My parents, along with my sisters and I, were having breakfast. My sister's presence was not sitting well with me. My two elder sisters visit us only when there is a family discussion or any gathering. The third one, Audria, is a busy one who hardly finds time for us, and she is present too. Now, their presence is pushing me into panic. The atmosphere was tense; only the running of utensils could be heard. My parents were conversing through their eyes, looking nervous, and my sisters were not any less nervous. I was the clueless one, because it's related to me. I know what the hell they were up to. Run, Rowan, while you can, my subconscious reminded me.
I was losing my appetite as the seconds were passing. We were silent for no reason, no one daring to open their mouth, at least for casual conversation. Everything is becoming overwhelming for me, and the doors are sealed without any way to escape. My mum is worried too much about me, and these days, she looks stressed. She is always on my side no matter what, but sometimes her husband gets the upper hand, and she will be helpless. I completely get her. My dad, who is always supportive, was blind due to his dad's last wish. My elder two sisters were worried about what to say and were busy with their lives. Audria is really happy recently, as she got a few more offers from a top modelling company, and she is not complaining or against anything. I am at odds at present.
"Rowan," my dad slowly started. My mum immediately held his hand, which he brushed off with a glare. "Adri, please." Everyone held their breath in the cold environment, and my mum was still pleading. "We can't delay any longer. Why can't you understand?" My dad spoke in a high tone that would slip from him more occasionally. "Rowan, you need to get engaged to Shreya?" He announced the most sensational news, pushing me into shock. My breath shuddered at the news, and my mind was hijacked. I was silent, not knowing how to respond to that, clenching my fist harder.
A few minutes passed, and everyone's eyes were on me, watching me without blinking. "I, I barely met her; it's only been a few months," I managed those words with a shaky voice. "You told me I have time and wouldn't push me on her matter," I reminded him of our conversation. My dad sighed, removed his glass and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looks more stressed than any of us. "I know, but directors started to choke all of a sudden. The recent purchase is rubbing us strongly." I was waiting for this. There was no immediate reaction after the purchase from anyone, but like a storm, they started to hit us. I am not getting why now. Why didn't they react immediately?
Everyone stopped eating, and the surroundings started to suffocate. "What's the exact reason for not getting engaged to her? Please enlighten me, Rowan?" My dad spoke with a defeated tone. The list is long and everlasting, and I don't know where to start with her shit. "She is controlling, suffocating, commanding and an uptight freak. " My dad smiled at that; I don't know how it amused him. "Is that it, or is there more? You can vent; I am all ears, including others." He probed; he is enjoying this, but I am not getting why. "I am serious," I grumbled. "Pushy in every fucking thing, even in romance. She always wants to get into my pants." "Rowan." I stopped at that; well, he asked for it. Once again, he sighed and included everyone.
"She hates my wardrobe for no reason and updated it with her version. As I said, controlling freak." "What do you expect from a businesswoman who promotes the latest designs, Rowan?" Apparently, my sister Audria can't shut her mouth for once. "Well, I expect to keep her shit to herself, I suppose." I retort sharply to her, and she rolled her eyes.
"Rowan, we can't stop the directors this time; we need their alliance." I groaned at the same shitty thing. I never thought my marriage would ever turn into a deal. "We need their surname, Rowan, to gain control over the situation." My dad rubbed my incapability or his – I don't exactly know. But I am the one paying over here. "You can always sit and talk about everything, Rowan. No one is perfect. Discuss with her; share your opinion with her." Is he out of his mind? She is not normal enough to listen to any shit calmly. "Dad, she is a dictator, and dictators never listen and are only good at barking bloody orders. And trust me, she is hell of a good one in that; there is no backing off in her dictionary." He squinted his eyes at that, and everyone went stiff. "No one is perfect, and that much can be expected from a successful businesswoman, Rowan. She is not that bad." I don't know why he told me to share my feelings or the reasons why I am holding back; it's like he has made up his mind. "Rowan, we need this, please. Sit and talk, discuss with her, spend more time with her. Once you get to know each other, then automatically everything will come along." Spending more time with her, I would rather die than do that, but the option is also not possible at present because I am no bloody coward. I exhaled my breath and leaned on the chair. Thinking badly to come up with something to sabotage this relationship from continuing further, but nothing is favouring me. "Get engaged, Rowan, and spend more time with her; as I said, things will seek it out on their own. You both need time to understand each other, and no one is perfect." My breath hitched at the word 'engagement' once again. My whole body went numb momentarily, and Shreya taunting me by flashing a wide grin at her victory in my mind rubbed me badly. "Rowan, give her a chance, a real one, please.Things are really crazy; no one can do anything to control the situation; only an alliance could." My dad spoke softly, stood from his chair, and walked towards his study room. My mum followed him, giving me pitiful eyes.
