Turing to God - II

George. Why could she not have—

"Who is he?" The woman asked with twinkling eyes, almost knocking out the breath of Joyce.

"What do you mean?" Joyce whispered, her breathing getting heavier by the second. "Who, he?"

The woman gave her a knowing smile. " I am a mother, before that I was a girl. And when a girl prays that hard in church, usually two things are on her mind, and one of them is boys. So," the woman turned her stare into a pointed one, "who is he?"

Was she really praying that hard?

"Oh, umm.." Joyce gulped. What was she supposed to say to this woman? Did her mother know this woman or did she run into the same circles as her mother did?

Because if she died, then it was definitely going to be a problem for her.

Imagine the horror on everyone's faces, especially the church going ladies, when they would come to know that she was playing for someone else, definitely not her fiance.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." She schooled her expressions into a calm and collected one. "Maybe I'm just scared of the fact that I am going to get married soon. It's a little scary for me."

"Marriage is scary for everyone. We just get the bitter end of the stick." The woman waved her off. "I understand that you do not trust me. But if you choose to tell, your secret is safe with me."

How convenient of Hari to say that. How many people had she said the same words that had ended up giving her what she wanted?

Joyce was naive, innocent, but when it was the time of trouble, and she had to use her survival instinct, she knew what to do.

"I understand." Joyce gave her tight smile. "Thanks."

"Hmm." The woman nodded in return. " looks can only take you so far. It is the mind that carries you forward for the rest of your life. A mind that you have, mind that will do you good."

"You seem to know a lot about life."

"Women like us, women in captivity, for a long time, it makes you think about a lot of things." She smiled. "which makes it important that you choose the right husband."

"The right to choose a husband does not rest with me, how am I supposed to do that?"

It was like someone who was just a high school graduate, dreaming to be a scientist in NASA.

Not very realistic.

But just like always, the woman smiled like she knew all the answers. "Sometimes, you will have to find your own way. a little manipulation, hurt no one, especially when it is in regards to your future."

Manipulation.… It seemed like something so trivial, yet something so powerful. Something that she could use to alter her future, but something that if her father came to know about, she could be killed for.

But if it meant that she could have a future with George, she would have it.

Joyce was ready to do anything to even have a glimpse of hope to have a future, but the man she loved, including manipulating her father, could very easily bury her body somewhere in the backyard, and make roses grow on top of her.

But hey, at least she would die trying.