The room was a frigid cocoon, it's walls closing in on Ellaya. The cold floor gnawed at her skin, and her swollen eyes ached from relentless tears. She had cried until her soul felt raw, yet the pain remained an unyielding ache that threatened to consume her. Her mother's entrance was a thunderclap, shattering the fragile peace of her solitude. The woman's grip on Ellaya's arm was iron, yanking her from the floor. "What's wrong with him, Ella? We've known Austine for years" yelled as forced her to stand on her wobbly leg . Struggling to stand, Ellaya's voice trembled as she fought to stand her ground. " I don't love him mumma." The words hung in the air, a desperate plea. But her mother's eyes held no sympathy- only the certainty of duty. She threw her on the bed and went into the walk-in closet. Returning back with a long white gown that looked like a wedding dress. Throwing it onto the bed. "There's no love in this world" her mother spat, as if love were a foolish myth.
As Ellaya descended the stairs, the gown trailing behind her, she vowed to defy fate. Love might be treacherous, but she would fight against cynicism, against her doubts. She would prove that even an “ugly face” could hold a heart ablaze. Ellaya stood beneath the stairs, gazing into the faces of people she had once thought of as family; but now, her family was merely using her as a commodity, without a thought for her. But it was her destiny; they never considered her anything more than a machine to earn money for them; she had no idea what her parents' love was; all she knew was how to earn, and they taught her well in this regard. Her senses snapped out of her reverie as she felt her mother's hand approach, telling her, "You look perfect; let us go; they are waiting." Ellaya nodded and got in the car; her dad was already there, using his phone to type something. Her mother commanded the driver while seated next to her. Ellaya twisted her waist and held her stomach in agony
Ellaya’s heart raced as she stood there, her entire world hanging in the balance. The dimly light corridor seemed to hold its breath. His eyes bore into hers searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. "Are you sure you want this”, He asked, his voice low and intense. Ellaya mind raced. She had never been one to make impuseive decisions, but this, this was different. This was Iden-the man who had turned her life upside down, the man who had awakened desires she never knew existed. She noded , her resolve firm. "Yes”. She whispered. Her voice barely audible. She had left behind her career, her family, and her old life. She had no doubt about that. Iden face transferred. The hard lines soften, and smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He pulled her close, hugged her in his firm arms. Ellaya doubt melted away, replaced by desire and longing. She leaned into his embrace, feeling the weight of her decision settle over her . She could not imagine her parents' reaction to her sudden
Iden laughed looking at her face filled with anxiety. "Laaya, stop worrying about other people; nobody is going to bother us here." " They don’t live here with us?" Iden drew her in closer, put his head in her neck, and took a deep breath. Her face twisted as his hot breath tickled her bare skin. "Then where do they live?" She repeated her question. "Shh, not a word …" He silenced her whispering in her ear, putting a finger to her lips. He turned her, facing toward the mirror, a beautiful woman with purple eyes and radiant pink skin, hair tied in a bun staring at her. The man behind her was the most attractive man she had ever seen. He was incredibly attractive despite only having a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a low-hanging tie, along with black trousers. His words reverberated through the empty room as she nodded her head and grinned at him. "Perfect" after a pause he spoke again looking at his phone "You are the most gorgeous bride I have ever seen, he said
Ellaya rubbed her eyes and slowly opened them; morning light danced in the corners of her new bedroom, and a gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks. She sat up and the slik cover slipped off her body. When the cold air touched her skin, she realised what had happened the night before. Her face flushed red and a shy smile appeared on her lips as she looked around the room, but there was no sign of the man she had married. Her first night as his wife was nothing but romantic and beautiful. The shyness gave way to uncertainty and fear: what if Iden had left her alone in this unfamiliar house, and where would he go? Many questions arose in her mind, and she quickly wrapped the white silk cover around her breast and opened the room to find the answer. "I..iden.. where are you?" Looking around, she exited her room and descended the stairs. The house was very small, with only a few rooms and old furniture. The house was eerily quiet, as though no one was home. She looked around the livi
It was early in the morning, summer, and Ellaya opened her eyes to the searing rays of the sun. “Good morning, love.” After giving her a quick peck on the cheek, Iden set the coffee mugs on the food tray. He was already dressed in a suit and appeared ready to go to work. She glanced at the wall clock after turning away from him. “Oh, no! It’s 8:30 already,” she exclaimed, sitting upright on the bed with her lips pressed together and her hands in front of her face. “What’s the matter?” Iden asked, noticing her confused expression. “Nothing,” she said, looking into his intense eyes and shaking her head. “Why do you always give me this look?” “Like what?” he asked, intrigued. “Like a man who hasn’t eaten in years staring at his food.” “Yes, since I am the man who is really hungry and you appear to be a beautiful and tasty meal.” He bit her lips as he leaned forward. “Furthermore, I believe I asked a question before you did. Didn’t I? What is wrong?” “Nothing… it’s just
She came forward and held a knife. “Let me help you.” “I don’t want you to cut your finger and cry all night,” Iden chuckled. “If you teach me, I won’t hurt myself,” she insisted, adamant. “I don’t want you to stress over nothing, princess. Just relax and enjoy your husband’s cooking.” He gave her a cheeky smile as he cocked his head and looked directly into her eyes. She knew that smile too well, even before she married him. “But I can teach you something else…” he circling her waist with his arms and kissing her neck. "Stop it, Iden, or the police will come to our door once more." She tried to stop him going further. Grinning, he caressed her bare arms and kissed her neck. “I’m serious, Iden. How long will you be doing this by yourself? Her face darkened into a frown. She had always been a kindhearted person who did not want to bother anyone. “You don’t want me to do all this by myself?” He spun her around so she was facing him. She gave a headshake. “I want to help…”
Ellaya and her husband had new and wonderful experiences every day, and the days were filled with joy. They ate meals together, went for walks, ate ice cream, watched movies, and ate random street food. Iden took the food packet from her hand and held it back, "Ellaya, we do not need every item in the store." She had already taken packets of other flavors. She grabbed the packet back and tossed it back in the cart, "No, I want to make rice pie tomorrow and cheese omelettes for breakfast." “It’s not cooking, Ellya. You can’t call burning all the food cooking.” He scowled deeply while keeping both hands on the side of his waist. “Not exactly… It is what I call effort.” She continued tossing packets in her cart. “And I don’t want to eat your hard work anymore,” he laughed. People stopped what they were doing and stared at them with amusement. An old man, over eighty or so, patted his shoulder “Poor husband, I sympathize with you. God bless you, boy.” “Thank you, I needed that