stood by the window that faced the street.

She could hear him climbing the steps, as well, and less than ten seconds later, she could feel his presence in the room. Becca took a deep breath and spoke lowly without turning around. "Thank you for the clothes and everything else you have given us." Her voice held a tone of exhaustion, and she heard him reply, "Of course. We are to be wed, after all."

Becca could no longer control herself. She spun around and cried, "Did you ask me before you secured this marriage? Did you just once consider that I would not agree?"

Hans, surprisingly, was calm and collected as he replied, his olive complexion not darkening one bit. "Every woman is reluctant to get married, Becca. It is what happens in the marriage that is important-"

"What if this marriage only has a divorce and consistent rape. Do you want that?" She nearly screamed at him, and he didn't flinch. "There will be none of that. This is a relationship based on love and care."

"I don't love you, you bastard! Get that idea hammered into your mind!" Becca couldn't contain herself anymore. She picked up the glass of water and hurled it at his face, yelling, "Wake up, Hans!"

Hans was prepared for the blow and merely welcomed the spray of water. "You will, Becca. Love will prevail in this marriage. I vow to you that I will always love you, despite everything that you do to convince me not to."

Becca's tears streamed out and she faced the window, trying to control her voice, which was raw from crying. "Go. I never want to see your face again."

Becca waited for his footsteps to become a faint sound and the click of the closed door before she fell to the ground once again, this time allowing the roars of agony to be heard.

Becca could not take it anymore.