My sisters and I were seated in a daze. No one spoke, lost for words and in their own thoughts. Normally, they would always vouch for me, but this time, no one dared because of my dad and the situation we were pulled into. "Has Dad decided the date of engagement?" I managed to break the silence; I want to know how long I can be in peace, in control of my own life. "As early as possible, in 15 or 20 days. To stabilise the situation, he is thinking of calling the press to circulate the news. He is waiting for you to agree to this." Thank God, I have the freedom to nod my head, and I am thankful for my dad.
I sighed and got up from the chair and silently walked toward my room. After discarding my clothes, I was under the shower trying to destress myself. This news started to take a toll on me; getting engaged to her is like surrendering my freedom and welcoming a life of prison in the future. I tried to get some sleep, to give my mind rest, but that turned out to be impossible as Shreya occupied my mind in the wrong way.
My cell started ringing, and I groaned when I saw my screen flashing Shreya's name. Oh god, she fucking has to be everywhere. I disconnected the call, but of course, she wouldn't take a hint. "What?" I barked the words; I couldn't stop. She chuckled in return. "Baby, this is not the way you are going to greet your soon-to-be fiancée, darling." I clutched my cell harder when I heard the word fiancée. "Anyway, my dad was telling me to spend more time with you, to get to know each other better before sealing the deal for good." She spoke happily, enjoying everything. "The same suggestion was given by your dad and your grandfather." She added. "Anyway, I will connect with your family even more in the coming days, being on my best behavior." Wow, she is making a bloody point. "So, you should also connect with my parents more. I know you guys have met before, which was brief, so you should meet them over dinner or something." I wanted to groan at her orders. "That's beside the point; my parents and yours are suggesting that we should make some time for ourselves and go on vacation for a few days." She squealed over the phone, and I held the cell far from my ears. I was stunned for a moment, vacationing with her. She missed hitting the goal so many times, and she will be successful if I am alone with her. I gulped, and sweat started to form on my forehead. "Baby, we both know we need this." She whined. "Darling, it's the best time to use your boxers, which we shopped for recently, and my collection of lingerie and panties." She gushed, and I grimaced at those words. "I am so happy and excited." She shouted, making me flinch at the words.
The words were clogged in my throat, and I couldn't breathe after hearing everything. Vacation with her is suicidal. I fuck her or not, but she will make sure to fuck me. She would not let go of this chance; nope, that bitch would rape me for sure. I am hesitating so much to spend a few days with her, and everyone is demanding a lifetime commitment with her. They are out of their fucking mind. "Baby." Her voice was sharp like a knife, feeling the rejection, and this bitch won't take rejection so nicely. "We will," I spoke slowly, massaging my forehead in the process. "Let me surprise you," I added. "What?" She shouted, and I gritted my teeth at that. "Yes, after getting engaged, we are going on a vacation for a week at least. " I managed to sprout the words that tasted bitter once they left my mouth. "What, why?" She whined, and my head started to throb from hearing her voice. "It's a gift to you, and let me make some effort to work this out. I am following my dad's suggestion. So, let me take the initiative at least in something." I know there would be some weightage when I bring my dad's name into this matter. I don't know how. "Oh, I guess I couldn't argue when your dad suggested something, and you are willing to listen." I bet so many gears are running in her head. "Well, you'd better make a better effort to surprise me. I am not easy." She added while my mind was running in formulating my escape from her. "Yes, I will give my 100%, and I really hope you will be shocked after seeing my surprise." I really wish the shock would hit her permanently. "Well, I will be waiting eagerly, darling, mainly to taste and devour you." Here she goes with her bluntness, which should be sexy to someone's ears, but I only feel repulsive and want to throw up at her words. "Well, I really hope my physique evokes more desire in you so I can thrust you till you black out on the bed." The real meaning of my statement is completely different from what she is imagining. The call went on silent, and her breathing was getting heavy. This one is really crazy, that's for sure. "Did you mean it?" She spoke skeptically. "Don't worry, I will make sure the way around." My breath hitched at that. Well, I knew she would never let me win in anything, not in words or in bed. "Will, see that." I rebuked her; I have more confidence in her than in myself. She chuckled at hearing that. "Darling, by this time you should know I will keep my words by hook or crook." She spoke more confidently, and I went silent at that. "Baby, fear not, I am the one who is going to take care of you after that, too." I lost the battle, as I didn't know how to rebuke her.