Chapter 1 ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Chapter One

Arranged Marriage

Jane sat at the dinner table, picking at her food as her parents exchanged meaningful glances. She could tell that something was up, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Jane, honey," her mother started, "we have something important to discuss with you."

Jane looked up, her curiosity piqued. "What is it, Mom?"

Her father cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

We have found a suitable match for you, someone who comes from a respectable family and has a promising future ahead of him."

"We've been in touch with Alex's parents, and they've expressed their desire for you two to get married as soon as possible."

Jane's heart sank. She had always hoped that she would at least have some say in the matter, but it seemed that her parents had already made up their minds.

Jane's mind raced as she processed the information. Alex was her childhood friend, and they had always been close. But she had never thought of him as anything more than a friend. Could she really spend the rest of her life with him ?

Jane's fork clattered to the table as her eyes widened in shock. "What?!" she exclaimed. "Married to Alex? But we're just friends!"

"Oh my God" Jane said

Her parents exchanged a knowing look before her mother spoke again. "We understand that, Jane. But this is a decision that we believe is best for both of your futures."

Jane felt her chest tighten as she struggled to process the information. She had known Alex since they were children, and they had always been close. But the idea of marrying him was something she had never even considered.

As her parents continued to talk about the benefits of the marriage and how it would be a good match for both families, Jane felt a sense of panic rising within her. She couldn't imagine spending the rest of her life with someone she didn't love.

Without a word, she pushed her chair back and bolted from the table, tears streaming down her face. She burst through the front door and ran blindly into the night, desperate to escape the suffocating pressure that was closing in on her.

As Jane ran through the streets, her mind was in turmoil. How could her parents expect her to agree to something so life-altering without even consulting her first?

And how could they assume that she would be willing to marry someone she had never thought of in that way?

She found herself at the park, collapsing onto a bench as she tried to catch her breath. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the deserted playground. It was a place she had always found solace in, but tonight, even the familiar surroundings couldn't ease the turmoil in her heart.

Suddenly, a voice broke through her thoughts. "Jane? Are you okay?"

She looked up to see Alex standing in front of her, concern etched on his face. Her tears started afresh as she realized that he must have followed her from her house.

"Alex," she choked out, "I can't do this. I can't marry you."

He sat down beside her, his eyes searching hers. "I know," he said softly. "I don't want this either."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their situation hanging heavy in the air. Then, Alex reached out and took her hand in his.

"I've always valued our friendship, Jane," he said earnestly. "And I would never want to jeopardize that by forcing you into something you don't want."

Jane felt a surge of gratitude towards him as she squeezed his hand tightly. "Thank you, Alex," she whispered. "I don't know what I would do without you."

They sat together in companionable silence for a while longer, finding comfort in each other's presence. And as the night wore on, Jane began to realize that perhaps there was a way out of this predicament after all.

Jane's parents were frantic with worry as they paced back and forth in the living room. "Where could she have gone? Why would she just run off like that?" Jane's mother fretted, wringing her hands.

"I don't know, but we need to find her," her father replied, his voice strained with concern. "I'll call security and have them search the entire property. She couldn't have gone far."

As her father made the call, Jane's mother clutched her phone tightly, her eyes scanning the windows for any sign of her daughter. "I can't believe this is happening. She knows she's not supposed to go off on her own like that," she murmured, her voice trembling with fear.

The security team arrived quickly and fanned out across the grounds, calling out Jane's name and searching every nook and cranny. But after what felt like an eternity, they returned with no sign of the missing girl.

Her parents' anxiety only grew as they realized their daughter was truly nowhere to be found. "What do we do now?" Jane's mother asked, her voice thick with emotion.

Her father took a deep breath, trying to stay calm for his wife's sake. "We'll call the police. We'll find her, no matter what it takes."

As the police arrived and began their search, Jane's parents frantically started making posters with her picture to distribute around the neighborhood. They also reached out to friends and family, asking them to keep an eye out for their daughter.

The hours passed with no sign of Jane, and her parents felt their hearts sinking with each passing moment. They couldn't help but imagine the worst-case scenarios, and it was taking a toll on their emotional well-being.

Despite their fear and worry, they tried to stay strong and hopeful, clinging to the belief that they would be reunited with Jane soon. They held onto each other for support, praying for her safe return.

Finally, just when they were beginning to lose hope, a neighbor called to say they had spotted Jane in a nearby park. With a mixture of relief and joy, Jane's parents rushed to the park and found her safe and sound.

Tears of relief streamed down their faces as they hugged their daughter tightly, grateful to have her back in their arms.

From that day on, they made sure to keep a closer eye on her, knowing just how precious and fragile their time together truly was.

They were so glad that Jane came back home.