Her vengeance

9. saved but

Adira pov.

Two weeks passed by. The days were long and agonising for me. I longed to go outside but I was now under strict surveillance. Mama didn’t leave me alone even for a moment. Her fear and worry about my safety was greater than her anger. She was scared that she might loose me. She feared that I would be kidnapped again. Or perhaps those goons might be still watching me.

She didn’t even let me sleep alone. She would spread blankets on the floor and lie down on it. She claimed that she couldn’t sleep in her room anymore. I felt bad. It was kind of my fault. I shouldn’t have left the house that day. But all what I could do was regret my actions. I had told her that I will not leave again and she could relax. But even if I start talking on that topic she would start to cry, making me feel worse.

Levi was right. I shouldn’t have left. I had tried to call miss Courtney, but it was hard since I hardly was left alone.

I sighed and looked at my mother’s sleeping form. She didn’t look comfortable, but she wouldn’t sleep on my bed or go to her room either. Two weeks had passed by and still the things were the same. I guess I just had to trust God and let go and let the things happen on its own, all the while hoping for the best. I closed my eyes and made a little prayer. I hope I would hear from miss Courtney soon. There was little hope that my parents would let me study but still I didn’t want to let go of the little hope I had.

I felt my eyelids feel heavy. Soon I drifted off to a deep sleep.

****

“Adira wake up. Hurry.” I was woken up by a very excited mama.

“Mama? What is happening?” I asked in a sleepy voice. I hated being woken up. But still, this is my mother and I love her to death.

“Hurry up and get ready. Take a bath and wear this dress Charles had sent you. Today is your engagement ceremony.” She said in her excitement and quickly opened the curtains. The rays of the sun ruthlessly sting my eyes. I closed my eyes and turned away from the window.

I lied on my side for a while, trying to digest what was happening to me. My engagement. What I had feared and detested the most was happening. There was still no news from miss Courtney. Perhaps this really is my fate.

“Adira. Hurry up. I have made the breakfast. Papa also has taken leave from work today. Come downstairs we are all waiting for you.” Mama said.

I sighed and peeled myself from the mattress. “Is it that late already?” I asked. I usually don’t sleep in. Early morning is my favourite time of the day.

Mama giggled and sat down on the mattress beside me. “My baby girl. Yes. It is pretty late already. Now get ready and come downstairs to have breakfast with us. After that you will wear that dress and prepare for the engagement. It is to be held today evening.” She said and pointed at a blue dress that was hung on a cloth hanger. It was a beautiful gown with a lacy A-line skirt and lacy top decorated with blue flowers. The dress looked as if it shimmered as it reflected the sunlight. A simple, yet elegant gown that definitely would have cost a fortune.

I sighed. “Charles didn’t have to buy that mama.” I said. I was not happy about this engagement. I didn’t want him to buy me things. At least not yet.

She chuckled and shook her head. “Sweetheart. He is your husband to be. He wouldn’t want his bride to look cheap. I mean, how could we afford that?” she said. I looked from the gown to my mother and forced a smile.

She held my hands and sighed. “Adira, look. When I got married I was like you. I didn’t want to. But now, I feel that perhaps it was the best option. I mean, I am happy with your father. He may have not been the best person at first but he changed and tried to keep me happy. We don’t see that in our village often. I think Charles too will keep you happy. He seems like a good person. And we must not forget that he had saved you from the kidnappers.” She added.

I looked at our linked hands and sighed. “Mama.... Do you love papa?” I asked. She smiled at me.

“If love is respecting and wanting to keep each other happy, then yes, I love him. And I believe he loves me too.” She replied and patted on my shoulder.

“Now come downstairs. We are waiting.” She said and walked out of the room. I closed my eyes and thought about the recent events of my life. I couldn’t blame my parents for not letting me be alone even for a split second. After all they almost lost me forever.

I sighed and climbed out of the bed. I guess I had no choice. I quickly showered and put on some comfortable clothes on before going to the dining room.

“There is my little girl now all grown up.” Papa beamed. I smiled at him. He genuinely seemed to be happy. He chatted away about “my big day”, his excitement clear in his speech.

