Sarah
" Is your decision final? "
"Yes father. "
" I hope that you do not regret choosing the man. "
" Why don't you meet him once? You will realize that Jack is a great person. "
" I have already met him once, Sarah. "
" You could have misunderstood....... "
" I stand by my former opinion.......both of you are incompatible. This is not about good or bad. The two of you will never stand the test of time. He has many shades and as you spend more time with him, you will be unhappy. "
" I will prove you wrong. I am sure that your mind will change upon witnessing our happiness. Jack loves me. He does not care about money. Most importantly, he thinks that I have grown up in an average family with limited means. "
As I was stepping out of the doors, my father's voice stopped me again.
" Think again, Sarah..........please...... "
At this moment, I knew that I would never stop loving my father. But today..........we were on a different page. I had to leave and I hoped that all of us would reunite soon. My father must have sensed my resolve because he did not say anything more.
" Just a minute Sarah. " My brother hurried down the stairs and stuffed something in my hands.
I hope that your ideals stand the test of time. But, just in case.......... "
I looked at the card my brother placed in my hands. I knew that it had something to do with my father, who had turned his back now.
" Life is unpredictable, and you may..... "
" Thank you, but if you know me, then you know that I will never use it. "
" Keep it," my brother said softly.
And for the sake of my father's pride, I did not throw it away. As I stepped out of the familiar gates, I was determined not to return. I was sad, and I knew that my father too would have a sleepless night tonight. And even though I felt as if a part of me had been ripped....this was the first time I had hurt my father, I hoped that seeing Jack and me living happily would melt him one day.
At nineteen, I abandoned everything for the sake of love. I left my inheritance. I abandoned my education. As I shifted to Jack's one-room apartment, I felt fulfilled. I ignored all the red flags and was willing to give my all. I was madly in love.