The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 1: The Arranged Life

I alighted the bus and walked towards school. It was the first day of school. The ground was still wet from the morning rain and the grass drooped low against the moist atmosphere. I walked through the school gate and smiled at the auntie standing by it. She often stood there in the morning and greeted students with a bright smile. I climbed the stairs with heavy footsteps, thinking about what the day will be like while listening to "Sunset Glow" by BIGBANG through my earpiece. I looked at the sky. It was still covered with grey clouds, which blocked every singe ray of sunlight from reaching the earthlings. I sighed.

Finally, I reached the 4th floor and stepped into my classroom. As seen, I started my new school year in such a depressing tone. The beginning did not seem so good. I wondered what worse might be in store for me for the rest of the year...

School ended and I received a call from my mom.

"Lisa, please come home immediately. Dad and I have something important to discuss with you."

"Okay m-..."

She hung up before I could finish my sentence.

"Hey Lisa! Wanna join us for lunch?" My good friend Gwen popped out from behind and put her arm around my shoulder.

"Nah... I have to go home now. I have some urgent matters to deal with." I declined, feeling sorry.

"Ugh... Never mind. We can always have lunch together some other time!" She smiled and we waved goodbye.

With a puzzled mind, I caught the bus and returned home.

---At home---
"Oh right Lisa, come here. Sit down." Mom said.

Sitting next to her, Dad held a solemn face.

"Lisa, this morning, we met up with your Dad's good friend Uncle Jae Bum and his wife. We talked about many things and the main topic is about you and your future life. You see, they have a son and we feel that you two will make a good pair. So, we have decided on an arranged marriage for the both of you."

When she finished her sentence, she looked at me. As expected, I was shocked to the core.

"But Mom! I am not close with uncle and auntie. I haven't even seen their son before. How can I marry him? How can you make such a decision without my consent?" I protested. Tears began to well up around my eyes. Those were tears of anger and disappointment. In the next moment, those tears began trickling down my face.

"Lisa, listen... You have to understa-"

"NO! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE!" I cut her off and dashed for my room, hands covering both ears.

I slammed the door shut and buried my face into my pillow. Within seconds, my pillow was drenched with salty tears. I hated my parents. I hated the idea of arranged marriage. I felt that my dreams were crushed and my future was destroyed. That night, I cried my heart out and refused to talk to anyone.

The next morning, I woke up and found a piece of paper under the door. I picked it up and read:

'His name is Kim Ji Won aka Bobby. He will be coming over in 2 days time.'

I put the paper on the table and headed for the washroom. I stared at myself in the mirror. "Ahh... Look at these swollen eyes." I murmured. My whole face was swollen and there was no way I was going out like that. I decided to stay home for a day to clear my thoughts and set some plans for my new life.