AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE

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Arranged marriage wasn't something I ever thought would happen to me. Growing up, I used to believe in true love, the kind that you see in movies. A subtle attraction, exchanged glances, long stares, deep connections and so on. I’ve always dreamed of that kind of love for myself. But when my parents broke the news to me that I was to marry Logan, the son of one of their old friends and business partners, I was beyond stunned. Words failed me. I didn't know what to do and most especially I was tired.

I didn't protest, my parents were surprised at my silence and how I easily agreed to it. But the truth was, I was tired. After three failed relationships in the past and three heartbreaks. I was tired of chasing a fantasy that always seemed to slip through my fingers. So I decided to go with the flow and see where things would lead.

Three weeks before the wedding, I sat in a small cafe near the window. Seated across from me was Logan, My Supposed husband to be. We sat in awkward silence for the first few seconds with neither of us knowing what to say. This was the first time I was truly meeting him in person. I took the opportunity to take a good look at him. He was a tall young man, fair in complexion, had a muscular build, a sharp jaw that defined his face and deep brown eyes. “He wasn't too bad” I thought to myself

“So… Are you really okay with this?” He asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“To be honest, No”

“ It's not how I pictured my life to be, but I’m open to see where it goes” I said while stirring the coffee in front of me.

He widened his eyes for a tiny moment. A small smile crept up his face, and what looked like hope clouded his eyes.

“Me too,” he said excitedly, leaning forward.

The wedding came far too quickly. Everything happened in a blur. The dress fittings, tasting of the cake, the decorations and planning. Before I knew it, I stood face to face with Logan in the church dressed in a white wedding dress. The priest stood before us, as we exchanged rings. Thousands of people, both friends and relatives I didn't even know existed, graced the occasion. It all felt so unreal. I remember finding it odd to be standing at the reception floor, holding hands with someone who was now my husband but still felt like a stranger.

The days that followed were beyond awkward. Dinner was filled with formal conversations, the awkwardness between us was suffocating, the distance between us in the bed could stretch on for miles. We were nothing but polite with one another, almost too polite.

However, as time flew by gradually, days turned into weeks and weeks into months, things began to change.

It started with the little things. Sometimes I would wake up to find breakfast at the table and a sticky note that said “Don't forget to eat”. Or a note in the fridge that said “ Your morning coffee is in the flask”

Sometimes, also, I would pack his launch and leave a note like “ Good luck with your project”

Then one Sunday evening, I caught him in the kitchen trying to make what I assumed were cookies but was honestly a failed attempt with him covered with flour and sugar. He looked up sheepishly at me like a deer that had been caught.

“I was trying to recreate your Mom's recipe, you love them so much” He said.

I took one good look at him. He was wearing an apron, which was partly covered in flour. Sugar was somehow splattered on his hair. And the supposed cookies he held in his hands were looking burnt and shapeless.

I let out a heartfelt laugh that day. The kind that makes your stomach ache. I hadn't laughed like that in a long while.

“Here let me help,” I said, still chuckling a bit.

That night, we talked over baking, like really talked. Laughed over the burnt shapeless cookies, made fun of each other and just connected. We shared stories about ourselves, childhood memories and dreams. By the end of the night, something had shifted between us.

The following days that followed, we became even closer, We began spending more time together, watched movies late at night, argued over silly things, played games and celebrated when either of us had a big win at work. We began to also understand each other. He could tell when I was angry with one look. And I could read his silence like a book.

One night, we went out to a fancy restaurant, which would have been our first date. As we sat across from each other in the beautiful restaurant talking and laughing. Logan suddenly took my hands in his and said quietly.

“I never thought love could come this way, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.”

“Me too,” I said with a smile.

He smiled brightly at me. Dipped his hands in his pocket and brought out a small box. I watched curiously, wanting to see what was inside. As he opened it, I couldn't help but gasp. Inside was a beautiful gold sparkling necklace that I’m sure cost a fortune. I looked up at him with awe.

“Here, I want you to have these,” he said , handing them to me.

“Take it as my token of love for you. I know our marriage was an arranged one, but you coming into my life is the best thing that happened to me”

A small tear slipped through my eyes, as I held the small box in my hands. “I love you” I said

“I love you too,” he replied.