While in the taxi, Safiya managed to put a call to Ronnie.
"Hey girl what's up? Sorry I couldn't make it to your place earlier, it's all been work, work work."
Safiya sighed before responding.
"Are you okay?"
"I just saw in my family's GC that I'm getting married."
"What the fuck! Girl are you serious?"
"Dead serious. I'm heading to my parents house as we speak."
"Oh my Gosh, just calm down okay, but, getting married, to whom exactly?"
"That's the hilarious part, I don't even know."
"Well, this is crazy, so crazy."
"It's crazy as hell sis. You know what, I'll call you back. My head is about blowing up I need to calm the heck down."
"Okay dear, just call me if you need anything okay, and please be good."
"I'll try."
"Kisses, love you."
"Love you too girl."
She Drops her phone and heaved a loud sigh. The Driver noticed.
"Are you good miss?"
"Oh sure I am, she replied absent mindedly."
It's past 15 minutes and the vehicle halted. The driver turned as he heard no response from his passenger.
"Hey Miss, we've gotten to your destination."
Safiya who was already sleeping jotted back to reality.
"I'm so sorry I dozed off."
"No problem miss."
The breeze blew gently the familiar environment scent to Safiya's nose. She had this nostalgic feeling of home and she almost puked . She managed to breath in fresh air and regained a little bit of composure.
"Home!" She sighed wearily. She walked briskly to the gigantic gate that stood in the middle of Ashcroft city. She pressed a button and Security came out just in time.
"Oh my Lady, you came in unannounced."
"And do I need to announce my presence, or am I not welcomed here?"
"No my lady, absolutely not, and you are always welcomed my lady". He said and smiled
"I told you to stop this my Lady thing Greg, we ain't in the Renaissance era for goodness sake. I'm not a princess, neither am I a queen."
"My Lady you don't need a tiara before you can be given a royal title."
"There you go again."
She blushed a little. "I've missed you Greg." She hugged him. She vividly remembered how Greg helped her to sneak out most of the time to see Ronnie whose family house stood adjacent to hers. To Safiya, Greg was her one true family and big brother. The times where she felt lonely and trapped, he was her gist buddy. "How time flies." She sighed.
"You're a big girl now, Greg commended."
"I can see a grey strand on your hair too brother Greg." They both burst into laughter.
After the laughter, a weird silence ensued between them. Safiya broke the silence.
"Where's Mum and Dad?"
"Upstairs. Are they expecting you?"
"They should." Her heart skipped and returned.
"I'll just go upstairs. See you later."
"Okay my lady."
She walked briskly towards the gigantic storey building in front of her. The whole compound was marbled, it's texture still very fine. She got in just in time. Her mum was already exaggerating about the outfit she's going to wear on her big day.
"Mum, Dad, Good day."
Mr Zain Alvi just observed his daughter for a while before adjusting his med glasses.
"I presumed you must have heard."
Safiya almost looked at him disdainfully, but she controlled herself.
Layla Alvi, Safiya's mum, practically ignored the weirdness growing up between the duo.
"Safiya darling, come here my princess, I've missed you dearly." She made to hug her like a baby but Safiya didn't reciprocate the hug. She just stood there, hands by her side and almost cold by merely touching her skin.
"Oh my baby girl, Safi are you okay? Have you been feeding well? Do you need more pocket money?"
"Enough Mum!" She finally blurted.
Emotions were gradually building up in her eyes and body as she tried to express herself. For the first time in years, she decided to face her parents and stop them from deciding for her.
"I'm tired of everything and I cannot sit and watch the both of you make me get married to a complete stranger. I'm not some cheap commodity you buy in the market that you can just toss around. I do not know this person and I do not care to know about him, and I'm not interested with all due respect."
"Now watch your tongue young lady." He stood up slowly "We've given you enough time to be responsible. Since you have blatantly refused to make a good pick, we have decided to help you. And guess what?, He is not only good for you, but also a very good catch for the family's company. We get to own more shares through our partnership and cooperative alliances." He sat back and readjusted his glasses.
"I see Dad! It has always been about the businesses. You don't think about the wellbeing of your only daughter. All you think about is shares, shares, and shares! And now this? Using me as a bait to salvage your struggling company? Hell no Dad."
"Hell no!"
"Watch how you talk to me! He stood up again in rage.
"Safi, you don't get to talk to your father like that!"