Retrospection

"Marriage? Why on earth do you need me to be married?" I asked, trying to maintain my frustration at such a concept. I had to hold back my laughter at such a bold statement. I'm already one of the most successful women in medicine yet, it is never good enough.

"You are already 27, getting too old to not be married," her voice softened to a more sincere tone as she had a twinge of sadness in her eyes. I saw her recline more into my fluffy white sofa as if she was hurting just to be having this conversation.

"We are old, we do not want you to be alone and still forget to eat properly," my father suddenly said as he appeared from around the corner of my living room. My face turned a bit red at his words at the embarrassment of how low I prioritize such things. He always knows how to make me go from frustrated to retrospection.

I took a deep breath as I tried to calm the swirl of emotions inside of me. I stared silently at the worried expressions of my parents faces and the harsh sun details they have due to the conditions they endured just to feed me. Unable to see more I looked away and around my house, empty but pristine.

"I don't understand mama...." I spoke softly. They stayed silent, waiting for me to continue. "I have all of this yet it is not enough for both of you what I accomplished alone?" I said boldly, unable to hold the quiver in my voice.

"It is because you did it alone we are feeling like this. We want to marry Kaito Azula, a good man. He works as a childhood psychologist and is well known in the industry. If you cannot marry, we cannot call you our daughter as you know a woman alone is worthless to our family," my mother spoke harshly. I saw the seriousness in her face. Her black hair was always tied in a perfect bun while mine was a mess from a harsh day of working. Her lips were perfectly cherry red from a lipstick I bought her but I still can see the years of harsh working conditions in her attitude. I knew she was traditional in her beliefs but this was another level! I felt my shame turn to anger.

"What if I refuse?" I replied coldly. I don't care if it is impolite at this point. I rolled my arms, unable to look towards her any further.

"We know you did not credit your partner in your research to claim the glory for yourself," she snapped back. I saw her attempting to control herself from yelling more as I froze at her words.

"How did you-" she raised up her hand to silence me and I did instinctively.

"We are prepared to forgive you for this if you marry Kaito. If you refuse further, we have enough evidence to go after you for refusing to credit your former partner, Akita Yao. You may even lose your license and be sued. Please don't press us further," she spoke with a tone of authority.

How does she not understand I did this for them. The selfishness! I want to vomit at her words, my own family! I did everything for them only for them to force what they want out of me. I know though if what they speak is true, I will lose everything I clawed my way to get. I just have to indulge them until I can get a lawyer that can protect me from this.

"Fine Mama. You win. When do I meet this Katio?" I responded, crossing my arms at her. I saw her smile at my submission, for now.