I couldn’t bring myself to answer.
My mother took my silence as shyness.
“Don’t worry. You don’t have to decide anything immediately. Just meet him. You will see.”
Then she squeezed my hands.
“Your father and I have always wanted the best for you.”
I nodded because I didn’t know what else to do.
But inside, I was panicking.
I couldn’t marry a stranger while carrying such a dangerous secret.
I wanted to refuse.
I wanted to tell my mother that she didn’t know me as well as she thought.
I wanted to confess everything before the situation became even worse.
Instead, I heard myself ask, “What time are they coming?”
“Seven o’clock.”
She kissed my forehead and walked away, already planning the meal she would serve our guests.
I remained standing in the living room long after she had gone.
Seven o’clock.
I had less than a day to decide whether I would continue lying or risk destroying the image my family treasured.
