CHAPTER 1
Verayah POV
“Verayah?”
I lifted my head from the book on my desk. My professor walked in front of my desk with a raised brow.
“Elizan will be here this time, Professor Balphamor. He promised me.”
Professor Balphamor rubbed his gray beard, “Are you sure? He hasn’t been here for the past 3 days. You are both supposed to work on this project together.”
I fiddled with the pages of the book, “I know, we work on it outside of class together. He’s probably just lost track of time.”
Where are you Elizan? You promised you would be here.
My professor placed his hands behind his back and leaned slightly over the desk, “Verayah, if you’re having to do this project all on your own, you can tell me. I will make sure you get all the credit and he gets none,” he said in a low voice.
“What? No-No, that’s not what’s happening-.”
A creak echoed through the classroom and I looked toward the door. Elizan walked through it and quickly made his way toward me. I let go of the pages of the book.
“I’m sorry that I’m late Professor Bal, I was up all night.” Elizan quickly explained.
“It’s fine as long as you are helping your partner on this project.”
“Of course.”
Professor Balphamor nodded at him and walked toward another group.
“You’re late,” I said.
Elizan made his way around to the seat beside me, “I know but I’m here, right?”
A smile graced Elizan’s thin lips, brightening up his brown eyes and blonde hair as he sat in his chair. I held back a smile and looked down at my book.
“You could never stay mad at me.”
“I wasn’t mad. I just thought you wouldn’t come.”
“You thought I would break my promise to you? You know me better than that.”
I sighed, “I do but I also know that you don’t like nature class. So, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t come to class today. Besides, it only looks bad on you not me,” I looked at him.
“It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s more like I just don’t get it. Besides, it’s just an extra class I have to take for credit. You’re the one whose mostly into plants and wants to be a healer.”
“Well, there were plenty of other classes you could have taken.”
“Why do you act as if you don’t know why I’m taking this class?”
“Because I don’t know. Honestly, I was surprised the first time I saw you enter into the classroom.”
Elizan slid his chair closer to me and his knee brushed against mine and my heart skipped. He gently took my brown hand in his and brought it toward his face.
“You know exactly why I’m here, Rayah,” He pressed his lips on the back of my hand and my face warmed at his kiss.
I quickly slid my hand out of his, “Stop flirting and start analyzing the plants.”
I walked toward the familiar brown door and I removed the bag from my shoulder.
“Why don’t you just knock on the door?” Elizan asked.
“Because I don’t want to interrupt anything they may have going on and they may not be inside,” I answered.
“Are you serious? Your parents are always waiting by the door for you when it’s time for you to come home. I’m almost jealous that my mother doesn’t seem as excited.”
“It’s nothing to be jealous about. They are just overly worried.” I pulled the key out of my bag and put it in the silver doorknob.
“Or they just love you.”
I sighed and ignored his comment as I unlocked the door. That’s because you grew up as a perfectly healthy child. I opened the door and the sound of a knife hitting a cutting board suddenly stopped.
“Ray your home, early,” My mother walked from around the kitchen as I stepped into the house.
“Dear, Ray’s home.” My mother yelled as she walked up to me.
She opened up her small arms and wrapped them around me. I hugged her back. Heavy footsteps creaked throughout the house and I saw my father enter the living room. He joined in on the hug and kissed the top of my head. I let myself melt into their warm embrace before the moment was over.
They pulled away and both of their brown eyes studied my face. Both of their mouths began to open but before they could speak, I interrupted them.
“I didn’t get hurt during my time at school. Each day I have eaten 3 meals. I have enough supplies to last me for another week, I am in good standing in all of my classes, and I walk every day for 30 minutes after class. I promise I’m doing fine.”
My parents raised their eyebrows.
“She’s not lying. I make sure she’s nice and healthy every day,” Elizan placed his hand on my shoulder as he stepped beside me.
My mother let out a sigh while my father cleared his throat. I looked up at Elizan and found him smiling down at me. I smiled back at him silently thanking him.
“Good. We’re glad that you’re doing well. Would you like to help me with dinner?” My mother asked.
“Yes, just let me put my stuff down.”
My father looked at Elizan, “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“No thank you, Mr. Foster. I still have to visit my mother.”
“Of course. Well, if you change your mind, our door is always open.” My father offered.
Elizan nodded at my father and glanced at me, “I’ll see you later, Rayah.”
“Bye,” I waved at him.
Elizan walked out of my home and my father shut the door behind him. I walked passed the kitchen and entered the first room down the hallway. I placed my bag on my brown bed and walked toward my desk that sat in front of the window. I examined the purple flower that sat on the corner of my desk. I placed my fingers in the top soil and it was moist against my fingers. Mom does a good job taking care of you. I left out of my room and walked back into the kitchen. My mother resumed cutting mushrooms while my father began sweeping the living room.
I went to the kitchen and began washing my hands, “What would you like for me to do, Mom?”
“Could prepare the chicken for me?”
I took the chicken from the counter and began to wash it.
“Ray, I know you may find it annoying that we worry over you but we can’t help it. Honestly, it’s a miracle that you are living this long. You were so sick when you were a baby we thought we were going to lose you anytime.”
“I know Mom.”
“Let me finish.”
I turned around and found that she stopped cutting the mushrooms.
“You are our golden child. I can only thank Yahway for answering our prayers. That’s why we sacrificed so much and planned out your life. But now you’re about to graduate and . . .,” My mother glanced at my father before looking back at me.
She smiled, “We are so proud of you.”
I sucked in a breath. I never thought I would hear those words. I mean, I knew they were always proud of me, I just never expected them to say it. It was as if they were always waiting for something bad to happen to me.
My father spoke, “You’re going to live a good life and we’re also happy that you and your soon-to-be husband are getting along well.”
My face warmed at the thought of Elizan.
“I can’t wait until you both get married you’re going to be so beautiful. And so are your children.” My mom smiled.
“Mom?”
“Sorry, I know I’m getting ahead of myself. You don’t have to have kids if you don’t want to.”
I usually tried not to think about my arranged marriage with Elizen, at least not until I graduated but Elizan sometimes made it hard with his flirting and his gestures. At first, I thought that was how he was with all the girls but I soon found out I was wrong.
I turned back toward the sink and continued to clean the chicken.
I was happy to learn that his feelings for me were real and only for me. It made me feel special and genuinely loved.
My lips formed into a smile, “I’m glad, I’m marrying him too.”
