Chapter 1: ENGAGEMENT
That one mistake changed my life. If he didn't save my dignity from those lusty men that night and make love to me I am not in this situation.
I, Caroline Steve, engaged with my childhood friend, Harry Brown. But that one mistake changed everything. I lost my friend, my family, my dignity and now I have a baby in my womb of that man whom I don't even know the name of. Hope I shall be able to meet him soon. He is my only hope. On my marriage day, I came to know that I'm pregnant. I cannot spoil Harry’s life. However, I told him everything. But this rejection hurt his ego. He left no opportunity unturn to humiliate me in front of all people and broke the marriage proving me characterless. My family felt disgusted and threw me out of the house. They don’t want to see my face. What should I do? Where should I go? God help me. Save me from this cruel world. I don’t want to lose my baby. I have to protect myself for the sake of my baby. He is the only reason of my survival.
~~
Chicago, America:
Caroline is sitting in her room, looking at the mirror. She looks tenses and confused.
"Today is the most important day in my life. It's my engagement today. But why am I not happy?" Lost in a deep thought.
Jones, Carolin’s mother enters the room and smiles at her daughter. ‘’Honey. Are you okay?’’ By getting no response, she said. ‘’Carolin, don't be scared, You know Harry since childhood. You are not marrying a stranger, then why are you scared?’’
‘’Mom. Why are we going to get engaged so soon? I mean. Everything is happening so fast. I didn't get time to think about this relationship.’’ Carolin shared her dilemma.
‘’Don't be nervous. I assure you he will always keep you happy. After all, your papa chose the best for you. Getting married at the right time is important. Good thing is that you already know him since childhood. You have gotten enough time to know each other. wasn’t you?’’ Jones lovingly smooths her hair, calming her.
‘’But Mumma we have not met each other for the past 10 years. He was studying in Texas all these years and we aren’t in touch. People do change with time. He is now a complete stranger to me and this sudden engagement is making me tense. I am unsure. I don't know what to do.’’ Caroline said holding her mother's hand nervously. While Jones smiles.
‘’Do you trust your father?’’ Jones asks.
‘’Of course I trust him. No doubt about it.’’ Replied Caroline.
‘’Then don't be nervous. Your father will never make a wrong decision in your case. He loves you the most. Whatever he will decide, it will be for your betterment and secured life ahead. Harry is a well-educated, caring and wise man. His family is also lovely. He will keep you happy. Just relax baby.’’ Jones calms her.
‘’Mumma but what about my happiness, my dreams? I always thought whenever I will fall in love with someone, my heart beats raise. I will feel restless but nothing happens in case of him. I never feel like this whenever I am with Harry. I never feel butterflies in my stomach whenever he looks at me.’’ Caroline said.
Her mother listens to this in bewilderment. She slaps slightly on her silly daughter and bangs her head playfully. ‘’You have been watching so many films. Life is not a movie. Now come back from your dream world and get ready. He and his family are waiting for you eagerly. Be quick.’’ Jones said. Before Caroline say something, she left leaving a tearful Caroline.
Caroline began thinking. ‘’No one understands me. Jesus, help me!’’
She clutches her lehenga tight in her tiny fist and sobs. After a few seconds, she wipes her face and gets ready. Her friends came to help her in her touch up. In a short while, she got ready and her friends took her downstairs where everyone was waiting for her, especially Harry.
As she walks down the stairs, she feels everyone's. gaze settle on her. She mumbles and she chants god’s name repeatedly.
"Don't be scared. He will not eat you. You have known him since childhood. You know what a flirt he is, but a nice one. Be strong and calm down. Only engagement is taking place. There is still time for marriage and you can know him more then.’’ Caroline murmurs to herself.
‘’Hey beautiful!!’’ Harry came to her. Caroline hears this, but in her nervousness does not lift her head.
‘’Hello miss hotty. I am talking to you. Where are you lost in your own world? He waves her a little to bring her back to reality.
"Actually..I..’’ She stammers, she has no idea how to initiate.
‘’What happened? You always keep blabbering about. Why are you quiet?’’ Harry notices her nervousness.
He takes her hand and tries to kiss her palm. But she felt uncomfortable with his sudden touch and quickly took away her hand.
‘’Harry, I am sorry, but I am not ready for this relationship. I need a little time to think about our alliance. Hope you will understand.’’ Carolin finally uttered.
‘’Of course darling. Initially we were friends, but you are my soon to be wife. I do understand your hesitation.’’ In a deep husky voice, he said something leaning close to her. ‘’You know, I have always loved you.’’ She got alarmed. Her eyes narrowed by his confession
‘’What??’’
‘’Yes Caro, I have loved you since childhood. I understand you need time. But you will get a lot of time to get to know me after marriage.’’ Said Harry in front of everyone.
With that he bends down and kneels on the floor and takes a ring out from his shirt pocket. Everyone is shocked seeing the groom like this and starts clapping loudly.
Harry is holding a ring in his hand. "Caro, I love you very much and will always give you all the happiness which you deserve. Will you marry me?’’
Caroline has tears in her eyes by listening to his confession. She looked at her mom with confusion and her mother nodded her head to say yes to him. Unwillingly, she gives her hand to him.
‘’Yes. I will marry you.’’ All started cheering for the new couple. He is now beaming and laughing. Both exchange rings and sooner ritual end. Afterwards, he gets permission from Mr and Mrs Steve to take Carolin for a ride to spend some alone time.
He takes her to a nearby restaurant with romantic music playing in the background. As her mother said, he is charming and well-mannered. He shows interest in her studies and ambitions. She gel up well and enjoys spending time with him for the next couple of hours.
‘’After marriage, you don't need to work, you know. I will support you.’’ Harry said to her while they were having dinner.
‘’Actually I wanted to continue my job after marriage. Is it going to be a problem?’’ He got offended but hides it well.
‘’No problem. You can do as you wish. I just want to keep you all to myself.’’ Harry reassures her she is free to do whatever she likes. She smiles thinking how much he understood her wishes, but somewhere she still feels nervous.
‘’May I give you a lift for your office tomorrow, if you have no problem. I want to see your face everyday.’’ Harry offered.
‘’I need to ask Mumma.’’ Caroline felt uneasy. But she couldn’t deny him.
‘’Come, I will ask her myself. She will not say no to her Son-in-law.
After coming back home, he took Mrs permission. Gaining Mrs Jones steve approval, he picks Caroline from her house and then drops her back after her office. Now it becomes a daily routine. They both started getting comfortable as the time passed. He always brings a smile to her face by his little jokes and pranks. Slowly, Caroline started liking him but she is still confused with her feelings. She likes him but only as a friend. She tries to love him the way he loves her but is unable to. In spite of his charming personality, her heart is not able to accept him as THE ONE. She feels sad by seeing his love towards her as she considers him just a friend.
But then, she should be grateful. Her marriage is fixed to an amazing guy. She feels happy by seeing her family happy. For her parents sake, she decides not to say anything. After all, everything is going perfect in her life.
However, she buried her real feelings and forced her heart to give a chance to this relationship. Unaware of a perfect storm is on its way to enter her life and change everything.
Precap: A new man enters Caroline's life.