Levi stole glances at me but he kept his eyes on his food for most of the time. Everyone knew how I felt about this but my parents were supper excited about it since they truly believed that Charles would take good care of me.

I finished my breakfast and went upstairs. I wished that time would halt or suddenly Charles would just call the wedding off.

“Adira. What are you doing? We will never get there on time at this rate. Hurry up. Wear that dress so that I can do your hair.” Mama’s voice took me out of my thoughts.

I reluctantly put on the glamorous dress and sat on the chair so that mama could do my hair. I always enjoyed my hair being styled by her. She may be a house wife but she always have been pretty good at styling hair. She tied my hair in a high bun and let few hair strands fall from the sides.

“My princess looks so beautiful.” She exclaimed. We walked outside. Papa and Levi were already waiting for us. I didn’t miss papa’s silly smile. He cupped my face and kissed my forehead.

“Adira. You look just as beautiful as your mother did on her wedding day.” He said.

A small smile spread across my face. I had never heard him compliment mama so openly. I glanced at mama. She was blushing crimson red. I giggled. Maybe this is not that bad after all. I climbed in the car and soon we were on our way.

Soon we were at Charles house. At first, I just stared at it. It was not like any other house in our village. The house was huge and beautifully designed. It had white washed walls and a little garden in the front yard. The security guards looked intimidating. They were wearing fully black cloths and sunglasses. They had a little device attached to their ears. Perhaps to make it easier for them to communicate.

I gulped and walked towards the main entrance. We were welcomed by his family. Well at least I think it was his family. Charles was no where to be seen. I looked around the house. The whole place looked so glamorous. The floor was covered with shiny marbles and there were beautiful decorations of antique vases and art pieces.

“Wow.” Levi whispered near my ear.

I raised my eyebrows. Is this going to be my home soon? I had a forced smile constantly on my face. Not because don’t like this place but because I was nervous beyond imagination.

Soon Charles descended from a staircase placed in the centre of the hall we were in.

“Ah. My beautiful bride is here.” He said. Levi glanced at me and smirked. I tried my best to keep my expression neutral. Charles approached me. He was constantly staring at me making me blush hard.

“Let’s finish the ceremony fast. I don’t want to loose much time.” Charles declared.

The rest of the evening felt like a blur. There were close family members of both sides and it was elegant yet simple ceremony. The rings were exchanged and we were declared that we were engaged. I was introduced to lots of people who I was not familiar with but I didn’t follow the events of the day. To me, everything felt like it was rushed.

We returned home after sunset. The ride home was silent and awkward. Neither of my family members talked much. The atmosphere was filled with an awkward silence until Levi cleared his throat.

“Well. Congratulations.” He said to me. I smiled a little and leaned back in the seat.

“I am going to miss you my love.” Mama whispered. It was then only I realized that she was silently crying in the car. Her voice quivered as she tried to speak. She sniffled and took in a shaky breath.

“Mama,” I called out to her softly. She shook her head and raised her hand as if she was asking me to say nothing.

“It is ok Adira. When children grow up they will leave. They will start their own life. It is fine and how it should be. But that doesn’t mean I won’t miss you. I will.” She said.

I sighed. “I love you mama.” I told her. “I love you too baby girl.” She whispered back. I saw papa squeeze her hand softly. “She will be fine.” He told her in a soft voice. “We are here.” He said as he parked the car. We climbed out of it to go home and rest for the night. It was an eventful day. Though I wished for my life to have a different turn of events, I was starting to accept how my life was going. There must be some good in it I guess.

The following couple of days were somewhat similar. Charles sent his workers with different sets of jewelleries and new dresses, all for our wedding day. The wedding was to be done with in a week.

All the members of my extended family had come over and the whole neighbourhood was filled with excitement.

On the day before the actual wedding, everyone was busy with different work when we were interrupted by an unexpected guest.

“Hello? Can I see Adira?” miss Courtney’s voice made me jump. I looked with wide eyes at the front door and there she was standing with a wide smile at the door frame.

“Congratulations Adira, you have won the scholarship. And also you have gotten the chance to study in the medical school in the national university located in the city.” She said as she looked straight in to my eyes.