An Arranged Marriage - Episode 6

 

I stand In front of the hotel room, debating the merits of going in and facing the beast inside, I should have asked him to come out, meet somewhere else but he knows I hate crowds, he knows my fears and I don't put it past him to use it against me..

I wonder briefly if standing in front of his lair is the best thing then, it's a sad day in my life that I think of my own father in this terms.

Although he stopped being a father to me for a long time.

I knock on the door and brace myself, it opens wide, eagerly as if he was waiting for me.

I suppose he should have, I told him I was on my way, after calling him for more than 70 times and he picked the last time.

"Father" I say as a way of greeting.

"Anadia" He says, stepping away for me to enter, my cane clacks on the tiled ground as I walk past him and into the spacious hotel room, his eyes follow the walking stick as I lean all my weight on it and I wonder if he feels even a shred of guilt for causing me this kind of pain.

He closes the door and locks it and I refuse to straighten my spine at the veiled threat in that.

He's letting me know that we are alone in this room.

"Have a seat" He says, sitting himself on a sofa.

How did he get the money to afford this? If he has this kind of money to splurge on an hotel room, why didn't he just.. Just send at least one of his daughter to school?

I feel my body growing taut in anger, I let it cool, nows not the time to be angry, I have things that brought me here.

"I would prefer to remain standing" I say to his earlier offer.

"Have it your way, what do you want girl?"

"I want to know why you are trying to marry Aroos off" I say, not beating around any bush.

He seats up, not wanting to beat around any bush either.

"Marry off is such a strong word, I believe I'm making a decision for the betterment of her future"

"She asked you for no such thing"

"I believe its my duty, as her father" I snort and he stiffens, anger making his fade contort.

"is there something you want to say Anadia?" I watch this man that is my father and I wonder what happened

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/an-arranged-marriage

. When did he turn to this much of a beast? How did he hide his nature from my mother for so long.

"You are not a father to either of us, you stopped being that when you took a hand to us a long time ago."

"Watch your words girl" He spits at me and I see the anger he's trying to hold at bay.

Good, let him get riled, this is just the beginning of what I came here to do this evening..

"Where are the documents you took from the bank?"

"None of your business, its mine and I took it back"

"Mama's will says otherwise"

"Your mama made an error in judgement, I simply righted it"

"A trip to the bank and a police station will say other wise when I press charges against you"

"Are you threatening me girl?"

"Am I? Shouldn't I? For the things you've done in the past and now?"

"No one will believe you, who will believe a limping, stupid has been like you"

Slapping me would have been better, his blow hits the right mark but I don't let it show on my face.

"Really? How well do you believe that? I have proof, it won't be hard to obtain a CCTV camera report of you attempting to defraud your daughters and decieve the authorities in a bank" I say and his eyes shutters, he believes I can do that, and he knows that I will too, anything to protect my sisters.

I continue, on a roll.

"Let's not forget that I still have camera footage from Aroos's phone from 4 years ago, after you beat me to a pulp, I'm not afraid to use it and show the world what you are, now, who do you think a judge will believe? This limping girl or a father who has refused to cater for his daughters for so long? "I ask, throwing his earlier words at him..

He surges up so fast, his hands coming down, I don't even flinch, even as my heart beats against my rib cage, anticipating the fear.

But it doesn't come because I say.

" Try it, I dare you to try it father, you will have hell on your hands" He freezes at the coldness of my tune.

He watches the defiance in my face and he becomes wary, reading quite correctly that I will indeed do anything against him, all for my sisters. 

If I was to write a music about this scene right now, about how I look like a fire breathing dragon and my father a rogue bastard.

It would be 'staring into the eyes of the beast'

His face and posture concedes defeat and I hide my smile, relishing my win.

"What do you want girl?"

"I want you to back off from Aroos, leave her be and I want you to give back those land papers"

He relaxes, even going as much as to seat back down.

I tense, something is up.

"Only one of those can come to pass, I can back off from Aroos but those land papers, you can't get them back"

"Why?" I ask, willing my voice not to break.

"I sold the land" he says and a roaring fills my head.

"You did what?" I ask in a quiet voice

"I sold the land".

"Its wasn't yours to sell and I want it back" That was the wrong thing to say because he laughs.

"I already did and there's nothing you can do about it."

"How.. How could you be so despicable? Your daughters need that land, I need that land"

His cold eyes stare back at me as he replies.

"I care nothing about what you or the other girls need" He says girls like it's a vile thing.

I just stare, feeling my last bit of hope draining, all my plans, all the things I was going to do for my sisters, all of them gone.

After a while, which couldn't have been more than 10 seconds, I ask.

"Who did you sell it to?"

"It's none of your business"

"Who.. Did. You. sell. my. Land to?"

"Caspian Kane King" He says, the name ringing a bell, I don't know why.

I turn to leave.

"It would do you well if you do not stir up trouble for Mr King" he says, I'm sure not from fatherly care.

"Remember our deal father"

"Stay away from the Kings" He says, instead.

AN

Thank you for reading and for the feedback yesterday.

I love you.

Please comment

And rate.

And leave lots of love for me, I'm going back to school 'Sob' :'(