Married

I fell silent and bowed my head as I sat here on Kian's couch. I am sitting in between my mother and father.

"My daughter is a girl. I can't accept that Kian isn't responsible for her," daddy said.

Mommy caresses his arm to calm him down. I was crying and there was only one thing in my mind. Daddy wanted Kian to marry me. I will be Kian's wife. But Kian, will he agree? I know he will deny everything. The worst is if he runs away.

Kian's parents fell into silence. I can’t predict if his daddy is angry. But her mommy was just smiling and calm. We heard the arrival of Kian's car. My heartbeat quickened and my palms are sweating.

When the door opened I bowed my head even more. I can't look at Kian. Yes, he did wrong against me and I am angry with him. Today's case has been overshadowed by the new problem we are facing. Unlucky, isn't it?

Kian sat down on the single couch. I heard Daddy clear his throat.

"You have a relationship, why are you keeping it a secret from us?" Kian's mother asked.

I wanted to talk but I kept my mouth shut because if I tell the truth, the issue would get bigger and it'll just get complicated. It would cost so much trouble.

And also, I want to know what will Kian tell. Will he deny it or will he say what really happened?

“You have to marry our daughter,” daddy said bluntly. I think my heart rate doubled.

What about Kian? Can't he at least talk? Instead, I heard him sigh.

"Beth, is it okay to you to marry me?" he asked.

This time I lifted my face and looked at him with a questioning look. Why is he asking me?

And in his reactions, there's no hint that his against of what Daddy wants to happen. I didn't answer Kian's question and looked down again.

"I will marry your daughter. I'm going to marry Beth," Kian said to my father seriously. He didn't stutter or even sound scared, he was pressured and but didn't sound compelled.

There were a few minutes of silence. His mommy was the first one to break the silence.

"I am happy for you, son. Welcome to the family, Beth," her mommy whispered happily.

"So, how's their wedding? What do you want to your wedding, Beth?" his daddy asked.

He is already smiling and no longer serious. It seems like they just accepted everything easily. They are still happy. My daddy insisted on Kian marrying me, but it looks like he failed.

Yeah, because I'm a failure.

"They'll have first a civil wedding before the church wedding."

"All right, I'll call the judge I know right away," his mother said and picked up her cellphone. She then went out to call the judge she knew.

Kian and I got married right away. We just followed our parents' orders and don't argue anymore.

By nightfall, I'll sleep with Kian in his room. We still haven't said a word to each other. Besides, the shocking incident, he did something wrong to me. The girl he blackmailed and the girl they play a bet on is now his wife.

Everything happened so fast.

I am now here in his bathroom. I dried my wet body and get dressed. When I came out of the bathroom, Kian was already lying on the bed. He looked at me. He watched my every move. It's uncomfortable but I need to get used to it. I don’t know how long we will stay married.

We will still attend school even if we're married. Maybe if we already have a job in the future after we graduated college and earned money on our own, we'll file an annulment and separate ways for good. Now that we are still dependent on our parents and have no money on our own, we should obey every word that they will say.

"Why did you agree to marry me?" he asked as I sat next to him. I shrugged. Didn't he see the reactions of my daddy and mommy after they found out about us sleeping together? As if they want to lay their hands on me.

"You? Why did you consent to it?" I asked him instead of answering his question.

He shrugged. Whatever his reasons are, I’m sure we're both in the same boat. Just obeying our parents.

He sighed. I went to bed and ignored him. I lied down and was surprised when he leaned over and faced me.

"I am sorry," he said to my surprise. But instead of rejoicing at his apology, I felt angry. I let out a heavy sigh.

"You're sorry? You're sorry about playing on me? Made a bet out of fun? You're sorry you blackmailed me?" I asked him in disgust and even stared into his eyes.

"I am sorry if I have to blackmail you, so you just can notice me."

I was confused by what he said but I did not say a word and just wait for what he will say next.

"I'm sorry because I'm numb. I'm sorry because I bullied you so badly. I just wanted you to notice me."

I looked at him in confusion.

"When I saw a man come to your house, I was scared. I immediately thought that if you have a boyfriend, you won't notice me anymore."

I rolled my eyes.

"Notice you? Daily bullying from you, I haven't noticed you in that situation yet?" I said in sarcasm.

He laughed. "I've wanted you for a long time."

"Not convincing, go to sleep. I'm still mad at you."

"Let's talk some more," he said like a child. The tone he used was melodious to the point like he wanted to hug me.

"When we were in elementary and our classmate read your love letter for me, I was really annoyed."

"My classmates used to laugh at me.

Your face was red with anger and it's like it's my fault that I have a crush on you," I said.

"Is that why you haven't looked at me? Because of that?"

"You're so mad at me that I have a crush on you. That's why I looked for another guy to like with." I snorted out.

"I hated you when we were in high school."

"Because I have a crush and it's not you anymore?" I asked and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Yes, I'm jealous," he replied.

"Tskk! You're really good at being jealous. You want to get even by bullying me every day. Others are flirting with the woman they like. While you are doing the opposite." He laughed at what I said.

"I'm sorry for what happened at the university. I punched Harold when you left. I go after you but you immediately got away. The guidance counselor also chased me," he said and laughed. "Sorry. I'm sorry, Beth."

"There's nothing we can do. We're already married."

"I know you were just forced to marry me. But I, Beth, don't. I'm happy. I'm happy. I hope you get to like me again."

We stare at each other. But eventually, his facial expression changed.

"Who was the man you were with the other day? What did you do? Did you kiss?"

"We have this mutual understanding relationship," I replied.

I wanted to laugh because he was obviously very jealous by just looking at his face.

"Don't think of cheating on me, Beth," he said threatening.

"Hey, man. You have so many women," I said and made face.

"Are you jealous when you see me with someone else? Are you jealous?" he said smiling.

I slapped his shoulder. So that means he makes me jealous by being with a lot of women who always accompany him in the university.

"Baby, I'll promise to court you every day. I'll take you back, I love you."

I smiled at him.

"Thank you," I replied and he looks annoyed.

I'm still angry because they bet on me. But I don't know how long this anger will last. I'm sure of one thing. Everything that happened to us, ever since we were kids and up until now, I’m sure that I still like Kian. I hope that we'll stay together forever.