3.Saying Yes

Zoya's POV

As I walk inside I see all my family gathered together along with my father, which is rare. They all pass me an apologetic look.

"Baith jao beta" (Sit down dear")

says my dad. "Ji papa"(Ok Dad) I say while sitting down.

After a few minutes of silence, my dad starts speaking. "I have to tell you something. You know me only as a businessman but what you don't know about me is that I am the head of one of the strongest mafia in India. I had borrowed a loan of 10 million dollars from Matteo the head of the most powerful Italian Mafia. I had to pay it back before two months but I had not yet paid it. So he came here today to recover from debt but while we were discussing it, you came to meet me at my office. I think he might have seen you when he told me that he was willing to make a deal if I give you to him in marriage and I agreed to the deal."

"What are you serious? How can you accept the offer?" I ask in a serious tone. I am not sure where that tone came from because it is the first time I  have questioned my dad.

" You can't say no because the family's name depends on this. Do you want your parents to get killed and get their names published in the newspapers with the title "The billionaires who lost their life due to debt", a full story about how I was unable to pay back a debt and the media debating over my past decisions" he says.

I stay silent staring at the floor. My mom comes near me."Beta you know very well about how much your dad has struggled to build up this business. You wouldn't want it to fall. Would you?" she says. I look at her, she was serious in making me accept the proposal ." Did you know that he belonged to a mafia?" I ask her. "Yes I did" she replies. "And you never bothered to tell your daughter about it?" I ask her my voice shaking. " It was to keep you safe," she said. I was not in a mood to argue more. I just nod my head.

After a few minutes of thinking... "I will marry him. Please make the arrangements". I give my acceptance to my parents and walk towards my room not wanting to hear anything more from them.

I got inside my room, shut the door, fell on my bed and cried myself to sleep.

What have I done with my life???