My Dream Marriage

I wake up early because I need to be away from here. I want nothing to point towards me in any way concerning Zara’s killing. I want the news to find me out of this town. I want to check out my new project that I started out of town then come back later.

Few hours later, I get a call from home informing me to get back as soon as possible. I am told to go to the City Hospital because my father is admitted there. When did he get sick? And why am I not getting the news I have been anticipating for a long time. The receptionist directs me to the ward and I find my dad pale as if he has been ailing for long. He turns with difficulty to face me when he hears me enter.

“Dad, what happened to you?” He tries to talk but a cough escapes from his throat. “George, why did you kill your sister?” He asks, puzzling me. “Dad, what are you saying? Is my sister dead?” I pretend not to know that Zara is dead. “I know Mr Brown is innocent, it is you that is responsible for her killing. I know you wanted someone to pay for your sins and you chose your friend. You killed my daughter in such a terrible manner, did you hate her this much?”

“Dad, I never liked her because she was the apple of your eyes and you had totally forgotten about me. She took everything away from me dad and you just couldn’t give me an opportunity to make you proud because everything I did never was good in your eyes. I wasn’t like your son anymore and now, you decided to give her everything. Did you think that I could just sit back and overlook everything? No way.”

“I knew I had made a mistake when I told you that the property could be taken from her only if she was dead. I saw the sparkle in your eyes when I mentioned it. I knew my daughter was in danger but didn’t know it could find her that soon. I didnt even allow her death be known to the press or the authorities because I knew it was you who did it. I was protecting you so let Mr Brown go, he is innocent.” He starts breathing hard. “Your daughter? She was never your daughter and I will make sure that she disappears without any trace. Everything she has will be taken away from her. You have my word, I am never going to send him to jail, I want him to simply give me everything that he has and then, I will restore my peace.” I say sternly. His breath quickens and I can see that he has some difficulty breathing. I run out of the ward to call the doctor.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I sit on the bench outside the ward and wait for the doctors to do their job. I want to be out of here and get to Mr Brown as soon as possible, but I can’t go with the condition my father is in. Moments later, the door opens and the doctor comes to me. “I am sorry Mr Lawanson, we lost him.” Oh shit.

After doing what is needed at the hospital and informing my family, I call Mr Brown over to my house. We need to finish this today. He comes an hour later and finds us waiting for him in my study. I need my family to bear me witness to what I have in store for him.

“George, I am sorry for what happened today and I swear I didn’t know that she was there. It was an accident,” he says but I know better. “I am not going to apprehend you my friend but if you are truly sorry, I have a proposition for you.” I say calmly. “I truly am. I will do anything to pay for what I did.” I like how this is going. “You know a dead person can’t be replaced, right?” I ask and he nods quickly. “So I need you, infront of my family, to sign this documents that state that you are going to transfer all your shares to me. Another thing is that my son here, Eric could have married from your family but you have David so I guess my son here will make sure that this marriage agreement stays and comes to pass in the next generation. What do you say?” “Not a problem. I am going to sign them.” He says and takes a pen and scribbles his signature, clearly on the two documents; THE SHARES TRANSFER and two, THE MARRIAGE AGREEMENT.

(End of flashback)

***

Present day.

“What was that? Edward’s grandfather killed my grandmother and blamed your grandfather for it? I had known from the start that the Lawanson family were not to be trusted. Now look, his greed worked overtime and Neera, I am so sorry that you were used for something you knew nothing about and that it was not done by your family. I am sorry Neera,” Aniston says.

“Don’t be, the Lawanson family played against two families. They killed your grandmother, made my grandfather give up everything he worked for and I had to get married so that my family wouldn’t pay legal consequences. I never knew some people could be this evil, I mean, kill someone and blame someone else for it. I had to go through hell for the better part of this year in that family. I lost my house that my father bought with his own money to them and after losing my job as well, I got divorced and didn’t get anything from that hell of a marriage. I need my life back but better this time. Redemption time is here.”

A tear rolls down his cheek and I am taken aback and I have no idea what to do. I never thought a man’s tears, and especially this man right here could move me after what I have been through. After battling with my subconscious, I move my hands slowly so that I cup his face and wipe the single tear with my thumb. He leans into my palms for a moment then holds my hands and looks in my eyes.