t w e n t y - e i g h t

HAZEL

Oh. Come on. “I was just joking, Atlas. I don’t want to marry anyone.”

He smashed the cigarette in his hand most probably burning his skin. I clenched my teeth and forcefully tried to open his fist. After few failed attempts, I succeeded and threw the cigarette away. Scanning his palm, I saw a fresh burn mark. I get up to bring ointment but he held my wrist and pulled me back on the couch. “You’re burnt. Let me apply something or else you’d get a-”

“Why can’t you marry me?” He cut me in middle.

“It’s not about you. It’s about me. I can’t fucking marry anyone. I’ve never even thought about my wedding. And what the fuck is wrong with you, Atlas?” I yelled, controlling my urge to smash the glass filled with orange juice on the floor.

“You’d marry me. Not now, not tomorrow but someday in future, most probably couple of years later. You’d marry me, princess.” He said, his voice hollow as he turned his face in my direction.

My pulse throbbed in my chest. “Over my fucking dead body, M