At Mr. Cornelius’s Residence.
That afternoon, the Cornelius family’s dining table looked neat after lunch was finished. Mr. Cornelius sipped his tea while reading the newspaper, while Zera hoped she could immediately rest in her room. However, her hope vanished when her mother’s voice pierced the air.
“Zera, don’t just sit there. Help Mom clear the table,” Mrs. Debira ordered firmly.
Zera held her breath, then nodded slowly.
“Alright, Mom.”
Even though there were several household assistants working in their home, the girl was very sure that this was just her mother’s way of keeping her from going anywhere.
Then Zera said,
“By the way, Mom, where are all our housemaids?”
“They have other tasks in the garden. Hurry up and help me,” Mrs. Debira replied as she busied herself.
Zera stood up, gathered the dirty plates, and carried them to the kitchen.
“Don’t just put the plates down, wash them right away,” her mother added while folding the napkins.
Zera sighed inwardly. She knew her mother was like that, always wanting everything neat and orderly.
At the dining table, Mr. Cornelius lowered his newspaper and looked at the wall clock.
“We will leave at three in the afternoon. There are still two hours left.”
Hearing that, Zera immediately took the opportunity.
“In that case, may I go upstairs to my room to get ready, Mom?”
Mrs. Debira looked at her for a moment, then nodded.
“Alright. But don’t take too long.”
Without waiting any longer, Zera immediately went up to her room on the second floor. As soon as the door closed, she leaned against it and let out a long sigh.
Zera’s room was decorated in pastel colors with a soft crystal chandelier. In the corner of the room stood a large wardrobe, with a turquoise green dress hanging inside. She had chosen that dress together with Farez some time ago.
Zera took a towel and walked into the bathroom. Warm water flowed over her body, giving her a sense of calm.
After she finished bathing and put on the dress, her steps stopped in front of the mirror.
The turquoise green dress wrapped her body perfectly, showing an elegant yet soft side. Her hand lifted, touching the smooth fabric. Her eyes became watery.
For a moment, memories with her lover played in her mind. The way Farez smiled when they chose this dress, how his eyes sparkled with admiration when Zera first tried it on.
Tears slowly fell down her cheeks.
“Let this dress be a witness that my love for you is sincere, Farez,” she whispered with a trembling voice.
Zera closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.
“Even if we are not meant to be,” she continued with a bitter smile.
A knock on the door startled her.
“Zera, are you done?” her mother’s voice came from outside.
Zera quickly wiped her tears.
“Yes, Mom. Almost.”
She then grabbed her small bag and took a deep breath before opening the door.
Mrs. Debira looked at her daughter from head to toe.
“You look beautiful.”
Zera only gave a faint smile.
“Let’s go downstairs. Your father has been waiting for us.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Zera followed her mother down the stairs with a heavy heart. Mr. Cornelius was already waiting in a neat suit.
“Let’s go now,” her father said.
Zera stepped out of the house, carrying a heart full of pain, hoping that fate would still be on her and Farez’s side.
Zera sat in the back seat of the car with a heavy feeling. Her father, Mr. Cornelius, drove calmly, while her mother, Mrs. Debira, sat beside him, busy looking at her phone.
Outside, the afternoon sky began to dim, as if sharing the sadness that filled Zera’s heart. The car moved along the busy city streets, but to Zera, everything felt distant. She could only stare blankly out the window, letting her thoughts drift with memories of Farez.
Farez …
That name echoed again in her mind, deepening the wound in her heart. Farez was the man she loved deeply, but now their relationship was on the verge of breaking because of the arranged marriage planned by their parents.
“Zera, don’t sit there daydreaming. Sit up straight,” Mrs. Debira suddenly scolded.
Zera sighed and adjusted her posture, even though she didn’t really care.
“Do you already know the name and background of the family we’re going to meet later?” her mother asked again.
Zera looked at her mother blankly. She didn’t even know the name of the man she was being arranged with.
“We have arranged everything so that you can get to know Mr. Deron’s son. He is a good and talented young man. You will like him,” Mrs. Debira continued with satisfaction.
Zera bit her lip, holding back the emotions boiling inside her chest.
“Mom never even asked whether I want this or not,” she murmured softly.
The atmosphere inside the car suddenly fell silent. Only the sound of other vehicles on the road could be heard.
Mrs. Debira turned sharply toward her daughter.
“Zera, this is not about whether you want it or not. This is about your future.”
Zera clenched her hands on her lap.
“Whose future, Mom? My future, or our family’s future?” she asked with a trembling voice.
Mr. Cornelius finally spoke, his tone calm but firm.
“Zera, this marriage is not only about you. It’s also about the family. You have to see the bigger picture.”
Zera lowered her head, feeling her chest tighten. There was no point in arguing. Her parents had already made their decision, and she had no choice.
Zera looked back out the window, letting her thoughts drift. But when she saw her reflection in the car window, she realized something, she hadn’t checked her phone all this time.
Quickly, Zera reached into her small bag and took out her phone. The screen lit up, showing dozens of missed calls and messages from one name that made her heart ache even more, Farez.
Her eyes widened as she read the messages.
“Zera, where are you?”
“I’ve been trying to reach you. Why aren’t you answering?”
“Please pick up. I need to talk to you.”
“Zera, please …”
Zera’s heart dropped. Farez must be panicking because she hadn’t given him any news all day.
Without thinking, she started typing a reply.
“I’m sorry, I just saw my phone. I …”
Her fingers stopped. What should she say? That she was on her way to meet her arranged fiancé? Or that she was powerless against her parents’ decision?
Tears began to well up again, but before Zera could finish her message, her mother turned and noticed the phone in her hand.
“Who are you contacting?” Mrs. Debira asked suspiciously.
Zera quickly locked her screen and gripped her phone tightly.
“No one, Mom.”
Mrs. Debira narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t tell me you’re still in contact with that unknown man.”
Zera remained silent, unwilling to answer.
“Zera …” her mother’s voice grew firmer,
“I’ve told you, that man is not the right person for you. He may not even come from a family on the same level as ours.”
Zera turned, her eyes filled with tears.
“Mom, doesn’t my happiness matter?”
Mrs. Debira let out a long sigh.
“We only want what’s best for you, Zera.”
Zera lowered her head, clutching the turquoise green dress she had chosen with Farez. The dress that was supposed to symbolize their happiness now felt like a chain, reminding her of the bitter reality.
The car kept moving, getting closer to the meeting place. And in her heart, Zera could only hope for a miracle that could save her love.