Her vengeance

Alice tried to console her friend who had just found out that her parents had agreed to marry her off to someone who was way older than her. She cried in Alice’s arms, soaking the fabric of her dress wet. Alice’s heart broke when she saw how heartbroken her friend was.  “Be strong. Everything happens for a reason.” Alice tried to sound happy and bring some inner peace to her friend's mental turmoil. But deep down, she knew that it is of no use. Being born a female meant that your fate is sealed. As soon as you grow up, you would most probably be married off, and most of the time, it is done by force. No matter how hard the girl protested, she would have a say in her fate. She will have to do what she is being told to. Most of the girls didn’t have an excess to an education. Going to school was taboo. But Alice considered herself to be among the fortunate to be able to go and learn how to read and write from a neighbour. But now, it is the age that she was most dreaded. She too had turned 16 recently, and it is just a matter of time that someone would come and ask her hand in marriage.  “Selene! Come here this instant.” Selene’s mother harshly called her. Selene, whose eyes were now red and puffy, removed herself from her friend’s embrace.  “Alice. Perhaps this is the last time we meet. I will miss you and I will always remember you.” She sobbed. Alice watched her with pity. Selene’s tears seemed to be never-ending. She didn’t wait for an answer and ran off, towards her house, which was just a few feet away.  Is this the last time she would see her friend? Alice watched her retreating figure until it disappeared behind the wooden door of her house.  “I’ll miss you too,” Alice whispered to herself, her own eyes brimming with tears that threatened to roll down from her cheeks. She made her way back to her place, still worrying about her friend’s fate. It was true that some men hit their women when they get angry. Will that happen to her bestie? She hoped not.  She was lost in her thoughts as she walked slowly along the dusty road of her village. Occasionally kicking a random pebble along the way, she didn’t realise that she had reached her place.  “Alice! Come in quick!” her mother’s excited voice, interrupted her.  “What is it mom?” she asked and followed her. She was still immersed in her sorrow when she saw that her father was talking to Jack, an older man who is from one of the most respected families in her village. She froze. This certainly didn’t look good. Her father shook Jack’s hand and flashed a broad smile at her. “Alice. Meet Jack, your future husband.” He stated as if it was a fact. Alice felt her world spin before coming to a complete halt. What? Future husband? Her breathing laboured and her heartbeat pulsated. The palms of his hand felt sweaty and she felt as if she would faint then and there.  “No!” She screamed and ran away. Ran from her parents, away from the man who thought that could marry her just like that. She thought that she would run away from home, but all she could achieve was to run to her front door before being captured by her father who was clearly stronger than her. She started to thrash in his arms and scream her protests. But soon she was silenced by a single slap to her face. “Shut up Alice. Shut up. This is for your own good Alice. Jack is from a good family. He will take good care of you. Now you will not leave this house until you marry him. You are reserved to be his bride soon. Now go to your room before I drag you there myself and lock you up!” her father’s angry threats felt like arrows that plunged into her heart. She caressed her cheek which was now red and stinging. Did her father slap her? The loving father who never laid a hand on her? All because she didn't want to get married like that? He had always listened to her whines but now......She dropped to her knees and cried. Because right now, she didn’t know what else she could do.