Forced to Marry

© 2019 Esther Imoseme Aruna.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means whether by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my Family.

DISCLAIMER

All names and characters in this book are fictitious. They have no existence outside this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aruna Esther Imoseme is an upcoming writer. She was born in Ekpoma, Edo state, Nigeria.

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Chapter 1

The love I had for my Father turned into a burning fire of hate. I never dreamed of the day I would hate my Father, for he was the best to everyone, to me and to my beautiful Mother before she died. He was truly good, I loved him.

Me, a 19 year old, dreamer girl, I yearned for so much to see and do. I wanted out of this Miner life but Susan wasn't given the chance to take a leap of faith, uncertainty, love and adventure.

I was so wrong in my heart, in everything. All I had with me over the years were regrets and hope lost, there was nothing to live for anymore. No Mother to hold me and tell me 'No', my Father was now full of greed and stupidity, no siblings to run away to.

I felt so lifeless, I wanted Frank to die alone and unloved by anyone. I wanted my Father to cry out his mistakes in front of everyone. I knew the life of a Miner was no good tale, but he chose the death of his daughter's happiness for money and fame. All I had to do was marry that Old wicked man, a man same age as my Father.

Yes! I hated everything and almost everyone, the late parties, the drinks, the business meetings, I hated the evil smiles from the other women. I lost my faith and hope, no one was coming for me. I wished I never grew up.

Ah! There were two beautiful women I loved, Becky and Abigail. They were always there for me, they put smiles on my face, they were the only ones I could talk to, but still that wasn't enough to ease my heart. Frank had hit me so many times, I wished I could kill him in his sleep, but I was no killer.

The night of the party was the day I gave up trying to hold on, once again I felt that burning slap on my face, me, Susan with a face to love and admire, but in the hands of Frank, it was nothing but a path for his palms to release anger.

I could see it in all their eyes, the lying women, the cheating, so-called business men, they all stared at me that night, no one stood up for me, not even my Father. In the midst of it all, I broke down in tears. I could hear the scheming wives laughing at me. I ran out of the room, I loved the race, it eased my pain some how. In my bright, red, high-heeled shoes, I ran high up the stairs, they seemed unending. I was scared, I knew how I felt inside, I didn't want to do it. It felt like my black, tight-fitted gown was holding me back, I tore it from the bottom, to give my legs the needed strength to take the leap.

He told me stop but I didn't listen, the man who ran after me. I had seen him before at the party, in a blue suit, he was really young, his voice sounded like an escape from my torture.

"Please don't jump Susan! My name is Gabriel, please come with me". For some reason, his name sounded so refreshing and different. For the past 5 years names I've heard were, Mr and Mrs., Prime minister, Governor, First Lady. They were always so refined. I've had to fake a smile in front of a camera beside that old man whom I never loved. He gave me everything though, Money, clothes,  food, but his fiery voice, his squeezed out palms on my skin, were sorrow to me.

Gabriel stepped slowly and cautiously closer to me, I wanted to believe him, but the memories from all the years had destroyed me, they were louder than his voice.

I thought by then Frank would come to the roof but he only went home waiting for me to come to him.

"It's nice to meet you Gabriel", I finally said.

"Too bad we didn't get to talk over a few drinks, the pain inside is eating me up, I'm only 24 years old and I've endured 5 years of a loveless marriage to a 55 years old man, who hits me and forces me against my will".

I was buying more time for myself, to think before I would give it all away.

"Please Susan listen to me!".

This time he stretched his hand out to me, he was much closer now.

"My Father never loved me". I whispered. It was at that time I knew I should take the leap.

I let go of the huge iron bars, that surrounded the edges of the roof, I felt the air pulling me back but it was too invisible to hold my hand. My hair, my eyes, I was ready to forget, I could feel myself already falling into a place I would find peace. I could think of nothing more except my Mother Angela and David. There was no turning back. This time I fell, I felt numb and my eyes went pitch black. That was the end for me, poor Susan Philip!