Chapter 5 On introduction day

Jasmine's Pov

It felt like a nightmare when I realized that today my father's friend was coming to pay my bride's price. I was filled with dread, as if I were being swallowed by darkness. I sighed heavily, my heart racing.

"Make sure you look presentable," my father said, pulling me from the gloomy thoughts. "I don't want to see you in those shabby clothes."

When was the last time he bought me anything nice? I felt angry and frustrated. I couldn't believe my dreams were falling apart because of my father's selfish desires.

"Where is my mother?" I wondered aloud as I rushed to the kitchen. There she was, preparing food for our guest. Seeing her busy in the kitchen hurt my heart. Was she on my father's side?

She waved at me as soon as she saw me. "Are you going to cook all that?" I asked weakly, my concern clear. She noticed my pale face and understood that I hadn't rested well since last night.

"Don't worry, dear, I have everything planned," she said with a wink. But her cheerful attitude made me even more anxious. What could she do? It wouldn't surprise me if she supported my father. He always made her weak and unwilling to stand up to him.

I blinked back tears and forced a smile. "Jasmine, come and try this," my father called from the living room, holding out a piece of fabric. I felt an urge to bury him alive. I glanced at my mother, who silently encouraged me to accept the cloth.

"Don't forget to add some makeup," he instructed my mother, his voice lightening up. I noticed her face, filled with sadness, and wondered what she was thinking. What was her plan? She found it hard to share her feelings with me.

Reluctantly, I took the cloth from my father, checking it for any signs of suitability. To my surprise, the dress was beautiful. How did he know my size? It was glamorous, and for the first time, I was impressed by his taste. My heart swelled, even as I faced the reality of what was happening.

As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but see my flaws. I felt like someone stripped of happiness and freedom. Yet, amid the turmoil, I felt a flicker of hope. After days of worrying about my appearance, today I looked exceptional-a transformation amid despair.

"Your face is sparkling in that dress, dear," my mother said, her voice brightening the room. It seemed she was genuinely excited about my marriage, but worry crept over me as tears began to flow.

"Mom, what's going on with you? I thought you weren't happy about me getting married today," I whispered, my voice trembling.

"Jas, please understand. I can't let you end up with that kind of man. I'm just trying to keep your father happy," she explained, pulling me into a warm embrace.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. Just pretend to be happy," she said, starting to apply makeup to my face. It felt surreal.

As she worked, I hardly recognized myself. The makeup and dress made me look stunning, but the thought of the man waiting for me filled me with dread.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the house, sending a wave of anxiety through me. I cowered in a corner, feeling resentful and wishing everything would fall apart. Sweat formed on my forehead, and my face paled as I heard my father's voice announcing the arrival of his in-law.

Gathering my strength, I stepped out to meet our guest. What I saw shocked me. An old man stood before me, frail and worn, a stark contrast to the bright future I hoped for.

"Wow, she looks so beautiful," he said, his voice weak. The compliment felt heavy, suffocating rather than uplifting.

His appearance was strange; his hair was dry and straw-like, and his sad eyes seemed to hold years of pain. He looked much older than my father and didn't seem to have the wealth my father had claimed.

I stood frozen, staring at him with dark, unreadable eyes, feeling a scream rise in my throat as his bony finger tapped me on the shoulder. My irritation bubbled to the surface.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. "Look at you, a bride with tears in her eyes," he said, touching my face as if to comfort me. "You look so beautiful; I can't take my eyes off you." He winked, and I felt a wave of anger wash over me. All I wanted was to disappear from this situation.

My mother stood to the side, cowering in a corner with her hands clasped together, smiling at me. She seemed genuinely happy-maybe it was a good thing for her that her only child was getting married today. I chose to go along with the situation, even though I was trembling inside. My father must have been pleased that everything was going his way.

Tears continued to fall from my eyes, shimmering like the fading light of day. I felt betrayed-betrayed by my father, who had made this happen without considering my feelings, and betrayed by my mother, who had decided to support him.

Standing before the man who was supposed to be my husband, I realized I had lost a part of myself. My identity, dreams, and hopes for a happy future were slipping away, replaced by a harsh reality that threatened to crush my spirit.

As laughter and chatter filled the room, I felt like an outsider in my own life, merely watching my fate unfold. I knew I had to take a stand-somehow, some way-but fear held me back. What could I possibly do against my father's wishes?

"Jas, come here," my father called, pulling me from my thoughts. I forced a smile, knowing I had to pretend to be a happy bride, even as my heart felt heavy with sadness. My mother's eyes sparkled with pride and worry, and I realized she was also caught in this difficult situation.

Perhaps I wasn't alone in this struggle. I took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next. I would find a way to reclaim my life, even if it meant standing up against my father.

In that moment, looking at the old man before me, I made a silent promise: I would fight for my happiness, no matter the cost. Today would not be the end of my dreams but rather the start of a new chapter-one where I would learn to take back my voice and stand against the pressure of expectations.

No longer would I allow fear to dictate my choices; today, I would take the first step toward freedom.

I realized that I had to summon the courage to stand up for myself and to show the world that I was more than just a pawn in my father's game. This was my life, and I deserved to be happy, even if it meant breaking away from the chains that held me down.